Car sales fall again (UK)

Car sales have fell again in the UK. Latest figures from SMMT showed an 11.9% fall in private sales in June 2008 to 83,425 cars. That’s the biggest month-on-month drop since February 2006.

Even for fleet buyers, the June 2008 figures look bad. Demand was down by 6.1%, the steepest drop so far in 2008. Total new car registrations in quarter two were down 2.5%, compared to a 0.7% fall in quarter one.

Yet for months, new car sales seemed to be defying the gloom. The huge March 2008 market, which takes around 17% of total sales in a year, held up well. Sales to private buyers fell 1.4% compared to the previous year, but that still meant 222,788 new cars left showrooms. Industry experts had forecasted far worse, and despite the suggestion that pre-registrations were propping up a faltering market, it is clear that things have got a lot worse. In quarter two, private demand fell 7.9%, on the back of a more modest 2.4% fall in quarter one.

China also saw slow car sales. Car sales in China rose 14.2% in the first half, lower than an earlier expectation of 20%, as more stringent macroeconomic control policies and record high oil prices curbed purchases. Domestic carmakers sold a combined 3.3 million passenger vehicles, including sedans, MPV's, SUV's and minibuses, from January through June. Production rose 16.9% to 3.6 million vehicles during the same period. Though sales in June grew 13% to 517,469 units, it was the third consecutive month that sales growth has begun to flatten out, triggering concerns about a slowdown in the overall market for this year.

Industry officials blamed the reversal on floods in south China, which meant some carmakers stopped production and suspended vehicle shipments. Half-year sales of sedans rose 13% to 2.39 million units while SUVs, including crossovers, posted a 41.7% sales jump to 211,885 units. Sales of MPVs climbed 2.4% to 106,297 units. Shanghai VW was first among China's top-selling car manufactures in June, with retail sales of 40,124 units. Next came FAW-VW and Shanghai GM, which sold 38,908 and 35,189 vehicles, respectively. Like a number of its competitors, General Motors posted slower sales growth in China for the first half of this year, a victim of weaker market demand and keen competition.

While the total industry rose more than 14% in the first six months, GM boosted its half-year sales in China by 12.7% to a record 590,126 vehicles. That compares with a growth rate of 19% last year. GM cited the strength of its Chevrolet brand in China. Sales of Chevrolet vehicles, including the popular Lova small sedan and the new Epica mid-sized sedan, jumped 34.6% in the first half to 109,131 units. Both models are made by Shanghai GM, a joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation. Shanghai GM's flagship Buick brand said its first-half sales reached 146,321 units, including 90,604 Buick Excelles; GM launched a revamped version earlier this year. Sales of the Cadillac luxury brand hit 3,285 units in the first half of the year.

In Australia, it seems that the credit crunch is yet to affect buyers since the sales of SUV's and mid-sized sedans were booming. Toyota enjoyed selling over 25,500 units with the Corolla hatcback taking most of the sales.

In Brazil, Korean car firm, SsangYong saw sales rise by 1,873% jump in sales for June 2008, compared to June of 2007. The brand sold 750 units from January to June 2008, while it sold only 38 units in the same period last year. In June only, Ssangyong sold 182 units of its sport-utility vehicles. It sold 11 units in the same month last year.

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Car sales plummet in the UK

Chevrolet HHR pricing and specification announced (UK)

We've seen prototypes of the Chevrolet HHR SS undergoing high-speed testing in Germany but it seems that the regular HHR will arrive in Europe. The retro cruiser has been on the U.S market since 2006.

The HHR will be well equipped with front fog-lamps, Glass deep-tinted 2nd row doors, quarter windows and rear, 4x electric windows, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear-shift knob, leather seats with heated front seats, 8 way electrically adjustable drivers seat, cruise control and more. The only options will be metallic paint and electric sunroof. Accessories will be available at your local Chevrolet retailer. 3 trim-levels will be available; entry-level LS, LT and range-topping LTX.

Only 1 engine will be available at launch and this will be the 2.4 litre petrol engine. The engine is mated with both a manual gearbox and an automatic gearbox. Prices will start at £16,995 for LS, rising to £24,145 for the LTX.

Chevrolet HHR microsite

Chevrolet HHR specification

Chevrolet Cruze to be unveil in Paris (EU)

Chevrolet Europe will revealed their new C-Segment sedan at October's Paris motorshow. Prototypes of the new sedan have been spied in the U.S, Germany, UK and Northern Scandinavia.

According to Chevrolet, the Cruze will be sold alongside the current Lacetti hatchback and wagon. The newcomer will be available in Europe in early 2009 with global sales following after. A North American version of the Cruze is slated to go into production in mid-2010 at GM's Lordstown plant in Ohio and will replace the Cobalt.

At 4.6 metres or 181 inches, the Cruze will be larger than most small-family sedans like the VW Jetta and Ford Focus sedan. It will be the first product to use the revamped Delta 2 global compact platform that also will underpin replacements for the Vauxhall/Opel Zafira, Chevrolet HHR and related siblings. If you want more variants of the Cruze, you're out of luck, since the Cruze will only be offered as a 4 door sedan with a seating capacity of 5 people.

European customers will be offered the choice of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines developing around 120bhp -140bhp. For the U.S market, GM intends to fit a turbocharged 1.4-litre direct-injection petrol engine that will deliver up to 40 mpg in motorway driving.

GM previously used the Cruze nameplate on a re-badged version of the Suzuki Ignis that was sold in Japan as the Chevrolet Cruze and in Australia as the Holden Cruze.

Official: Russia is #1 in Europe's car market (RU)

Russia has officially knocked Germany off the top spot as Europe's largest car market. A document showed that new car sales in Russia rose by a huge 41% during the first half of this financial year, totalling sales of 1.65 million cars.

Russian car deliveries are expected to total 3.8 million by the end of the year, with Germany's expected to reach just 3.2 million.

Spending on new vehicles in Russia totalled a record $33.8 billion during the first half of the year, of which $27 billion worth of new cars were imports.

The country's oil-based economy is to thank for its growing wealth. But few big industry players predicted the speed in which Russia has become a key European market.

Carlos Ghosn, boss of Renault-Nissan, said six months ago he thought the Russian car market would overtake Germany's "within two years". While John Fleming, Ford's European chief, said it might happen in 2009.

Russia is predicted to account for 20% of global growth in the automotive market through to 2015.

Its not all bad news, Germany takes 2nd place after holding the number 1 spot in car sales, past last few years, while the UK is shoved into 3rd place.

Thanks to Russia's growing economy, will this make the country the highest carbon dioxide emitter in coming years?

No Volkswagen Robust pick-up for Europe (EU)

Due to be launched next year, Volkswagen all-new Robust pick-up truck won't be available in Europe since fuel prices at the pumps are at an all-time high and CO2 limitations by the EU, however, a handful may still come to Europe in selected markets. Instead, sales will go ahead in North America, Argentina, Brazil and South Africa. No word if Australia or any country in Asia are going to receive it.

The newcomer is currently undergoing rigorous brake and engine testing in the Austrian Alps. Production was expected at the Hannover plant in Germany, but this news means production will be done solely at the Volkswagen facility in Argentina. The plant is expected to produce 90,000 units just for the South American market alone.

The Robust would have rivalled the popular Mitsubishi L200/Triton, Nissan Navara and Toyota Hi-Lux.

The Robust is due to be released as a 2010 model, we should see its unveiling at one of the major American motorshows early in 2009.

Hyundai Elantra LPG hybrid may come to UK (UK)

Hyundai has just released details of a new ‘mild hybrid’ version of its Elantra hatchback. It uses an LPG-powered engine in conjunction with an advanced lithium polymer battery pack and an electric motor.

The hybrid Elantra will go on sale in South Korea next April. Senior Hyundai sources in the UK confirm the company is seriously considering exporting it to markets with “an established LPG delivery architecture”, which includes the UK.

The hybrid Elantra uses a 1.6-litre engine that can only run on LPG in conjunction with a 15kw battery pack. Power goes to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission system.

The hybrid Elantra would likely be sold under the Hyundai’s ‘i-Blue’ eco sub-brand in the UK. The car is the first in the world to use new-tech lithium polymer batteries manufactured by LG Chem. These offer significantly higher energy density and lower manufacturing costs than lithium-ion batteries, and are also claimed to be capable of withstanding more charge-recharge cycles, extending their lifespan.

Hyundai claims the Elantra LPG emits only 103g/km of CO2. If it comes to the UK, expect the car to be tweaked so its in VED Band A, which means owners don't pay a single penny for road tax.

If the Elantra hybrid does come to the UK, Hyundai should be able to price it to undercut both the Toyota Prius and Honda’s forthcoming hybrid hatchback.

The Elantra was on sale in the UK but was recently replaced by the i30 hatchback due to slow sales, however, in the U.S, it is one of the most popular cars in the Hyundai line-up alongside the VeraCruz crossover.

Cadillac CTS pricing announced (UK)

Cadillac UK has announced prices for its mid-sized sedan. The rear-drive CTS will only be available with one trim level, ‘Sport Luxury’ which is offered with a choice of either a 2.8-litre V6 or 3.6-litre V6 petrol engines.

The entry level, 208bhp 2.8 V6 starts at £26,995, with the 307bhp 3.6 V6 priced at £32,995. A diesel engine won’t find its way into the new sedan until the 2.9-litre V6 diesel becomes available in 2009. Unfortunately, buyers of the CTS will face a £400 a year road-tax and high running costs. The automatic pollutes less than the manual with the latter emitting 285g/km. The diesel is expected to make up most sales in the UK, providing it slots under VED Band G.

Cadillac is majoring on value and style with the new CTS. The entry version costs nearly £2000 less than a base BMW 5-Series and boasts standard heated leather and electrically adjustable seats, climate control, automatic wipers and lights, bi-xenon headlamps with adaptive forward lighting, BOSE sound system, LED tail-lights, auto-dipping rear-view door mirror and interior mirror and rear parking sensors. Full spec here; Cadillac CTS UK specification

For UK buyers that are looking forwards to the 555bhp 6.2-litre CTS-V are out of luck: Cadillac has confirmed its BMW M5 rival will be staying in the US, along with the new CTS wagon, however, a GM insider said the CTS-V may come over but in LHD only. GM doesn’t think that either would be viable in the European market.

The new CTS saloon will make its public debut at the British motorshow later on this month.

NAC MG TF pricing announced (UK)

Chinese carmaker NAC MG has announced UK pricing for its British built TF LE500. The mid-engined, RWD roadster that’s due to arrive in dealerships across the UK this September will start at £16,399. Thats £700 more than the entry-level Mazda MX-5. NAC MG say the roadster is priced competitively and has received over 300 orders. For your money, you get a 134bhp 1.8-litre engine to meet Euro IV emission standards. Standard equipment includes manual air-conditioning, ABS, leather seats, windstop, 16-inch alloy wheels, a body coloured hardtop, parking sensors and a Pioneer MP3 compatible CD/radio.

NAC says that cheaper, lower-spec versions of the new TF will be launched some time next year. The company says it doesn’t have any specific expectations for sales volumes. “We are delighted to be able to bring in such a highly specified car at such a reasonable price,” said Gary Hagen of NAC UK.

New Car: 2009 Citroen C4 facelift

After clocking up 900,000 sales world-wide (with over 200,000 units going to the UK) since 2004, the french brand will look to maintain its success with a new facelifted model with a touched up exterior and interior styling along with two new engines.

The exterior styling sees a more curvier look to it with a completely restyled front end to mimic the design of the recently launched C5. Some additional chrome accents, new body colours and new alloy wheels help complete the look.

The interior hasn't gone unnoticed by the Citroen designers, where it gets small updates to the upholstery with a new velour or leather options available and the rev-counter has been repositioned to the center of the dashboard display. Citroen has used the new C4 facelift to introduce its new “MyWay” navigation system with a hi-res 7'' colour screen, other technological enhancements include Bluetooth® and USB connectivity as well as an audio system with a built-in 10GB hard drive.

Under the hood, Citroen replaces the 1.6i 16V and 2.0i 16V engines with two new engines co-developed with BMW. Both petrol engines have a displacement of 1.6-litres, the first is a normally aspirated 120bhp Vti with Variable valve lift and Timing Injection whilst the 150 THP (Turbo High Pressure) engine comes in at 150bhp.

The revised small family car will go on sale before the end of the year and prices will be receive a small hike over the current model, which means it should start around £10,000.

So will the C4 Triomphe receive the same treatment in 2009?

New Car: 2009 Citroen C3 Picasso

Citroen will launch its smallest and most radical MPV at next September’s Paris Show. The C3 Picasso, which has a close mechanical relationship with the PSA’s Peugeot 207 family, sets out to ditch the “worthy” image associated with MPVs.

When it goes on sale in summer 2009 in the UK, it will be the fifth people-carrier in Citroen’s fast-expanding range, and the third to use the Picasso name.

Citroen aims to take advantage of growing demand for the Vauxhall/Opel Meriva-class MPVs over the next few years. Sales went from 20,000 units in 1998 to 600,000 units in 2005, but receded by 15 percent.

The C3 Picasso’s jaunty two-box styling, Citroen design bosses claim “devilish charm”, makes a complete break with other Citroen MPVs, though there are enough cues to maintain a family look. Its 4.08 metre length places it squarely between the C3 (3.85m) and Xsara Picasso MPV (4.28m). However, the C3 Picasso’s generous 1.62m height, near-vertical tailgate and straight body sides give it the biggest seats-down luggage capacity in the class.

Two 1.6 litre diesel engines (90bhp and 110bhp) and two 1.6 litre BMW-PSA petrol engines (95 bhp and 120 bhp) will be available. The diesel engines will emit 125g and 137g/km of CO2. Citroen plan to keep the engine line-up simple. They believe that the C3 Picasso can make life tough for the class-leading Meriva, whose European sales last year plummeted to 125,000 units from the previous year’s 160,000-plus units. The C3 Picasso will also be produced in Brazil by 2009, aiming at the local market and exports to South American countries. Since it uses the Peugeot 207 platform, the car could also be produced in Brazil.

PSA’s Slovakian plant starts producing the C3 Picasso in early 2009 and will produce 110,000 MPVs yearly, along with Peugeot’s 207 hatch. Main rivals for the new MPV will be the Nissan Note, Renault Modus, Skoda Roomster and the upcoming Vauxhall/Opel Mervia, while prices are likely to start at £9,500.

Press Release:

C3 Picasso, Citroën’s new creation

With the C3 Picasso, Citroën is once again shaking up conventional automotive ideas, introducing an innovative concept that is sure to play a leading role in the B2 MPV segment.

The C3 Picasso bears all the hallmark creativity of Citroën and stands out with its bold styling, innovative architecture and outstanding ingenuity. It does more than simply sublimate the qualities of an MPV. The high-set seating and onboard visibility will delight all passengers, while the vehicle’s complete and intuitive modular design will make their day-to-day life a charm. And the newcomer’s nimble roadholding will satisfy drivers looking for pleasure and involvement at the wheel.

The new C3 family body style will be presented at this year’s Paris Motor Show, ahead of launch in first-quarter 2009.

Devilish charm:

Citroën has skilfully played off the opposing qualities of round vs. square, strength vs. charm, modernity vs. retro, and large volume vs. flowing lines to design a vehicle with breakthrough styling and an appealing, impish personality. The C3 Picasso’s pure and functional body styling expresses its fundamental purpose: passenger comfort at all times in all situations. Small outside, big inside

The C3 Picasso’s particularly innovative architecture makes it small outside and cavernous inside. Measuring 4.08 m long, 1.73 m wide and 1.62 m tall, it has a surprisingly compact front end and a strictly vertical rear end. These original proportions provide an incredible amount of cabin room. The boot is equally capacious, boasting up to 500 litres VDA under the parcel shelf with all five seats in place.

Making life easier:

The C3 Picasso revolutionises user-friendliness with its intuitive modular design that allows owners to optimise interior space in record time. The split-fold rear seats slide independently over 150 mm for the comfort of all passengers, whatever their shape or size. The seats can be folded away with one hand in one simple movement using controls on the upper part of the rear seat backs. Combined with a mobile boot floor, this function provides a completely flat loading space right up to the seatbacks in row one. Load length can be further extended by folding the front passenger seat back down into desk position.

Wide-angle view:

The driving position offers unrivalled wide-angle vision thanks to the innovative, three-part windscreen with slim pillars and the high seating position that gives drivers a commanding view of the road. Wrapped in a striking glass envelope, the cabin is flooded with light. At up to 4.52 m with the panoramic roof, the glazed surface on the C3 Picasso is one of the largest in the segment. The MPV as “pleasuremobile”C3 Picasso drivers get a whole new experience of driving pleasure that sets the bar high in the segment. The car’s compact dimensions and tight turning circle make it impressively agile and able to dodge obstacles with ease.

The C3 Picasso has a vehicle attitude worthy of a saloon, bringing drivers complete peace of mind in all driving conditions. The C3 Picasso is also fitted with a range of high-performance, economical engines. It will ship with two new-generation petrol units – the VTi 95 and VTi 120 – and two diesels, the HDi 90 and HDi 110 DPFS, renowned for their driving pleasure and efficiency. These engines provide low CO2 emissions, with the HDi 90 unit emitting just 125 g/km. C3 Picasso models fitted with HDi engines carry the Airdream® environmental signature that identifies the Citroën models with the best environmental credentials.