Subaru voted top manufacturer in Auto Express Driver Power Survey 2024

Industry News

Subaru claim top spot in Auto Express Driver Power Customer Satisfaction Survey Brand claims first position in five categories and second for value for money Subaru achieved an overall rating of 90.66% based on collated customer responses 21st August 2024 – Subaru has been voted the top manufacturer in the renowned Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction Survey for 2024. The Japanese brand claimed the top spot beating more mainstream and prestige brands in the list of 32 manufacturers. The Auto Express Driver Power Survey is an independent study, based purely on customer feedback. The information collected covers many data points including practicality, safety, reliability and quality, among many others. Thousands of owners responded to the poll about their cars, allowing the experts at Driver Power to collate useful insights, and produce an overall score for vehicle manufacturers. Paul Barker, Editor of Auto Express, said: “Subaru may not be the most high-profile of brands, but owners have made it clear they’re delighted with their car’s practicality, safety, reliability and quality, among other key attributes.” Subaru has built a long-lasting reputation for safe, tough and fun vehicles, with true go-anywhere capability. It also has a customer base primarily located in more rural locations across the UK, which the cars are specifically designed to cater for. But as Auto Express went on to mention “There’s clearly something special about a brand that provides such exceptional levels of satisfaction to its target audience.” Lorraine Bishton, Managing Director at Subaru (UK & Ireland) said “We are extremely pleased to see Subaru ranked top of the prestigious Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction survey this year. It is a testament to the brand, our professional dealer partners across the UK and the loyal Subaru customer base, that the owners and drivers felt strongly enough to rank us so highly.” She went on to say “Producing great value All-Wheel-Drive vehicles that are safe and reliable are not just statements used in our marketing, they are pillars that the Subaru brand lives by.”

All-New Dacia Spring named ‘Bargain of the Year’ by world renowned automotive industry experts

Industry News

The All-New Dacia Spring is named ‘Bargain of the Year’ by the Best Cars of the Year expert judging panel 100% electric All-New Dacia Spring praised for its affordability and practicality The UK’s most affordable new electric car is now available to order at www.dacia.co.uk or from any official retailer, priced from only £14,995 on-the-road The All-New Dacia Spring is a big deal in every sense after being judged ‘Best Car Bargain of the Year 2024/2025’ by the independent organisation, Best Cars of the Year. Comprising of industry-leading car designers, engineers and executives together with motorsport icons and automotive media professionals, the Best Cars of the Year judging panel singled out the pure-electric All-New Spring for its value and versatility. A star of the Best Cars of the Year stand at the recent British Motor Show, the All-New Dacia Spring is priced at only £14,995 on-the-road, making it the UK’s most affordable new electric car. Ahead of the first customer deliveries later this year, orders are now open and static left-hand-drive versions are displayed in Dacia retailers nationwide for customers to see, touch and feel. The success of the All-New Dacia Spring in Best Cars of the Year’s annual New Car World Championships follows the Dacia Jogger picking up the same award at last year’s ceremony. On Best Cars of the Year declaring the All-New Dacia Spring an unbeatable bargain, judge Dr Andy Palmer said: “The Dacia Spring is great for several reasons – particularly among those looking for an affordable, practical efficient electric vehicle. It’s especially suited to urban environments and short to medium commutes. So, upon full consideration, I’m going with the new Dacia Spring.” Rewriting the EV rulebook, the All-New Spring combines its incredible value with a comprehensive standard specification and everyday usability. It offers a choice of Expression and Extreme trim levels and has a range of up to 140 miles (WLTP mixed cycle) or 186 miles (WLTP urban cycle). The Spring can be ordered with a 45 hp, or a more powerful 65 hp/48 kW motor. Using its 7kW charger, the compact 26.8 kWh battery can be charged from 20% to 100% on a suitable domestic outlet in less than 11 hours, or in just four hours on a 7kW charger. The standard specification includes such features as a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, cruise control, manual air conditioning, rear parking sensors, Media Control system with USB port, electric front windows and remote central locking.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles ID. Buzz 7-seat to make UK debut at CarFest 2024

Industry News

UK debut of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles all-electric ID. Buzz 7-seat Test drives of the ID. Buzz 5-seat also available during the three-day event Visitors to CarFest 2024 can benefit from exclusive Try Before You Buy offer Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ stand, the Buzz Stop, curated by renowned artists Craig & Karl, features design inspiration from ID. Buzz, including the honeycomb grille CarFest takes place 23-25 August 2024 at Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire Milton Keynes, UK (21 August, 2024) – The highly-anticipated Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles ID. Buzz 7-seat will make its UK debut at CarFest 2024 from 23-25 August 2024. Visitors to CarFest, the UK’s biggest family fundraising festival, will be the first to see the longer wheelbase variant in the country, as well as being able to test drive the ID. Buzz 5-seat at the on-site Test Drive Centre. During the three-day event, which takes place at Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will provide CarFest visitors an exclusive, enhanced Try Before You Buy offer for the ID. Buzz 5-seat. The Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles stand, the Buzz Stop, has been designed by globally-renowned design duo, Craig & Karl. Situated at stand number CF2, the new Buzz Stop will capture everyone’s attention with its bold design, bright colours and use of different media, inspired by design features from the ID. Buzz. The new ID. Buzz 7-seat will take centre stage at the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ CarFest stand, as well as entertainment for everyone, including a live DJ, seating areas, and a children’s colouring wall. Prices for the ID. Buzz 7-seat model start at £59,545 ‘on the road’ with deliveries to start later in 2024. The ID. Buzz 7-seat delivers family-friendly flexibility, with five-, six- and seven-seat configurations available, with all rear seats benefiting from three-point safety belts and ISOFIX mountings for child seats. The second row of seats slide and recline for extra comfort, while on seven-seat models the third row can be removed completely. The increase in wheelbase allows for the installation of an 86kWh battery, providing a WLTP range of up to 291 miles1. Measuring 4,962mm long, ID. Buzz 7-seat features a 250mm increase in length over the standard model. This has allowed the sliding rear doors to be increased by 192mm, resulting in even easier entry and exit for rear seat passengers. The 7-seat model provides 306 litres of space behind the third seat row, increasing to 1,340 litres of luggage space behind row two and 2,469 litres when the second and third row seats are folded, making it perfect for carrying bikes, surfboards and kit for all the family. In addition, the Multiflex board adjustable boot floor creates a second loading level and, when the rear seats are folded down, a completely flat load area. As with the rest of the ID. Buzz line-up, the 7-seat features a number of technology and specification upgrades. For instance, the latest ‘Discover Pro’ infotainment system now benefits from a larger 12.9-inch screen with enhanced graphics and a faster, more powerful processor. For more details on Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ award-winning range of products and services, or to find your nearest Van Centre, please visit www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk For more information on CarFest 2024, please visit the website: www.carfest.org Tickets available on the website here (ends) Notes to Editor:1Official test (WLTP) electric range for the ID. Buzz 7-seat. Max range (offical WLTP) for ID. Buzz 7-seat is 291 miles. About Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles:Over 70 years ago, the first Transporter arrived in the UK, creating a blueprint which others would follow: a van which gets the job done efficiently and reliably. Today, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles offers a diverse model range of commercial as well as passenger carrying and lifestyle models – from the compact Caddy, the evergreen Transporter and sturdy Crafter panel vans, dropsides and tippers, through the Multivan passenger carrier, and Caddy California, new California and Grand California campervans, to the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo all-electric models, and the Amarok. The vehicles are as versatile and dependable as Volkswagens have always been, but the range is now wider, and more connected, modern and safer than ever. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is committed to working in partnership with individuals and businesses, providing them with the best products and aftersales support, whether they’re buying one or a thousand vans. For more information visit www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk Press contactVolkswagen Commercial Vehicles Press TeamLaura Bignall 07557 758617Jess Bowden-Eyre 07734 855245Amy Allen 07983 535116 Press and Public RelationsVolkswagen Commercial VehiclesYeomans DriveBlakelandsMilton KeynesMK14 5AN Telephone 01908 601478www.vwpress.co.uk 03624/JBE

Arnold Clark is official partner of SCOTY Awards 2024

Industry News

The Association of Scottish Motoring Writers is thrilled to confirm that motoring giant Arnold Clark is the official partner of the Scottish Car of the Year Awards 2024. The SCOTY Awards are the pinnacle of the motoring year in Scotland and beyond, and SCOTY rewards the best cars launched in the previous 12 months. For 2024, the awards will be proudly held in association with Arnold Clark at the Dalmahoy Hotel, Edinburgh on Thursday 28 November. ASMW President Alisdair Suttie said: “We are delighted to host the Scottish Car of the Year Awards 2024 in association with Arnold Clark. It’s the big ticket motoring awards of the year, so who better to hold it with than the biggest name in Scottish motoring. With such a diverse range of cars, and ways to power them, 2024 is set to be a fantastic year for SCOTY.” Eddie Hawthorne, Arnold Clark Chief Executive and Group Managing Director, said: “The Scottish Car of the Year Awards is one of the biggest nights in the calendar for the automotive industry and we’re very excited to be this year’s official partner. “Events like this are great for the industry, but also really useful for customers, providing expert insight into the cars that they believe stand out from the crowd, meaning they can visit one of our branches armed with extra knowledge to help them find the right car. “We can’t wait to see which cars will shine and earn the judges’ praise this year.” The Scottish Car of the Year Awards started in 1998 and the Hyundai IONIQ 6 was named the 2023 winner.

Bentley to showcase the exclusive Bacalar and Batur from their Coachbuilt by Mulliner division together at Salon Privé 2024

Industry News

Salon Privé is delighted to confirm the presence of the bespoke & coachbuilding arm of Bentley Motors, Mulliner, at this year’s Blenheim Palace event, held later this month on 28-31 August. The British luxury brand will be showcasing the prototypes of these ultra-bespoke creations, the Bentley Bacalar and the Bentley Batur. Both are extremely rare Bentleys, and are being presented at Salon Privé for guests to inspect and see in action during the famous Salon Privé Parade. Bentley Motors will showcase two striking Coachbuilt by Mulliner cars at Salon Privé 2024 The Bentley Batur is one of just 18 and the Bentley Bacalar is one of just 12 customer cars Both cars to take part in the famous Salon Privé Parade Salon Privé 2024 at Blenheim Palace to be held on 28-31 August 19th year of Salon Privé in 2024: ‘The UK’s most exclusive automotive garden party’ Salon Privé tickets available at https://www.salonpriveconcours.com/ The Bentley Bacalar marked the return to bespoke coachbuilding for Bentley Mulliner, which lays claim to being the oldest coachbuilding company in the world. Revealed in 2020, the two-seat Bacalar was created to be “the ultimate expression of two-seat, open-air luxury”, with the roofless ‘Barchetta’ design featuring an ultra-modern and extreme wrap-around cockpit and a semi-enclosed rear compartment for bespoke luggage from renowned Italian leather goods company Schedoni. Just 12 Bentley Bacalar were designed, engineered and hand-crafted to individual customers’ taste. Both the design DNA and use of sustainable materials were inspired by the Bentley EXP 100 GT concept car, launched to celebrate Bentley’s centenary in 2019. Produced in the world’s first certified carbon neutral facility for luxury car production, materials included rice husk ash paint and 5,000-year-old Riverwood. The Bentley Bacalar was named after Mexico’s Laguna Bacalar. Located on the Yucatan peninsula, it is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, and continued Bentley’s strategy of naming its cars after remarkable landmarks which began with the Bentayga in 2015. The owner of this Bentley Bacalar chose the striking colour of Scarab Green. The Bentley Batur coupe, revealed in the summer of 2022, was the first to preview Bentley’s new design language. Crafted by Mulliner Coachbuilt, it was limited to just 18 examples. Customers were introduced to a level of personalisation, materiality and colour never seen before on a coachbuilt vehicle, using techniques pioneered and mastered by Mulliner. The Bentley Batur became the most powerful W12 in the firm’s history, with its iconic producing 750PS and 1,000Nm of torque. The chassis was also the most advanced in Bentley’s history, with a calibration exclusive for this car. As with the Bacalar, each of the 18 Bentley Batur customers enjoyed an unrivalled co-creation experience with a dedicated Mulliner Designer, to ensure each customer benefits from a true one of one creation personal to them. The stunning Aqua-Marine Batur prototype is to be on display at this year’s Salon Privé, a fitting choice of colourway given that the Batur is named after Lake Batur on the island of Bali, Indonesia. The crater lake in Kintamani is 88 metres deep and provides nutrient-rich water to both local hot springs and agriculture. Bentley Mulliner has three portfolios: Curated by Mulliner. Bespoke and Coachbuilt by Mulliner. Curated by Mulliner presents clients with the most luxury-focused derivatives of the Continental, Flying Spur and Bentayga models, whilst Mulliner Bespoke offers the next level of personal commissioning with an exclusive tailoring service for each of our clients. Finally, the Coachbuilt by Mulliner division create the most exclusive portfolio of vehicles from the factory. On the classic side, they are famously responsible for the rebirth of the 1929 Team 4 ½ litre supercharged Bentley Blower, followed by the 1930 Bentley Speed Six, both in continuation form and built to Le Mans factory racing specification, limited to just 12 customer cars of each respectively. For the modern era of coachbuilding, they have created the Bacalar and Batur, both being rare, unique and iconic to the brand – with more ultra-exclusive models to follow in the future. Salon Privé Director David Bagley said: “We are delighted to welcome Bentley to Salon Privé with these two remarkable creations from Mulliner. The Bentley Batur is one of just 18, and the Bentley Bacalar is even rarer, being one of 12. To have them both together at Blenheim Palace for our guests to inspect is very exciting, and I can’t wait to see them underway in the Salon Privé Parade.”