McLaren Automotive welcomes first cohort of interns from the American University of Bahrain

Industry News

Four recent graduates from the American University of Bahrain take up internships at McLaren Automotive’s headquarters in Woking, England Inaugural one-year internship programme offers graduates professional experience working across various business functions Programme builds on existing university partnership programmes established to honour founder Bruce McLaren McLaren Automotive this week welcomed four recent graduates from the American University of Bahrain (AUBH) to the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, England as they embark on a newly-created one-year internship programme, which will see them rotate through placements in a variety of different departments of the world-renowned supercar company. AUBH grads, Zain Alawadhi, Zainab Taher, Fares Alqutami and Imran Nasir were welcomed to MTC by CEO Michael Leiters and Chief People and Transformation Officer Jim Marsh. The interns, who were chosen based on the basis of their outstanding academic track records and future potential, will undertake a year-long work experience programme, with placements in a variety of different departments of the world-renowned supercar company. Based at MTC, they will be working alongside McLaren Automotive’s engineers, designers and commercial professionals and gain a unique insight into the workings of a global automotive company. McLaren Automotive has previously welcomed students from across the world to visit and learn from its 3,000-strong workforce. In remembrance of Bruce McLaren’s own journey from his home of New Zealand to England, in 2016 the company set up an engineering scholarship programme, allowing students from New Zealand’s University of Auckland to come and experience first-hand what goes into creating a McLaren road car. “We welcome Zain, Zainab, Fares, and Imran to McLaren Automotive as part of our partnership with the American University of Bahrain. Just as our founder, Bruce McLaren, travelled to England to try his hand at professional racing more than 60 years ago, we encourage young people from across the globe to follow in his adventurous footsteps. I look forward to seeing the contribution our new interns can make and the fresh ideas they will bring.”Jim Marsh, Chief People and Transformation Officer at McLaren Automotive “This internship programme aligns perfectly with our shared goal of developing the capabilities of Bahraini national talents and enhancing their competitiveness. We are grateful for this partnership, which provides promising opportunities for our graduates to thrive and explore international opportunities and engage in a global work environment. We wish them success and prosperity in the programme.” Dr Bradley J. Cook, President of the American University of Bahrain

Xtrac celebrates 40 years of high-performance engineering

Industry News

The employees of Xtrac, each with a unique and significant contribution to the company, celebrated on Friday, 28 June, 40 years of exceptionally high-performance engineering and customer service at a countryside venue close to the company’s headquarters at Thatcham near Reading in Berkshire. Significant gearbox developments and race-winning cars the company has supported over the years with its advanced engineering design and manufacturing capabilities were displayed for employees and their partners. “As we stepped into our fifth decade, we felt we could take a moment to pause and marvel at the incredible journey Xtrac has been on,” said chief executive Adrian Moore, reflecting on the company’s achievements since it was set up on 15 June 1984. “Our commitment to engineering excellence, hard work and customer service has propelled us to become the world’s leading supplier of transmissions for top-level motorsport and high-performance road cars. It’s a testament to the collective effort that has brought us here and inspires us for the exciting future that awaits.” President Peter Digby, one of the company’s first employees, commented: “The journey began with Mike Endean, who developed the G4 gearbox for rallycross star Martin Schanche’s Ford Escort. The G4’s success in European Rallycross during the 1980s laid the foundation for Xtrac’s ethos of exceptional products and great customer service. It was a pleasure to welcome Mike as our guest of honour at our celebration.” Xtrac’s early success in the off-road and Group A rally categories led to collaborations with significant manufacturers like Mazda, Mitsubishi, Opel, and Toyota. The company’s move into Formula 1 came in 1989 when Onyx contracted Xtrac to develop a transverse gearbox. McLaren followed, and within a few years, Xtrac was supplying most Formula 1 teams, including BAR, Minardi, Benetton, Jordan, McLaren, Tyrrell, and Williams, and it continues to supply the very highest specification gearbox components to teams today. In the 1990s, Xtrac expanded into various motorsport categories, supplying teams competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). It introduced sequential gearboxes to rallying, enhancing vehicle performance with its reputation for reliability, a key selling point. Entering the 21st century, Xtrac set a trend by securing significant single-supply contracts, starting with IndyCar in 1999. This required rapid production of 100 gearboxes, leading to the construction of a new 88,000-square-foot factory in Thatcham in 2000. In 2003, Xtrac established its first American operation in Indianapolis to support US customers. Beyond motorsport, Xtrac has built an exceptional reputation with its high-performance automotive business within the last two decades, highlighting its agility in adapting its advanced technology to road cars. Since its first project for Tesla prototypes in 2006 and the Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric prototype in 2011, as well as providing transmissions for some of the World’s most prestigious hypercars, Xtrac has expanded significantly into EV and hybrid transmissions. It also supplies transmissions for hydrogen combustion engine prototypes as the industry pursues alternative propulsion systems for reaching net zero emissions. Today, Xtrac’s business is about 65 per cent motorsport and 35 per cent high-performance road cars. It focuses on providing transmissions across its motorsport and high-performance automotive sectors for internal combustion, hybrid and electrically powered vehicles. It produces over a quarter of a million parts annually, supported by a robust design and manufacturing process. The Thatcham plant includes all the advanced machinery and equipment needed to manufacture gearbox components and complete systems in-house, high-security data systems, transmissions control system software and hardware development, and a dedicated R&D department. The Xtrac Academy trains apprentices and graduates, many of whom remain with the company long after completing their training, with well over fifty current staff members trained through this scheme. “We are always looking to the future, and whilst we felt it was appropriate to spend an evening with our staff and their partners to reflect on the past 40 years, we are always looking forward,” says Moore. “We continue to innovate in technology, with over £3 million of new investments made in our manufacturing facility over the past twelve months to ensure that we continue to provide exceptional products to our customers to quality and on time. As the automotive and motorsport industry evolves, Xtrac aims to remain at the forefront of transmission design and manufacturing excellence.”

Maserati’s striking limited edition MC20s to mark 20th anniversary of MC12 with world debuts at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024, alongside GranCabrio Folgore UK debut

Industry News

3rd July 2024, London – Maserati is set to be a key focal point for festival goers at the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed, as the marque celebrates 20 years of MC12 with the global debut of two limited edition MC20 supercars. Joining them in a presence centred on passion, performance and style, the Italian marque is set to introduce the UK public to its third all-electric model, GranCabrio Folgore, for the very first time. Twenty years on from the stunning arrival of the MC12, the brand is paying homage through the creation of two limited edition MC20s, Icona and Leggenda. Inspired by the iconic liveries of the MC12 Stradale and MC12 GT1 Vitaphone, both will be making their world debuts at the prestigious event. Joining them to epitomise the racing heritage of the brand will be the MC12 sequel, the track-focused special, Versione Corse, which arrived in 2006. With a production run of only one prototype and 12 units, Festival of Speed visitors will have the rare opportunity to see the legendary Maserati with its 755hp V12 engine up close in the Supercar Paddock over the four-day festival. From racing revolutions with MC12 and MC20, to electric revolutions, the all-electric Maserati GranCabrio Folgore will also make its UK public debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. The third model in Maserati’s burgeoning electrifying line-up is also the world’s first electric four-seater convertible. With its state-of-the-art electric drivetrain, the new Folgore flagship offers instantaneous torque for rapid acceleration and a refined, rewarding driving experience and abundant luxury for up to four passengers, all while retaining Maserati’s hallmark performance and elegant style. Visitors to Electric Avenue will be able to explore the GranCabrio Folgore’s elegant design and latest on-board technologies. Underneath, the House of Trident’s latest new model features advanced 800-volt battery technology, offering impressive performance and seamless fast charging capability for long distance grand touring. The debutants on display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed reflect Maserati’s commercial strategy of offering petrol and electric versions of its cars for discerning car buyers. In the UK, the all-new GranCabrio is set to arrive in showrooms next month, initially in Trofeo form, followed soon after by its Folgore sibling, the brand’s third model available in pure electric guise. For more information on Maserati and its range of petrol and electric cars, see www.maserati.com/uk.

McLaren at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed: A celebration of Senna and more

Industry News

The stunning McLaren Senna with Senna Sempre livery will take centre stage at McLaren House; McLaren’s home for the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, taking place 11-14 July The showcase of incredible craftsmanship will be displayed alongside the one-off version of the MCL38 Formula 1 car created to honour Ayrton Senna’s legacy at the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix Hand-painted by McLaren Special Operations (MSO), this unique and colourful tribute to Senna captures the Brazilian driver’s vibrant personality and drive for perfection Ayrton’s nephew, Bruno Senna, will drive up the Goodwood hillclimb, as will double McLaren Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen, and McLaren’s first ever World Champion, Emerson Fittipaldi New Artura Spider to make its UK dynamic debut and will be joined by the rest of the current McLaren line-up, plus Ultimate Series heritage vehicles McLaren will celebrate how more than six decades of motorsport success continues to inspire its supercars today at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Headlining McLaren’s presence, the McLaren Senna with Senna Sempre livery will take centre stage at McLaren House, paying tribute to Ayrton Senna’s legacy while also providing a public viewing of the craftsmanship delivered by McLaren Special Operations (MSO) that is displayed on this unique McLaren Senna from McLaren’s heritage collection. The 30-year legacy of Ayrton Senna, who won three Formula 1 World Championships with McLaren before his passing in 1994, has been a significant milestone within the 2024 Formula 1 calendar. At the Monaco Grand Prix, McLaren revealed the McLaren Senna with Senna Sempre livery alongside a unique livery for the MCL38 Formula 1 cars raced by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The MCL38 with its unique Monaco Grand Prix livery will also be showcased, giving McLaren fans a chance to see the two cars together. In association with the Ayrton Senna Institute, the McLaren Senna with Senna Sempre livery is the result of months of tenacious work by experienced designers and paint technicians at MSO. The same team that delivers incredible bespoke commissions for customer cars, and groundbreaking projects such as the 750S with 3-7-59 Theme has created an emotive tribute. Bright colours that visually represent Ayrton’s vibrant personality and outlook on life combine with newly developed paint techniques and exquisite artworks of Senna, along with references to his three Formula 1 World Championship titles and five Monaco Grand Prix victories with McLaren. Joining the centrepiece, a spectacular array of cars will be on display at McLaren House and in action on the famous Goodwood hillclimb, while a line-up of drivers and representatives channelling McLaren’s illustrious Formula 1 history will take part in proceedings over the weekend, both behind the wheel and on stage. Ayrton’s nephew, former Formula 1 driver and McLaren Automotive brand ambassador, Bruno Senna, will be at the wheel of his uncle’s 1991 title winning McLaren MP4/6 – the only title winning Formula 1 car powered by a V12 engine and the final championship winning chassis to use a manual gearbox. The car was driven by Ayrton Senna to seven Grand Prix victories, as he claimed his third and final Formula 1 title. Double McLaren Formula 1 world champion Mika Häkkinen will drive a remarkable Solus GT up the hill on Saturday in a demonstration run. One of 25 customer cars that will be delivered as part of the Solus GT programme, the bespoke commission which bears Mika Häkkinen’s name, has been painted to match the McLaren MP4/13 that the Finn drove to the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship in 1998. This process has been overseen by a technician at MSO who was responsible for painting the original racing car. The F1 car’s livery has been recreated expertly and applied on the lightweight body and extreme aero of the Solus GT – even the paint colours used have been mixed to match the ageing process that has taken place on the original Formula 1 car’s bodywork. The Solus GT returns to the Goodwood Festival of Speed following Timed Shootout victory at the 2023 event. McLaren Factory Driver Marvin Kirchhöfer stormed to the top of the timesheet with a run of 45.342 seconds, as the Solus GT made its global dynamic debut over the weekend. 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of McLaren’s first Formula 1 World Championship victories, sealing both the World Driver’s and Constructor’s titles in 1974 with Emerson Fittipaldi and the McLaren M23. Celebrating the half century milestone of this landmark moment in McLaren history, the Brazilian double World Champion will return to the wheel of his 1974 title winning car. Continuing the 50th anniversary celebrations, the 1974 Indy 500 winning M16C/D will be on display in the McLaren garage in the Formula 1 paddock, recognising Johnny Rutherford’s achievement in sealing the first leg of the prestigious ‘Triple Crown of Motorsport’ for McLaren. McLaren’s first ever High-Performance Hybrid convertible supercar, the Artura Spider, will make its UK dynamic debut and will be joined on the hill by the 750S, McLaren’s lightest and most powerful series production supercar, plus the new McLaren GTS, and Ultimate Series vehicles from McLaren’s heritage collection including a McLaren Senna and a McLaren P1.TM “This year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed will see McLaren deliver another milestone event that will delight our fans and bring to life our immense racing heritage, through not only the cars that have delivered race wins and championships, but the drivers that took them there. These iconic cars, and incredible drivers, continue to inspire us and drive us to deliver supercars that push the boundaries of performance on road and track.”Michael Leiters, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive

The Honda Civic Type R retains its crown at the Auto Express New Car Awards 2024

Industry News

Honda Civic Type R wins Hot Hatch of the Year at Auto Express New Car Awards 2024 Honda Civic e:HEV commended in the Family Car of the Year and Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year categories at the Auto Express New Car Awards 2024 Civic Type R praised as “guaranteed excitement on road or track, yet it’s practical, refined and easy to live with, too.” The Honda Civic Type R has retained its title as Hot Hatch of the Year at the 2024 Auto Express New Car Awards, while the Honda Civic e:HEV was highly commended in the Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year, and Family Car of the Year category. The Type R, now in its sixth generation, has been refined and engineered to deliver the most exhilarating Civic Type R performance to date. Defending the Hot Hatch of the Year title further reinforces the Type R as the ultimate hot hatch, and a testament to Honda’s racing DNA. In its 11th generation, the Civic e:HEV which was commended at the awards, launched as part of the vehicle’s 50th year anniversary celebrations in 2022. The Civic e:HEV is a dynamic, self-charging, full hybrid hatchback, that has evolved in both comfort and drivability and continues to champion a sporty design with a dynamic, electrified powertrain. The Auto Express New Car Awards highlight the best in the business across 25 categories. Auto Express prioritises the things that are important to car buyers, picking out the most impressive cars available over the entire automotive landscape, helping people choose the right car for them regardless of budgets and requirements. “Honda is incredibly proud to see the Civic Type R once again honoured as Hot Hatch of the Year and the Civic e:HEV highly commended in two significant categories” said Rebecca Adamson, Head of Automobile at Honda UK. “These accolades highlight our commitment to engineering excellence, performance, and innovation.” “In the FL5 Civic Type R, Honda has truly produced one of the hot hatch greats,” said Auto Express Editor Paul Barker “Stunning performance, brilliant handling and one of the finest manual gearboxes fitted to any production car guaranteed excitement on road or track, yet it’s practical, refined and easy to live with, too.” To find out more about the acclaimed Honda Civic and Honda Civic Type R, visit https://www.honda.co.uk/cars.html

‘Models of the Marque’: The 1920s – Rolls-Royce 20 H.P. the ‘Twenty’

Industry News

A brief history of the Rolls-Royce 20 H.P. – known as the ‘Twenty’ – launched in 1922 A transformative motor car for the marque, it was the first Rolls-Royce ever designed expressly to be owner-driven rather than chauffeured Third in a series celebrating landmark models from each decade of the marque’s history, from its foundational years in the 1900s to the contemporary Goodwood era Year-long retrospective marks the 120th anniversary of the first meeting between Henry Royce and The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls in 1904 “The legendary 20 H.P., known simply as the ‘Twenty’, was launched on 6 October 1922. Designed by Henry Royce, it ranks among the most important and transformational models ever produced by the marque. Its technology was highly advanced for the time and set the mechanical template for generations of Rolls-Royce motor cars that followed it. Smaller, lighter and less complex than its predecessors, it was also the first Rolls-Royce specifically intended for owners to drive themselves, rather than chauffeured use, reflecting the changed world in which Rolls-Royce found itself operating after 1918. More than a century later, its influence can still be seen in contemporary automotive engineering and design, including the models we build at Goodwood today – a remarkable motor car with an extraordinary legacy.”Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations and Heritage, Rolls-Royce Motor CarsA CHANGED WORLDEven before the Armistice was signed in 1918, Henry Royce was preparing for what he knew would be a very different post-war world. He reasoned that, given the likely difficulty of recruiting, retaining or affording a mechanic or chauffeur as they had done previously, some customers would no longer be able or willing to run the marque’s most popular pre-1914 model, the 40/50 H.P. ‘Silver Ghost’. He needed to create a motor car that was simpler to maintain – and, even more importantly, that the owner could more easily drive themselves. At the same time, Royce knew these discerning clients would expect and accept nothing less than the Rolls-Royce standards of excellence they were accustomed to – and neither would he.THE ‘TWENTY’On 6 October 1922, Rolls-Royce unveiled its new ‘small horsepower’ motor car, the 20 H.P., the first Rolls-Royce ever designed expressly to be owner-driven rather than chauffeured. It was immediately obvious that the ‘Twenty’, as it quickly became known, represented a huge technical leap forward. Its straight-six cylinder, 3.1-litre engine was less than half the size of the Silver Ghost’s 7.5-litre unit: however, the new model also weighed around 30% less. This meant the performance gap between them was far less than the raw numbers might suggest. Indeed, with its light controls and more advanced steering, braking and suspension systems, the ‘Twenty’ made the Silver Ghost seem rather outdated, although the larger model remained significantly ahead of its direct competitors. The ‘Twenty’ quickly became a firm favourite both with established Rolls-Royce owners and those new customers for whom, as Royce had predicted, purchase price and ongoing running costs were more important considerations than they had been a few years earlier. In letters to the motoring press, one happy owner praised it as ‘a charming piece of mechanism’ while another declared, ‘I have never handled anything as sweet-running’. A company advertisement quoted an expert assessment of the car as ‘everything a motorist can want… motoring with a high degree of refinement and its simplicity of construction will delight the driver’. After taking delivery of his car, a contented customer wrote to the company from his home in France declaring: ‘I drove my 20 H.P. here from Liverpool and am very satisfied with the running of the engine, not having to change gear between Liverpool and Versailles’. WEIGHTY ISSUESLike all Rolls-Royce models of the era, the ‘Twenty’ was produced as a ‘rolling chassis’, on which owners commissioned bespoke bodywork from an independent coachbuilder. Royce had always intended that it should primarily be an owner-driver car and hoped coachbuilders and customers alike would embrace this by keeping their creations as svelte and lightweight as possible. However, he was unable to change the habits of a lifetime among some customers. Many owners persisted in specifying their preferred style of solid, formal coachwork that was both heavier and produced greater wind resistance. To Royce’s understandable irritation, these massive, overbuilt bodies inevitably compromised performance. Ever the pragmatist, Royce knew there was only one way to improve the weight-to-performance ratio. In 1929, the ‘Twenty’ was replaced by the 20/25 H.P., powered by an enlarged capacity engine, followed in 1935 by the 25/30 H.P. with a 4.25-litre powerplant. The ‘small horsepower’ era finally came to an end with the Wraith of 1938. These later iterations, all direct developments of the ‘Twenty’, add further lustre to its record and reputation. A LASTING INFLUENCEThe ‘Twenty’ had a profound influence on Rolls-Royce long after production ceased in 1929, by which time no fewer than 2,940 examples had been built. In particular, the straight six-cylinder engine – with detachable cylinder head and overhead valves – would provide the template for Rolls-Royce engines for years to come. Open the bonnet of any six-cylinder Rolls-Royce right up to the Silver Cloud model (1955-9) and their shared heritage is clear to see, albeit with many internal improvements. And when the by-then venerable Silver Ghost was replaced with the new Phantom in 1925, its engine also adopted the essential ‘Twenty’ pattern.

UK dynamic debut of the Alpine A290 electric ‘Hot Hatch’ to headline the iconic brand’s presence at The Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024

Industry News

Alpine will showcase its past, present and future at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024 The Alpine A290 – the legendary brand’s first electric sports car – will make its UK dynamic debut on the venue’s 1.16-mile hill Highlights of the iconic brand’s presence include the Alpine A110 Pikes Peak challenger, Alpenglow concept and BWT Alpine F1 Team showcar Alpine’s rich heritage represented by the 1975 A110 Group 4 Tour de Corse rally car, RS10 F1 car and A442 endurance racer Preview of the Alpine A110 Atelier personalisation programme, which allows customers to order the coupé in a choice of exclusive shades Alpine is returning to the Goodwood Festival of Speed with an exhilarating line-up that epitomises its motorsport-bred success on both road and track, including the UK dynamic debut of the Alpine A290 – the brand’s first electric sports car. Fresh from its world premiere at last month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 220 bhp, fully-electric A290 will showcase its sporting credentials on the venue’s 1.16-mile hill as part of the ‘First Glance’ display. As well as providing visitors to the four-day event with a real-world demonstration of the brand’s electrified future for its roadgoing models, Alpine is also showcasing its past, present and future competition icons. Alpine’s significant presence on the ‘Manufacturer Grid’ will include displays of the aero-optimised, 500 bhp A110 Pikes Peak car, plus the stunning Alpenglow concept that fuses a lightweight carbon body with a vision for high-performance hydrogen-powered motoring, while joining the A290 in the ‘First Glance’ feature is the 1975 A110 Group 4 Tour de Corse rally car. The motorsport theme continues with displays of the BWT Alpine F1 Team showcar, plus the 1970s twin-turbocharged V6 RS10 F1 car and the radical, V6-powered A442B endurance racer. The F1 showcar will be driven by three of Alpine’s Academy drivers: current Alpine F1 reserve driver Jack Doohan, F2 racer Kush Maini and F3 racer Sophia Floersch. Enthusiasts can also test their skills on the Alpine simulator, with an Alpine experience at Thruxton on offer for the fastest visitor. Alpine merchandise will also be available to purchase. Another Alpine to feature in the ‘First Glance’ feature will be the A110 R Le Mans – which is limited to only 100 examples – with the rest of the A110 range participating in the manufacturer parade, including the A110 S, A110 GT, A110 R and A110 Enstone. Alpine will also reveal its plans to make the A110 even more exclusive, providing visitors with a preview of its forthcoming Atelier Alpine programme. Designed to take the style of the A110 to another level, the programme allows A110 customers to choose from a selection of 26 brand-new body colours drawn from Alpine’s history and which can be paired with alloy wheels and brake callipers in a range of exclusive finishes. Nic Burnside, MD of Alpine Cars UK, said: “Alpine always brings excitement to Goodwood, but this year will be particularly memorable. Together with truly astounding competition cars, Alpine will dynamically showcase how the brand is set to be more accessible and versatile than ever, the pure electric Alpine A290 appealing to a much enlarged audience and demonstrating an exhilarating new direction for Alpine production models.”

The Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year presents the Kia EV9 with the award for Best Car in the World

Industry News

WWCOTY delegation travels to Korea to present KIA with the World’s Best Car award July. Three jury members of Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year were invited to Korea to present the trophy to Kia for the Kia EV9 winning the 2024 supreme award. The judges – Shereen Shabnam from UAE, Nicole Wakelin from the USA and Sandy Myhre from New Zealand – presented the trophy to Mr Teckkoun Kim, Head of Kia Design Next Group – at the Busan International Mobility Show. It was clear that winning the award was significant to Kia and Mr Kim commented that the win will help the recognition of the EV9. “It gives another twist to customers when juries like yours recognize the EV9 because you are the experts and you know which EV or vehicle works for the consumer experience,” he said. WWCOTY delegation was also interviewed for Kia’s official social media channels including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Excerpts from the interview will likely be used in a promotional video collaboration with Bloomberg Media and will be featured on their websites. The three Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year jury members were also the subject of an extensive television interview by Michael Choo of Kia Brand Communications. The theme of the interview was ‘How Kia EV9 became the supreme winner of the WWCOTY award’. Sandy Myhre (NZ) gave a short history of the awards and discussed how many jury members there are today. She emphasised the rigorous process adopted by the voting system and said, in the end, the EV9 was a clear winner for 2024. Shereen Shabnam (UAE) discussed the various unique design aspects of the EV9 from the lowered hipline which creates better vision from inside the car to the ‘star’ cluster headlights which are another unique feature of the SUV. Nicole Wakelin (USA) talked about the wheel design which, again, is unique and how the sporty spoke image produces an interesting geometric graphic on the surface of the wheel. All three judges spoke of the significance of the WWCOTY Award and what it will mean to Kia customers around the world. About Women’s Worldwide Car of the YearWomen’s Worldwide Car of the Year is the only car awards group in the world comprised exclusively of women motoring journalists. It was created by New Zealand motoring journalist Sandy Myhre in 2009. She is Honorary President while Marta García is Executive President. This unique award aims to recognise the best cars of the year and to give a voice to women in the automotive world. The voting criteria are based on the same principles that guide any driver when choosing a car. The jurors do not select a ‘woman’s car’ because cars are not gender specific. Aspects such as safety, quality, price, design, ease of driving, benefits and environmental footprint, among others, are considered when casting the votes. However, beyond choosing the best cars of the year, our goal is also to give visibility to women in the automotive world and to contribute to making women’s voices heard on all continents because mobility for a woman means access to many personal and professional possibilities. wwcoty.net info@wwcoty.net Supported by

eBay launches 2024 Van Conversion of the Year Awards

Industry News

eBay’s Van Conversion of the Year Awards is back for a second year and entries are now open with the help of TV presenter and architect George Clarke Search is on for everything from the best trade transformation to the chicest campervan conversion Inspired by entries from the first year of the competition, in 2023, eBay has created its own bespoke conversion based on a classic Ford Transit Mk1 – the eBay Lounge Overall Van Conversion of the Year winner will receive £10,000 in cash, with runners up and individual category winners awarded £250 worth of eBay coupons London, 3rd July 2024 – eBay is today launching its Van Conversion of the Year Awards for the second year, as it celebrates the most beautifully executed, space efficient and intelligent Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) conversions in the UK. The online automotive marketplace is seeking the best fit-outs across a range of industry sectors, covering any and every purpose. From bespoke racking in an electrician’s van to a plumber’s impressive shelving or even a holidaymaker’s dream camper, all van converters are encouraged to enter. As part of the launch of this year’s competition, eBay has revealed its own project vehicle – a converted Ford Transit Mk1. The classic vehicle, dubbed the ‘eBay Lounge’, was previously owned by a German fire department before being purchased by eBay and renovated into a multi-purpose, camper-style van and event support vehicle that is perfect for both entertaining and relaxing. Continuing from the success of last year’s inaugural Van Conversion of the Year Awards, eBay has re-enlisted the help of an expert judging panel, including expert architect and presenter, George Clarke, who will be head judge in 2024. He leads a panel that includes the man responsible for designing the exterior of the iconic McLaren F1, Peter Stevens, who also came up with the concept for the eBay Lounge. Laura Richards, Category Lead for Vehicle Parts and Accessories at eBay, completes the judging panel, who will identify a selection of individual category winners before choosing the overall Van Conversion of the Year. George Clarke, TV Presenter and Architect, said: “We were hugely inspired by the conversions we saw last year, and after all the success and buzz it created, we thought we would give the people of the UK another chance to show off their creations. As someone that has previously converted a van, I know how incredibly fun and rewarding the whole process can be, from coming up with the concept to building the finished vehicle. I know eBay is the go-to online marketplace for DIY creations, and it is fantastic to see them recognising and championing van converters.” Entries are now open and are set to close at 23.59 Sunday 11th August, with the winners to be announced in September. Category winners will each receive £250 worth of eBay coupons while the Overall Van Conversion of the year award winner will receive a £10,000 cash prize. Last year’s winner was publican Paul White, who had turned an old ambulance into a mobile bar to create the AmBEERlance, as he looked for ways to get drinks to his faithful customers during Covid lockdowns. Paul was praised for creating such a functional final vehicle and one that ultimately kept his business open. Laura Richards, Category Lead – Vehicle Parts and Accessories eBay UK Ltd, said: “At eBay, we love to champion those who have the will power and desire to create, convert, build and maintain their vehicles at home. With thousands of sellers and direct from brand stores, the breadth and scale of eBay allows converters to create the vehicles of their dreams. The Van Conversion of the Year Awards are the perfect way for us to see some of the incredible creations that have come to life using quality parts sourced through eBay.” For more information about the awards, or to enter a van into the competition, go here: https://pages.ebay.co.uk/van-conversion-awards/ About eBayeBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) is a global commerce leader that connects people and builds communities to create economic opportunity for all. Our technology empowers millions of buyers and sellers in more than 190 markets around the world, providing everyone the opportunity to grow and thrive. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, California, eBay is one of the world’s largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. In 2023, eBay enabled more than $73 billion of gross merchandise volume. For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com. Press Contactsebay@performancecomms.com

Media Accreditation Opens for the Ferrari Challenge UK weekend at Silverstone, 13-15 September 2024

Industry News

MEDIA ADVISORY – NOT FOR PUBLICATION Media Accreditation is now open for the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli UK weekend at Silverstone from 13-15 September 2024. Home of the British Grand Prix, Silverstone will once again host a packed schedule of on-track activities for the 5th and final round of the Ferrari Challenge UK series. How to apply for Media Accreditation:Media accreditation for the Silverstone event is now open. Those wishing to apply for media accreditation must complete all details on the attached form, which must be returned to the Ferrari North Europe Press Office in advance via frdmedia@ferrari.com or posted to the address on the form. Full contact details must be provided, including media outlet and role. Photographers/TV Crews requiring tabards for Pit Lane or Trackside access must provide a copy of their Public Liability Insurance (minimum £5m) in advance. Photographers without £5m PLI will NOT be provided with a tabard. Media Passes will be available to collect from the Welcome Centre on arrival at Silverstone.Photo Tabards will be available to collect from the Media Centre in The Wing. Media contact:Jason Harris, Regional Manager – CommunicationsTel: 01753 878704. Mob: 07748 333389Email: jason.harris@ferrari.com