JustBritish

Jaguar’s £64,000 XF Model has been crowned the decade’s best vehicle by Auto Express magazine.

The Driver Power study – which is voted on entirely by the British public – factors in such issues as reliability, performance, handling, ease of use, design, running cost, comfort and dealer performance.
Jaguar XF, which is built in Castle Bromwich near Birmingham, topped many car buyers’ lists, coming top overall; as well as in numerous individual categories, achieving a total satisfaction rating of 91 per cent.

Completing the top ten were, in order: Skoda Octavia Mk2, Lexus Rx Mk2, Hyundai i30, Land Rover Discovery Mk3, Honda S2000, Honda Jazz Mk2, Honda Jazz Mk1, Jaguar XJ6/8 and Nissan Qashqai. In other categories, Lexus was given the manufacturer of the year award, whilst Hyundai was noted as the most improved manufacturer.

After receiving the award, Jaguar’s CEO, Dr Ralph Speth, told uk.cars.yahoo.com: “We are humbled by Jaguar owners voting in such a way to rate the XF as the number one car in the UK.

“It’s a tremendous achievement for everyone in Jaguar – from the people here in Bromwich who have been building the car since 2008 to the engineers, the designers and the dealers.” Adding, acting editor of Auto Express Graham Hope told The Sun: “The Jaguar XF is a thoroughly deserving winner of our award.”

Mini has celebrated the two millionth car rolling off the production line with prime minister David Cameron driving the vehicle at the car’s Oxfordshire plant.

The iconic British vehicle began production ten years ago following a successful relaunch and a large amount of public anticipation.

Over 1.5 million cars have been exported by Mini, owned by BMW, while the company’s latest expansion plans to cater for the latest generation of the vehicles takes it total UK investment to £1.5 billion.

“The two millionth Mini to be made here in Oxford is a fantastic symbol of the UK’s strength in the global automotive industry,” said the prime minister, adding that the car represents a great British manufacturing success story.

Frank-Peter Arndt, BMW board member responsible for production, added: “The most essential factors in the success of Mini are the skills, passion and dedication of our associates.”

In a novel approach to its tenth anniversary, the brand launched a special site, Mini Lunatics, where enthusiastic owners can enter their car details and enjoy a virtual tour of space based on their mileage. Prizes are also being offered, including a trip to Cape Canaveral.

Importing Toyotas to Japan may seem like selling ice to the Eskimos, but that’s precisely what’s in store. In fact, it’s Toyota itself that will be bringing the Avensis back to its home market from its global assembly plant in the UK.

Demand for European cars in Japan has got Toyota cashing in on the game, exporting as many as 750 units of the Avensis back to the home country. Since the Avensis holds a similar position to the JDM Toyota Mark X, which is available only as a sedan, Toyota will only be offering the Avensis wagon back in Japan, packing a 2.0-liter four mated to a CVT.

Japan, of course, will only be the latest market in which the British-built Avensis will be sold, joining a list of 47 countries worldwide to which some 85% of the units built at the Derbyshire plant are exported. Unfortunately, the United States isn’t one of ‘em, so for those who may want a closer look, we’ve put together a fresh high-res image gallery for your viewing pleasure.

Read more at Autoblog.

British luxury car manufacturer has announced that they are experiencing a never before seen surge in demand for their masterpieces in 2011. In Jan-June 2011 period, Bentley sold 2978 cars, which is also their best start to a year since 2008.

Thanks to the new Continental GT, Bentley is experiencing this surge in demand. In China alone, Bentley sold 680 luxury cars this year while in America, their largest market, Bentley sold 907 luxury cars. At home, in the United Kingdom, Bentley registered an increase in sales of 6% as they sold 533 units this year.

Wolfgang Dürheimer, Bentley’s Chief Executive said, “Interest in our product range is increasing and with our largest markets achieving significant growth we are on track to meet our targets for the full year. It’s an exciting time for Bentley as we continue to invest in new product development, the results of which will be seen for months to come. With more new model launches later this year we foresee this growth continuing into 2012 and beyond.”

Alasdair Stewart, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Sales and Marketing said, “Following last year’s 11% increase in sales, our half-year figures show that Bentley sales are rebounding. Confidence is returning to many markets and we expect this growth to continue as customers around the world take delivery of the new Continental GT.”

The first of McLaren’s 35 dealerships set to open in 2011 opens its doors tomorrow in London’s One Hyde Park. McLaren’s first dealership opens in one of London’s newest and most prestigious developments – fitting for the all-new supercar.

Although the MP12-4C is not McLaren’s first foray into street legal super cars it will offer more than four times the sales and service support than it did with the F1 and its eight worldwide dealerships. This time instead of flying a technician to the owner of the car or service center McLaren claims it “is stocking its retail network with a spare of every serviceable part for the MP4-12C.” McLaren calls it “its ‘pit stop’ service concept that ensures fast and efficient repair.”

Good thing too because the MP4-12C is the first in a full lineup of carbon-fiber based sports cars McLaren has planned – all with higher production numbers than the F1. Production for the MP4-12C alone is planned for 1000 units just this year – significantly higher than the F1’s production run of 106 cars over a seven year (1992-1998) period. McLaren plans to increase total production to 4000 cars per year by mid decade when their full model lineup is complete.
Read the rest of this entry »