William Maley

Porsche Reports February 2015 Sales U.S. Porsche dealers sell 3,202 vehicles in February ATLANTA, March 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), importer and distributor in the United States of Porsche 918 Spyder, 911, Boxster and Cayman sports cars, Macan and Cayenne SUVs, and the Panamera four-door sports sedan line-up, today announced February 2015 sales of 3,202 vehicles, down 30 vehicles compared to February 2014. Vehicle supply was adversely affected by the west coast port dispute and inclement weather in many areas. PCNA sales remain 12.8 percent higher year-to-date compared to the same period last year. Porsche Approved Certified Pre-Owned vehicle sales in the U.S. were 953 for February 2015, an increase of 13.32 percent from February 2014. Year to date, Porsche Approved Certified Pre-Owned vehicle sales total 1,980, an increase of 21.4 percent over the same period last year.

Mercedes-Benz Posts Best-Ever February Sales Volume With 23,616 Units MBUSA delivers 6% year-to-date sales growth at 52,365 MONTVALE, N.J., March 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz today reported the highest February sales in its history with 23,616 units, up 4.5% from the 22,609 vehicles sold in February 2014. Sprinter Vans was up 17.9% at 1,675, combining with 458 units at smart for a monthly total of 25,749 for Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA). On a year-to-date basis, Mercedes-Benz recorded sales of 48,235, an increase of 6.7% versus the same period last year. Adding 3,180 units for Sprinter and 950 vehicles at smart, MBUSA's year-to-date sales volume totaled 52,365. "We've got two months of record sales on the books despite the challenges posed by February's weather," said Stephen Cannon, president and CEO of MBUSA. "With SUV sales up 22 percent, we expect our momentum to continue as new or redesigned versions of almost all our light trucks hit the market in the next year." Mercedes-Benz February sales volumes were led by the C-, CLA- and M-Class model lines. The C-Class took the lead at 7,072, up 25.8% compared to the 5,621 units sold the same month last year. The M-Class, the brand's best-selling SUV, followed with sales of 3,316 while the sporty CLA four-door coupe rounded out the top three at 2,606. At the high end, the range-topping G-Class sport utility posted a 47.1% gain over February 2014. Mercedes-Benz AMG high-performance models sold 758 units for the month, with year-to-date volumes of 1,548. Sales of Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC diesel models totaled 758 in February and 1,700 year-to-date. Separately, Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) models recorded February sales of 9,820, with year-to-date volumes increasing 5.4% over the comparable period in 2014 to 19,276.

BMW Group U.S. Reports February 2015 Sales BMW brand up 14.5 percent, sets February sales record MINI brand sales up 51.3 percent Woodcliff Lake, NJ – March 3, 2015… Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 14.5 percent in February for a total of 25,201 compared to 22,017 vehicles sold in February, 2014. “In spite of ferocious cold and mountains of snow in so much of the country in February, our customers proved they could overcome and made it possible for BMW to post a new record for February sales,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “Improved availability of the always popular X5 and the strong and growing interest in our 2 and 4 Series cars are good indicators of what’s ahead.” In February, notable vehicles sales included the BMW i3 with sales of 1,089 vehicles, the BMW X5 increased 42.5 percent to 4,149 vehicles and BMW 6 series which increased 122.1 percent to 1,237 vehicles. BMW Group Sales The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported February sales of 28,921 vehicles, an increase of 18.2 percent from the 24,476 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. MINI Brand Sales For February, MINI USA reports 3,720 automobiles sold, an increase of 51.3 percent from the 2,459 sold in the same month a year ago.

Audi U.S. sales in February 2015 rise to record level for 50th consecutive month March 03, 2015 | Herndon, Virginia Audi U.S. sales in February rose 5.3%; Year-to-date 2015 sales increased 9.6% New Audi A3 and Q3 models continue strong early returns Audi Certified pre-owned vehicle sales set 19th straight monthly record Audi reported that its February 2015 sales increased 5.3% to 11,455 vehicles, a total that stands as the 50th consecutive month of record U.S. sales for the premium brand. The previous February record of 10,881 vehicle sales came in 2014. Through the first two months of 2015, Audi U.S. sales rose 9.6% from a year earlier to 22,996 vehicles. Audi Certified pre-owned vehicle sales also reached record levels during the most recent month. February 2015 marks the 19th consecutive month of record Audi CPO sales through a 13.2% gain for the month on 3,698 CPO vehicles sold. “Severe winter storms were disruptive for the entire industry in February, but the Audi dealer network overcame the elements to deliver a record number of Audi vehicles to new Audi customers in February,” said Mark Del Rosso, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Audi of America. Demand for the new Audi A3 family of premium cars and the new Q3 SUV remained strong for Audi in February. These two all-new Audi products, launched in 2014, continue to bring new customers into the Audi family across the country. Highlights: Sales mix for Audi S performance variants finished the month at 15.7% for the S3 sedan; 14.8% for the S4 sedan; 35.5% for the S5/RS 5; 1.2% for the S6; 36.7% for the S7/RS 7; 12.0% for the S8, and 6.1% for the SQ5 crossover. TT model sales figures reflected plant changeover for the next-generation version of the Audi sports car. Audi holds the longest running monthly record sales streak in the premium car market according to a competitive sales report from MotorIntelligence.com.

VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA REPORTS FEBRUARY 2015 SALES February sales total 25,710 units The all-new Golf delivered 3,921 units for the month, marking a 141.6 percent increase in sales for the model over the previous February The Golf GTI delivered 1,779 units, a 113% percent increase Golf R hits showrooms with 362 delivered Jetta sedan delivered 8,320 units for the month Herndon, VA (March 3, 2015) — Volkswagen of America, Inc. (VWoA) today reported sales of 25,710 units delivered in February 2015. The all-new Golf continued to find success in the market as the family increased in size. In February, Golf family sales totaled 3,921 units. This marks the best February for the Golf family in 15 years. The much anticipated Golf R hit showrooms mid-month. The Golf Sportwagen will go on sale later this spring. “We are pleased to see the positive customer and media acceptance of the Golf family as evidenced by the number of prestigious awards the cars have won, such as the Motor Trend Car of the Year and the North American Car of the Year. We look forward to keeping this momentum going with the introduction of the all-new Golf SportWagen later this spring,” said Mark McNabb, chief operating officer, Volkswagen of America. The Jetta, which was refreshed for the 2015 model year and now has a suite of available driver assistance features, continued to show its strength as a core model, with 10,219 units delivered. The Touareg, refreshed for 2015, delivered 413 units: 232 of these were TDI® Clean Diesel models, amounting to 56.2 percent of sales. The Chattanooga-built Passat totaled 6,309 units delivered for the month. The Tiguan delivered 1,819 units.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. - Up 26% (7,533 Vehicles Sold This Month, 14,026 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Subaru of America, Inc. - Up 18.5% (41,358 Vehicles Sold This Month, 82,170 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) BMW Group U.S. - Up 18.2% (28,921 Vehicles Sold This Month, 51,130 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Jaguar Land Rover North America - Up 13.8% (6,327 Vehicles Sold This Month, 12,874 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Toyota Motor Sales - Up 13.3% (180,467 Vehicles Sold This Month, 349,661 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Hyundai Motor America - Up 7% (52,505 Vehicles Sold This Month, 97,010 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Kia Motors America - Up 6.8% (44,030 Vehicles Sold This Month, 82,329 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC - Up 5.6% (163,586 Vehicles Sold This Month, 308,593 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Mazda North American Operations - Up 5.4% (25,650 Vehicles Sold This Month, 45,921 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Audi of America - Up 5.3% (11,455 Vehicles Sold This Month, 22,996 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) American Honda Motor Co. - Up 5% (105,466 Vehicles Sold This Month, 207,650 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) General Motors Co. - Up 4.2% (231,378 Vehicles Sold This Month, 434,164 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Mercedes-Benz USA - Up 3.1% (25,749 Vehicles Sold This Month, 52,365 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Nissan Group USA - Up 2.7% (118,436 Vehicles Sold This Month, 222,543 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Volvo Cars of North America, LLC - Up 0.5% (4,012 Vehicles Sold This Month, 7,806 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Porsche Cars North America, Inc. - Down 0.9% (3,202 Vehicles Sold This Month, 7,139 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Ford Motor Company - Down 1.9% (180,383 Vehicles Sold This Month, 358,734 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Volkswagen of America - Down 5.17% (25,710 Vehicles Sold This Month, 49,214 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Maserati North America, Inc. - Down 42.5% (481 Vehicles Sold This Month, 933 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Brands: MINI - Up 51.3% (3,720 Vehicles Sold This Month, 6,948 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Mitsubishi - Up 26% (7,533 Vehicles Sold This Month, 14,026 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Land Rover - Up 22.7% (4,917 Vehicles Sold This Month, 10,198 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Lexus - Up 22% (22,995 Vehicles Sold This Month, 46,126 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Jeep - Up 21.1% (55,642 Vehicles Sold This Month, 107,165 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Infiniti - Up 19.8% (11,659 Vehicles Sold This Month, 21,217 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) GMC - Up 19.3% (42,443 Vehicles Sold This Month, 78,104 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Subaru - Up 18.5% (41,358 Vehicles Sold This Month, 82,170 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Sprinter - Up 17.9% (1,675 Vehicles Sold This Month, 3,180 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) BMW - Up 14.5% (25,201 Vehicles Sold This Month, 44,182 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Chrysler - Up 13% (28,502 Vehicles Sold This Month, 51,895 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Acura - Up 12.5% (12,992 Vehicles Sold This Month, 24,974 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Toyota - Up 12.1% (157,472 Vehicles Sold This Month, 303,535 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Ram - Up 11.5% (28,502 Vehicles Sold This Month, 51,895 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Hyundai - Up 7% (52,505 Vehicles Sold This Month, 97,010 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Kia - Up 6.8% (44,030 Vehicles Sold This Month, 82,329 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Mazda - ​Up 5.4% (25,650 Vehicles Sold This Month, 45,921 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Audi - Up 5.3% (11,455 Vehicles Sold This Month, 22,996 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Mercedes-Benz - Up 4.5% (23,616 Vehicles Sold This Month, 48,235 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Honda - Up 4.1% (92,474 Vehicles Sold This Month, 182,676 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Chevrolet - Up 3.8% (159,788 Vehicles Sold This Month, 302,760 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Nissan - Up 1.1% (106,777 Vehicles Sold This Month, 201,226 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Volvo - Up 0.5% (4,012 Vehicles Sold This Month, 7,806 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Porsche - ​Down 0.9% (3,202 Vehicles Sold This Month, 7,139 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Ford - Down 1.7% (174,219 Vehicles Sold This Month, 345,951 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Fiat - Down 5.1% (3,289 Vehicles Sold This Month, 6,544 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Volkswagen - Down 5.17% (25,710 Vehicles Sold This Month, 49,214 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Lincoln - Down 7.5% (6,164 Vehicles Sold This Month, 12,783 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Jaguar - Down 9.1% (1,410 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Buick - Down 9.2% (17,418 Vehicles Sold This Month, 29,971 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Cadillac - Down 12.6% (11,739 Vehicles Sold This Month, 23,419 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Dodge - Down 15.3% (42,115 Vehicles Sold This Month, 77,462 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Maserati - Down 42.5% (481 Vehicles Sold This Month, 933 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Smart - Down 51.3% (458 Vehicles Sold This Month, 950 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Alfa Romeo - N/A (47 Vehicles Sold This Month, 144 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) View full article

GM Truck Sales Climb 36 percent in February Pickup sales up 37 percent and large SUVs up 66 percent Retail sales of small and compact crossovers up 14 percent combined Chevrolet Colorado now the industry’s fastest-selling pickup truck Best February sales for GMC in 13 years DETROIT – General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) dealers in the United States delivered 231,378 vehicles last month. Total sales were up 4 percent compared to a year ago. Retail sales were up 1 percent. Commercial and fleet deliveries were up 12 percent. Sales of trucks, including SUVs, vans and pickups, were up 36 percent year over year. “Our new SUVs and crossovers, combined with the three-pickup strategy we outlined more than a year ago, are dovetailing perfectly with the growing U.S. economy and a stronger job market,” said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of Sales Operations. “Six months into its launch, the Chevrolet Colorado is the industry’s fastest-selling pickup, regardless of brand or model year,” he added. “The Silverado had another great month, with sales, market share and average transaction prices up sharply. And when you add the GMC Sierra and Canyon to the mix, GM’s year-over-year pickup deliveries increased 37 percent. That follows January’s 42 percent increase and December’s 43 percent increase.” According to J.D. Power PIN data, the average Chevrolet Colorado – Motor Trend magazine’s unanimous choice for 2015 Truck of the Year – spends just 15 days in dealer stock from the day it arrives on the showroom floor. PIN also estimates that the Chevrolet Silverado’s retail market share in the full-size pickup segment was 27.2 percent in February, up 1.5 percentage points from a year ago, at the expense of Ford’s F-Series and FCA’s Ram. Average transaction prices rose by almost $1,700 per unit from a year ago. In addition, strong truck and crossover sales drove the GMC brand to its best February since 2002. Highlights (vs. 2014 except as noted) Chevrolet: Chevrolet had its best February since 2008. The new Trax small crossover, which began arriving in showrooms in December 2014, saw deliveries of 3,821 units. The Camaro, Corvette and Spark were up 3 percent, 7 percent and 4 percent, respectively. Tahoe sales were up 49 percent, Suburban sales more than doubled and the Traverse was up 28 percent for its best-ever February. The Equinox also had its best-ever February sales, with deliveries up 1 percent. The Silverado was up 24 percent for its best February since 2007. GMC: The Yukon and Yukon XL were up 43 percent and 85 percent, respectively. The Sierra, which has the highest average transaction prices of any pickup line in the industry, was up 6 percent. GMC dealers delivered more than 2,500 Canyons, AutoWeek magazine’s “Best of the Best/Truck” for 2015. It was the vehicle’s best-ever February sales. The Acadia was up 4 percent and Terrain was up 17 percent for its best-ever February. The Denali series vehicles are now 21 percent of all GMC vehicles, up from 18 percent. Buick: Encore deliveries rose 60 percent for its best February ever. It remains the best-selling vehicle in the small crossover segment. Cadillac: Demand for the new Escalade continues to grow. Sales were up 86 percent for the vehicle’s best February since 2008. Average Transaction Prices (ATPs): ATPs were $34,700, according to PIN estimates through Feb. 22, up $2,700 per unit compared to a year ago. Incentives: Incentive spending as a percentage of ATPs was 9.7 percent in February, down 0.9 percentage points month over month, according to PIN estimates, while industry average spending was 9.9 percent of ATPs, up 0.1 points. Fleet and Commercial: Strong pickup, large SUV and crossover sales drove a 35-percent increase in Commercial deliveries, the 16th consecutive monthly year-over-year increase. Strong pickup and SUV sales drove a 25-percent increase in government deliveries. Industry Sales: GM estimates that the seasonally adjusted annual selling rate (SAAR) for light vehicles in February was 16.5 million units. Trucks, including pickups, SUVs and vans, accounted for 17.3 percent of the retail industry, according to PIN estimates, up 1.6 percentage points. Crossovers represented 39.2 percent of the market, up 1.2 percentage points, and cars represented 43.5 percent, down 2.8 percentage points.

FORD U.S. FEBRUARY RETAIL SALES DRIVEN BY STRONG DEMAND FOR F-SERIES, TRANSIT, EXPLORER AND MUSTANG F-Series, America’s best-selling truck, posts retail sales increases of 7 percent – driven by all-new F-150; Transit drives 30 percent increase in Ford van sales versus year-ago Explorer sales increase 32 percent in February – best in 9 years; Mustang sales up 32 percent, for best performance since 2007 Lincoln February retail sales results up 3 percent Ford Motor Company U.S. sales of 180,383 vehicles for February represent a 2 percent decline compared to a year ago DEARBORN, Mich., March 3, 2015 – Ford Motor Company U.S. sales totaled 180,383 vehicles in February, down 2 percent from a year ago. F-Series retail sales increased 7 percent, as the all-new F-150 remains one of Ford’s fastest-turning vehicles on dealer lots. The training of employees in the new manufacturing process at Kansas City Assembly Plant – the second plant building the new F-150 – is now under way, with production scheduled to begin this month, as planned. “Strong customer demand for the all-new F-150 drove strong February F-Series retail sales results in February,” said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “The all-new F-150 continues to be the hottest vehicles on dealer lots, turning more than four times faster than the industry’s overall full-size pickup segment.” Transit drove a 30 percent increase in total Ford van sales of 13,936 vehicles for the month, including E-Series and Transit Connect. This marks Ford’s best February van sales performance since 2007. Explorer sales of 17,027 vehicles were up 32 percent, marking the SUV’s best February sales results since 2006. Mustang sales increased 32 percent with 8,454 vehicles sold – representing its best February sales since 2007 and making it the best-selling sports car in America since the launch of the all-new model last fall. Lincoln retail sales increased 3 percent versus last year. Lincoln MKC continues to build momentum for the luxury brand, along with Navigator, which posted a 96 percent sales increase.

FCA US LLC Reports February 2015 U.S. Sales Increased 6 Percent; Best February Sales Since 2007 59th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains Jeep brand records best February sales ever; Jeep Patriot records best sales month ever Dodge Challenger sales up 42 percent; best February sales ever Chrysler 200 sales up 31 percent; best February sales ever Nine FCA US vehicles achieve their best February sales ever March 3, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC today reported U.S. sales of 163,586 units, a 6 percent increase compared with sales in February 2014 (154,866 units), and the group’s best February sales since 2007. The Chrysler, Jeep®, and Ram Truck brands each posted year-over-year sales gains in February compared with the same month a year ago. The Jeep brand’s 21 percent increase was the largest sales gain of any FCA US brand during the month and its best February sales ever. The group extended its streak of year-over-year sales gains to 59-consecutive months. “In spite of snow and bitter cold that slowed auto sales in many regions of the country, FCA US still turned in a 6 percent sales increase and extended our year-over-year sales streak to 59-consecutive months,” said Reid Bigland, Head of U.S. Sales. “Even with tougher year-over-year sales comparisons in 2015, our vehicle lineup continues to produce record sales results.” Nine FCA US vehicles set records in the month of February, including four of the five Jeep brand vehicles. The Jeep Patriot turned in its best sales month ever, while the Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Compass each recorded their best ever sales in the month of February. The Dodge Challenger, Fiat 500L, Chrysler 200, Ram ProMaster, and Ram Cargo Van each recorded their best ever sales in the month of February. FCA US finished the month of February with an 85-day supply of inventory (577,277 units). U.S. industry sales figures for February are internally projected at an estimated 16.5 million units Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR). Jeep® Brand Jeep brand sales were up 21 percent, the brand’s best sales performance ever in the month of February and its 17th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. The Jeep brand has set a sales record in each month dating back to November 2013. Four of the five Jeep brand vehicles turned in sales records during the month. Sales of the Jeep Patriot were up 59 percent in February, the compact SUV’s best sales month ever and largest percentage increase of any Jeep brand model. The Jeep Cherokee, Wrangler, and Compass each recorded their best ever sales in the month of February. Sales of the Jeep Grand Cherokee were up 8 percent for its best February sales in nine years. For a third-consecutive year, the Patriot was named the winner of Kelley Blue Book’s lowest 5-Year Cost to Own award in the Compact SUV/Crossover category, while the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited earned the same award in the Mid-size SUV/Crossover segment. Chrysler Brand Chrysler brand sales increased 13 percent, the brand’s best February sales since 2008 and its eighth-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. Sales of the Chrysler 200 were up 31 percent, the mid-size sedan’s best ever sales in the month of February. The 200 was recognized as the Best Family Vehicle by the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) during last month’s Chicago Auto Show. MAMA is a nonprofit group of more than 200 automotive journalists and industry professionals who developed the award to help consumers make a wise purchase decision when it is time to shop for a family vehicle. Ram Truck Brand Sales of the Ram pickup truck were up 7 percent in February; its 58th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. It was the pickup truck’s best February sales since 2004. Ram Light Duty pickup sales increased 7 percent in February while Ram Heavy Duty pickups were up 3 percent. The Ram 1500 was named by U.S. News & World Report last month as its Best Full-size Truck for the Money. In the site’s ranking of vehicle choices, Ram 1500 scored the highest among full-size pickups available to U.S. buyers. Within its class, the Ram 1500 took top honors for its outstanding value and critical acclaim. This is the second year in a row Ram’s half-ton entry has won the award. Ram Truck brand sales, which include the Ram ProMaster, Ram ProMaster City, and Ram Cargo Van, were up 12 percent, the brand’s best February sales since 2007. The ProMaster Van and Ram Cargo Van each recorded their best ever sales in the month of February. The ProMaster City, which went on sale in January, is beginning to arrive in Ram Truck dealerships in greater numbers. FIAT Brand Sales of the Fiat 500L were up 19 percent last month, its best sales ever in the month of February. Sales of the 500L have been up year-over-year for four-consecutive months. FIAT brand sales, which include the Fiat 500 and 500L, were down slightly in February compared with the same month a year ago. The 2016 Fiat 500X crossover, the latest addition to the FIAT lineup, will arrive in FIAT studios in the second quarter of 2015. On the heels of the FIAT brand’s return to Super Bowl advertising, FIAT fans can now configure the all-new crossover at www.fiatusa.com. The FIAT brand is coming off of a record year in 2014. The FIAT brand’s full-year sales were up 7 percent in 2014, compared with sales in 2013. It was the FIAT brand’s best annual sales since the brand was re-introduced in the U.S. in 2011. Dodge Brand Sales of the Dart were up 52 percent, the largest percentage sales gain of any Dodge brand vehicle during the month. The Challenger turned in its best ever February sales with a 42 percent year-over-year sales gain. Dodge brand sales were down 15 percent in February, compared with the same month a year ago, due in part to model changeover at the Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario, where the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country are built. The new 2015 Dodge Charger last month picked up a Driver’s Choice award for “Best Sports Sedan” from MotorWeek, the automotive television magazine program. Charger sales were up 16 percent in February, its best February sales since 2007.

Volkswagen comes to Geneva with a concept that not only slips in between the Passat and Phaeton, but one that gives a sneak peek into a future design language. The Sport Coupé Concept GTE is larger than the current CC in every dimension except in height. The front end has a new grille design and headlights with LEDs. Around back is styling similar to the Audi A7 with a liftback and low stance. Inside is seating for four passengers, along with large display screens for front and rear seat passengers. Power comes from plug-in hybrid powertrain that pairs a turbocharged 3.0L V6 and two electric motors to produce a total output of 374 horsepower. Volkswagen says the powertrain can hit 60 MPH in 5 seconds and return 118 MPG on the European cycle. Source: Volkswagen Press Release is on Page 2 SPORT COUPÉ CONCEPT GTE MAKES WORLD DEBUT AT THE GENEVA AUTO SHOW Four-door coupé marks beginning of a new design era at Volkswagen Wolfsburg/Geneva, March 2015 —Volkswagen will debut the Sport Coupé Concept GTE at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show, heralding a new and progressive Volkswagen design language. “Evolution and revolution come together in the Sport Coupé Concept GTE. This concept is based on Volkswagen design DNA, which has been visibly sharpened even more. It shows how the highest-volume brand of our Group is shaping the immediate future,” says Walter de Silva, Head of Design of Volkswagen AG. Dr Heinz-Jakob Neusser, Volkswagen Brand Board Member for Development, elaborates: “This breathtakingly dynamic coupé is unlike any other to appear in this class. The design of the Sport Coupé Concept GTE is an impressive alternative to the classic sedans of the B and C segments—it has the style of a sport coupé that is enriched by the functionality of a large hatchback and the interior space of a sedan.” Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design of the Volkswagen Brand, adds: “The Sport Coupé Concept GTE is another milestone of expressive design. With this concept car, Volkswagen is not only showing a new model’s design, but also initial glimpses of a new design era.” The interior of the Sport Coupé Concept GTE is as innovative as its exterior. It features extremely clean design, matchless ergonomics and new interactive interfaces between human and machine—including the use of the driver's bio-metric data and a new Active Info Display that has a 3D appearance. The upshot is an avant-garde interior ambiance that is in complete harmony with its expressive exterior design. Under the skin, the car is also very innovative. The GTE designation promises a plug-in hybrid drive system and that’s what this concept delivers. Volkswagen’s regular GTE models can be driven approximately 32 miles in all-electric mode and yet they can cover very long distances with confidence. GTE versions are conceivable in all vehicle classes, as demonstrated with the Cross Coupe GTE SUV concept vehicle that was shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Sport Coupé Concept GTE adds a new facet to its GTE philosophy. The 374-horsepower (279 kW) GTE fastback delivers the long-distance properties of a Gran Turismo while simultaneously enabling zero-emission driving, thanks to its two electric motors and externally chargeable battery. The concept car has a top speed of 155 mph and has an impressive EC average combined fuel consumption of 118 mpg. Volkswagen differentiates between the B, C and D segments in the mid-size and premium classes. The latest Passat, for example, is setting standards in the high-volume section of the B segment; the Volkswagen CC is positioned in the upper B segment; and the Phaeton, as a premium sedan, is in the D segment. The Sport Coupé Concept is breaking out of its current segment and into the C segment. Klaus Bischoff: “Internally, the Sport Coupé Concept GTE is a car that we position above today's Volkswagen CC. We are enriching this segment with a premium design which is as exclusive as it is dynamic, and which casts the term avant-garde in a new light.” Exterior design. The concept car is underpinned again by Volkswagen’s modular transverse matrix (MQB), which allows for great packaging and proportions. The most important dimension for the design of a car is the ratio of the exterior length to the wheelbase. The concept car is 191.7 inches long with an incredibly long wheelbase of 118.9 inches, creating an interior that is 73.7 inches long, as well as short body overhangs: 35.8 inches at the front and 44.1 inches at the back. Its low height (55.4 inches), impressive width (73.4 inches) and large 21-inch wheels give the car a spectacular stance. Yet, because of the MQB packaging, the Sport Coupé Concept GTE also offers excellent front and rear headroom and a 17.0 cubic foot trunk. Front end. The radiator grille, headlights and VW badge merge into a completely new interpretation of the Volkswagen front end. The designers specifically emphasized three-dimensionality. Towards its outer edges, the radiator grille borders the LED dual headlights that are framed by an aluminum radiator grille crosspiece, whose ends take an upward turn, like the winglets of a modern jet airplane. This shape is repeated on the exterior and in the interior, running as a common thread throughout the vehicle's design. The uppermost radiator grille crosspiece frames the inner LED modules (high beams and Daytime Running Lights); the second crosspiece wraps around the outer LED modules (low beams and DRLs). The winglets also function as DRLs thanks to integrated bands of LEDs and as turn signals by alternating the LED color at the top ends of the bands. The Sport Coupé Concept GTE‘s DRL signature is completed by the C-shaped LEDs arranged around the lower air intakes (an identifying characteristic of electric and plug-in hybrid mo­dels from Volkswagen). Beneath the two upper radiator grille crosspieces, there are four additional bars. Each trim piece is narrower than the one above it, and together they form a wide "V" that is framed by body-colored area of the bumper. Silhouette. The Sport Coupé Concept GTE is a coupé with four doors and a hatchback. This approach led to a design that emphasises long, extended lines, a low overall height and an athletic body form. The car's silhouette is uncompromised: the roofline assumes the shape of a flattened curve extending from the A-pillar—set far back for a long hood—to the rear body. The extremely low-set C-pillar, which develops seamlessly from the roofline, dominates the back end of the car. Air vents in the front fenders and hood have chrome elements that mimic the stylistic theme of the winglets around the headlights. The precision of the car’s design is illustrated by two elements of the car's silhouette. First, the lower window line, which looks as though it were carved into the body, is continued as a sharp edge into the front fenders. Second, the character line that runs below the window sill is the most important line on the vehicle. At the rear, it is designed as what is known as an undercut. Here, the character line is drawn slightly outward to emphasize the strong shoulder section and generate a light-refracting edge. This undercut reduces gradually as it runs towards the front of the car, where the character line extends into the front wheelarch. Rear section. The roofline, including the C-pillars, transitions directly into the vertical surface of the rear section, just like a classical sports car’s. The rear spoiler visually lengthens the car; laterally, the spoiler’s lower edge is continued above the taillights and directly into the character line. The roof section has a lot of tumblehome from front to rear, creating space for a muscular shoulder section, which in turn transitions into the powerfully flared wheelarches. Like the headlights, the LED taillights are designed to have a 3D appearance, with a light signature that apes the winglets at the front. On each side of the vehicle, the basic lighting unit consists of two glossy black elements, in which the brake light, turn signal, and rear light LEDs have been integrated. At night, the black background surfaces are not visible, which makes the illuminated LED elements appear to hover, creating an unmistakable light signature. Interior design The new interfaces in the Sport Coupé Concept GTE are appealing to the eye as well as being a high-tech tour de force. The instrument cluster is a prototype of a newly conceptualised Active Info Display with 3D graphics. The display has a 12.3-inch diagonal and was designed in such a way that the virtual space blends into the real border of the instrument cluster, via a patented ambient light effect, thus creating a free-form surface. In its basic configuration, the digital display depicts two round instruments; a power meter on the left and a speedometer on the right with a field between them for all sorts of information. The new free-form surface makes the round instruments appear to hover in virtual space. The graphics of the displays change according to the driving mode (E-mode or GTE mode). The central infotainment system’s touchscreen has a 10.1 inch diagonal; the area alongside this screen also features touch-sensitive slider controls for the HVAC. The rear seating area has a 12.3-inch touchscreen that serves as the media control module and is integrated between the individual seats. It can be used to operate functions that include the media library, telephone and navigation. Rear passengers can also control the two 10.1-inch screens embedded in the backrests of the front seats via this media control unit. In addition, the slider controls integrated alongside the 12.3-inch display can be used to operate the automatic climate control system, for a four-zone system. For the first time, Volkswagen is interfacing the car's electronics directly with the driver. Based on the driver's biometric data, the Sport Coupé Concept GTE determines, via a smartwatch or armband for measuring the driver's vital functions, whether to select a route that includes an exciting country road or a gentle route instead. Monitoring of biometric data begins as soon as the driver inputs the destination by voice or on the touchscreen—but only if the driver wants the data stored in the device to be used as input for the navigation system. Time and distance are secondary factors here. In this navigation mode, which is individually tailored to the driver, the sole purpose is to experience maximum driving enjoyment. The navigation system recommends routes that are displayed in lists or via Cover Flow; in this case, apps such as Instagram are used to show additional information and images of the individual routes. The driver can view the selected route in the infotainment system before heading out. Simultaneously, the driver gets detailed information on the type of route and on the traffic, weather and road conditions along the route. To get the most precise real-time information, the system evaluates car-to-car data from other vehicles that are already driving the same route ahead of the Sport Coupé Concept GTE. At the same time, the system compares route conditions to the vehicle’s status, such as remaining battery charge. Ambience. One unique feature inside the car is the way the line from the dash panel and door shoulders appears to wrap around the four passengers like a cocoon. The dash panel, designed with horizontal elements and leather-trimmed at the top, uniformly transitions into the front door trim panels and then into the rear doors. The dash panel itself is designed to be straightforward, clean and minimalistic. In the upper area, three slender and elegant aluminum slots function as vents, with a slender piano-black accent and another aluminum vent beneath them that spans the entire width of the dash panel. The center console rises towards the dash panel where it meets the infotainment system, just like a sports car. Here too, elegant gloss-black and thin aluminum surrounds are dominant styling elements. Forming a contrast to this, beneath the "hovering" design of the console, there’s a layer that looks like natural wood. The same material is found on the door panels and on the steering wheel. Among the practical details are cupholders that can warm or cool the drinks placed in them. The 6-speed DSG has shift-by-wire logic and stays in a central position, like a joystick. The R, N and D selections are activated by a flick of the wrist, while P is set by pushing a separate button that is integrated in the shift lever. Drive system The Sport Coupé Concept GTE is powered by a plug-in hybrid drive system that is both economical and sporty. The concept car uses a turbocharged 3.0-litre TSI V6 direct-injection engine that produces 295 horsepower (220 kW) and maximum torque of 369 pound feet. The electrical components consist of a lithium-ion battery that’s housed in the center tunnel and two electric motors. The 54-hp (40 kW0 front motor is integrated in the 6-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission and the rear electric motor develops 114 hp (85 kW). The total available system power is 374 hp (279 kW). If necessary, the system’s power can be distributed to all four wheels thanks to the rear electric motor and an "electric driveshaft". In the sporty GTE mode, the 155 mph coupé accelerates from zero to 62 mph in just 5.0 seconds. Despite this dynamic performance, the concept car has an EC combined fuel consumption of 118 mpg. In addition, the Sport Coupé Concept GTE can be driven all-electrically, with zero emissions, for a distance of at least 32 miles. The total driving range on one tank of gasoline is more than 745 miles. Hybrid. The concept car starts in Hybrid Mode by default. The Sport Coupé Concept GTE is then a classical full hybrid that charges the battery via regenerative braking and automatically uses the V6 engine and/or the electric motor depending on the drive situation. In this mode, the battery state of charge is kept constant; the driver can actively influence this by using the battery hold function. Coasting: As soon as the driver takes his or her foot off the accelerator and the battery is sufficiently charged, the gasoline engine and electric motors are shut down and disengaged from the drivetrain. Recuperation Mode: If the driver removes his or her foot from the accelerator or brakes when the battery is not sufficiently charged, both electric motors work as generators and feed the energy generated during braking to the lithium-ion battery. In this case, too, the V6 engine is shut down and disengaged. Driving with the V6 engine: When the gasoline engine alone is powering the vehicle, the concept car is purely front-wheel drive to achieve excellent fuel economy. "E-Mode". In E-mode, which the driver activates by button push, only the 114-hp electric motor at the rear axle provides propulsive power. In all-electric driving, the V6 TSI is decoupled from the drivetrain by disengaging the clutch, and it is shut off. As soon as the six-cylinder engine needs to be used again—due to the battery's charge state or other parameters—it is coupled to the drivetrain again within fractions of a second without any jolts. The lithium-ion battery, which has a capacity of 10.7 kWh, is responsible for supplying energy to the electric motors. GTE. The driver uses the GTE button to switch to the most dynamic side of the vehicle. This makes the throttle, transmission and steering characteristics even sportier. In addition, the V6 engine and the electric motors work together to deliver the full system output and the maximum system torque. Battery Charge/Battery Hold. The dual-mode Battery Hold (energy content of the battery stays constant) and Battery Charge (battery is charged whilst driving) is activated via a sub-menu in the infotainment system. It serves to hold the vehicle in E-Mode, for example, when the driver knows they are about to enter an urban area. “Electric driveshaft” all-wheel-drive system. All four wheels are powered as soon as the system detects it is needed. In this case (and when the battery charge is low), the front electric motor is employed exclusively as a generator that is driven by the gasoline engine in order to provide the power for its counterpart at the rear axle. As the power to drive the rear axle flows electronically, the all-wheel-drive system is referred to as an “electric driveshaft”. Since the V6 engine drives the rear electric motor via the front motor, all-wheel drive is available even when the battery has a low state of charge and the car is running as a plug-in-hybrid. View full article

Now for a big surprise at the Geneva Motor Show. Bentley revealed the EXP 10 Speed 6 during Volkswagen's group night. This concept gives an idea of the future direction of luxury and performance for the brand. Designed as a two-seater coupe, the front end features a larger version of the familiar Bentley grille and four-round headlights. The tail end is reminiscent of the Jaguar F-Type Coupe. Bentley describes the shape as “a dynamic sculpture, creating harmony between sharp lines and flowing surfaces and using twisted surfaces to imply speed.” Inside is furnished with quilted leather and cherry wood trim. Infotainment duties are handled by a 12-inch touchscreen. “EXP 10 Speed 6 is one vision for Bentley’s future – a powerful, exquisite and individual concept. The showcar has the potential to be the new pinnacle luxury two-seat sports car. It offers thrilling, driver-oriented performance, complete with trademark modern Bentley luxury and effortlessness. It could be a future model line, alongside the Continental GT and redefining the pinnacle of another market sector, and the styling of the EXP 10 Speed 6 could influence the expansion of the Bentley family. This is not just a new sports car concept – but the potential Bentley sports car – a bold vision for a brand with a bold future,” said Bentley chairman Wolfgang Dürheimer. Source: Bentley Press Release is on Page 2 EXP 10 SPEED 6 - A VISION OF BENTLEY DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE Concept for sector-defining two-seater sportscar Futuristic Bentley design, a statement in modern British luxury Potential future model line (Crewe / Geneva, 2nd March 2015) Bentley Motors is showing the future direction of luxury and performance with the EXP 10 Speed 6 at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show. The concept is a British interpretation of a high performance two seater sportscar using modern automotive design, highly skilled handcrafting, the finest materials and advanced performance technology. From the racing success of the company’s early years to the international motorsport success of today, ‘speed’ is part of Bentley’s DNA. This inspiration is expressed throughout the EXP 10 Speed 6, where iconic Bentley design cues are fused with progressive craftsmanship techniques and modern technologies. Copper elements are used as accents to both exterior and interior features to highlight the performance hybrid potential of the concept’s advanced new powertrain. Performance goals including top speed are set to challenge competitors and define a new segment benchmark. Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, comments: “EXP 10 Speed 6 is one vision for Bentley’s future – a powerful, exquisite and individual concept. The showcar has the potential to be the new pinnacle luxury two-seat sports car. It offers thrilling, driver-oriented performance, complete with trademark modern Bentley luxury and effortlessness. It could be a future model line, alongside the Continental GT and redefining the pinnacle of another market sector, and the styling of the EXP 10 Speed 6 could influence the expansion of the Bentley family. This is not just a new sports car concept – but the potential Bentley sports car – a bold vision for a brand with a bold future.” Contemporary Design, Yet Unmistakably Bentley The exterior design of EXP 10 Speed 6 is an expression of muscular, athletic surfaces inspired by the aerodynamic shapes of aircraft fuselages and wings. The ethos of the design was to develop contemporary interpretations of Bentley styling cues, which have been brought together with beauty and precision. The result is a coupe of clean, modern surfaces whilst remaining unmistakably Bentley. Creating exciting contemporary ideas from classic starting points is evident across the car, from the new interpretation of the iconic Bentley matrix grille and four-round headlamps to the paint colour – a deeper, richer and heavily metallic version of British Racing Green. The principles of established Bentley luxury have been applied in new and invigorating ways that use the latest technologies and techniques. The shapes and lines of EXP 10 Speed 6 represent a dynamic sculpture, creating harmony between sharp lines and flowing surfaces and using twisted surfaces to imply speed. Combined with muscular proportions and an athletic stance through the use of a short front overhang, long bonnet, low grille and wide rear shape with a long C-post, the exterior styling hints at high speed potential of the car. Every exterior material and each individual detail is designed to modern Bentley style. Cutting-edge 3D metal printing technology has allowed the grille mesh, exhausts, door handles and side vents to be delivered with micro-scale design detail precision. The iconic Bentley mesh grille, for example, is no longer a flat plane of latticework but includes varying depth with a complex 3D geometry only visible when viewed at an angle. Bentley’s renowned quilted leather has inspired three dimensional texture to the precision glass of the headlamps. These exterior elements come together to present a Bentley for the next generation – lean, toned and exquisitely precise, designed around new evolutions of the design elements that unite all Bentleys – past, present and future. Bentley’s Most Performance-Orientated Luxury Cabin The inspiration for the interior comes from the continuous line that runs around the cabin, driving through the console and into two symmetrical wings before flowing into the door and looping back into the console armrest. Two elegant quilted sports seats are positioned either side of the narrow centre console which houses exquisite driver controls and a highly intuitive 12” touch screen. These features combine futuristic technology seamlessly with progressive Bentley craftsmanship. Each detail has taken core Bentley interior DNA principles and moved them forwards. For example, the classic and purposeful Bentley knurled surface is a feature throughout the controls of the car, but now created using steel and copper together to create a two-metal 3D texture. Continuing the fusion of traditional materials and contemporary design statements, the doors of EXP 10 Speed 6 feature 3D quilting, milled directly in to solid straight-grain cherry wood. Each resulting diamond is finished with a copper centre. The centre console integrates digital information with tactile controls via a curved touch screen housed in an aluminium frame. The fascia instruments deploy from a flat position into the drivers view as the car is started using the floating “B” button integrated in to a non-symmetrical gear lever finished in aluminium, copper and cherry wood. A mechanical rev counter and digital display combine to provide the perfect balance of modern driver information and analogue beauty. The rear interior space is divided into two compartments designed to house a specifically designed four-piece luggage set. Like the rest of the interior, the rear has been trimmed by the master craftsmen at Bentley in the highest quality Poltrona Frau leather. View full article