Caterham enlists a new regional distributor in Latin America to push sales further ahead.

• Caterham appoints respected automotive distributor, Global X-Sports

Caterham has increased its global sales network by appointing respected automotive provider, Global X-Sports, as the Latin American regional distributor.

It’s the first time in Caterham’s history there has been a distributor for the whole Latin America region.

With over 19 years of automotive distribution experience, Global X-Sports will be offering the full Caterham EU range of lightweight sports cars including the Seven 165, 275, 355 and the range-topping 485 to Latin American customers.

It’s another exciting development for Caterham following a record-breaking year in 2016 which saw the car manufacturer toast its best sales in 20 years.

Caterham Chief Commercial Officer, David Ridley, said: “To increase our presence in Latin America is an exciting step. Following a record 600 sales in 2016, we want to carry the momentum into 2017.”

“As we celebrate 60 years of the Seven this year, we want people across the world to experience the pure, driving thrill the Seven provides.”

Fabrice Odeide, Managing Director, Global X-Sports Group said “The opportunity to bring Caterham to Latin America is one that is very exciting to us. We believe that there is a real demand for this desirable product that represents British automotive heritage and offers boundless joy behind the wheel.

“We look forward to bringing Caterham to a growing a network of dealers throughout the whole region, highlighting the unique, driving experience that comes with owning a Seven.”

caterham has its best year since 1996 with over 600 units being sold, and 45% to export.

Caterham has posted record sales figures for 2016, with over 600 Caterham Sevens sold in the last 12 months.

That figure is the highest 12-month sales result for Caterham since 1996. More than half (55%) of cars were sold to UK customers, with 45% exported overseas.

The increase in sales has been supported by further growth in Caterham’s UK dealer network, adding representatives in the Northwest, Southwest and centrally in the Midlands with the launch of a bespoke Caterham dealership, while expansion of the iconic manufacturer’s model range has also had a positive impact.

In 2016, the new Seven 310 and Seven Sprint models were unveiled. The retro-soaked Sprint in particular proved hugely popular, with all 60 examples – representing 10% of the year’s total sales – being sold within one week of the car being launched at the Goodwood Revival in September.

Despite the UK’s decision to leave the EU in June, Caterham’s export sales remained consistently strong, with over 100 Sevens hitting French roads alone and over 60 Sevens unleashed in Japan.

CEO Graham MacDonald said: “Despite the political change last year, as we forecasted, Brexit’s impact on our business has been negligible. Export customers may have benefited in the short-term due to the weaker pound but, when you look at the markets, the UK and other territories have not faltered in 2016.”

Caterham Chief Commercial Officer, David Ridley, said: “This milestone shows exactly what we’ve achieved thanks to our unique partnerships and growing number of dealers.

“Over the last 12 months, we’ve worked hard to expand our UK dealer network, had the 620R immortalised in LEGO and seen the 310 model become an instant favourite. We’re keen to continue this momentum in 2017 as we celebrate 60 years of the Seven.”

Caterham Cars will exhibit at the 2016 London Motor Show - the first major British motor show since 2008

Caterham Cars will exhibit at the 2016 London Motor Show - the first major British motor show since 2008.

The show is open to the public from Friday May 6 to Sunday May 8 and will be held at Battersea Evolution, featuring new and historic cars as well as motoring celebrities. Caterham will be present throughout the weekend, including the Press and Trade day on Thursday May 5.

Caterham will be based on stand L65 in Hall 1, and will showcase the Seven 360R, Seven 420R and the latest iteration of the Seven, the 620S.

A race car from the Caterham Academy - the brand’s novice motorsport championship - will also be on display.

David Ridley, Caterham’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “As a proud part of Britain’s motoring heritage, we are delighted to announce Caterham will be at the 2016 London Motor Show. It is a fantastic opportunity to showcase all that Caterham has to offer and engage with the British motoring community. We can’t wait to be part of it.”

The 2016 London Motor Show will take place between May 5-8 and tickets are still available.

Caterham opens up new dealership at one of teh UK's Premiere race circuits. So, buy and race within minutes.

Caterham Cars has expanded its UK dealer network with the launch of the BookaTrack Caterham showroom at Donington Park race circuit.

The new showroom, based at one of Britain’s premier circuits, will sell Caterham’s full five model UK range of lightweight sportscars, as well as offering a full range of aftersales activities, including service, warranty and parts support.

Caterham’s Experience day activities will be housed at the new facility, relocating from Silverstone to Donington Park.

To celebrate the showroom launch, BookaTrack held a launch event on Saturday 5th March with a range of on and off track activities at Donington Park. Attendees were able to enjoy drifting action, with the Caterham Drift Experience, and test drives in a range of Caterham models, including the recently released Seven 620S.

Graham Macdonald, Caterham Cars CEO, and Christopher Tate, Donington Park Managing Director, attended the event as well as members from the local Caterham Seven owners club.

Graham Macdonald, said: “Over 16 years, we have forged a strong and close partnership with BookaTrack. To open our fourth UK dealership with a brand that is so clearly passionate about Caterham, is an exciting new chapter in this partnership.

“This wonderful, bespoke site at Donington Park will ensure midlands-based sportscar enthusiasts enjoy the full Caterham brand experience, in location truly reflecting our values and heritage."

BookaTrack is the UK's largest independent car track day organiser. Caterham has been working with the company since its inception in 2000 and throughout its progression as a premium track day provider. BookaTrack will continue to operate a fleet of Caterhams at around 120 events per year at race circuits across the UK and Europe.

Caterham declares 2014 was its best ever for exporting cars in 42 years of production.

British sportscar maker, Caterham Cars, has announced the most successful export year in its 42-year history. In 2014, Caterham sold 345 vehicles to customers outside of the UK, an increase of 6% on its record breaking export figures for 2013.

Export sales have comprised well over 50% of Caterham’s total annual sales for most of the last decade and the trend continues to grow as the brand is introduced to more markets.

A TRUE MISSED OPPORTUNITY

In the last 12 months, Caterham has opened dealerships in six new markets, taking its international presence to a total of 25 export territories across the globe and is looking to expand its rapidly-growing network of international dealers this year.

France, Japan, Germany, Switzerland and the USA remain Caterham’s most successful export markets but the brand is constantly seeking to expand further.

Caterham Cars Chief Executive, Graham Macdonald said “Our recent foray into the world of Formula 1 has introduced Caterham to a raft of new global audiences who had never heard of us before. Now, thanks to that international exposure, the Seven is on sale in markets as far flung as China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Colombia.”

Across the Atlantic, more South American dealerships are expected to open over the next year and Caterham’s visibility in North America continues to grow despite the logistical hurdles presented by the US homologation rules; last year, Caterham appointed its new American distributor, Superformance, which has dealers on both the west and east coasts of the country.

With motorsport at the heart of its heritage, Caterham has also used its on-track prowess as a platform on which to build in new markets. 

Its domestic French motor racing championships remain the strongest programme outside of the UK but new championships in both Taiwan and Colombia have started this year and showcase the legendary Seven in the best possible light in its own habitat.

Caterham to expand into Columbia from November.

Caterham Cars will make its official debut in Colombia at this year’s Bogota Auto Show on November 19-30.

The iconic British sportscar brand has signed an exclusive dealer based in the Colombian capital, which will sell a full range of Caterham’s iconic Seven variants – the new Seven 165, Roadsport, Superlight, Seven 485, Seven 620 R and CSR 175.

Caterham Colombia (www.caterhamcolombia.com) will have its full stock of vehicles in place for the Bogota show but the dealer is already open and able to take orders.

The business is very experienced in the automotive retail sector and will offer a full parts and servicing package for its customers, supported by Caterham Cars in the UK.

Caterham Group CEO, Graham Macdonald, said: “We are continuing our rapid, global expansion and Colombia is the latest new market to join our ever-expanding list of territories. South America is an important market and one that we have high hopes for – within four hours of a Bogota newspaper announcing the signing of the new dealer, our team there had 30 unique sales leads.”

More information about Caterham Colombia can be found at the in-market website. For all other enquiries, visit www.caterhamcars.com.