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.”

Limited Edition Caterham Superlight launched to celebrate 20 years of Seven Superlight models in 2016.

• Limited run of 1.6-litre ‘Superlight Twenty’ to celebrate raucous 1996 original
• Original Superlight became the template for a generation of Sevens
• New Superlight Twenty SE gets 135bhp, 6-speed gearbox, LSD and carbon fibre components  

Caterham has revived the spirit of one of its most illustrious Sevens - the boisterous 1.6-litre Seven Superlight – with the launch of a new special edition model.

Just 20 of the special edition cars – launched at the Goodwood Revival recently, ahead of the 20^th anniversary of the original Superlight in 1996 – will be built.

The original Superlight’s production run ceased in 2004, but it heralded a new era of purposeful, track-biased Sevens designed to offer even more performance and low weight at a pared down price point.

Despite its ultra-minimalist character – even for a Seven – the Superlight went on to become one of Caterham’s most coveted models, selling some 200 examples while in production.

Priced at £29,995*, and sporting a similarly extreme spec sheet to that of the original, the Superlight Twenty receives a 135bhp 1.6-litre Ford Sigma engine, 6-speed close ratio gearbox, ‘Sport’ suspension pack, lightweight flywheel and a limited slip differential.

The bodywork benefits from numerous carbon fibre components, including its cycle wings, rear wings, nose and minimalist aero screen. The body is finished in bare aluminium, as per the original Superlight, which saves six kilograms further contributing to the ultra-lightweight approach.

The new vehicle also gets a numbered dash plaque, unique gauges, key and a gear knob bearing the ‘Superlight Twenty’ motif and is equipped with a titanium coloured chassis, carbon interior panels and specially-embroidered carbon sports seats found only on Caterham’s flagship model; the Seven 620 R.

The special edition is only available as a Series 3 chassis with a limited list of options; in keeping with the minimalistic theme of the model. Just paint, weather equipment and a heater are available.

Caterham Cars CEO, Graham Macdonald, said: “When Caterham created the original Superlight, it was a big hit. We sold every one we built and it inspired the development of future models.

“As well all the five-star reviews and animated feedback from customers for its driver appeal and roisterous character, it always represented excellent value by being a genuinely accessible performance car bargain – which is why we’ve tried to recreate that magic by celebrating the 20^th anniversary of its launch.”    

By no means the fastest Seven produced to date – the new model will hit 60mph in 4.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 122mph – it is however one of the most visceral performance models Caterham has built since the original. Every Seven meets slightly different driver demands, but perhaps more than any other in the range, the Superlight Twenty epitomises Colin Chapman’s fundamental principles of performance through light weight. 

Macdonald continued: “Those unable to buy one first time around now have the opportunity to snap up one of a limited run of vehicles – it’s not an exact replica of the original but it’s most definitely cut from the same cloth and we know customers will love it for all the same reasons.”

The order book for the Superlight Twenty opens immediately, priced at £29,995*

Its Back - The Motor Show in London returns, but what effect will it have on established shows.

A SHOW. AN EXHIBITION. AN EVENT.

• Central London location in Battersea Park
• Low cost of entry for exhibitors and visitors
• A show with experiential activities
• An exhibition for sales, seminars and forums
• A great event for all the family

The new London Motor Show will be staged in the UK’s capital city in May 2016. The Show has a progressive and exciting format, designed to appeal across the board to a wide range of motoring visitors and enthusiasts. 

The Show will be staged at the Battersea Park Evolution site, an increasingly popular location hosting events in the capital with giant structures and exhibition space. 

The London Motor Show was officially launched at a reception held at St. James’s Palace on 27th May 2015, hosted by HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO, the Patron of the London Motor Show.

JAGUAR LAND ROVER HAVE YET TO COMMIT TO THE SHOW

The London Motor Show will be held from the 5th to the 8th May 2016 and will feature cars from major vehicle manufacturers, together with exhibits from related automotive companies showcasing the very latest automotive technologies and developments, from hybrid and electric vehicles to driverless cars. 

Exhibitors will have the opportunity of engaging, as never before, with visitors to the London Motor Show, which brings a totally fresh approach to a centrally based motor show.

A seminar programme, involving leading figures from the industry, discussing important and relevant motoring issues will be arranged with members of the public having the opportunity of asking questions and meeting face to face with industry and government leaders.

Visitors will not only be able to view the latest new cars, but will also be able to take part in a variety of related activities, including the opportunity of arranging a road test of the car, or cars, of their choice from the venue. 

Areas will be devoted to providing a variety of important and relevant issues including road safety, new technology, training, city driving as well as family entertainment and top quality hospitality.

Battersea Park is very conveniently located for visitors, close to main line railway stations, the London underground and local bus services, also within easy travelling distance from London City Airport and Heathrow. 

An important element of the show is that it will appeal to a broad section of the motoring public from families to young drivers, fleet buyers and business users, in essence something for everyone.

“With the considerable changes happening in the motor industry, this is exactly the right time to bring to London a high-profile motoring event,” said a spokesman for the London Motor Show. “It will provide an important platform for the UK’s buoyant and confident manufacturers, importers and retailers to showcase their products. 

The London Motor Show will bring global brands to the capital, to an event that visitors will find truly engaging.”

UK exports to China have grown seven fold since 2009, Now 1.2 Million cars are exported.

• Automotive sector now has greater share of UK exports than ever before at 11.2%
• China is the largest single market for British-built cars after the UK
• Number of car sales to Asia trebled in five years
• UK exported just under 1.2 million cars to more than 100 countries in 2014

Figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that exports of cars to China have increased seven-fold since 2009. In 2014,137,410 UK-built cars were exported to China, an increase of 14.5% over 2013. Only the UK bought more British-built cars than China last year, with exports to China greater than combined UK exports to Brazil, India and Russia.

The trend in China reflects substantial growth in the wider Asian market, with the number of UK-built cars exported to Asia having more than trebled in five years. In 2014, the UK exported 220,682 cars to the region, compared to 60,804 in 2009. Asia is now the UK automotive industry’s largest export market after Europe, with 18.5% of all cars destined for the region.

In 2014 the automotive sector represented a greater share of total UK exports than ever before, accounting for 11.2% of revenue, valued at £26.2 billion.  The UK exported 1,195,190 cars to more than 100 countries worldwide last year, marking a 54.7% increase over 2009, when 772,210 cars were exported.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “Economic growth in Asia over the last five years has seen demand for new cars accelerate massively. A desire for high-quality premium vehicles with a strong brand heritage has placed the UK in a prime position to take advantage of this emerging market. The British car industry’s success in the region is down to the quality of our globally competitive products built with our engineering excellence and our highly skilled workforce. The strength and importance of the UK automotive sector to the UK economy is self-evident and automotive exports at 11.2 % are the highest share of UK exports in history.”

Drivers of export growth

Economic growth in a number of Asian markets such as China has led to an increased demand for high-quality and luxury vehicles. The UK has a rich heritage of producing premium vehicles which it has taken advantage of in recent years. Significant investment in brands such as Aston Martin, Bentley, Jaguar Land Rover, McLaren and Rolls-Royce, mean that 60% of all UK-built models on offer are from premium manufacturers.

Not only has growth in the Asian market seen a surge in UK exports, it has also helped the average export value of UK-built cars increase from £10,200 in 2004 to £21,900 in 2014.  

Export volumes by region  

	2014	2009	% change
EU28	634,168	535,908	18.3
Asia	220,682	60,804	262.9
America	151,472	94,716	59.9
Other Europe	136,516	52,861	158.3
Australasia	25,565	11,072	130.9
Africa	21,067	13,450	-17.6

Top 10 Asian export markets
  

	2014	2009	% change
China	137,410	19,417	607.7
Japan	16,625	12,195	36.3
South Korea	13,337	2,315	476.1
United Arab Emirates	9,619	2,570	274.3
Saudi Arabia	3,138	787	298.7
Taiwan	3,105	543	471.8
India	2,836	309	817.8
Kuwait	2,548	1,259	102.4
Hong Kong	2,362	551	328.7
Qatar	2,085	457	356.7

There has been growth in almost all Asian export markets since 2009. The number of cars exported to South Korea has increased five-fold, making it the UK’s eighth largest export market outside of Europe – up from 16^th in 2009.

Export volumes are still modest in a number of Asian markets, with the majority of countries enforcing high import duty to drive local production. However, there has been significant growth in the number of cars exported to most Asian countries, underlining the strong appetite for UK-built