Polestar wins the FIA World Touring Car Championship, and releases special editions to celebrate.

Polestar celebrates winning the FIA World Touring Car Championship with Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar Performance World Champion Editions

Last week, Polestar Cyan Racing won the FIA World Touring Car Championship in a Volvo S60 Polestar TC1 race car, and the team’s Thed Björk secured the Driver’s Championship – the first Swede ever to win a motor racing world title. Polestar has today unveiled the Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar Performance World Champion Edition to celebrate Polestar Cyan Racing’s win.

“The engineers from Polestar and Cyan Racing have worked collaboratively on engineering developments for existing Polestar road cars for many years. It’s therefore fitting that we celebrate the remarkable achievement of securing our maiden World Championship by adding more performance to the cars that have been instrumental this season. With the Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar Performance World Champion Editions, we’ve created an accessible piece of history for many Volvo car owners,” said Christian Samson, responsible for Product and Development at Polestar.

The Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar Performance World Champion Editions are available on all D4, D5, T5 and T6 models and include all available enhancements offered by the Polestar Performance Parts programme, being the 19” bespoke Polestar light alloy wheels plus performance-focused tyres, a free-flow stainless-steel exhaust system and sports air filter as well as uprated suspension dampers and springs. Visually, the car is differentiated internally thanks to interior highlights such as the Polestar gear lever, and exterior details such as a rear diffusor and rear spoiler.

All cars also receive the Polestar powertrain optimisation that increases power by up to 10hp and 50Nm of torque, as well as delivering faster gearshifts and improved throttle response.

The Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar Performance World Champion Editions are available from any Polestar retailer globally, where the Polestar Performance Parts can be fitted to new or pre-owned cars. For more information, visit: engineered.polestar.com

SEAT Cars to complete a huge building to house upwards of 119,00 boxes of parts

Pioneering company in Industry 4.0

• The new 43.7 metre tall building will be able to process 119,000 boxes of parts and components
• Work on the new facility will conclude in the last quarter of 2018

SEAT continues with its commitment to making the Martorell factory a benchmark of Industry 4.0 with the construction of a new, automated logistics centre, providing storage for parts and components and equipped with smart technology to make its operation completely automated. With a total capacity for 119,000 boxes and a maximum height of 43.7 metres, it will be the tallest logistics warehouse in Spain. 

 Construction work on this facility, which will become the pillar of SEAT’s Logistics Centre at the Martorell factory, is scheduled to conclude in the last quarter of 2018.

According to SEAT Vice-President for Production Dr. Andreas Tostmann, “the creation of this wholly automated logistics centre once again demonstrates that SEAT is a benchmark company in every area of Industry 4.0”. “With this project we are taking a qualitative leap forward in our service capacity and our vision of achieving logistics management excellence by increasing efficiency in the manufacturing process of our vehicles”, he added. 

SEAT’s new warehouse will have a total surface area of 5,700 m2 divided into two facilities. In the first one, with a height of 43.7 metres, up to 500 containers will be shifted every hour. It will have a capacity for 24,000 containers stored in seven aisles. The second, at 21 metres high, will feature five aisles for storing more than 95,000 boxes, where 1,100 will get shifted every hour. 

This new facility represents another breakthrough in the logistics processes at the Martorell factory, which in recent months have received several awards. Just recently, SEAT won the Manufacturing Excellence 2017 award in the category of Logistics and Logistics Network Management. 

The judging panel of this award, which is considered one of the major events in the industrial sector, was particularly impressed by the factory’s excellent performance in supplier management and internal logistics. Likewise, last June the Barcelona International Logistics Exhibition recognised SEAT for the efficiency and technological innovation of the SEAT Easy Smart Logistics project.

Volvo cars continues to grow throughout the world, and with new models this wil continue.

Volvo Cars, the premium car maker, remains firmly on course for another record year in retail sales after posting an 8.2 per cent increase for the first six months of the year. Total sales in the first half of 2017 amounted to 277,641 cars, compared with 256,563 cars a year earlier.

Global retail sales in June came in at 54,351 cars, an increase of 5.7 per cent compared with the same month last year.

Strong demand for the new 90 series cars continues to be an important factor in Volvo's positive sales performance, while the first-generation XC60 remains the best-selling model overall.

The United Kingdom recorded sales of 5,018 in June, up 4.0 per cent over the same month in 2016. Sales for the first half of 2017 amounted to 24,519 cars, an increase of 8.4 per cent versus the same period last year. The XC60 is the best-selling model in the UK so far this year, followed by the V40, XC90 and the V90.

Jon Wakefield, Managing Director of Volvo Car UK, said: "These fantastic figures are a result of all the hard work from everyone at Volvo Car UK and our dealer network, and show that we're well on track for another record-breaking year of sales and growth for Volvo in the UK."

The Asia Pacific region reported sales growth of 27.3 per cent in June to 13,769 cars. Sales in China, Volvo's largest market, increased by a very healthy 30.9 per cent to 10,113 cars.

For the first six months, growth in the Asia Pacific region amounted to 22.6 per cent, while China was up 27.6 per cent for the period. The result was supported by strong demand for the locally produced XC60, S60L and S90 models.

First-half sales in the EMEA region were up by 6.6 per cent to 164,128 cars sold, as the region continued to see strong demand for the new V90 and XC90, as well as the XC60. Strong-performing markets include Sweden, the United Kingdom, France and Germany. June sales in the region were up 3.9 per cent.

The Americas region reported sales of 41,277 cars for the first six months of 2017, of which 34,102 were in the United States. The most popular model in the region is the XC60, followed closely by the XC90.

Retail sales status (deliveries to end customers) for Volvo Car Group is as follows:

		June			January - June
		2016	2017	Change	2016	2017	Change
Region EMEA		30,482	31,678	3.9%	153,953	164,128	6.6%
	United Kingdom Sweden	4,824 7,228	5,018 7,246	4.0% 0.2%	22,629 36,455	24,519 38,724	8.4% 6.2%
Region Asia-Pacific		10,816	13,769	27.3%	57,568	70,584	22.6%
	China	7,727	10,113	30.9%	40,688	51,914	27.6%
Region Americas		9,876	8,651	-12.4%	43,412	41,277	-4.9%
	USA	8,588	7,303	-15.0%	36,654	34,102	-7.0%
Other		257	253	-1.6%	1,630	1,652	1.3%
TOTAL		51,431	54,351	5.7%	256,563	277,641	8.2%

Globally, the Volvo XC60 was the best-selling model in June, with 16,905 cars sold (2016: 15,536), followed by the Volvo V40/V40 Cross Country, with 9,434 cars sold (10,142). The XC90 was third, with 7,972 sold cars (8,280)

Volvo, from 2019, will end cars that have only an internal combustion engine.

Volvo Cars, the premium car maker, has announced that every Volvo it launches from 2019 will have an electric motor, marking the historic end of cars that have only an internal combustion engine (ICE) and placing electrification at the core of its future business. 

The announcement represents one of the most significant moves by any car maker to embrace electrification, and highlights how, over a century after the invention of the internal combustion engine, electrification is paving the way for a new chapter in automotive history. 

“This is about the customer,” said Håkan Samuelsson, President and Chief Executive of Volvo Cars. “People increasingly demand electrified cars, and we want to respond to our customers’ current and future needs. You can now pick and choose whichever electrified Volvo you wish.” 

Volvo Cars will introduce a portfolio of electrified cars across its model range, embracing fully electric cars, plug-in hybrid cars and mild-hybrid cars. 

It will launch five fully electric cars between 2019 and 2021, three of which will be Volvo models and two of which will be high-performance electrified cars from Polestar, Volvo Cars’ performance car arm. Full details of these models will be announced at a later date.

These five cars will be supplemented by a range of petrol and diesel plug-in hybrid and mild-hybrid 48-volt options on all models, representing one of the broadest electrified car offerings of any car maker. 

This means that there will in future be no Volvo cars without an electric motor, as pure ICE cars are gradually phased out and replaced by ICE cars that are enhanced with electrified options. 

“This announcement marks the end of the solely combustion engine-powered car,” said Mr Samuelsson. “Volvo Cars has stated that it plans to have sold a total of 1m electrified cars by 2025. When we said it we meant it. This is how we are going to do it.” 

The announcement underlines Volvo Cars’ commitment to minimising its environmental impact and making the cities of the future cleaner. Volvo Cars is focused on reducing the carbon emissions of both its products as well as its operations. It aims to have climate-neutral manufacturing operations by 2025. 

The decision also follows this month’s announcement that Volvo Cars will turn Polestar into a new separately branded electrified global high-performance car company. Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President Design at Volvo Cars, will lead Polestar as Chief Executive Officer. 

USA SALES JUNE - SUBARU - 67 months of growth does not look like ending anytime soon.

• Record June - monthly sales increase 11.7 percent over June 2016
• 67 consecutive months of yearly month-over-month growth
• Best June ever for Crosstrek, Forester, Outback and Impreza
• 40 consecutive months of more than 10,000 Outbacks sold
• 47 consecutive months of more than 10,000 Foresters sold

Subaru of America, Inc. today reported 52,057 vehicle sales for June 2017, an 11.7 percent increase over June 2016, and the best June in the history of the company. The automaker also reported year-to-date sales of 304,810 vehicles, a 9.1 percent gain over the same period in 2016.

June marked the 40th consecutive month of 40,000+ vehicle sales for the company. Crosstrek, Forester, Outback and Impreza sales were notably strong as each model achieved its best June ever.

“We are very pleased to have set another half-year record and to have reached our 67th consecutive month of yearly month-over-month sales increases,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “Despite a more competitive market, we’re proud of our retailer’s ability to increase sales volume and market share.”

“We are pleased to have exceeded 50K sales for the tenth time in the past twelve months and we are optimistic about our results for the remainder of the year,” said Jeff Walters, senior vice president of sales. “We will benefit as the all-new 2018 Crosstrek starts arriving at our retailers later this month.”

Carline	Jun-17	Jun-16	% Chg	Jun-17	Jun-16	% Chg
	MTD	MTD	MTD	YTD	YTD	YTD
Forester	15,440	12,029	28.4%	87,957	80,255	9.6%
Impreza	7,858	4,994	57.4%	43,026	29,765	44.6%
WRX/STI	2,655	3,130	-15.2%	16,185	16,006	1.1%
Legacy	3,834	5,023	-23.7%	25,564	30,357	-15.8%
Outback	14,019	13,417	4.5%	86,253	77,386	11.5%
BRZ	429	347	23.6%	2,297	2,407	-4.6%
Crosstrek	7,822	7,658	2.1%	43,528	43,282	0.6%
TOTAL	52,057	46,598	11.7%	304,810	279,458	9.1%

Volvo see's sales, revenues and profits all raise in the first half of the year, January-June

Volvo Cars, the premium car maker, has reported strong growth in operating profit of SEK6.8bn in the first half of 2017, compared with SEK5.6bn for the same period last year, after taking market share across Europe and experiencing a robust sales increase in China.

Revenues rose to SEK99.1bn from SEK84.2bn in the first six months of 2016, while the operating profit margin improved to 6.8 per cent from 6.6 per cent a year earlier, even as the company continues to invest heavily in new cars and technologies.

Sales for the first six months of the year increased 8.2 per cent compared with the same period last year to 277,641 cars. The first-half increase in sales means Volvo Cars remains firmly on course for a fourth consecutive record year.

“We have reported strong profits at the same time as making ongoing investments in our transformation,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive. “Our momentum continues to build.”

During the first half of 2017, the company took market share in the EMEA region, following healthy growth in several key markets. Sales were up by 6.6 per cent during the period.

In the Asia Pacific region and China in particular, Volvo outperformed the market. Sales in the region increased by 22.6 per cent, while China sales were up 27.6 per cent.

In the US, Volvo Cars expects to report solid full-year growth after a strong second half of the year. Delivery constraints affected first-quarter sales, but a return to growth during the second quarter and the impending start of delivery of the new XC60 mid-size SUV point to a stronger finish.

“Globally, we expect the pace of growth generated in the first half of the year to continue. We are confident we will report another record year in terms of sales,” said Mr. Samuelsson.

Later this year, Volvo Cars will launch its all-new XC40, its first entry into the fast-growing small premium SUV segment, completing the company’s SUV line-up

Skoda celebrates the first half of the year and sales are flying high, with June the best one ever.

• Deliveries record: from January to June, ŠKODA achieves 585,000 deliveries worldwide
• Best June of all time: 105,200 deliveries (+6.5%)
• International success: ŠKODA grows in Europe and Russia
• Successful models: deliveries increase for SUPERB and FABIA; OCTAVIA remains brand’s bestseller
• Good market launch for ŠKODA KODIAQ: 27,100 deliveries since February

ŠKODA has continued to grow in the first half of the year. The long-established Czech brand recorded 585,000 deliveries to customers worldwide in the first six months – thus surpassing last year’s record result by 2.8 per cent (January to June 2016: 569,400 vehicles). 

105,200 deliveries in June are also an all-time peak in sales (June 2016: 98,800 vehicles). Positive development in the core market, Europe, and a two-digit rise in deliveries in Russia contribute to the record result, as do the significant increases in deliveries for the ŠKODA FABIA and SUPERB model ranges. 

With 27,100 deliveries since February, the new ŠKODA KODIAQ SUV is having a successful start in markets worldwide. 

"Having delivered well over half a million cars, we have achieved the strongest half-year in ŠKODA's history," says ŠKODA CEO Bernhard Maier, adding: "Our SUV campaign is proving effective. The high demand for the ŠKODA KODIAQ has exceeded our expectations and confirms that we are on the right path. We will continue to strengthen our position in this crucial segment with the new ŠKODA KAROQ compact SUV." 

With 45,900 deliveries to customers in June, ŠKODA recorded an increase of 2.1 per cent in Western Europe (June 2016: 45,000 vehicles). In the first half of the year, the brand improved deliveries by 4.1 per cent to 252,300 vehicles (January to June 2016: 242,500 vehicles). 

In Germany, ŠKODA’s strongest individual European market, deliveries increased in June by 0.7 per cent to 17,300 vehicles (June 2016: 17,200 vehicles). In the first six months, deliveries in Germany rose by 1.8 per cent to 88,000 units (2016: 86,500 vehicles). ŠKODA achieved double-digit growth from January to June in Italy (13,600 vehicles; +18.4%) and Austria (12,900 vehicles; +13.7%). 

Deliveries also increased in the United Kingdom (43,500 vehicles; +3.1%), Spain (13,500 vehicles; +2.5%), France (13,400 vehicles; +8.9%), Belgium (11,400 vehicles; +6.7%), Sweden (8,900 vehicles; +8.4%), and the Netherlands (7,700 vehicles; +1.7%).

In Central Europe, ŠKODA delivered 19,200 vehicles in June, an increase of 11.4 per cent (June 2016: 17,200 vehicles). In the first half of the year ŠKODA recorded double-digit growth of 14.0 per cent to 109,800 vehicles (2016: 96,300 vehicles). In its home market of the Czech Republic, the manufacturer increased deliveries in June by 8.3 per cent to 8,900 vehicles (June 2016: 8,200 vehicles) and in the first six months of the year by 10.9 per cent to 51,200 vehicles (2016: 46,200 vehicles). 

From January to June, deliveries also grew in Poland (34,600 vehicles; +17.2%), Hungary (6,200 vehicles; +10.0%), Slovenia (3,900 vehicles; +16.2%), Croatia (3,200 vehicles; +59.9%) and Slovakia (10,700 vehicles; +11.1%).

With 3,800 vehicles in Eastern Europe, excluding Russia, ŠKODA surpasses last year’s level by 14.9 per cent (June 2016: 3,300 vehicles). In the entire first half of the year, growth is similarly strong with 13.0 per cent. ŠKODA delivered 19,300 vehicles in this period (2016: 17,000 vehicles). Contributing to this positive result were the developments in Romania (5,200 vehicles; +8.0%), Serbia (3,200 vehicles; +6.3%), Ukraine (2,600 vehicles; +65.9%) and the Baltics (3,900 vehicles; +23.0%).

In Russia, ŠKODA recorded a two-digit increase of 17.9 per cent (5,700 vehicles) compared to the same month last year (June 2016: 4,800 vehicles). In the first half of the year the manufacturer achieved growth of 6.7 per cent to 28,700 vehicles (2016: 26,900 vehicles).

In China, the biggest individual market worldwide, the long-established Czech brand was able to improve deliveries in June by 5.3 per cent to 23,500 vehicles (June 2016: 22,400 vehicles). This rise meets the manufacturer’s expectations. Tax increases at the beginning of the year for various vehicle segments that ŠKODA is represented in had led to a decrease in deliveries. In the first half of the year, ŠKODA delivered 134,000 vehicles (January to June 2016: 145,800 vehicles; -8.1%).

ŠKODA was able to record a positive result in India, where the manufacturer increased deliveries in June by 42.7 per cent to 1,400 vehicles (June 2016: 1,000 vehicles). In the first half of the year ŠKODA saw double-digit growth of 21.7 per cent to 7,900 vehicles (2016: 6,500 vehicles).

In Israel, ŠKODA made significant gains. 2,200 delivered vehicles stand for an increase of 41.8 per cent compared to the same month last year (June 2016: 1,500 vehicles). In the first half of the year, the manufacturer recorded a growth of 11.6 per cent to 14,000 vehicles (January to June 2016: 12,500 vehicles). In Australia, the traditional Czech brand performed well in June with growth of 23.8 per cent to 600 vehicles (June 2016: 500 vehicles). 

The deliveries increased from January to June by 5.8 per cent to 9,700 units (January to June 2016: 9,200 vehicles). With 400 deliveries to customers in June, ŠKODA recorded a growth of 4.0 per cent in Taiwan (June 2016: 400 vehicles). In the first half of the year, the brand improved its turnover by 8.2 per cent to 2,400 vehicles (January to June 2016: 2,300 vehicles).

Deliveries of the ŠKODA brand to customers in the first half of 2017 (in units, rounded, by model; +/- in per cent compared to last year):

ŠKODA OCTAVIA (205,300; -6.5%)

ŠKODA RAPID (103,000; +0.4%)

ŠKODA FABIA (111,100; +6.1%)

ŠKODA SUPERB (75,900; +8.3%)

ŠKODA YETI (43,000; -18.0%)

ŠKODA CITIGO (only sold in Europe: 19,700; -1.6%)

ŠKODA KODIAQ (27,100; –)

Deliveries of the ŠKODA brand to customers in June 2017 (in units, rounded, by model; +/- in per cent compared to same month last year):

ŠKODA OCTAVIA (35,000; -2.6%)

ŠKODA RAPID (17,600; -0.8%)

ŠKODA FABIA (19,700; 0.7%)

ŠKODA SUPERB (13,000; +3.7%)

ŠKODA YETI (6,700; -24.9%)

ŠKODA CITIGO (only sold in Europe: 3,200; -20.4%)

ŠKODA KODIAQ (9,900; –)