MG further expands its reach with a new Northern Ireland Dealership opening to boost sales.

MG Motor UK has made another significant step forward in its national dealer development strategy, with the appointment of Greg Mitchell MG. 

Established in 2006, the Strabane-based dealership provides vehicle servicing, MOT provision, body repair and computerised diagnostics for motorists nationwide. Renowned for delivering excellent customer service and aftersales, the dealership boasts a highly-loyal customer base. 

Joining the MG network will see Greg Mitchell MG further expand its site at Victoria Bridge, opening a brand-new dealership and forecourt dedicated to the sale of MG’s latest model range. From the stylish MG3 Supermini (OTR from just £8,695) to the family-friendly SUV, the MG GS (starting from £15,095), there’s a perfect model for every driver. 

The deal is further evidence of MG’s emergence as a serious player in the competitive volume car market, a claim supported by impressive recent sales volumes and the company’s best quarter ever for new vehicle registrations.* 

Recent statistics from The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) name MG as one of the UK’s fastest-growing automotive brands, a title gained through the ongoing development of an affordable model range and dedicated dealer network. 

Greg Mitchell, Owner of Greg Mitchell MG, commented: “Joining the MG dealer network is a big step forward for our business. As a household name, we’re confident that drivers across Northern Ireland will be impressed with the latest MG model range. 

“Affordable, practical and family-friendly, modern MGs blend style and performance to deliver an impressive drive. Each model is fitted with the latest driving technology and infotainment equipment, yet remains surprisingly affordable.” 

Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing at MG Motor UK, added: “With an excellent local reputation for friendly service and expert advice, we’re pleased to welcome Greg Mitchell MG to the MG dealer network. 

“The partnership will provide motorists across Northern Ireland with even greater access to our latest model range, helping to deliver further business growth for both parties.” 

Greg Mitchell MG will officially open its MG dealership on Friday 26th May, alongside exclusively unveiling MG’s new compact SUV – the MG XS – which was revealed at the London Motor Show earlier this month. Rory Best, the Ireland rugby captain, will also attend the launch. 

After 7 years Skoda increases production of the Yeti to meet unprecedented demand, not bad for a 7 year old car.

• ŠKODA increases capacity for Yeti production due to high demand
• Since the start of production in 2009, over 580,000 Yetis sold worldwide
• UK accounts for over 10 percent of global sales
• 2015 was a best-ever year for Yeti with over 13,000 registered in the UK

The recent world premiere of the new Kodiaq SUV may signal the start of ŠKODA’s broader SUV campaign, but the ŠKODA Yeti – the brand’s first SUV – is enjoying a rise in popularity. Now in its seventh production year, debuting in 2009, the ŠKODA Yeti has been one of the most successful compact SUVs ever.

In total, ŠKODA has delivered more than 580,000 Yetis to customers worldwide, and due to continued high demand is expanding capacity for production. In the UK, ŠKODA has seen the Yeti’s popularity continue to rise, with nearly 60,000 registrations since its 2010 market introduction. In 2015 it had its best-ever year, with 13,306 examples being snapped up by UK customers.

“We are delighted to be able to deliver as many ŠKODA Yetis to our customers in Europe as they wish,” says Michael Oeljeklaus, ŠKODA Board Member for Production and Logistics. “By using the production capacities of another European plant within our international production network, we can respond satisfactorily to the high demand.”

The compact SUV is currently produced at four plants: In addition to Kvasiny in ŠKODA’s home country the Czech Republic, the model is manufactured at Solomonovo (Ukraine), Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia), Öskemen / Ust Kamenogorsk (Kazakhstan) and Anting (China). In order to meet the high demand for the Yeti models in Europe, ŠKODA is utilizing the additional production capacities at the Nizhniy Novgorod plant. The ŠKODA Yeti has been produced here since 2012 alongside the ŠKODA Octavia. Production in Nizhny Novgorod is carried out in partnership with the Volkswagen Group Russia and the Russian automobile manufacturer GAZ Group.

ŠKODA entered the compact-SUV segment with the Yeti in 2009. In Europe, the award-winning ŠKODA Yeti is one of the best-selling SUVs in its class and underlines the all-wheel-drive competence of the brand.

More than 580,000 ŠKODA Yetis have been sold to customers around the world to date. In 2015 alone, ŠKODA delivered around 99,500 Yeti models. Between January and August 2016, approximately 61,700 customers worldwide opted for a Yeti, with over 14 percent of those allocated to UK customers. 

USA - Chevy adds more special editions to its range of SUV's giving it's ever growing sales more choice for the buyer.

• Equinox Midnight and Sport Editions, Traverse Graphite Edition offer distinction

Chevrolet announced it is expanding its popular special edition models to include the Equinox and Traverse SUVs for 2017.

Equinox sales are up 8 percent and Traverse had its best month ever, with retail sales up 24 percent in the month of July as compact and midsize SUVs continue to be hot segments. Chevrolet retail crossover sales were up 20 percent in July for the best July ever.

The News

The Equinox Midnight and Sport Editions and Traverse Graphite Edition join the Trax Midnight Edition and a growing portfolio of Chevrolet special edition vehicles.

They have proven popular with customers, with special edition Chevy trucks selling up to three times faster than the average truck and to younger, more affluent buyers.

Product Details

The 2017 Equinox Midnight Edition is offered in Mosaic Black Metallic, while the Sport Edition is offered in Summit White. Both are offered on the LT model and require the available Convenience Package. Content for both includes:

• Black grille and Chevrolet bowties
• Black 18-inch aluminum wheels
• Jet-black perforated leather-appointed seats, giving customers the opportunity to have leather on an LT model
• Memory settings for the driver’s seat and exterior mirrors
• Black mirror caps and roof rack crossbars

The 2017 Traverse Graphite Edition is available exclusively on the 2LT model and its features include:

• Mosaic Black Metallic, Tungsten Metallic, Siren Red Tintcoat and Iridescent Pearl Tricoat exterior colors
• 20-inch Dark Charcoal wheels
• Dual exhaust
• Black Chevrolet bowties
• Integrated Assist Step

Quotable

“Special Editions resonate with buyers, offering a unique package with unique looks,” said Betsy Flegg, senior manager, Chevrolet SUVs. “We’ve already seen a strong interest with the Trax Midnight Edition when we announced production last December. We anticipate customers will strongly like the looks of the new Equinox Midnight and Sport Editions and Traverse Graphite Edition.”

“Special Editions give consumers an opportunity to buy something outside of the mainstream trim designation,” said Karl Brauer, senior director, automotive industry insights, Kelly Blue Book. “This lets them spend a little more for a unique model, one that often provides a higher resale value when it’s time to sell or trade the vehicle for their next purchase.”

On Sale

Currently on sale

USA - Buick continues to build on a sound footing with nearly 700,000 units sold in the first six months of the year.

• Momentum speeds after three years of record global sales 

Among the top automotive brands — those selling more than 200,000 units internationally so far this year — Buick is growing at an unmatched pace. With 675,964 sales through June, Buick ended 2016’s first half up 20.1 percent over the same period in 2015.

In this year of rapid growth, Buick has risen to the fifth-largest passenger vehicle brand in China and is outselling key competitors including Acura, Infiniti and Lincoln in North America.

The growth has been fueled by core international products including the Encore small SUV, which this year surpassed a half-million sales since it was introduced 3.5 years ago. Encore has been a success story in every market, though North America has led the way thus far in 2016 with 36,365 sales through June.

Buick’s award-winning Envision compact crossover concluded its first full month of U.S. sales with 1,436 customer deliveries amid limited availability. A full model range starting at $34,990 launches for the 2017 model year this fall. The Envision has quickly become Buick’s best-selling model sold internationally, followed by Encore and LaCrosse.

Buick’s all-new LaCrosse flagship sedan is launching now. Beautifully crafted and thoughtfully innovative, the 2017 LaCrosse launches globally in the second half of the year as a showcase of design and technology for the brand. More than 950,000 customers worldwide have chosen the LaCrosse since the current model was introduced in 2009.

“2016 has been a year of optimism and excitement for Buick as we’ve outpaced our top competitors,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick Sales, Service and Marketing. “As new products continue to arrive to our stores, there’s never been a better time to take a fresh look at Buick’s range of premium SUVs and cars.”

Buick’s momentous 2016 has also included the launch of the Cascada convertible in the U.S. market and continued growth for the Excelle GT, Buick’s best-seller in China. Cascada, which offers a lower base price than an Audi A3 convertible but space and power similar to an Audi A5 convertible, has outsold both of those vehicles combined through the first half of the year.

In the U.S., Buick was named KBB’s “Best Value Luxury Brand” for the fourth year in a row.