William and Kate pop along to BAC to sit in and learn about the one-of-a-king BAC Mono Supercar.

• Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) rubs shoulders with royalty, as Prince William and wife Kate Middleton sample bespoke Mono supercar during a visit to the University of Manchester
• His Royal Highness Prince William sat inside the one-of-a-kind Mono, which was showcased at the University’s National Graphene Institute (NGI)
• BAC is the first car manufacturer in the world to use the innovative material graphene, which keeps the Mono’s weight as light as possible and provides a performance benefit to the driver
• BAC is proud of its British heritage; the Mono is built from 1,250 bespoke components from 100 suppliers – 95% of which are based in the UK

The exemplary work of Liverpool-based Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) has been given the royal seal of approval by their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

At the University of Manchester’s National Graphene Institute (NGI) on Friday 14 October, BAC founders Neill and Ian Briggs showcased their highly acclaimed Mono supercar to Prince William and wife Kate Middleton.

His Royal Highness Prince William even took to the cockpit of the British-built, single-seater Mono, which is constructed using the innovative and lightweight material graphene.

In fact, it’s the first car in the world to use graphene in the production process, with a composite making up the rear wheelarches and providing weight-saving and body-strengthening benefits.

BAC has enjoyed success all around the world and has exported its Mono supercar to 28 countries across five continents since its launch in 2011. Yet the brand remains proud of its British heritage and strives to use locally sourced parts in its production process.

The Mono is built from 1,250 unique components from 100 suppliers, 95% of which are based in BAC’s homeland. Naturally, this drew plenty of interest from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who were very impressed with the Mono and labelled it “amazing.”

BAC Co-Founder and Director of Product Development Neill Briggs said: “It was truly an honour to meet Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and a particular privilege to seat Prince William inside the Mono. We are incredibly proud to be British, and to meet members of the Royal Family was a surreal experience that just shows how far this company has come.”

Co-Founder and Design Director Ian Briggs added: “Impressing the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with the Mono was another massive feat for BAC, as we continue to go from strength to strength. Using graphene is just one of the many groundbreaking innovations on the Mono to ensure we stay at the forefront of the automotive industry. Having Prince William sit in the car was a great experience – perhaps his grandmother fancies a go, too!”

British Royalty and the president of China showcase the All Electric Aston Martin RapidE Sports Saloon.

• World debut of Aston Martin full electric RapidE concept
• Chinese investors engaged in study towards first all-electric Aston Martin
• Aston Martin and ChinaEquity to explore concept’s production potential

Aston Martin is today showcasing a fully electric concept of its Rapide S four-door sports saloon outside Lancaster House in London – the venue for a meeting between Their Royal Highnesses Prince William, Duke of Cambridge; Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and President of The People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping.

The new RapidE concept has been developed in collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering at its facility in Grove, Oxfordshire. It is on display today in support of a creative summit organised by the British government’s successful GREAT campaign to showcase the best of what the UK has to offer and encourage people to visit, do business, invest and study in this country.

Aston Martin CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, said: “We see luxury electric vehicles as an intrinsic part of our future product portfolio and welcome ChinaEquity into the next phase of study for the project development.

“The exciting RapidE concept tangibly demonstrates the capability and ambition of Aston Martin towards developing low- and zero-emission sports cars.”

During the Lancaster House event, Aston Martin and Chinese investment group, ChinaEquity, announced an agreement to explore the development of a production version of the RapidE concept. If successful, the new luxury sports car would be constructed at Aston Martin’s global HQ in Gaydon, Warwickshire, and could be brought to market in around two years.

On the signing of this agreement, Chairman Chaoyong Wang of ChinaEquity said, "We are delighted that Aston Martin not only provides a high performance driving experience to customers, but also show’s their social responsibility by showcasing a new generation of electric car with zero emissions. We are excited to participate in the development of the RapidE and to make a contribution to Sino-British clean energy and green environmental strategy. We feel confident that there are significant opportunities for electric cars in China and the world."

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Rt Hon Oliver Letwin MP who has supported the development of the project said: “Aston Martin is an iconic British brand, and I welcome their agreement today with ChinaEquity. It is a great example of British and Chinese businesses working together to develop links and bring benefits to the UK economy. It also demonstrates how a collaboration between the UK and China can develop the innovative low emission solutions needed to tackle the pressing global issue of air quality.”

Autoglym returns to the Concours of Elegance at Holyroodhouse Palace as this years car care supplier.

This September the world’s leading car care experts, Autoglym, will partner with the Concours of Elegance for the fourth successive year, ensuring the unique gathering of rare and exotic cars is presented to the absolute highest standard on the lawns of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh.

Only 60 cars of the highest calibre are invited to take part in the Concours (60 being a reference to Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee which saw the event established at Windsor Castle in 2012), with the rarest cars from all over the world painstakingly selected by the Concours Steering Committee – among the most highly regarded and authoritative car experts. 

Supporting the 60 Concours cars will be many more from the show’s partner manufacturers Bentley, Jaguar Land Rover, McLaren; and collectors and clubs from across Europe.

With two Royal Warrants, Autoglym will be in familiar regal surroundings in Edinburgh, with 20 highly qualified technicians on hand throughout the event to prepare and care for the vehicles during the all important Concours of Elegance judging.

The team will also be on hand to give technical know-how and practical car care advice to the thousands of visitors expected at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Paul Caller, chief executive of Autoglym, said: “The Concours of Elegance is one of the most prestigious classic car events in the UK and is now a fixture in the motoring world calendar, unique in that it is held in a sublime Royal Palace each year, and we are delighted to work with the organisers once more after the success of the previous three at Windsor, St. James and Hampton Court.

“Many of our products were formulated years after these cars were even built, so ensuring they suit the needs of an older vehicle is essential.

“Having close links with motor manufacturers, museums and access to historic car collections enables us to keep a catalogue of paint plates, rubbers and leathers to test on when carrying out development work.  This makes our products a very reassuring choice for car owners, no matter what the vintage.”

The three day spectacular motoring festival runs from the 4^th to 6^th September 2015.

Jaguar Land Rover secures employment for five injured or sick ex-military personnel.

• Jaguar Land Rover secures employment for five injured or sick ex-military personnel.
• New recruits complete the company’s first Invictus Games work placement legacy programme designed to help rehabilitate wounded, injured and sick ex-service personnel.
• Among the five, Staff Sergeant Wayne Walker joins Solihull manufacturing team following injuries sustained in Iraq.

Jaguar Land Rover’s Invictus Games work placement legacy programme has seen the first five successful participants being offered a permanent position at the company. The bespoke training programme is designed to help rehabilitate wounded, injured and sick ex-personnel and aid transition into civilian careers. 

Staff Sergeant Wayne Walker, formerly of the Queen’s Royal Lancers has joined the Solihull manufacturing team as a Process Leader, following completion of the company’s inaugural twelve week programme.

Wayne, 36, joined the training programme on 1^st December 2014 after being medically discharged from a 19 year military career, which saw him serve in operational tours of Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. It was in Iraq that he sustained a serious knee injury following the detonation of a vehicle born IED (Improvised Explosive Device). Wayne has since undergone close to 20 operations to his left knee and lower leg.

Speaking of this new chapter in his life, Wayne said: “I was put forward for this opportunity via The Armed Forces’ Motorsport Charity - Mission Motorsport which supports those leaving the Forces. I wasn’t sure what would come out of it but I’ve received incredible support throughout the programme from my family and everyone at Jaguar Land Rover. 

I am delighted to have been offered this permanent position which means security for my family’s future and has been a great confidence boost. I hope this will inspire others also leaving the Forces.”

The bespoke training course followed the company’s support of the 2014 Invictus Games and subsequent signing of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant which recognises the close alignment between Jaguar Land Rover values and the passionate, unstoppable, persistence of armed forces veterans. 

The scheme joins a range of initiatives from the firm which was named Responsible Business of the Year in 2013* - including the ‘Early Service Leaver’ programme, all of which are designed to deliver against the company’s pledge to achieve a 50% year on year improvement in the recruitment of former Armed Forces personnel.

In 2014, Jaguar Land Rover recruited some 100 ex-military personnel and has committed to a further 150 this year. The company believes that those leaving the military have vital and transferable skills including engineering expertise, discipline, team working and communication skills.

Gregg Niblett, Defender Manufacturing Manager who is ex-military himself and will now be Wayne’s manager said: “I am delighted to welcome Wayne to Jaguar Land Rover. For someone who has only spent their career in the forces, it is a huge step to transition over to civilian life and Wayne’s ‘can do’ attitude has enabled him to apply himself to the job. 

There is a thriving ex-forces community at the Solihull plant and we get together regularly to support new recruits transitioning to civilian careers both within work and outside through community and charitable initiatives.”

The remaining four recruits include Corporal Neil Stonard and Lance Corporal Richard Storer.

Neil served for 18 years in the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME) as a Vehicle Technician. 

Through the MOD’s Recovery Career Services which provide career and resettlement support to Wounded, Injured and Sick personnel, he has secured a role within the company’s Special Vehicle Operations.

Richard secured a role in the design department based in Gaydon after being introduced to the programme by Mission Motorsport having completed a vocational assessment programme through recovery sport.

*Jaguar Land Rover was awarded Responsible Business of the Year in 2013 by Business in the Community (BITC).

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.”

Exclusive world first, features and unique cars, confirmed for the Palace of Holyroodhouse 2015 event.

Concours of Elegance 2015, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, 4-6 September

• Sir Jackie Stewart named Concours of Elegance Vice Patron, alongside Patron, HRH Prince Michael of Kent
• Jackie Stewart to showcase three of his Formula One world championship cars on the lawns of the Palace
• Tribute to Scottish motor racing heroes and a world-first gathering to celebrate the Ecurie Ecosse racing team to be displayed in September
• World’s first Scottish Motoring Hall of Fame inaugurated at 2015 Concours of Elegance
• Main Concours event to be held alongside the Club Trophy, celebrating the best of the UK’s car club national winners
• History of motoring celebrated alongside modern day automotive legends from partners such as Bentley and Jaguar
• 2015 charitable beneficiaries confirmed, including a number of projects in Scotland

Concours of Elegance has announced further details of its 2015 event at a special preview held in Edinburgh, giving an early glimpse of one of the highlights: a priceless Jaguar D-type ‘Long Nose’ Ecurie Ecosse racer, which finished second at Le Mans in 1957, just behind the winning Ecurie car.

Running alongside the main Concours event, made up of 60 of the world’s finest cars, will be the largest ever collection of Ecurie Ecosse racers, ranging from the ‘50s to the modern day. Sir Jackie Stewart, recently named Vice Patron of the Concours of Elegance, will also display his three Formula One Driver’s Championship-winning cars to Holyroodhouse, in another world first.

There will be a separate homage to some of Scotland’s motor racing heroes, including two Formula One cars driven by Jim Clark and Johnny Dumfries’ Le Mans-winning Jaguar XJR-9. Concours of Elegance will also see the first members of the Scottish Motoring Hall of Fame inducted at the event.

In the main Concours display, the organisers have confirmed a number of the stars of the show, which will include a 1933 Hispano-Suiza J12 Cabriolet and the 1911 London-to-Edinburgh Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost.

The Club Trophy will also be held at the Palace in September, featuring hundreds of classic cars from across the UK and the best-of-the-best from the nation’s car clubs. Each club submits their individual Concours winner, which is then judged by a panel of Concours of Elegance experts, chaired by HRH Prince Michael of Kent and guest judges which in recent years have included David Gandy, Mark Knopfler, Jodie Kidd and others.  2015’s judging panel will be confirmed in the summer.  The Club Trophy winner car is then entered in to the Concours of Elegance in 2016.

Sir Jackie Stewart, Vice Patron of the Concours of Elegance, said: “This event already has an incredible history, beginning with the Windsor event in 2012, and it’s brilliant to see it heading to Scotland this year. The history, the roads and the scenery mean that Scotland is the perfect place to host our automotive festival of cars old and new here in Edinburgh.”

One of the primary aims of Concours of Elegance is to raise money for charity, and this year’s event will be generating funds for Walking With the Wounded – who will be establishing facilities for ex-military personnel all over Scotland – Action on Addiction and Springfield Motor Racing’s Club for Young People. So far, Concours of Elegance has raised more than £600,000 for its charities.

Concours of Elegance, supported by AIG, takes place between 4-6 September and has partnered with a series of exclusive brands for the event, including Autoglym, Bentley, Johnnie Walker, Hamilton & Inches, Jaguar, Pol Roger, RM Sotheby’s and Rolex. Tickets are available now from www.concoursofelegance.co.uk; an adult ticket costs £35, with a variety of discounts and concessions available (under 5s go free and under 17s £10). A variety of hospitality packages are also available.  

HRH, The Duke Of York visits Bentley and it's recent Apprentices intake.

• Focus on training young people and continuous learning
• New Bentley manufacturing apprenticeship
• Crewe Engineering & Design UTC opens in September 2016

His Royal Highness The Duke of York today visited Bentley's headquarters in Crewe to meet apprentices and find out more about Bentley's innovative approach to training young people and continuously improving the skills of Colleagues throughout their careers at Bentley.

His Royal Highness, who as Patron of the Baker Dearing Trust is a strong supporter of University Technical Colleges, also heard how Bentley is working with partners in the South Cheshire area to open Crewe Engineering & Design UTC in September 2016.

Bentley’s new manufacturing apprenticeship is based on the proven dual education model and includes competence profiles and dedicated placements with expert Master Trainers within chosen professional areas such as Bentley specialisms in wood, leather and mechatronics. Bentley also announced today that its latest apprentice intake, to start in September this year, is its biggest in 25 years, with 63 positions.    

         

The Duke met both apprentices and Colleagues working on some of the brand new and bespoke training islands in wood, leather and engine production.

Combining theory and practical learning will also be the focus for learners at Crewe Engineering & Design UTC which will help ensure a steady pipeline of young people needed to sustain the unique skills and quality levels required to sustain Bentley’s growth plans.

Speaking about the visit, Wolfgang Dürheimer Bentley Chairman and CEO, said: “Bentley is the pinnacle of luxury and performance. To deliver on our exceptionally high standards requires a highly skilled and motivated workforce. We therefore invest in their training throughout their careers at Bentley.

“Everyone at the Crewe factory feels honoured and highly appreciative of the visit of His Royal Highness. We were delighted to demonstrate first-hand the skill our engineers, craftspeople and trainees here in Crewe possess as we prepare for the launch of the first SUV in the luxury sector, the Bentley Bentayga.”

Bentley has also recently announced its expansion plans in Crewe with a new £40million R&D centre and 300 new roles being created in engineering, manufacturing, quality, sales and marketing and project management. This is part of a wider £840 million investment plan by Bentley over three years to 2016.