Vauxhall Motor's leads the way with yet another new SUV, the third it will have in it's portfolio.

• Third ‘X’ model to join Vauxhall’s growing SUV/Crossover family in 2017

Hot on the heels of last week’s announcement about its new Crossland X, Vauxhall can now reveal that its 2017 SUV/crossover family will be rounded off by a third model, which will become the big brother of the range.

Known as the Grandland X, the new crossover will sit next to the Mokka X SUV and Crossland X and will boost Vauxhall’s credentials in a segment which is one of the fastest-growing in the UK’s car market.

With a design that blends elegance with ruggedness, the Grandland X will offer customers a raised seating position, good all-round visibility and plenty of luggage space. 

Easy ingress and egress will also be on the menu, along with plenty of cabin practicality, high levels of comfort and fine driving dynamics.

‘We now have a compelling trio of new models for 2017 that are bang on target for a sector that has seen more growth recently than almost any other in the UK,’ said Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. ‘The range now covers all bases, from an all-wheel-drive SUV to a choice of two highly practical and stylish crossovers, with different levels of space and equipment. Both the crossovers are incremental to Vauxhall’s existing range, so along with the new Insignia Grand Sport and its derivatives, 2017 is shaping up to be one of our busiest years ever for new product.’

Since 2012, the Mokka (which has recently been replaced by the new Mokka X) has found more than 120,000 buyers in the UK, its single biggest market in Europe, and this has been set against SUV and crossover segments which have grown year-on-year. The Grandland X and Crossland X are set to bring still more growth when they go on sale in 2017.

A stunning example of originality, the 1971 Datsun 1600 Pick Up, now lives in Nissan's US Heritage Centre.

Marvin Askew bought his Datsun 1600 truck on November 30, 1971 at Hippodrome Datsun in Nashville for about $2000.

"This was his baby," said Dan Tito, the second owner of the Datsun truck. "Marvin didn't have a name for it, but we named it 'Sweet Pea' obviously because of its color. This man can stand here and talk about this truck hour upon hour upon hour. When you have something for 42 years and you take this good care of it, obviously it meant a lot to him."

In 2014, Nashville businessman Dan Tito saw Marvin at a local dealer where he had his truck serviced and offered to buy it. Thinking he needed more room in the garage, and knowing that the truck would be loved and maintained well, Marvin agreed to sell it to Dan.

Dan, a man who has an extensive car collection of his own, realized he wasn't going to have room to put all his cars in his garage with "Sweet Pea" in there. Realizing the historical significance and the amazing condition of this much-loved truck – he reached out to Nissan and offered it to the Heritage Collection, where the truck now sits.

In this special Datsun heritage video, Marvin reunites with "Sweet Pea" inside Nissan's U.S. headquarters near Nashville and reflects on time with his beloved Datsun.

Aston martin Opens all new Logistics and warehouse hub in the next stage of it's expansion.

• Additional warehouse and logistics hub opened
• New facility creates 40 jobs among workforce of 90 staff
• Almost 250,000 sq ft of increased storage and operations space

Aston Martin is today announcing the opening of a new warehouse and logistics hub. Created to support the future expansion of the business, the new facility is located at Wellesbourne, close to the company's headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

Representing a multi-million pound investment, the new development is the largest storage and distribution base in the company's 102-year history. Aston Martin Manufacturing Operations Director Keith Stanton said: "The opening of this superb new facility at Wellesbourne is a vital part of our Second Century Plan.

"Ensuring we have the right materials in the right place at the right time is, of course, fundamental to our manufacturing process. As the volume and complexity of our operations increases in the months and years ahead, we will be relying on the team at Wellesbourne to help us deliver our exciting new generation of Aston Martin sports cars."

Running to almost a quarter of a million square feet of storage, operations and office space, the Wellesbourne facility functions as a centralised warehouse for supplier deliveries and provides a steady stream of production-critical materials for use in Aston Martin's global manufacturing base at nearby Gaydon.

Almost a year in the planning and construction, the development has created around 40 new jobs, and employs 90 staff in total. The site has been painstakingly laid out and carefully constructed to demanding environmental standards. It has secured a 'Very Good' environmental rating according to the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM).

USA - Porsche opens new $100m HQ and experience centre in Atlanta Georgia.

Largest investment for Porsche outside Germany features industry-first facility in North America complete with dynamic track, classic car gallery, restoration center, event space, and fine dining restaurant

Porsche Cars North America today officially opened its new $100 million Porsche Experience Center (PEC) and headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. The 27-acre complex located at the Northeast corner of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the largest investment outside Germany for the sports car manufacturer. 

The industry-first facility is complete with a driver development track, classic car gallery, restoration center, human performance center, driving simulator lab and a fine dining restaurant. A state-of-the-art business center features 13,000 square feet of conference and event space. The experience center has been specifically designed as a destination for the public, including automotive enthusiasts and Porsche customers.

“Today we celebrate a significant milestone in the history of Porsche as we expand our footprint in the United States and reaffirm our commitment to the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta,” said Matthias Mueller, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche. “We are investing more than ever before, heightening visibility for the Porsche brand in the U.S. and worldwide.”

An estimated 30,000 guests are expected to visit the uniquely designed Porsche Experience Center each year. Visitors and corporate groups can hone their driving skills, reserve meeting space in the fully-equipped business center, view classic Porsche automobiles or dine at Restaurant 356, aptly named after the first production Porsche model.

“Our vision for our new home was to create a bold, energizing environment here in Atlanta to demonstrate the unique capabilities of our sports cars,” said Detlev von Platen, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. “The experience center coupled with our headquarters is truly the first of its kind in the automotive industry where we welcome employees, partners, customers and enthusiasts alike.”

The 1.6-mile Driver Development Track runs through the courtyard of the facility and includes six instructor-led driving modules. The Handling Circuit, Off-Road Course, Dynamics Area, Low Friction Handling Circuit, Low Friction Circle and the only Kick Plate in North America are designed to demonstrate the engineering and technological capabilities of all Porsche models.

“Porsche’s investment in its new headquarters represents the confidence it has in the future success of our state, our economy and our workforce,” said Georgia Governor Nathan Deal. 

“The facility at One Porsche Drive is as innovative, forward-thinking and performance-driven as the company itself. From their windows on I-75, travelers have borne witness to the progress being made here, and now, the day has come when these same visitors can truly experience all that Porsche and Georgia, have to offer.”

More than 70 alternative locations in a number of states were considered during site selection. In the end, Atlanta’s transportation infrastructure, skilled workforce and strong support from the city and the state were key reasons for the decision to expand in Atlanta. 

The proximity to the world’s busiest airport allows approximately 80 percent of the U.S. population to reach the Porsche Experience Center within two and a half hours of flying time.

“I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to Porsche Cars North America and congratulate them on their grand opening,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. “Porsche discovered why Atlanta has the third-highest concentration of Fortune 500 companies: a low cost of doing business, a high quality of life, access to the world’s busiest and most efficient passenger airport and the fastest-growing container port in the country. 

Businesses are voting with their feet and choosing Atlanta as the place to build and grow.  We are proud to have Porsche, an iconic, best-in-class company, make their new home here.”

Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) has called the Atlanta area home since 1998. PCNA is now joined by Porsche Financial Services, Porsche Business Services, Porsche Consulting and Mieschke Hofmann & Partners, with all five entities housed under the same roof. Ultimately, 450 employees will be based at the new headquarters, over 100 of whom fill positions that are new to Georgia.

Bentley to spend £40 Million for biggest expansion in the Iconic Crewe sites history

• £40 million planned investment into Bentley headquarters in Crewe
• New research and development centre to house 1,300 Bentley engineers
• 300 new roles created

Friday, Bentley has announced the latest phase in the biggest site development in the company’s history. A further £40 million investment will expand its headquarters in Crewe, with a new research and development centre, creating over 300 jobs in the process. This move was welcomed by George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, who visited Bentley this week.          

The new centre, measuring over 45,000m², will include a dedicated styling studio, research and development offices and a technical workshop. The facilities will house 1,300 Bentley engineers and is the latest step in preparing Bentley’s infrastructure to bring the world’s first ultra-luxury SUV to roads in 2016. Work on the new developments will commence early next year.

In addition, 300 roles have been created, working within engineering, manufacturing, quality, sales and marketing and project management.        

Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, commented:

“With Bentley's new research and development centre, we will develop a new generation of Bentleys, which will continue our commitment of luxury, performance, quality and engineering excellence. Bentley is the number one luxury car manufacturer in the world and driving more investment into our headquarters and attracting talent is key to continuing our success.”

Including these latest roles, Bentley has now announced the creation of over 950 jobs in the past 18 months, during which time the business has produced record sales. Last year, Bentley delivered more cars than ever before, 10,120, and expects to break that figure in 2014. The company also committed to an £800 million investment over three years in product and facility development, with this announcement driving the investment to £840 million.       

Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne said:

“Bentley is an iconic British Brand that exports around the world. Their decision to create another 300 jobs in R&D on a new site providing close to 1,000 new jobs is fantastic news for Crewe and for Britain.

“These highly skilled jobs in this export industry are exactly the kind of opportunities we want to see created which is why in yesterday’s Autumn Statement I provided further incentives for R&D in the UK.

“The investment will not only create jobs at Bentley, but support many more through suppliers across the UK.

I want Britain to be a country where companies want to invest and create jobs, as Bentley is doing today.”

This expansion, the latest in a string of investments, further underlines Bentley’s commitment to Crewe and the UK. These include a new apprenticeship training facility, where the largest apprentice intake in a decade will learn, a new flagship showroom, an expanded engine production facility and paint shop. Bentley is also playing a pivotal role in bringing the first University Technical College to Crewe.   

Bentley Blowers to take part in 2014 Mille Miglia.

Bentley Motors is competing in Mille Miglia 2014 (15‑18 May) with two of the company’s famous 4 ½ Litre supercharged ‘Blowers’ taking on the 1,700 km route.

The 1930 Le Mans ‘Team Car’ once owned by Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin, one of the most celebrated members of a group of British gentlemen racers known as the Bentley Boys, will be joined by a former company demonstrator Blower with its original Vanden Plas Open, Sports Four Seater body for this renowned race.

Even after nine decades on the road, this second Blower continues to delight customers and guests from around the world with demonstration drives during visits to Bentley’s Crewe Headquarters.

Both Bentleys have successfully completed the modern Mille Miglia challenge several times and, with their classic dark green livery and distinctive, rumbling exhaust note, they’re welcomed by the thousands of fans who line the route to support the drivers.

To celebrate the start of Mille Miglia 2014, the Bentley team will meet with customers and friends from the Bentley Drivers Club (www.bdcl.co.uk) in the city of Brescia on the afternoon before the race.

The pre-race gathering will see Bentley owners who have travelled from as far afield as Australia, Hong Kong, South Africa, the United States as well as the United Kingdom meet the Blowers and bring their own cars to create a unique line-up of machines bearing the famous Winged B emblem in Italy.

“We plan to see Bentley’s Blowers and their drivers off in style. There will be Bentleys from all eras, some of them extremely rare, in Brescia to mark the start of Mille Miglia and it should be a real celebration of great cars”, comments Steve Miller, Club Secretary of the Bentley Drivers Club.

Live updates from Mille Miglia 2014 will be provided over the course of the event via the Bentley Communications Twitter feed, @BentleyComms