FIRST HALF SALES - PSA Group tops the one million mark with all brands showing increases right across the world.

• Product offensive launched in Europe with the all-new Peugeot Expert, Citroën Dispatch (UK), Peugeot 3008 and Citroën C3
• Positions strengthened in Latin America, with growth of 16.4%
• Return to Iran, with agreements signed for Peugeot and DS

First-half consolidated sales in Europe rose 7.4% year-on-year to 1,056,000 units.

Peugeot sales climbed 7.9% to 601,000 units, led mainly by the Peugeot 2008 (up 16%, 99,900 units) and Partner (up 8%, 62,800 units), which were both ranked no.2 in their respective segments in Europe. 

The 208 and 308 models continued to advance, up 15% (157,800 units) and 10% (119,200 units), respectively. Sales of the brand were particularly impressive in Italy (up 17.4%), Spain (up 12.5%) and the Netherlands (up 8.8%). 

This excellent performance will be buoyed in the second half of the year by various new product innovations, including the new Peugeot 2008 SUV and 3008 SUV, the all-new Peugeot Traveller and all-new Expert.

Citroën delivered its best sales performance for five years, advancing 7.2% to 414,000 units. Its strong showing was powered chiefly by the C4 Picasso, the leading MPV in Europe, but also by the C4 Cactus and the C1, which each reported sales growth for the period. 

In the market for light commercial vehicles, the Berlingo also consolidated its success as leader of its segment. These solid performances enabled the brand to gain ground in its biggest markets (United Kingdom, Spain and Germany). The momentum should accelerate in the second half, driven by the new C4 Picasso, the all-new Dispatch, the SpaceTourer and the new C3, which will replace the brand's current best seller in the autumn.

Sales for the DS brand rose 0.7% to 40,900 units, with the new DS 3 and the new DS 3 Cabrio launched in March completing the brand's entirely revisited line-up. 

The DS 4 and DS 4 Crossback were highly successful, with the Crossback representing 28% of total sales from these two compact premium models due to its strong customer appeal. The brand continues to expand its dealer network, which included 21 DS Stores and 86 DS Salons in Europe at the end of June.

In the fast-changing China & Southeast Asia market, PSA Group sales were down 19.4% to 297,000 units.

Following the arrival of the DS 4S sedan at the end of April, the Group is preparing a marketing offensive in the second half of 2016 which will see it launch five SUVs in the next two years.

As part of its Blue Upper plan, the Peugeot brand is planning to launch 18 new models in China by 2020 and, before the end of 2016, revisit the 308 Sedan and the 3008, two of its three best sellers in the world's biggest market.

The Citroën C3-XR SUV consolidated its success, with sales surging 35%. The new Citroën C6 and C4 L models will be launched in the second half of the year.

To partner growth in the SUV market segment, the PSA Group will inaugurate a new plant in Chengdu in September 2016. The Group's Shenzhen facility already manufactures the DS 6 SUV, the DS brand's best-selling model in China.

The Middle East & Africa region had to contend with an unfavourable economic climate in the first half of 2016, with imports suspended and then subject to quotas in Algeria and restrictions placed on currency access in certain countries (Egypt and Tunisia). This situation weighed heavily on the Group's sales in the region, which fell 13.3%.

The Group prepared for its return to Iran, signing a joint venture agreement in June with Iran Khodro, a long-standing Peugeot partner. The DS brand was also launched in the country at the beginning of the year, in cooperation with a private investor.

In Latin America, the PSA Group strengthened its positions,with sales up 16.4% to 88,800 units in a market down by 8.2%. The Group reported its biggest-ever market share in Chile, at over 7%.

Peugeot saw sales surge 26%, powered by excellent performances in Argentina (up 45%), Chile (up 38%) and Brazil (up 2%) in a sharply declining market (down 25%). The brand capitalised on its latest product launches: the 2008 and the new 208.

Citroën maintained its positions during the first half of the year with impressive advances in Argentina (up 29%) and Chile (up 55%). After a successful launch in Brazil, the new Citroën C3 Aircross is now sold in Argentina and helped drive the brand's good performance.

In Eurasia, despite a sharply deteriorated economic environment and a declining market, particularly in Russia (down 14.7%), the PSA Group saw its sales stabilise (down 0.1%) and continued to focus on its margins.

The Group's performance in India-Pacific was led by the Japanese market, which accounted for 49% of the Group's sales in the region. The launch of the Citroën C4 Cactus and diesel models in Japan will be instrumental in helping to boost the Group's positions in the region.

Maxime Picat, Chief Executive Officer, Peugeot brand said: "This year, Peugeot has rolled out a global offensive in the SUV market with five new vehicles. The new-look Peugeot 2008 SUV and 3008 SUV come at a time when the brand's performance in these segments has already positioned it among Europe's leaders. In China, its offer is rounded out by major updates to the current 3008 which will be supported by two new and exciting SUVs in the coming months. This offensive will allow us to step up growth in our global sales, which edged up 0.5% over the first half of the year."

Linda Jackson, Chief Executive Officer, Citroën brand said: "Citroën stayed on track by consolidating its global sales volumes at over 600,000 units in the first half of the year. While maintaining prices at a very satisfactory level, we reported our best sales performance in Europe for five years, gained ground in Latin America and exceeded our objectives for the C3-XR SUV in China. This performance is anchored in our product offensive which will be stepped up in the second half, notably with the new C4 Picasso, which is the leading MPV in Europe, as well as the new C3, set to replace our current best seller."

Yves Bonnefont, Chief Executive Officer, DS brand said: "With the launch of the new DS 3 in the spring, our DS range has been completely revisited in less than 12 months in line with the brand's launch strategy. The brand unveiled the DS E‑Tense early in the year. This distinctive car featuring a high-performance electric powertrain embodies the future of the brand and gives a glimpse of what our future models will look like. A dealer network specifically for the DS brand is also being developed, with 234 sites across the globe. To find out all there is to know about this dedicated network offering customers a unique, bespoke experience, make sure you visit the Paris Auto Show."

Congrats to Skoda, 5 Million in total and One million for the current gen Octavia, and sales keep growing.

• Success rooted in tradition: 5 million ŠKODA Octavia models produced since 1996; one million third-generation ŠKODA Octavias manufactured in total
• ‘Heart of the brand’ has received more than 50 international awards
• International success: a total of 432,300 Octavias delivered to customers around the world in 2015

ŠKODA has produced the one millionth third-generation Octavia. The milestone vehicle ran off assembly line at ŠKODA’s main factory in Mladá Boleslav. Since the model was introduced in 1996, the Czech carmaker has produced five million Octavias in total.

This is the most successful ŠKODA model ever and is considered the ‘heart of the brand’ – the ŠKODA Octavia. Now the jubilee vehicle, an Octavia Scout in moon-white, has rolled off the assembly line at the main factory in Mladá Boleslav.

Manufacturing one million third-generation ŠKODA Octavias underscores the success of the vehicle on the international markets. The Octavia sets standards in its class and is the largest, safest, most practical and comfortable Octavia ever. 

More than any other ŠKODA model, the Octavia symbolises the brand’s rapid rise over the past two decades. Five million ŠKODA Octavias have been manufactured in total since 1996.

The third-generation ŠKODA Octavia is more diverse than ever. The Octavia hatch and estate are available with front-wheel and all-wheel drive. The ŠKODA Octavia RS is the fastest series-produced Octavia of all time. 

The ŠKODA Octavia G-TEC with natural gas drive and the ŠKODA Octavia Scout, a robust all-rounder with impressive off-road qualities, debuted in 2014. In addition, the exclusive ŠKODA Octavia L&K is available in Europe.

With a wide range of model versions and outstanding product features, it is not only in the markets that the Octavia has been a hit; the professional audience have also praised ŠKODA’s bestseller. In recent years, the vehicle has received more than 50 international awards. The model has also won out in numerous comparison tests.

The third generation of the Octavia was launched on the market in 2013. Most Octavia models are produced at the main plant in Mladá Boleslav. 

In addition to production in the Czech Republic, the ŠKODA Octavia runs off the assembly lines in China, Russia, India and Kazakhstan. As ŠKODA’s largest individual market, China plays a crucial role for both the brand and the model. 

The ŠKODA Octavia was launched in China in May 2014. Since then, the compact-class vehicle has been produced at SAIC Volkswagen’s factory in Ningbo.

In 2015 alone, 432,300 vehicles from the Octavia model series were sold around the world, which is around 11% more Octavia models than the previous year. ŠKODA delivered 70,500 Octavias to customers in the first two months of this year.

Honda Motor Co in China topped the One Million annual sales, with more to come with new and revised models.

Honda Motor Co. sold more than 1 million vehicles in China last year, beating its 2015 target of 950,000 cars and light trucks, the company said on Monday. Honda said it will release detailed sales figures for 2015 on Friday.

Japanese marques have trailed Western competitors such as General Motors, Volkswagen AG and Ford Motor Co. in the world's largest auto market, in part because of anti-Japanese sentiment that periodically flares among Chinese consumers.

But Honda and Toyota Motor Corp. regained momentum last year, posting strong sales growth largely on the back of popular crossovers and helped by improving relations between the countries. Toyota is to report 2015 full-year sales results on Tuesday.

Honda and Toyota posted double-digit sales growth in the first 11 months of 2015. Their full-year growth is expected to contrast sharply with the overall market, which is predicted to grow 3 percent this year.

Aiming to maintain its momentum, Honda said it will introduce 15 new or redesigned models, including eight tweaked for China, in the next three years. One model will be a new budget crossover, a segment that is outpacing the overall market. The crossover will go on sale in 2016.

Honda's 2015 overall sales volume in China is still set to trail rivals Toyota and Nissan Motor Co., which both topped 1 million sales in the first 11 months of 2015.

REPORT HERE

Luton's Vauxhall production facility has just produced it's 1,000,000th Vivaro commercial vehicle after 13 years.

• Luton – One million Vivaro-type vans made at Vauxhall’s plant in Luton, Bedfordshire
• Landmark Vivaro handed over to BT Fleet, Vauxhall’s biggest Vivaro customer
• Vauxhall is UK’s number one van manufacturer

Vauxhall’s manufacturing plant in Luton has built its one millionth Vivaro-type van. The milestone Vivaro was handed over to BT Fleet, Vauxhall’s biggest Vivaro customer.

Vauxhall is the UK’s number one commercial vehicle maker, a position the manufacturer has held for 13 years since Vivaro production started. The lynchpin of Vauxhall’s top-selling van range, approaching a quarter of a million Vivaros have been sold in the UK including 24,500 so far this year.

“We are very proud to celebrate this milestone at our Luton manufacturing plant,” said Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “Our hardworking and dedicated workforce at Luton produce vehicles of exceptional quality so it is no surprise these UK-built Vivaro vans are so successful in the marketplace.”

“I’m delighted to take delivery of the one-millionth Vivaro on behalf of BT Fleet," said Mike Langford, Senior Customer Relationship Manager, BT Fleet.

"We have purchased 13,368 Vivaros from Vauxhall over the past 11 years and they have served us well. The van has evolved over time to meet the changing needs of our workforce, and I believe the vans we are taking delivery of at the moment are their best yet.

"As with all the commercial vehicles on out fleet (circa 30,000) we work very closely with manufacturers like Vauxhall to source the right product that is able to meet the needs of our people today and for the next five to seven years.

"Key to us when deciding which product to buy is working very closely with the people who will be driving the vans, manufacturers and converters to get the right product aligned to our business needs and strategy."

Vauxhall’s all-new Vivaro, launched in 2014, secured 1,500 jobs at the UK’s last van manufacturing plant after workers won a 10-year contract and a £185 million investment.

Thanks to the outstanding attitude and work ethic of the workforce, the Luton plant beat world class competition from across Europe to build the new van.

Rival Ford shut its Transit factory in Southampton 2013 making Vauxhall’s Luton facility the sole flag bearer for UK van manufacturing – on a site where over eight million vehicles have been built since 1905. The factory is a major exporter with 52 per cent of production destined for European markets.

Service firms across the country also benefit from £600 million of business over the life of the new Vivaro with 40 per cent of content sourced locally from UK suppliers, up from 24 per cent for the previous generation van.

Mercedes-Benz breaks more records with the brand hitting the one Million sales in the first seven months.

• Mercedes-Benz hands over 149,753 vehicles to customers in July (+15.2%).
• Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing & Sales: “We passed the one-million mark already in July. Never before have we delivered so many cars to customers in the first seven months of a year. About a quarter of them are C-Class Saloons and Estates.”
• Premium market leader in Germany, Japan, Canada, Australia, and Portugal
• New sales record in China (+41.5%)
• Record sales for C-Class Saloon and Estate (+83.1%)
• Global demand for compact cars up by 33%

Mercedes-Benz handed over 149,753 vehicles to customers in July (+15.2%). New sales records were set both in the month of July and in the first seven months of the year (1,048,178 units, +14.7%). This was due in particular to strong sales of the C-Class and the compact cars of the brand with the three-pointed star.

“We passed the one-million mark already in July. Never before have we delivered so many cars to customers in the first seven months of a year. About a quarter of them are C-Class Saloons and Estates,” says Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing & Sales.

In Europe, Mercedes-Benz once again posted a new sales record: 457,468 vehicles were handed over to customers in the first seven months of the year (+11.3%). Sales in Germany of 156,569 units since the beginning of the year were above the prior-year level (+6.0%). 

In July, Mercedes-Benz sold 24,178 vehicles in Germany (+7.8%), thus defending its market leadership amongst the premium manufacturers in the home market. 

Mercedes-Benz is the market leader also in Portugal. A new sales record was achieved in Great Britain, the second biggest European market of the brand, in July.

In the NAFTA region, strong demand for cars with the three-pointed star is unbroken: 31,483 units were delivered to customers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in July (+3.9%), thereof 27,526 in the USA (+1.2%). In all three countries, sales records were set in and by July. In Canada, Mercedes-Benz is the market leader amongst the premium manufacturers.

In the Asia-Pacific region, a new record level was reached in July with sales of 332,377 vehicles (+23.5%). Growth in the month of July was even stronger at a rate of 30.8% to sales of 47,838 units. In China, 29,540 vehicles were sold in July, representing an increase of 41.5% compared with the same month of last year. 

Unit sales reached new record levels also in Japan, South Korea, and Australia last month. In Japan and Australia, Mercedes-Benz continues to be the market leader amongst the premium importers.

July was another strong month for the compact cars of Mercedes-Benz, with sales of 49,973 units of the A- and B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake, and GLA (+33.0%). The CLA set a new sales record in both July and the first seven months of the year.

Sales of the C-Class Saloon and Estate increased last month by 83.1% to the record figure of 36,287 units. In the Asia-Pacific region, unit sales of the two models more than tripled compared with the same month of the previous year. 

In the C‑Class segment, Mercedes-Benz offers its advanced hybrid technology for both the Saloon and the Estate. Demand for the C 350 e has been rising since it was launched this spring.

The E-Class Saloon posted a new sales record in China in the first seven months of the year. China is the biggest sales market of the model.

The S-Class maintains its position as the world’s best-selling luxury saloon. In July, 58,478 units were handed over to customers (+1.2%). Growth was especially strong in South Korea in July.

As a result of globally strong demand for Mercedes-Benz SUVs, unit sales of those models increased in July by 14.8% to a total of 39,197 vehicles. The GLA and the G-Class set new sales records in July. Demand for the GLK is at an ongoing high level even just before the market launch of its successor model.

Since the beginning of this year, 71,451 smart fortwo and smart forfour were sold (+31.5%) on a global level. In Germany and Italy, growth of the city runabout increased by more than 50% in that period. In China, the brand’s third biggest market, the new smart fortwo is available at the dealers since August. In the USA, the new generation will be launched in September.

Overview of sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

	July 2015	Change. in %	YTD 2015	Change. in %
Mercedes-Benz	149,753	+15.2	1,048,178	+14.7
smart	9,287	+23.7	71,451	+31.5
Mercedes-Benz Cars	159,040	+15.7	1,119,629	+15.7
Mercedes-Benz Sales in the Markets
Europe	64,940	+11.6	457,468	+11.3
- thereof Germany	24,178	+7.8	156,569	+6.0
NAFTA	31,483	+3.9	220,858	+9.2
- thereof USA	27,526	+1.2	192,496	+7.7
Asia-Pacific	47,838	+30.8	332,377	+23.5
- thereof Japan	4,358	+13.5	36,947	+18.6
- thereof China	29,540	+41.5	194,861	+24.2