The Volkswagen Group continues it's push with sales for 2017 topping 10 million units.

• 10.74 million customers chose a vehicle from the Volkswagen Group in 2017
• CEO Matthias Müller: “We are grateful to our customers for their We will continue to do everything we can to meet and exceed the expectations of our customers all over the world.”
• 999,800 vehicles delivered in December (+8.5 percent)

The Volkswagen Group delivered more vehicles than ever before in fiscal year 2017: 10.74 million customers worldwide chose a vehicle from the Volkswagen Group. As a result, Group deliveries rose 4.3 percent compared with the previous year. 

At almost one million units, deliveries in December were up by a clear 8.5 percent. Matthias Müller, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, said: “The all-time record for deliveries is above all attributable to a strong team performance by all Group brands and employees. 

We are grateful to our customers for the trust these figures reflect. We will continue to do everything we can in 2018 to meet and exceed the expectations of our customers all over the world.”

The Group handed over 4.3 million vehicles to customers in Europe in the full year 2017, representing growth of 3.3 percent. 338,700 new vehicles were delivered in December (+3.1 percent), of which 97,500 (+5.0 percent) were handed over to customers in the home market of Germany. 

Recovery in the Russian market had a positive impact on the performance in Central and Eastern Europe, and led to growth of 13.2 percent for the full year 2017. 21,000 vehicles (+25.8 percent) were delivered to customers in Russia in December.

Group deliveries in the North America region rose by 4.0 percent to 976,400 units in 2017, of which 625,100 vehicles (+5.8 percent) were handed over to customers in the U.S. market. In line with the overall trend on the passenger car market in the U.S., Volkswagen Group deliveries in December were down 2.7 percent to 91,500 units. 

In Brazil, 24,700 customers (+2.4 percent) took delivery of a new Group vehicle. Driven by the recovery in the Brazilian market, deliveries by the Volkswagen Group in the South America region for the full year 2017 were 23.7 percent higher than 2016.

Group deliveries in the Asia-Pacific region in 2017 rose by 4.3 percent compared with the previous year to 4.5 million, of which 4.2 million new vehicles (+5.1 percent) were delivered to customers in China during the twelve-month period. 

There was a strong boost in deliveries in the largest single market at the end of the year: 460,100 new vehicles were handed over to customers in China in December – an increase of 17.8 percent.

“We are making decisive investments in the mobility of tomorrow, using funds from our own resources: in e-mobility, autonomous driving, new mobility services and digitalization. At the same time, we continue to systematically develop present technologies and vehicles. The excellent delivery figures confirm that this is the right approach”, Müller commented. 

Deliveries to customers by markets	December 2017	December 2016	Change (%)	Jan- Dec. 2017	Jan- Dec. 2016	Change (%)
Europe	338,700	328,600	+3.1	4,328,500	4,190,600	+3.3
Western Europe	271,900	270,500	+0.6	3,583,900	3,533,000	+1.4
Germany	97,500	92,800	+5.0	1,286,500	1,292,000	-0.4
Central and Eastern Europe	66,800	58,100	+14.9	744,600	657,700	+13.2
Russia	21,000	16,700	+25.8	191,700	167,000	+14.8
North America	91,500	94,100	-2.7	976,400	939,200	+4.0
USA	61,600	64,900	-5.2	625,100	591,100	+5.8
South America	38,500	36,700	+4.9	521,600	421,500	+23.7
Brazil	24,700	24,100	+2.4	308,000	257,700	+19.5
Asia-Pacific	489,300	417,800	+17.1	4,505,800	4,318,600	+4.3
China	460,100	390,600	+17.8	4,184,200	3,982,100	+5.1
Worldwide	999,800	921,700	+8.5	10,741,500	10,297,000	+4.3

Deliveries to customers by brands	December 2017	December 2016	Change (%)	Jan- Dec. 2017	Jan- Dec. 2016	Change (%)
Volkswagen Passenger Cars	594,100	562,400	+5.6	6,230,200	5,980,300	+4.2
Audi	180,200	155,200	+16.2	1,878,100	1,867,700	+0.6
ŠKODA	107,500	90,200	+19.2	1,200,500	1,126,500	+6.6
SEAT	33,000	29,200	+13.0	468,400	408,700	+14.6
Porsche	19,600	19,500	+0.6	246,400	237,800	+3.6
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles	42,700	44,400	-3.9	497,900	478,000	+4.2
MAN	11,900	10,700	+10.8	114,100	102,200	+11.6
Scania	9,200	8,200	+12.8	90,800	81,300	+11.6
Volkswagen Group (total)	999,800	921,700	+8.5	10,741,500	10,297,000	+4.3

Auto Express names the new Discovery as it's Car of the Year for 2017.

• British-built SUV scoops two major trophies at prestigious ceremony
• Four Awards for BMW including Best Electric Car for the i3
• Skoda wins four Awards, including Best Family Car for the second year running and Best Integrated Ad Campaign

British brand Land Rover has scooped the coveted Auto Express Car of the Year award for its new Discovery at a ceremony in Central London. The Discovery was voted the best new car on the market, with judges commending its innovation in technology, quality and comfort. The model was also named the Best Large Premium SUV for 2017.

The Auto Express New Car Awards celebrate the best cars on sale, from city cars to performance models. Voted for by the expert reviewers at Auto Express, every single model on sale is analysed according to specific criteria, with only the very best cars making the winners’ list.

Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief of Auto Express, said: "The new Land Rover Discovery is an incredible car, bringing new levels of luxury and go-anywhere ability to the SUV class. 

It rivals the very best cars you can buy for quality and refinement, offers all the practicality a family could ever need, will wow buyers with amazing technology they won't have seen before and offer a level of efficiency you wouldn't expect for this size and class of car. On top of all that, it's brilliantly built by the guys and girls working for Land Rover in the Midlands. It's a great British success story."

Another big winner on the night was Skoda, taking home four trophies: Best Family Car for the Skoda Superb, Best Estate Car for the Octavia, Best Large SUV for the Kodiaq and Best Integrated Ad Campaign for Skoda-Reconnect starring Sir Bradley Wiggins.

The Technology Award was given to BMW for its advanced range of plug-in cars, plus its industry-leading connectivity and autonomous tech. BMW also took home the newly launched Best Electric Car Award, for its i3, while the 5 Series won Best Executive Car. The brand also won the Best Social Media Campaign Award for BMW Genius Live.

Other British-built winners, in addition to the Land Rover Discovery, were the Jaguar XE, which was named Best Compact Executive for the third year running, and the Swindon-built Honda Civic Type R, which was crowned Best Hot Hatch. Jaguar also won the reader-voted Design Award for the I-Pace Concept.

Auto Express New Car Awards Winners 2017

Category

CAR OF THE YEAR BEST CITY CAR BEST SUPERMINIBEST COMPACT FAMILY CARBEST FAMILY CARBEST ELECTRIC CAR BEST ESTATE CARBEST COMPACT EXECUTIVE CARBEST EXECUTIVE CARBEST LUXURY CAR BEST HOT HATCHBEST_CONVERTIBLE                                       BEST MPV     BEST SMALL SUV    BEST MID-SIZE SUV BEST LARGE PREMIUM SUV BEST LARGE SUV BEST COUPEBEST ROADSTERBEST PICK­UPBEST PERFORMANCE CARBEST PREMIUM SUVDESIGN AWARDTECHNOLOGY AWARDVAN OF THE YEARDRIVER POWER AWARDBEST INTEGRATED CAMPAIGNBEST SOCIAL MEDIA

Land Rover DiscoveryVolkswagen up!Seat IbizaVolkswagen GolfSkoda SuperbBMW i3   Skoda Octavia EstateJaguar XE      BMW 5 SeriesMercedes S-ClassHonda Civic Type R       Mercedes C-Class       Citroen Grand C4 PicassoCitroen C4 Cactus        Peugeot 3008        Land Rover Discovery  Skoda KodiaqAudi A5 CoupeMazda MX-5 RFMitsubishi L200Porsche 911 GT3Volvo XC60Jaguar I-PaceBMWVolkswagen Crafter LexusSkoda-ReconnectBMW Genius Live

The ŠKODA KAROQ: New compact SUV with lots of space and state-of-the-art technology

• ​› Design: modern dynamic SUV design language
• › Powertrains: four new engines, powerful and efficient TSI and TDI 
• › Chassis: state-of-the-art technology, up to five driving modes and special Off-Road mode 
• › Driver assistance systems: extended range for increased safety and comfort 
• › ŠKODA Connect: infotainment with capacitive touch screen in glass design and Care Connect for assistance 
• › Equipment: Full-LED headlights, digital instrument panel 
• › ŠKODA drives SUV campaign forward with the ŠKODA KAROQ 

The ŠKODA KAROQ is a completely new compact SUV from the long-standing Czech brand. The emotive and dynamic design with numerous crystalline elements characterises ŠKODA’s new SUV design language. 

As a true ŠKODA, the ŠKODA KAROQ offers exceptional space, new driver-assistance systems, full LED headlights and – for the first time in a ŠKODA – a digital instrument panel. Five engine variants are available from 85 kW (115 PS) to 140 kW (190 PS), of which four are new. 

Typical of ŠKODA are smart ideas for the brand’s new compact SUV which include features such as the rear-seat VarioFlex system and the virtual pedal for the hands-free opening of the boot. 

Particularly long items can be comfortably transported in the interior of the compact SUV – this is made possible by the folding front passenger seat.

​It is clear from the exterior shape, modified lines and larger dimensions that this is a completely new vehicle. The ŠKODA KAROQ is a sports utility vehicle with character: The emotive and dynamic design with numerous crystalline elements characterises ŠKODA’s new SUV design language.

The compact SUV measures 4,382 mm in length, is 1,841 mm wide, and 1,605 mm high. The increase in size benefits the passengers. The kneeroom is 69 mm. The long wheelbase of 2,638 mm (all-wheel version: 2,630 mm) gives the ŠKODA KAROQ a comfortable stance on the road and provides an indication of the generously proportioned interior.

The ŠKODA brand stands for an exceptional package. This also applies to the new KAROQ. The luggage compartment has a capacity of 521 l with the rear seats in place. With the rear seats folded down, the volume increases to 1,630 l. The VarioFlex system consists of three separate seats, which can be individually adjusted and the seats can also be completely removed – and the SUV is then converted into a van with a maximum load capacity of 1,810 liters.

Segment leader: connectivity solutions

The ŠKODA KAROQ is at the top of its segment with innovative connectivity solutions. The infotainment building blocks come from the second generation of the Group’s Modular Infotainment Matrix, offering state-of-the-art functions, interfaces and equipped with capacitive touch displays. 

The top systems Columbus and Amundsen have a Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional LTE module is available for the Columbus system. The Internet connection is based on today’s fastest mobile radio standard, with which passengers can surf and access email freely with their phones and tablets.

The new mobile online services ŠKODA Connect are divided into two categories: Infotainment online services are used for information and navigation; the CareConnect services for assistance in case of breakdowns and emergencies. 

The Emergency Call button, which will be part of the standard equipment in Europe from 2018, is now available as an optional CareConnect service. Additional online services can be accessed via the ŠKODA Connect app. These can be used to remotely check, configure and find the parking place of your car using a smartphone.

The intelligent capability of pairing a car with a smartphone has reached a new level in the ŠKODA KAROQ. The SmartLink+ platform, compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLinkTM, is available as an option for the basic infotainment system Swing. SmartLink+ comes as standard with higher infotainment systems. The Phonebox with inductive charging couples the smartphone to the roof antenna and simultaneously charges it wirelessly.

Reliable helpers: driver assistance systems

The ŠKODA KAROQ offers a comprehensive range of driver assistance systems. New comfort systems include Park Assist, Lane Assist and Traffic Jam Assist. Blind Spot Detect, Front Assist with predictive pedestrian protection and Emergency Assist serve to increase safety.

Additional driver assistance systems are available for the ŠKODA KAROQ to keep the car at a safe distance from the car ahead, to make it easier for the driver to change and keep in lane, to point out important traffic signs, and to assist when parking.

The freely programmable digital instrument panel is available for the first time in a ŠKODA. In the ŠKODA KAROQ, the cockpit displays can be set to the driver’s individual preferences.

Full-LED headlights with clear-lens optics are available as an option for the ŠKODA KAROQ from the Ambition trim level upwards. In the interior, new LED ambient lighting in the decorative door trims and the dashboard creates a pleasant atmosphere, which can be set to one of ten colours.

Powerful and agile: engines and chassis

The ŠKODA KAROQ offers state-of-the-art technologies for engines. Five engine variants – two petrol and three diesel engines – are on offer. The two petrol engines and two diesels are new in the line-up. 

The displacement ranges are 1.0, 1.5, 1.6 and 2.0 l; the power range is from 85 kW (115 PS) to 140 kW (190 PS). All powertrains feature turbo-charged direct injection units as well as start -stop- technology and brake energy recovery. 

They are extremely efficient and comply with EU 6 regulations. With the exception of the most powerful diesel, all drivetrains can be ordered with a 6-speed manual gearbox or 7-speed DSG. The 2.0 TDI with 140 kW (190 PS) comes as standard with 4×4 drive and 7-speed DSG. The new 1.5 TSI has the special feature of cylinder deactivation.

The ŠKODA KAROQ chassis also sets benchmarks in its segment and demonstrates its quality, even off the beaten track. From the Ambition trim level upwards, Driving Mode Select with the Normal, Sport, Eco, Individual and Snow (4x4) modes is available on request. The Off-Road mode with all-wheel drive improves the driving characteristics on rough terrain.

The latest round of Euro NCAP results cover four cars which gain four or five stars.

Today, Euro NCAP releases the results of four new cars.  The MINI Countryman and Škoda Kodiaq are both awarded a five-star rating.  

Nissan’s new Micra gets four stars with standard equipment and five stars with the optional safety pack (1).  The Suzuki Swift is rated as three stars as standard and four stars with the optional safety equipment.

All cars reach the five star levels for adult occupant protection, child protection and pedestrian protection.  The differences come in the fitment of advanced driver assistance systems.  

The Škoda Kodiaq is equipped as standard with an AEB system that detects pedestrians as well as other cars.  The Kodiaq’s five-star rating continues Škoda’s recent good form: all recently tested Škodas have been rated as five stars. 

The MINI has AEB car-to-car as standard and pedestrian detection as an option.  Nissan put AEB pedestrian and lane assistance in the option pack (‘Euro NCAP 5* Pack’) of the Micra, nudging the four-star rating with standard equipment into five-star territory with the option pack fitted.  

Only the Suzuki Swift does not offer AEB pedestrian, with AEB car-to-car in its ‘Radar Brake Support’ option pack.

Euro NCAP Secretary General, Michiel van Ratingen, said, “Euro NCAP started rewarding AEB pedestrian systems last year and we have seen a rapid uptake of the technology.   

We hope to see as fast an adoption of AEB systems that detect cyclists when tests of those systems form part of the rating next year.  

For twenty years, Euro NCAP has been pushing manufacturers to fit new and better safety technologies: originally, such things as airbags and pre-tensioners and, nowadays, advanced driver assistance systems that will form the building blocks for the automated vehicles of tomorrow.”