UK MG Dealer wins the a prestigious award from SAIC Motor Global MG Dealer Awards.

Nathaniel Cars, a leading MG dealership based in South Wales, is celebrating after taking home the highly-prestigious Four Star Award for Excellence at the SAIC Motor Global MG Dealer Awards. The ceremony, which took place at the Shanghai International Motor Show last month (21st April), recognises outstanding performance from across the manufacturer’s global dealer network. 

Commended for outstanding passion, commitment to the brand and dedication to delivering customer service excellence, Nathaniel Cars was the only UK dealer to receive an award. 

The silverware adds to a growing list of accolades for the Bridgend-based business, which include being named MG UK Dealer of The Year 2016 and featuring within the top 5% of all British dealerships in the Auto Express Driver Power Best Car Dealers report 2017. 

Nathan Griffiths, sales manager at Nathaniel Cars, commented: “Providing outstanding service and delighting customers are two of our key priorities. To be awarded – not just on a national level, but across the world – for our continued successes and performance is a significant accolade and one that the entire team is humbled to have received. 

“With a growing range of stylish, family-friendly vehicles that offer fun, functionality and practical performance at a highly affordable price point, MG continues to drive forward as one of the fastest-growing automotive manufacturers. We’re proud to be part of such an exciting global network and see huge potential for future growth.” 

Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing at MG Motor UK, added: “As a top performer in the MG dealer network, Nathaniel Cars is renowned for delivering outstanding service for motorists. We’d like to offer our congratulations to Nathan and the team for taking home the Four Star Award – a true reflection of the team’s drive, determination, commitment and outstanding performance.”

Based in Bridgend, South Wales, Nathaniel Cars is one of the UK’s leading MG dealerships. Retailing both the stylish MG3 Supermini (available from £8,695) and family-friendly SUV, the MG GS (starting at just £15,095), motorists are promised a warm welcome, in-depth product knowledge and affordable prices.

The hand over of the new Aston Martin Site has taken place ready for redevelopment work to commence for the DBX.

• Ministry of Defence (MOD) formally hands over St Athan site to Aston Martin
• Work underway on redeveloping site into a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility
• 750 direct new jobs created in South Wales; on target to commence DBX production in 2019

Aston Martin today hosted a special ceremony that launched Phase II of the redevelopment of MOD St Athan. The site in South Wales will become the British luxury carmaker’s second UK manufacturing plant.

The former military site was formally handed over from the Ministry of Defence to Aston Martin by Secretary of State Sir Michael Fallon at a ceremony including Aston Martin President and CEO Dr. Andy Palmer, and Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns and Welsh First Minister, Carwyn Jones. 

With the commencement of these works, Aston Martin St Athan is on target to commence production of the company’s new SUV, the Aston Martin DBX, in 2019.

Dr. Palmer commented: “Due to its sheer size and scale, the St Athan Super Hangars represented an excellent opportunity for us to build our second manufacturing facility, within the envelope of an existing structure. 

It is perhaps fitting that St Athan is, like our headquarters and sports car factory at Gaydon, a former Royal Air Force base.

Today I am pleased to welcome Secretary of State for Defence, Sir Michael Fallon and Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns, both of whom have been instrumental in helping us secure this facility. I am also especially pleased to welcome back the First Minister, who has worked side-by-side with us on this programme from inception to completion.

Now we have commenced Phase II, these hangars will be redeveloped to become the home of our newest manufacturing facility.”

Just over one year ago, Aston Martin announced that St Athan had been chosen as the site for its second UK manufacturing plant from 20 potential global locations as part of the growth strategy under the companies Second Century Plan. The investment into St Athan is part of Aston Martins wider industrial expansion plans which will see 1,000 new jobs created across its two manufacturing sites by 2020, with a likely further 3,000 across the supply chain and local businesses in Wales.

Phase I commenced in late 2016 when Aston Martin was first given access to part of the site and began to create the customer and staff reception areas, administration and management offices and the employee restaurant.

Phase II marks the beginning of the project that will see the three super hangars redeveloped into a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. The new plant brings employment opportunities to South Wales; a recruitment event last year attracted 3,000 applications and already the first technicians are working on the DB11 at Gaydon, training for the highly-skilled roles they will take up at St Athan in 2020.

Secretary of State for Defence, Sir Michael Fallon commented: “This investment is great news for Wales. Aston Martin’s decision to build a new facility on MOD land we no longer need will also bring high skilled jobs to Wales. Releasing this site, and others, will enable us to invest in a better defence estate for the Armed Forces and their families.”

Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns added: "Thanks to the close partnership between the UK and Welsh Governments and the prestigious Aston Martin brand, the St Athan site is springing back to life as a significant centre of employment, bringing with it valuable skills and a lasting legacy for the entire region.

"As the UK exits the EU, we are determined that our country remains a great place to invest and to do business. Aston Martin's decision to invest in Wales shows that we are creating and supporting the right conditions for industry investment. The UK Government’s comprehensive industrial strategy will build on that success, ensuring that we have the right infrastructure, skills and support in place for our world-leading industries as well as support for new emerging sectors to flourish."

First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones said: “Aston Martin’s positive influence on the local community and the economy of Wales is already being felt. More than 40 Welsh workers are now employed at Aston Martin Gaydon preparing for the start of production at St Athan, and many more job opportunities will follow before 2020. As Phase II of redevelopment commences at St Athan, supply chain companies throughout Wales will also have the opportunity to bid for contracts worth over £60m through the Welsh Government’s own Sell to Wales procurement site, extending the benefits of this massive investment throughout Wales.

“Aston Martin is a major success story for Wales and I look forward to further building on our working partnership to bring maximum benefits for the economy and the reputation of Wales worldwide.”

TVR will make its first public show appearance at the forthcoming London Motor Show in May 2016.

• TVR will make its first public show appearance at the forthcoming London Motor Show in May 2016
• Starting with a clean sheet of paper, the design process reverted back to the birth of TVR, utilising the ethos of nearly 70 years of TVR history, to create a truly exceptional sports car
• The full car design will be unveiled at an exclusive customer preview later this year (it will be kept under cover until this milestone in the programme)

The re-born British sports car maker, TVR, has announced that it will have a presence at the London Motor Show, to take place in Battersea Park on 5 to 8 May, 2016.

The company has attracted world-wide interest since announcing the all-new British designed and built sports car. Incorporating Gordon Murray’s innovative iStream® technology, the car will be launched in 2017.

This exciting new sports car features a ground-effect, super lightweight iStream® carbon reinforced chassis and will be powered by an exceptional V8 engine developed by Cosworth. The London Motor Show provides an opportunity for the public to appreciate the silhouette and see the physical shape in a full-size representation of the new car. The full exterior design will be unveiled to all customers who placed an order at an exclusive preview event later this year, which will be an important milestone in the programme.

Les Edgar, Chairman of TVR said: “We have built enormous momentum over the past 12 months, to the point at which we now hold more than 350 deposits from enthusiastic individuals who are keen to be proud owners and drivers of the new TVR. Our appearance at the London Motor Show will be a perfect platform for us to show a physical representation of the car and we hope to use the opportunity to tantalise the public and provide a strong indication of the look of the production vehicle. It’s an important next step in bringing the new car to market.”

A press conference and project update will take place during the show preview at 5.00pm on Thursday 5^th May and will be conducted by Les Edgar and Gordon Murray.

TVR announces that the brand will be building it's new range of crs in South Wales, hot on the heels of Aston Martin.

• TVR today announces that it will build a production facility in Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone, South Wales 

Resurgent British sports car maker, TVR, has announced today that its new production facility will be located in the Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone in South Wales. The Welsh Government will also invest in the car maker, further enhancing this exciting manufacturing project which represents over £30 million of capital expenditure over the next five years.

All pictures used are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered as the actual product that will be built in the future.

The contracts to locate the new TVR factory in Wales were signed on the 18^th March and the deal was officially announced by Rt. Hon Carwyn Jones, the First Minister of Wales, during a press conference this morning. Currently, TVR is looking at several specific options for the precise location of the factory, the outcome of which will be the subject of a separate announcement in the coming weeks.

Les Edgar, Chairman of TVR said: “This is a fantastic opportunity both for TVR and the Welsh Government. South Wales is becoming a major hub for automotive and motorsport technology and development and the area is a serious opportunity for business development and job creation. We have a sports car project that has garnered global approval and excitement, and we are delighted that the Welsh government wish to become a part of an exciting new era for TVR.”

The First Minister said: “This is yet another fantastic high profile investment for Wales and a great boost for our automotive sector. TVR is another iconic and much loved, world-class brand that still commands a strong and loyal international following. I am delighted the next generation of TVRs will proudly bear the label Made in Wales.”

“Today’s news follows hot on the heels of the Aston Martin announcement and sends out a strong, clear message that Wales is the location of choice for advanced manufacturing. It also illustrates that our pro-business approach is delivering results, attracting significant investment and creating high quality jobs and it is another huge boost for Wales, for our automotive sector and for our skilled workforce.”

The new TVR project, which was announced in early 2015, has already secured in excess of 350 deposits for the fantastic new launch edition car, which features innovative design and styling that maintains the distinctive TVR DNA, but also includes F1 inspired, ground-effect technology. The chassis and body has been designed by Gordon Murray of Gordon Murray Design Ltd. and will be the first production car to be manufactured using their revolutionary iStream® assembly process. Power is provided by a Cosworth tuned and enhanced V8 engine. The Welsh factory will be busy fulfilling orders that already run through to the end of 2018. 

90 Years after setting the world Land Speed Record, the car returns to Pendine Sands for a low speed run.

This year celebrates the 90^th anniversary of Sir Malcolm Campbell achieving a new World Land Speed record of 150mph at Pendine Sands, South Wales, in his 350hp Sunbeam. Ninety years to the day, the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, is marking the occasion with a commemorative low-speed demonstration run with the Sunbeam, back at Pendine Sands. 

The run will take place at 4pm on 21 July, starting from the area of the beach adjacent to the Pendine Museum of Speed.

The car will be driven by Sir Malcolm’s grandson, Don Wales, himself a Land Speed Record holder. In addition to performing the run, he and the museum team will be aiming to re-create two iconic pictures from the original run.

Don said: 'I am really looking forward to driving the 350hp Sunbeam, which is the car that gave my grandfather his first Land Speed Record. I cannot believe that I will get this fantastic opportunity to drive this iconic machine on Pendine. It will also be fun to dress in costume to look as my grandfather did in the pictures taken ninety years ago.

“My grandfather was a remarkable man and for us to remember him and honour some of his achievements in this way will be very humbling. I really must thank Beaulieu for this opportunity and for all the hard work the restoration team have done on her.'

The car was the brainchild of Sunbeam’s chief engineer and racing team manager, Louis Coatalen, and was constructed at the company’s works in Wolverhampton during 1919 and early 1920. Its power came from a modified 18.322 litre V12 modified Manitou Arab aero engine, a type used on naval seaplanes.

The Sunbeam, renamed Blue Bird by Campbell, holds three World Land Speed Records, the first achieved by Kenelm Lee Guinness at Brooklands in 1922 with a speed of 133.75mph. Campbell then purchased the car, had it painted in his distinctive colour scheme and in September 1924 achieved a new record speed of 146.16mph at Pendine, raising it the following year to 150.76mph.

Campbell then sold the Sunbeam and it passed through a number of owners and was in a poor condition when purchased by Lord Montagu in 1957, for his ever expanding motor museum. It was restored to working order and when not on display, it was taken to motoring venues in the UK, Europe and as far afield as South Africa.Its last outing was at the British Automobile Racing Club Festival of Motoring at Goodwood in July 1962 when Lord Montagu took it on a 3-lap demonstration run and Donald Campbell did a lap d’Honneur.

During a test fire-up in 1993 to assess the car’s condition, disaster struck when a blocked oil way in the engine caused it to seize and ‘throw a rod’. For several years after that, the car was on display in the museum with a very visible hole in its engine where the piston and con-rod had exited.

In January 2014, following a complete mechanical rebuild undertaken by the National Motor Museum’s workshop team over a period of many years, the Sunbeam was fired-up again - the first time it had been heard in public in over 50 years. The following month it was a star of the show at Retromobile, Paris and was also run at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Doug Hill, the National Motor Museum’s Manager and Chief Engineer said: “We are delighted to be able to celebrate such an amazing achievement with this historic motorcar, 90 years to the day after Malcolm Campbell achieved 150mph with it on the same stretch of sand. Having spent over 2,000 hours on the engine alone, this low speed commemorative demonstration run is a fitting tribute both to the team of engineers at the Museum involved in its restoration and to the original creators of the car. It is also a tribute to Lord Montagu who had the foresight to preserve this iconic motorcar and to the courage and determination of Malcolm Campbell.”

Supporting the run will be the 1933 aero-engined Napier Railton Special, which holds the all-time lap record of 143.44mph at Brooklands. The Napier-Railton has its own unique history at Pendine, having been the star (alongside James Mason and Ava Gardner) of the 1951 movie Pandora & The Flying Dutchman. In the film, the car is used for an attempt on the Land Speed Record, for which the action sequences (culminating in the car being driven into the sea to quench an engine fire) were filmed on Pendine Sands during 1950. In recent months, a film researcher has established that amongst the ‘extras’ in the crowd scenes for these sequences was the famed Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas. Owned by the Brooklands Museum since 1977, the Napier-Railton will also run at Pendine, with Museum Director & CEO, Allan Winn, in the driving seat.

Ssangyong announces five more new dealers - that's 10 this year.

• Five new SsangYong sales & service dealerships for Bicester, Carmarthen, St Austell, Sheffield & Witham
• Includes two more former Chevrolet dealers

A further five new dealers have signed-up to represent SsangYong, Korea’s oldest car brand, bringing to 10 the number of new dealers appointed since January.

SsangYong Korando	SsangYong Rexton W
SsangYong Korando Sports pick-up	SsangYong Turismo MPV

For a selection of other shots go to the SsangYong online image gallery: SsangYong Image Gallery

The new appointments are:

• County Specialist Vehicles, Bicester, Oxfordshire
• Grant & McAllin, Holbrook, Sheffield
• Howards of Carmarthen, Carmarthen, South Wales
• Mid Cornwall Cars, Roche, St Austell
• Witham Vehicle Solutions, Witham, Essex

“We warmly welcome these five new dealers to the SsangYong franchise, two of whom - County Specialist Vehicles and Howards of Carmarthen - formerly represented Chevrolet," said Paul Williams, CEO of SsangYong Motor UK.  “Confidence in the SsangYong brand is unquestionably growing, and our business proposition for dealers is increasingly being recognised as the 10 new appointments so far this year testify.

“Every car in our four model range has been refreshed for 2014: face-lifted Korando, new Rexton W, improved Korando Sports pick-up and the recently launched Turismo, the most competitively priced MPV on the market.  Never before have we had such a complete range - a line-up of SUV and 4x4 vehicles that no other value-brand comes anywhere close to offering their dealer network and customers.

“That confidence is also being shared by customers as our sales figures so far this year would indicate.  And while one swallow doesn't make a summer, we are quietly optimistic about the rest of the year.”

SsangYong is actively looking for the right quality dealers to represent the brand in a number of locations.  There are a number of open points across England, Scotland and Wales including Aberdeen, Borders, Bradford, Greater Manchester, Leicester, Liverpool, London & South East, Mid & North Wales, Newcastle, Reading, Southampton, Teesside and Watford.