Jaguar Land Rover Commissions SkunkWorks Surf Co. to Make Five Surfboards from early Range Rover Evoque Design Model

• Custom Surfboards Made From Discarded Automotive Models Hit Southern California Shores Following LA Auto Show
• Jaguar Land Rover Commissions SkunkWorks Surf Co. to Make Five Surfboards from early Range Rover Evoque Design Model

Closing out the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show, Jaguar Land Rover surfboards hit the water for the first time in North America on the shores of El Porto Beach in Manhattan Beach, CA on December 1. Created as part of the Jaguar Land Rover ‘Waste to Wave’ project, first debuting at Jaguar Land Rover Tech Fest in September, the boards are made from recycled polyurethane foam used as the structure in discarded vehicle design studio models.

The surfboards were shaped in partnership with SkunkWorks Surf Co, a surf company based in Northern Ireland with a focus on minimizing environmental impact. Five custom boards were handmade for the Los Angeles Auto Show with colorful designs showcasing the Californian lifestyle, including the Hollywood sign, rock guitarist and a tie-dye pattern. The boards feature carbon fiber rails from the nose and a carbon strip from the tail for additional strength while allowing flex to push through high-intensity maneuvers.

Plastic sent to landfill can take up to 500 years to decompose. The Waste to Wave project is part of a wider ‘second life’ initiative by Jaguar Land Rover and supports the company’s longer term zero waste strategy.

Polyurethane is used in the manufacturing process of life-size clay models which are modelled by hand at the very beginning of the car design process. The polymer forms the ‘skeleton’ of the models, which is normally destroyed once a car is launched, while the clay is recycled and re-used on site.  Now, Jaguar Land Rover is ensuring that plastic is recovered and sliced into blocks ready for a second life as surfboards or paddleboards.

The Los Angeles surfing event was the first time the boards had been used outside of the UK since England’s number one female surfer, Lucy Campbell, first tested them off the coast of Northern Ireland in September.

USA SALES MAY - GENESIS - The brand, now split from Hyundai, grew last last month compared to April.

Genesis Motor America today reported sales of 1,752 for the month of May, a 25 percent increase compared to April.

 “Genesis had a strong month in May, with sales of both G80 and G90 up 25 percent compared with last month,” said Erwin Raphael, general manager of Genesis in the U.S. market. 

“G80 Sport is entering dealerships now. We just launched it last week to an enthusiastic media response and we expect its enhanced performance and driving dynamics to resonate with luxury car buyers. Overall, G80 continues to perform strongly in one of the most competitive segments in the entire industry.”

Brand

	May-17	May-16	2017 YTD	2016 YTD
Genesis	1,752	0	8,306	0

Models

Vehicle	May-17	May-16	2017 YTD	2016 YTD
G80	1,355	0	6,390	0
G90	397	0	1,916	0

USA SALES APRIL - INFINITI - A small growth in April keeps the brand running at a year to date high.

	2017	2016	% Change
April Sales	10,797	10,432	3.5
Total Sales	54,358	43,092	26.1

INFINITI today reported sales of 10,797 vehicles in the U.S. during April, an increase of 3.5 percent for the month and an increase of 26 percent for the year. 

The QX80 premium full-size SUV had its best April, with an increase of 28 percent. The QX70 performance crossover had an increase of 39 percent with 506 vehicles delivered. Overall, INFINITI crossovers and sport utility vehicle sales increased 15 percent for the month.

Sales of the all-new Q60 sports coupe increased to 744 vehicles and the saviour of the brand for the month was the QX30, which, at 1,208 helped to keep the declines to a minimum, however, the brand managed to keep about level with the same month a year earlier, and year to date is still significantly higher by 26%

	Apr	Apr	Monthly	CYTD	CYTD	CYTD
	2017	2016	% chg	2017	2016	% chg
INFINITI Total	10,797	10,432	3.5	54,358	43,092	26.1
Q40	0	4	-100.0	0	52	-100.0
Q50	2,559	3,670	-30.3	13,009	15,538	-16.3
Q60	744	94	691.5	4,115	503	718.1
Q70	443	547	-19.0	2,405	2,110	14.0
QX30	1,208	0	---	7,740	0	---
QX50	1,197	1,401	-14.6	5,515	5,303	4.0
QX60	2,804	3,311	-15.3	11,472	12,318	-6.9
QX70	506	364	39.0	3,411	2,173	57.0
QX80	1,336	1,041	28.3	6,691	5,095	31.3
Car	3,746	4,315	-13.2	19,529	18,203	7.3
CUV/SUV	7,051	6,117	15.3	34,829	24,889	39.9

USA SALES APRIL - GENESIS - The first year of the brand gets off to a great start.

Genesis Motor America today reported sales of 1,399 for the month of April.

“As we continue to focus on building the Genesis brand, we’ve achieved significant improvements in unaided awareness, consumer opinion, and proud to own data in the first quarter of the year,” said Erwin Raphael, general manager of Genesis in the U.S. market. 

“We’ve also received many positive responses from both consumers and media that have driven the G80 and G90 and we are continuing to grow our position in the luxury car market.”

Brand

	APRIL/2017	APRIL/2016	CY/2017	CY/2016
GENESIS	1,399	0	6,554	0

Models

G80	1,083	0	5,035	0
G90	316	0	1,519	0

Genesis Motor America

Genesis Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., distributes, markets and services Genesis vehicles in the United States. Genesis is a global luxury automotive brand that delivers the highest standards of performance, design and innovation. A total of six new Genesis models will launch by 2021 and will compete with the world’s most renowned luxury car brands. All Genesis vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by an industry-leading warranty with enhanced roadside assistance and concierge services.

Fiat Professional boots sales by nearly 50% in the month of March compared to a year earlier.

Fiat Professional’s growing popularity in the UK is illustrated again this week, as new figures show a 44.2% rise in registrations in March 2017, compared with the same month last year. 

The sales results show that Fiat Professional, the commercial vehicle arm of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles UK, was the second most improved van manufacturer in March. The company’s market share rose by 0.7 % to 3.4%.

All Fiat Professional models’ sales performance improved last month, compared with March 2016, but the star of the quarter was Fiorino – sales were up 81.8 % in the first three months of 2017, compared with the same period last year. 

Fiat Doblo sales have increased by 49.9%, while Fiat Ducato registrations are up 14.0% for the quarter, and both ranges had increases in market share. Doblo market share in terms of retail or sales to small businesses rose from 2.8% to 6.7%, and in the Corporate channel, Ducato’s market share rose from 3.8% to 6.7%. 

The top-level Tecnico trim specification, which is available across all models and adds equipment such as satellite navigation, reverse parking sensors, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and air conditioning, has proved to be very popular – sales have increased by 302% compared with the same period last year. 

“The sales performance figures are fantastic news, across the whole range,” says Alejandro Noriega, head of brand, Fiat Professional UK. “It is clear that, in addition to fleet sales, more tradesmen and small businesses are choosing our vehicles, as we continue to bring exciting new models to the UK. That way we can continue to improve and increase our market share.”

Infiniti takes the full sized QX80 and turns it into something even more special.

• QX80 Monograph is the ultimate expression of futuristic luxury SUV design
• New design study signals INFINITI’s intention to evolve its presence in the large SUV segment
• ‘Monograph’: a detailed study into a single area of expertise

INFINITI has today revealed the first look of its QX80 Monograph, a new design study exploring ‘upscale luxury’ and signalling the brand’s intention to further develop its standing in the large SUV segment.

The new concept combines luxury with a commanding presence, and demonstrates the high levels of space and utility for which the QX80 production car is renowned. Originating at INFINITI’s design studio in Atsugi, Japan, the QX80 Monograph is the ultimate expression of futuristic luxury SUV design and illustrates how the design of INFINITI’s QX80 could evolve.

“The QX80 Monograph represents a detailed study into our expertise of exterior design,” says Roland Krueger, President of INFINITI Motor Company Ltd.

“QX80 Monograph shows our concept of luxury and style on the road, and is an exploration into how we could enhance our future INFINITI offering in the luxury SUV segment.”

QX80 Monograph applies the brand’s latest design language in a sculptural and artistic way. It incorporates a mix of geometric and organic shapes to combine power with elegance, creating a commanding and sophisticated presence.

Unmistakable INFINITI signature design elements include the ‘double-arch’ grille, which for this vehicle is taller and wider, creating a powerful new ‘face’, while the crescent-cut D-pillar has been reshaped.

USA SALES MARCH - INFINITI - The Japanese brand grows by a huge 32.6% in march.

	2017	2016	% Change
March Sales	18,266	13,775	+32.6
Total Sales	43,561	32,660	+33.4

INFINITI today reported sales of 18,266 vehicles in the U.S. during March, an increase of 33 percent, making March the best sales month in INFINITI's history. 

The QX50 luxury crossover also had its best month, while QX80 premium full-size SUV had its best March, with an increase of 14 and 41 percent respectively. 

The QX30 premium active crossover had its best month since it arrived in showrooms last September with 2,960 vehicles delivered. Overall, INFINITI crossovers and sport utility vehicle sales increased 55 percent for the month.

Sales of the all-new Q60 sports coupe increased to 1,829 vehicles. Overall, INFINITI coupes and sedans were up 7 percent for the month.

	Apr	Apr	Monthly	CYTD	CYTD	CYTD
	2017	2016	% chg	2017	2016	% chg
INFINITI Total	18,266	13,775	32.6	43,561	32,660	33.4
Q40	0	22	-100.0	0	48	-100.0
Q50	3,800	5,590	-32.0	10,450	11,868	-11.9
Q60	1,829	105	1641.9	3,371	409	724.2
Q70	1,072	577	85.8	1,962	1,563	25.5
QX30	2,960	0	---	6,532	0	---
QX50	1,724	1,512	14.0	4,318	3,902	10.7
QX60	3,821	3,905	-2.2	8,668	9,007	-3.8
QX70	1,077	661	62.9	2,905	1,809	60.6
QX80	1,983	1,403	41.3	5,355	4,054	32.1
Car	6,701	6,294	6.5	15,783	13,888	13.6
CUV/SUV	11,565	7,481	54.6	27,778	18,772	48.0