MEXICO - Volkswagen tests the line in Puebla, Mexico, to ensure perfect build quality of the LWB Tiguan SUV.

• The first test body was built to check the calibration of the body shop equipment and the processes involved

Volkswagen de México has reached an early production milestone with the assembly of the first test body-in-white for the upcoming Tiguan Long Wheel Base, LWB, scheduled to begin its production during the first quarter of 2017.

After the construction of the new building for the body shop was concluded at the end of 2015, equipment and machinery installation is now nearing completion. The first test body was built in June to check the calibration of body shop equipment and processes.

The new body shop facility has an extension of 70,800 square meters. . So far, nearly 700 containers with more than 50,000 tons of equipment have arrived at the Puebla plant to be installed in the new building. 

The core of the highly automated production process are 800 Fanuc welding robots. Training programs for the personnel responsible for the programming of the robots and the automation controls are ongoing.

The first test body of Tiguan LWB was presented to the group of executives and workers that were part of this milestone.

Volkswagen de México will produce the Tiguan LWB, starting early 2017, for the worldwide markets, with exception of China.

Jeep marks it's 75th anniversary by becoming the sponsor of the Bournemouth Wheels Festival 2016.

The 4x4 brand has signed up to appear at this week’s (3-5 June) Wheels 2016, the Bournemouth Wheels Festival, on England’s south west coast. The festival spans large parts of Bournemouth’s seafront including the famous resort’s sandy beach, on which Jeep will demonstrate its award-winning 4x4 models’ off-road ability.

The date 5 June also officially marks the 75^th Anniversary of Jeep in this 2016 celebration year, so the Bournemouth event carries even more importance for the US brand.

With more than just a ‘stand’ appearance, Jeep will be fully interactive, with its entire range on display, including the Hardcore 4x4 of the Year* Wrangler, 4x4 of the Year* Renegade, legendary Cherokee and Grand Cherokee ‘the most-awarded SUV’. Special 75^th Anniversary editions of the Renegade and Cherokee models will be shown, while models from the entire range will be available to take lucky visitors for obstacle course rides along the beach.

A full selection of merchandise, sales literature and technical experts will also be available during the motor-mad weekend.

“We are delighted to be taking part at this year’s Bournemouth Wheels Festival,” says Damien Dally, head of brand, Jeep UK. “It’s a large and well-supported show which will allow us to showcase our ever-popular range of Jeep vehicles, including Grand Cherokee which was recently named among the Top 10 best cars to own in the UK**.

“The beach will allow us to demonstrate Jeep’s amazing ability in the sand, and I am sure that all show-goers – families, off-road enthusiasts and car fans – will find something to interest them from Jeep.”

Jeep is currently building on a hugely successful 2015. A record-breaking total of 10,794 units made Jeep the fastest-growing car brand in the UK last year.

The Bournemouth Wheels Festival takes place from 3 to 5 June 2016.

The next generation Jeep Wrangler is slated to be produced alongside the current model for some time.

Fiat Chrysler's plan to reconfigure its Toledo, Ohio, assembly complex next year to build the next-generation Jeep Wrangler will boost production of the popular SUV well beyond its current level, according to internal planning documents seen by Automotive News.

The new assembly plant for the Wrangler -- the Toledo factory that currently builds the Jeep Cherokee -- will be outfitted to produce about 350,000 Wranglers annually. That is roughly 50 percent more Wranglers than can now be produced.

And the company plans to continue making the current Wrangler into the first quarter of 2018, about six months after production of the new one is set to begin.

Together, the old and new Wrangler assembly lines will crank out Wranglers at the fastest pace in the off-roader's 75-year history.

Jeep brand head Mike Manley said this month that he wants to keep the balance between Wrangler supply and demand "at the right place, and to me that is supply just behind demand."

Toledo is the only plant in the world producing the Wrangler. In 2015, FCA chose to convert the Cherokee unibody plant in Toledo to body-on-frame production for the new Wrangler instead of adding capacity to the current line.

According to suppliers and planning documents, FCA intends for Toledo to continue building the unibody Cherokee until March 2017, when Cherokee production will move to Belvidere, Ill. Toledo's unibody plant will then go down for its conversion to body-on-frame production, expected to take about six months, while production of the current-generation Wrangler continues.

The current Wrangler -- likely to be marketed as the Wrangler Classic -- is scheduled to remain in production through March 2018.

A Wrangler-based pickup and a diesel-powered Wrangler, both expected to debut in 2018, are possible because of the extra production volume being added.

Manley declined to speculate on the level of global sales for the SUV when the capacity is added. But he said there is unmet demand today in North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America.

"We've seen some weakness coming out of Asia, for the obvious reasons of where China is today," Manley said. "But we still see a strong order bank from the U.S., more demand from Europe, and still some residual demand from Asia that we can't fill."

Most Wrangler sales now are in North America, but it remains popular globally, Manley said.

"Wrangler is in demand in Europe because of what it stands for," he said.

"It is the incarnation of the most iconic American brand in the world, and the same thing [is true] in China, so demand continues to grow."

REPORT HERE

Larry P. Vellequette

The winner of the 2016 International Van Of The Year goes to the Volkswagen Transporter T6.

• International jury of 24 commercial vehicle journalists name Volkswagen Transporter as International Van of the Year
• Award seen as signal for success for 2016

An International jury of 24 commercial vehicle journalists have named the sixth-generation Volkswagen Transporter as International Van of the Year 2016. This is the third time that the Volkswagen Transporter has won this coveted prize.

The award was given by the chairman of the jury, Jarlath Sweeney to the CEO of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Dr. Eckhard Scholz, who said, “The prestigious award of International Van of the Year 2016 for our T-series is a powerful symbol for the performance of our team in Hannover. We see the award as a signal for a successful start to 2016.”

Crawfords of London Luxury Private Hire adds 50 2016 Jaguar Xj-LWD Autobiography models to it's fleet.

• Jaguar announces major chauffeur deal with Crawfords of London amid wider success for Jaguar models in the fleet sector
• Crawfords of London adds 50 flagship Jaguar XJ LWB Autobiography as the brand’s most high-end offering
• The 2016 Model Year XJ features an uprated 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine and a suite of hi-tech features, including 360 Degree Park Distance Control

Jaguar is pleased to announce a major new chauffeur deal with Crawfords of London, underlining Jaguar’s fleet success this year and its status as a major player in the luxury private hire market.

Crawfords of London will be adding 50 2016 Model Year XJ LWB Autobiography models to its fleet of luxury models, transporting its most demanding customers in a car that is the pinnacle of Jaguar’s line-up. As standard it comes with heated and cooled reclining rear seats, rear business tables, wi-fi and sunblinds.

The 2016 Model Year XJ features an uprated 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, with CO₂ emissions reduced by 6 per cent to 149g/km, compared with the previous XJ. It also has a suite of hi-tech features, including 360 Degree Park Distance Control and InControl Remote Premium, allowing owners to access the car through their smartphone for features such as cabin pre-warming.

Jimmy Lazarou, CEO of Crawfords of London, said: “Our business is to chauffeur the world’s most discerning people: from captains of industry, CEOs, business professionals, A-list celebrities, high net worth individuals and sporting personalities. The Jaguar XJ LWB Autobiography offers everything that we could want; it is stylish, spacious and luxurious. With rear seat entertainment that includes twin high-definition screens, wi-fi and a host of connectivity for smartphones, not to mention soft Nappa leather seats and acres of space, the specification meets all of our clients expectations. We are also proud to be associated with a quintessentially British brand such as Jaguar.”

Chris Newitt, Sales Director Jaguar Land Rover UK, said: “We are very proud that one of the UK’s most highly-respected chauffeur companies, Crawfords of London, has selected our new Jaguar XJ 2016 Model Year as their flagship vehicle. It is testament to Jaguar’s latest range – which features cars that have style, luxury and low running costs in equal measure – that we are ticking every box for business customers.” 

Volkswagen Commercial year to the end of August sales shows a decline in numbers, Crafter and T6 up.

• Inconsistent trends on the markets
• New T6 with significant growth of 4.6 per cent

Up to the end of August 2015, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 285,000 urban delivery vans, transport vehicles and pickups to customers globally. Sales of the brand are at a similar level as last year (January to August 2014: 287,000, -0.8 per cent).

On the markets, in Western Europe the brand achieved a growth of 0.5 per cent with 189,000 deliveries (2014: 188,100). 

The United Kingdom showed significant signs of growth and sales of the brand rose there by 15.3 per cent to 32,700 units (28,300). In Germany, deliveries declined, because of the model change of the Caddy and the T series, by 5.1 per cent to 72,500 units (76,300).

In Eastern Europe deliveries to the end of August slowed by 23.61 per cent to 19,000 units (24,900). 

The Russian market dropped by 56.6 per cent to 3,700 units. In the Middle East more vehicles were handed over to customers, in fact 23,150 units (15,900) which is an increase of 45.4 per cent. Sales in the Turkish market were 20,600 vehicles (13,600; + 51.4 per cent).

In South America, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 24,300 vehicles (26,500; -8.3 per cent). In Brazil 8,100 vehicles were delivered (12,400, -34.4 per cent). The Argentinian market rose by 12.2 per cent to 12,700 deliveries (11,300).

By model, shipped worldwide were:

• 112,600 vehicles of the T model range (107,700; +4.6 per cent)
• 31,200 vehicles of the Crafter series (30,400; +2.8 per cent)
• 92,200 vehicles of the Caddy model range (97,000; -5.0 per cent).
• 48,800 vehicles of the Amarok series (50,500; -3.4 per cent).

USA - Over half of commercial van sales in the US in the first six months of 2015 bought a Ford van.

• More than half of commercial van customers in the United States in the first six months of 2015 bought a Ford van – Transit, Transit Connect or E-Series
• Ford is the fastest-growing brand in the commercial van market, driving 80 percent of the segment’s growth in the first half of 2015, according to Ford analysis of new vehicle registrations from IHS Automotive
• Top-selling commercial van in 47 states is a Ford van

Growing businesses are increasingly turning to Ford commercial vans, making Ford the largest and fastest-growing manufacturer of commercial vans in the United States in the first half of 2015, according to Ford analysis of IHS new vehicle registrations through June.

Ford vans have been America’s best-selling commercial vans for 36 years, helping businesses transport equipment to job sites, shuttle passengers to their destinations and more. 

The new Transit, which went on sale just last summer, can be converted to serve as emergency response vehicles, food trucks and mobile dog grooming studios.

Businesses can choose from 58 vehicle configurations with the introduction of a dual sliding door option on the 2016 Transit van, meaning the vehicle with the most configurations in its class just got even more flexible.

“Transit customers appreciate the van’s flexibility because it can enable them to right-size their vehicle to the needs of their vocation.” says Yaro Hetman, Ford brand manager for Transit, Transit Connect and E-Series. 

“There are 12 ship-through upfitters located within 30 miles of Kansas City Assembly Plant, making it easy and fast for customers to design their Transit vans to serve their business requirements.”

Transit sales success has led Ford to capture 56 percent of the U.S. commercial van market as of June 2015 – up from 48 percent in June 2014, according to IHS new commercial vehicle registration data.

Commercial van sales are increasing as the U.S. economy is growing, and Ford vans drove 80 percent of growth in the segment in the first half of the year, according to Ford analysis of IHS data.

Ford commercial van sales increased 28 percent January through June, while the segment overall grew 11 percent.

Ford vans are top sellers in 47 states, according to Ford analysis of IHS data. Those 47 states represent 99.09% of the U.S. population.

Ford Transit became the best-selling full-size van in America just six months after it went on sale, replacing America’s best-selling van for 35 years, E-Series, first sold in 1961 as Ford Econoline. 

For the 2015 model year, Ford produced more than 100,000 Transit vans, wagons, cutaways and chassis cabs at Kansas City Assembly Plant.

Ford Transit Connect, America’s small commercial van pioneer, has been on sale since 2009 and has reigned as the country’s best-seller in the segment for the last five years. 

Transit Connect leads the small commercial van segment with 69 percent share and is on pace to have another record year, with commercial sales up 43 percent in the first half of 2015.

Audi celebrates 21 years of the A8 with an ultra luxury edition, but on 121 are coming to the UK.

A8 Edition 21 announced with exclusive limited production run and opulent specification

• Available to order now, Audi A8 Edition 21 pricing starts from £72,525 OTR
• First customer deliveries expected in November 2015
• Just 121 cars will be built for UK customers
• Audi exclusive interior highlights reserved specifically for the Edition 21

A little over two decades have passed since the groundbreaking Audi A8 was first introduced, and Audi UK is celebrating the enduring appeal of its luxury saloon with a bespoke model – the Edition 21. 

Incorporating a choice blend of the latest developments in design, technology and luxury from the recently revised A8 range, many of which are fitted as standard exclusively to this version, the A8 Edition 21 will be available in standard and Long Wheelbase formats priced at £72,525 OTR and £76,490 OTR. 

A limited run of just 121 cars is now available to order, and customers can expect first deliveries to begin in November.

A tailored selection of interior and exterior styling enhancements sets this special model apart, starting with the recently introduced Sport styling package.

Creating a look that references the flagship S8 model, it comprises redesigned front and rear bumpers as well as pronounced side sills, and is normally reserved for standard wheelbase A8 models. 

Adaptive Audi Matrix LED headlights – which debuted as an option for the new generation A8 and were the first ever fully digital LED headlights on a series production car – are also fitted as standard in conjunction with LED rear lights and dynamic indicators fore and aft.

Also unique to this model are 20-inch double spoke alloy wheels with a titanium-look finish that complement the four exterior colour options, which include the Daytona grey pearl effect shade that is only normally available for the 520 PS S8.  Privacy glass from the B-pillar rearwards is also standard.

Sumptuous surroundings

Building on the already extensive SE Executive specification which was recently further enhanced for A8 models, the Edition 21 creates an even more rarefied atmosphere through a special interior design package from the Audi exclusive selection. 

Uniquely fitted as standard to this version, the package is available in two striking colour combinations; cognac brown with black contrasting stitching or black leather with red contrasting stitching. 

Comfort front sports seats with memory function, 22-way adjustability and integrated pneumatic lumbar and side bolster support are fitted as standard. 

A black cloth headlining and three-spoke multi-function steering wheel complete the interior enhancements. Illuminated door sill plates bearing the ‘Edition 21’ emblem add another degree of exclusivity.

In terms of infotainment and assistance systems, all Edition 21 models also gain access to the Audi connect portfolio of telephone and internet-based services to complement their HDD-based satellite navigation, plus a BOSE surround sound system in addition to the standard items fitted to SE Executive models. 

These include the Audi parking system advanced with reversing camera, a power-operated boot lid with hands-free opening and powered door closure.

Propelling the A8 Edition 21 is an EU6-compliant 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine which produces 262PS and 580Nm of torque between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. 

Power is channelled to the road via an 8-speed tiptronic transmission linked to quattro permanent all-wheel drive, and acceleration to 62 mph takes a mere 5.9 seconds. For long-wheelbase models, this increases slightly to 6.1 seconds, and both are capable of reaching an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. 

Combined fuel consumption and emissions stand at up to 47.9mpg and CO₂ emissions of 155 g/km in the standard wheelbase, rising to 159g/km and 47.1mpg for long wheelbase models.

Over 20 years of trailblazing technology

The Audi A8 has consistently been at the forefront of the brand’s technological progression since its introduction, and was the platform for the revolutionary Audi Space Frame, making it the world’s first series production car with a unitary aluminium body. The same principle is employed to this day. 

Thanks to its ASF architecture and an intelligent blend of aluminium and high-strength steel, the latest Audi A8 body weighs just 231 kilograms. The same body made entirely from steel would be around 40 per cent heavier.

Another highlight in the A8’s 21-year lineage was the 6.0-litre W12 model of 2001, which at the time was the world’s most powerful production saloon and the first ever saloon to feature a 12-cylinder engine in combination with all-wheel drive. 

A new 6.3-litre version of this engine featuring Cylinder-on-Demand technology continues to deliver 500PS with sublime refinement in the current A8 range.

More recently, the all-LED Matrix headlights fitted to every A8 Edition 21 and Sport model are the latest in a long line of trailblazing lighting innovations introduced in the A8. 

They include adaptive ‘swivelling’ xenon lamps, which debuted in the 2003 model, LED daytime running lights in 2004 and headlights capable of reacting to data received by the navigation system, which arrived in 2010.