Three new SsangYong dealerships appointed as the expansion continues apace.

Three new SsangYong dealerships appointed in Kings Lynn, Reading and Worthing

A further three new dealers have joined the SsangYong network in key locations that include Kings Lynn, Reading and Worthing.

The new appointments are:

• Charters Group - Reading
• Clarion Cars - Worthing
• Marriott Motor Group - Kings Lynn

“The arrival of Tivoli and Tivoli XLV has driven significant interest in securing our franchise.  With sales up 34% in 2016 vs 2015 and four all-new models in the pipeline, we appeal to all dealer profiles, from the regional dealer group to the independent used car business.  Everyone is talking to us,” says Paul Williams, CEO of SsangYong Motor UK.

“Confidence in SsangYong has grown steadily as our sales performance indicates, and we are delighted to be engaging with new partners, all of whom recognise the straightforward business model and focus on dealer profitability.

“Our six-model range encompasses small, medium and large SUVs plus a 7-seater people carrier and a 1 tonne double cab pick-up, all backed by an industry leading 5-year limitless mileage warranty.  There are huge opportunities to go after, and as our volumes grow, so too does brand awareness,” added Mr Williams.

SsangYong is actively looking for dealers to represent the brand in a number of locations, and current open points include: Aberdeen, Blackpool, Bristol, Cambridge, Dundee, Hull, Inverness, Liverpool, North Birmingham, Nottingham and Taunton.

The new Volvo S90 & V90 will be unveiled in the UK this week at two exclusive Scandinavian pop-up shops

The new Volvo S90 and V90 will be unveiled to the UK public from this week at two exclusive Scandinavian pop-up shops in Reading and Glasgow shopping centres.

From Tuesday 5^th April to Sunday 17^th April, customers in The Oracle in Reading and Silverburn in Glasgow will get a chance to relax in a Scandinavian cafe and enjoy traditional Swedish Fika*, while experiencing first-hand the look and feel of Volvo’s two new premium cars that will be available in UK dealerships later this year.

Joining the S90 and V90 will be the all-new XC90 launched last year – crowned SUV of the Year at the UK Car of the Year Awards in 2016 and Auto Express’s 2015 Car of the Year.

S90

The S90 saloon has already won the accolade of Production Car Design of the Year 2015, voted for by a panel of professional car designers from around the world. Equipped with a host of new technologies, ranging from cutting-edge safety to cloud-based apps and services, the S90 is further proof of the Swedish brand’s continuing transformation. The S90 will also come with a clean and powerful T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain and one of the most luxuriously appointed interiors and connected infotainment systems in the large saloon segment. The S90 is on sale now priced at £32,555 for delivery in autumn 2016.

V90

The stylish and versatile V90 estate is the latest in Volvo’s top-of-the-line 90 series models, sitting alongside the award-winning XC90 SUV and S90 saloon. Building on Volvo’s heritage in the estate segment, the new V90 takes the premium estate a clear step forward in terms of aesthetics, materials and finish, while living up to the ultimately practical nature of any true estate. The V90 is on sale now priced at £34,555 for delivery in autumn 2016.

Both the S90 and V90 come equipped with the intuitive 9-inch touch screen centre console as debuted on the XC90, the same stylish Scandinavian design features as well as an upgraded Pilot Assist programme – a semi-autonomous drive technology that will steer, accelerate and brake the car at speeds of up to 80mph – all fitted as standard.

XC90

The all-new XC90 is a fusion of clean Scandinavian design and luxurious exterior and interior details married with outstanding levels of technology, safety, performance and economy. It features a relaxing and spacious seven-seat cabin trimmed in high-quality natural materials such as soft leather, Scandinavian wood and crystal glass. The XC90’s central portrait-style touch screen includes pinch, zoom and swipe functionality to control the heating, in-car entertainment, navigation, phone and car set-up. 

Volvo pop-up shops – locations and times

The Oracle, Reading – www.theoracle.com – the Volvo pop-up shop will be located on the lower mall, next to Superdry and opposite the Hollister store. Opening hours will be as follows:

Weekdays:  09:30 – 20:00

Saturday:    09:00 – 19:00

Sunday       11:00 – 17:00 

Silverburn, Glasgow – www.shopsilverburn.com – the Volvo pop-up shop will be located near to Superdry, Debenhams and Swarovski. Opening hours will be as follows:

Weekdays:   10:00 – 21:00

Saturday:     09:00 – 19:00

Sunday:       10:00 – 19:00 

For more information on the S90, V90 and XC90, please visit www.volvocars.co.uk  

* Fika is considered a social institution in Sweden; it means having a break, most often a coffee and sweet treats, with one’s colleagues, friends or family. It’s more than your usual coffee break – it’s a cultural institution.

Aston Martin Continues new dealership push in the UK with a new dealer in Pangbourne.

• New Aston Martin dealership open in Pangbourne, near Reading
• Facility becomes H.R. Owen’s second Aston Martin UK location
• Prime site offers new and used sales, aftersales and servicing workshop

Aston Martin has opened its latest new dealership in the UK in Pangbourne, Reading, as dealer partner H.R. Owen further extends its longstanding association with the luxury British sports car maker.

The new dealership, officially opened last night by General Manager Claus Andersen, complements H. R. Owen’s existing Cheltenham business. The state-of-the-art facility features luxurious showrooms for new and pre-owned Aston Martin sports cars, a dedicated after sales team and a workshop staffed by world-class Gaydon-trained technicians.

Located in a prime position close to both the M40 and M4 motorways, the showroom opening was attended by invited guests and key members of the Aston Martin senior executive team including Marek Reichman, Chief Creative Officer; Ian Minards, Director of Product Development; Christian Marti, Director of Sales Operations and Marcus Blake, General Manager, UK & South Africa.

Christian Marti said: “I am very happy indeed to welcome H.R. Owen Reading to the strong and growing Aston Martin UK dealer network. With the unveiling just last week of exciting new cars such as the fantastic DBX Concept, Aston Martin Vulcan and our new GT3 racing inspired special edition Vantage at the Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin is looking forward to a bright and successful second century. H.R. Owen’s decision to extend their association with us very clearly underlines their commitment to our brand.”

Mamad Kashani-Akhavan Chief Executive of H.R. Owen commented: “At H.R. Owen we pride ourselves on representing the finest marques in the world and the chance to extend our partnership with Aston Martin is an opportunity we’re delighted to have been offered. The performance of our existing business at Cheltenham, and the loyal customer base we’ve built over the years, is something we intend to replicate at our Reading site. The team and I look forward to welcoming Aston Martin owners in the area into the H.R. Owen family.”

I hope you can read quickly, the new TV Ad from Honda requires it, watch it here, its fun.

A new campaign from Honda (UK) launches on Thursday 19th February, challenging viewers to echo the brand’s thirst for relentless improvement by pushing themselves to new limits.

Honda believes that by pushing themselves, everyone can surpass their own perceived limits. This philosophy is the foundation behind the brand, and has been fundamental in the development of Honda’s new range of products and continuing innovations: Honda is committed to finding out what its products are capable of by continually pushing its vehicles and technology to the limit. 

During 2015 Honda will launch several new products, each developed with this very spirit. Featured in the advert alongside ASIMO and Honda Jet are the new Honda Jazz, HR-V, Civic Type R and NSX, offering a glimpse into the exciting range of models set to join the marque’s fleet.

Rather than just telling the story of Honda’s pioneering spirit and commitment to progress, the campaign challenges viewers’ reading speed, allowing them to feel the joy of improvement for themselves. A manifesto is delivered one word at a time, with the pace increasing throughout the film, intercut with glimpses of the new Honda fleet, which are all born from the company’s challenging spirit.

A 40” TV spot directed by Man Vs Machine, which will air on Sky Sports on Thursday 19^th February during the UEFA Europa League match between Liverpool vs Beşiktaş, invites viewers to “keep up” with a message on screen, becoming increasingly difficult as the pace of the words increases to a crescendo. At approximately 500 words per minute, the fast-paced message proves that everyone is capable of achieving more than they initially thought. The energetic soundtrack, composed by Wah Wah with sound design by Factory, was created to further encourage the viewer to keep up.

Viewers are challenged to push themselves even further online through shorter – and even faster – executions of the film, and in cinemas, custom film-themed ads will run in partnership with Pearl & Dean. 

Martin Moll, Honda Motor Europe Head of Marketing said “Since day one, Honda has been fuelled by a relentless desire for improvement and constant drive for innovation. This year is a special one, with the launch of several key new products. With this campaign, we wanted to bring this to life in a way that our consumers could really engage with, by experiencing the feeling for themselves.”

Olivia Dunn, Honda UK, Head of Marketing commented “Normal speech is on average 120 words per minute, viewers will need to read at speeds up to 1000 words per minute in our faster shorter online films, which is definitely going to be a challenge whilst at the same time being fun.  These films echo the Honda ethos in all areas of business: challenging and pushing boundaries whilst being fun - the elements required to design and build the exciting new Honda product line-up for 2015.”

Scott Dungate, Creative Director at W+K London says “When you push and push yourself and reach a new level, it feels good. We wanted to give people that same feeling when they read our manifesto about Honda’s relentless improvement. So we challenged them to ‘keep up.’"