The UK Commercial Vehicle sales at home declined but were more than offset by double digit export growth.

UK COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MANUFACTURING

• UK CV manufacturing broadly stable as volumes fall marginally by -0.7% in September.
• Double-digit growth in export demand offsets -18.0% decline in the domestic market.
• Year-to-date performance down -2.9%, as the market settles following strong 2015.

UK commercial vehicle (CV) manufacturing saw a slight decline in September, according to latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 9,742 CVs were built in Britain last month, down -0.7% compared with September 2015, when production more than doubled.

A significant increase in overseas demand, driven by ongoing recovery in continental European markets, saw production for export rise 16.5%, counterbalancing an -18% fall in output for the home market, a trend seen through 2016 following a particularly busy year for fleet renewal in 2015.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “The drop in production last month comes as no surprise following the regulatory changes last year which significantly altered fleet renewal patterns. Despite the decline, the sector is broadly stable, with output remaining at a high level. Maintaining the competitive trading conditions currently delivered through membership of the single market and which underpin the strength of the sector will be critical to future performance.”

UK SALES MARCH - Renault van sales grow by a significant 20.8% in the month and remains Europe's #1

• Renault van sales up 20.8 per cent to 6,618 vehicles in Q1 2016
• Renault van market share grows to 6.6 per cent
• Renault has been Europe’s number one LCV manufacturer for eighteen years

Renault van sales in the UK grew by 20.8 per cent to 6,618 vehicles in the first quarter of 2016, in a van market that slightly decreased by 0.5 per cent, according to official figures released today from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 

LCV market share for the first quarter stood at 6.6 per cent – up 1.2 percentage points on 2015.

With a full year of sales under its belt in 2015, the award-winning Trafic has proved popular with business users across the UK with 4,489 of the third generation model being sold in the UK in the quarter – up 36.6 per cent on the same period in 2015. Renault’s growth in the van market builds upon a record year for LCV sales in the UK last year.

Commenting on the results, Darren Payne, Sales Director, Groupe Renault UK, said: “Renault has seen superb growth in vans in the first quarter of 2016. Our current performance reflects Renault’s ever-increasing appeal in the UK van market with our offering of an innovative and efficient range of vans, supported by our growing business-focused Renault Pro+ network, and continues to aid in the delivery of our GO5+ mid-term plan objectives.”

The Renault LCV range consists of the Kangoo compact van comprising of Kangoo, Kangoo Maxi and all-electric Kangoo van Z.E, the Trafic panel van, available in both Passenger and high-roof bodystyles as well as the large Master van in Passenger, Panel and Crew Van specifications. A comprehensive range of converted LCV products are also available to order, built by Renault and Renault-approved coachbuilders. The all-electric Twizy Cargo quadricycle is also a part of the LCV line-up – a unique way of transporting smaller items around urban environments.

Renault has been Europe’s number one LCV manufacturer for the last eighteen consecutive years and was Europe’s number on electric van manufacturer in 2015.

USA - Nissan has announced pricing for teh new Frontier Pick Up Mid-Sized truck.

Nissan today announced U.S. pricing for the 2016 Nissan Frontier mid-size pickup, which is on sale now at Nissan dealers nationwide.

The Nissan Frontier continues to be a leader in the mid-size truck segment, combining premium hardware, extraordinary power and an exceptional level of on- and off-road performance.  Frontier's Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price* starts at $18,090 USD (Frontier S King Cab 4x2 I4 5MT).

Enhancements for 2016 include the addition of three new exterior colors: Forged Copper, Gun Metallic and Magnetic Black (eight colors total). Also, a Moonroof Package is added to Frontier Crew Cab SV model.

Frontier again offers a choice of two powerplants: a 4.0-liter DOHC V6 engine rated at 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque or a 152-horsepower 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine (King Cab only).

The 2016 Frontier is offered in both King Cab and Crew Cab body styles and in 4x2 and 4x4 driveline configurations, along with five trim grades: Frontier S (4-cylinder and V6), SV, PRO-4X (4x4 only), Desert Runner (4x2 V6 only) and SL (Crew Cab only).

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices* (MSRP) for the 2016 Nissan Frontier King Cab:

Model/Drive/Engine/Transmission
Frontier S King Cab 4x2 I4 5MT	$18,090 USD
Frontier S King Cab 4x2 I4 5AT	$20,760 USD
Frontier SV King Cab 4x2 I4 5MT	$21,980 USD
Frontier SV King Cab 4x2 I4 5AT	$23,030 USD
Frontier SV King Cab 4x2 V6 5AT	$23,740 USD
Frontier Desert Runner King Cab 4x2 V6 5AT	$24,320 USD
Frontier SV King Cab 4x4 V6 5AT	$26,440 USD
Frontier PRO-4X King Cab 4x4 V6 6MT	$31,880 USD

^{Destination and Handling $860 USD}

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices* (MSRP) for the 2016 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab:

Model/Drive/Wheelbase/Engine/Transmission
Frontier S Crew Cab 4x2 SWB V6 6MT	$22,800 USD
Frontier S Crew Cab 4x2 SWB V6 5AT	$23,850 USD
Frontier SV Crew Cab 4x2 SWB V6 5AT	$24,760 USD
Frontier Desert Runner Crew Cab 4x2 SWB V6 5AT	$25,640 USD
Frontier SV Crew Cab 4x2 LWB V6 5AT	$25,480 USD
Frontier SL Crew Cab 4x2 SWB V6 5AT	$31,510 USD
Frontier S Crew Cab 4x4 SWB V6 5AT	$26,550 USD
Frontier SV Crew Cab 4x4 SWB V6 6MT	$28,710 USD
Frontier SV Crew Cab 4x4 SWB V6 5AT	$27,760 USD
Frontier SV Crew Cab 4x4 LWB V6 5AT	$28,180 USD
Frontier PRO-4X Crew Cab 4x4SWB V6 6MT	$31,640 USD
Frontier PRO-4X Crew Cab 4x4 SWB V6 5AT	$32,690 USD
Frontier SL Crew Cab 4x4 SWB V6 5AT	$34,160 USD
Frontier SL Crew Cab 4x4 LWB V6 5AT	$35,410 USD

^{Destination and Handling $860 USD}

USA - GMC updates the Sierra Elevation Edition for Model Year 2016, and in all Black, it looks stunning.

Sport appearance wears new front-end design, latest connectivity technologies

The popular GMC Sierra Elevation Edition returns for 2016 with the styling enhancements and other features new to the entire Sierra 1500 lineup – including revised front-end styling with new, high-intensity discharge projector-beam headlamps and GMC Signature LED lighting.

The Elevation Edition – available on Sierra double cab – has a street-smart stance, thanks to body-color moldings, door handles, mirror caps and a body-color grille surround, as well as body-color bumpers. It also rolls on 20-inch black-painted aluminum wheels and is further enhanced with new Elevation Edition badging.

“The Sierra Elevation Edition offers a boldly styled pickup for customers who want a truck that looks as good as it performs,” said Duncan Aldred, U.S. vice president, Buick and GMC. “With its muscular design details, inherent truck capabilities and premium technology features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, Sierra Elevation improves on an already comprehensive package.”

Inside Sierra Elevation Edition, the latest technology helps drivers stay connected at all times. A new radio with a 7-inch-diagonal screen incorporates CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration capability, which gives drivers the ability to make calls, send and receive messages and control music from the IntelliLink touchscreen. Additionally, OnStar 4G LTE and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot allow continuous connectivity for up to seven personal devices.

All Sierra Elevation Edition models include remote keyless entry, remote locking tailgate, outside heated power-adjustable mirrors, a 110-volt AC power outlet, black recovery hooks, a six-speaker audio system and more.

A standard 4.3L EcoTec3 V-6 engine delivers 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque with a highway fuel economy of 24 mpg. An available 5.3L EcoTec3 V-8 produces 355 horsepower – and offers up to 9,400 pounds of trailering capacity (2WD). Customers can choose two- or four-wheel drive and the Eaton locking rear differential is standard with both.

All-terrain tires, a Rear Vision camera system, trailering equipment and XM Radio are available on all models.

The new GMC Sierra Elevation Edition goes on sale in the first quarter of 2016.

USA RECALL - FORD - The Blue Oval recalls over 26,000 F-650 & F-750 trucks for possible seatbeat issues.

Ford Motor Company is issuing a safety compliance recall for approximately 26,400 2011-2013 and 2015 model year F-650 and F-750 vehicles in North America for a safety compliance issue with FMVSS 210 regarding seat belt anchorage. 

In these vehicles, the front passenger and center seat belts might not be anchored in the correct position relative to the seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue. Affected vehicles include certain F-650 and F-750 vehicles built at Escobedo Assembly Plant Feb. 14, 2011 through April 28, 2015.

There are 25,941 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories and 417 in Canada.

Due to the significant number of cab and seat configurations for these vehicles, service procedures are still being developed in an effort to provide a service fix as quickly as possible.

Ford's All-new Aluminium F-150 earns the very first 'Top Safety Pick' award for any pick up truck.

Ford’s all-new F-150, the toughest, smartest, most capable and safest F-150 ever is the first pickup in America to earn an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick for its SuperCrew model.

The new Ford F-150 is also the only full-size, light-duty truck in the industry to earn the government’s highest possible 5-star rating for the driver and passenger for all crash test modes and cab configurations – SuperCrew, SuperCab and Regular Cab.

The excellent crash test performance of the new Ford F-150 is enabled by its up to 700-pound weight savings through the use of high-strength steel in the frame; high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy in the body; and smart engineering.

A cross-functional group comprised of Ford truck product development veterans and researchers worked to optimize vehicle weight savings and manufacturing design to deliver improved durability, capability, fuel economy and crashworthiness. 

The team created 31 safety-related innovations including new structures, materials and joining methods that were tested virtually with supercomputer simulations, then retested in Ford’s advanced laboratories to engineer the safest F-150 ever.

Breakthrough innovation also applies to the reparability of the new F-150, thanks to its innovative modular structure that simplifies repairs.

Ford does not agree with the reparability costs and findings by IIHS and other stunts.  

Ford’s view is based on real-world accident repair data. In fact, real-world repair costs on the new 2015 Ford F-150 average $869 less than last year’s F-150 model, according to Assured Performance, an independent body shop certification company that works with leading automakers.

Insurance companies also agree with the new F-150’s repair costs – with both Allstate and State Farm saying insurance costs for the new F-150 will remain comparable with 2014 models.

USA - Ford to re-Introduce the Limited line to the F-150 Pick Up Truck range from the 2016 Model Year.

Ford Motor Co. is responding to surging demand for high-end pickups by introducing a Limited version of the F-150 that will start at about $60,000 and likely top $70,000 when loaded with options.

The F-150 Limited, which Ford is unveiling today in Los Angeles, will go on sale this winter as a 2016 model. Its features include 22-inch polished aluminum wheels, Mojave leather seats and interior accents made of aluminum and fiddleback eucalyptus. Each truck’s production number is laser-engraved in a VIN plate on the center console lid.

“The F-150 Limited sets a new bar for what discerning customers should expect in a high-end truck,” Raj Nair, Ford’s product development chief, said in a statement. “We’re adding segment-exclusive technology, and features that improve productivity, convenience and capability with distinctive style.”

Ford offered a Limited trim on the 2013 and 2014 F-150, at a starting price of about $53,000, but discontinued it when introducing the aluminum-bodied 2015 model.

In the first half of this year, Ford said 60 percent of F-series sales were so-called high-series trims: Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum. As a result, the truck’s average transaction price has jumped 9 percent to $44,100 from a year ago.

Though the Limited trim isn't expected to sell in large numbers, it gives Ford another way to maximize revenue from the hugely profitable F-series lineup. Its starting price is about $10,000 more than that of the Chevrolet Silverado High Country, $8,000 more than a Ram 1500 Limited and the same as a BMW X6.

Exact pricing will be announced later this summer.

“There’s a lot of people who buy trucks as both a work tool and a status symbol,” said Karl Brauer, senior director of insights for Kelley Blue Book. “You have a lot of wealthy businesspeople who have the money to buy an extremely capable and extremely luxurious truck. It’s not any financial stretch for these people to spend 50 or 70 grand.”

Ford sold about 190,000 F series for more than $50,000 last year, TrueCar estimated, outselling BMW’s 3, 5 and 7 series combined and the entire Audi brand.

The F-150 Limited will have a 3.5-liter, EcoBoost V-6 engine, which is a $400 option on the King Ranch and Platinum trims. It will have a unique grille, raised “Limited” lettering on the hood and a satin-chrome exterior accents. The interior contains massaging front seats, a Sony 10-speaker sound system and scuff plates with “ice blue” backlighting.

Nick Bunkley

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