22.2% of all cars sold in the UK last year were White, the biggest proportion since records began.

• White is now the UK’s favourite new car colour after a surge in popularity in recent years.
• Almost a quarter of new cars registered in 2014 were white, the highest proportion since records began and up from less than 1% a decade ago.

Figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that white was the most popular colour for new cars registered in the UK in 2014 for the second year running. Of the 2,476,435 new cars registered in 2014, 22.2% were white – representing the highest proportion of white cars registered in any year since records began in 1996.

The colour’s record-breaking popularity follows a strong upturn in the uptake of white cars, over the past decade. In 2010, white cars accounted for just under 10% of new car registrations, making it the sixth most popular car colour, with black and silver cars the best-selling. In 2005, less than 1% of the UK’s new car buyers chose white.

In 2014, black cars took second place followed by grey, taking 19% and 14% of the market respectively. Silver – the second most popular colour in 2010 with almost a quarter of registrations – has now slipped to sixth place, accounting for 13% of the total new car market.

Colour of new cars registered 2014 vs 2010

All white now

White became the UK’s most popular choice in 2013, but for many years it was one of the least-favoured choices of car colour.

Demand for white cars saw exponential growth from 2008 to 2012, with the number of units registered growing from 1.1% in 2007 to 20.9% in 2012.

Best-selling white cars by year

Year	Make	Model	Registrations
1996	Citroën	Xantia	2,489
2000	Vauxhall	Astra	4,775
2005	MINI	MINI	3,827
2010	Fiat	500	13,049
2014	Ford	Fiesta	25,845

Jaguar Land Rover Receives A Special Award For Its Incontroltm Smart Connectivity Technology.

Jaguar Land Rover Receives A Special Award For Its Incontrol^tm Smart Connectivity Technology From Leading German Magazines

• The editors of Auto Bild and Computer Bild gave Jaguar Land Rover their prestigious ‘Pioneer Award’ 2014
• Jaguar Land Rover’s innovative InControl^TM connectivity system has been honoured as part of the ‘Connected Car Award 2014’ reader survey
• The InControl^TM system allows drivers to remotely connect with the car and access the industry-leading InControl Apps^TM to improve the driving experience for both iPhone and Android users

Jaguar Land Rover has been awarded the prestigious ‘Pioneer Award’ for its InControl^TM smart connectivity and infotainment system by two leading German magazines. Editors of Auto Bild and Computer Bild gave the award as part of the reader’s choice “Connected Car Award 2014”.

Dr. Wolfgang Ziebart, Group Engineering Director at Jaguar Land Rover, accepted the award and said: “We are very proud to receive such an important technology award in Germany. It will inspire our engineers to develop even more innovative and pioneering technology to delight our Jaguar and Land Rover customers around the world. It is a great honour for Jaguar Land Rover to be recognised as an automotive company at the cutting edge of innovation.”

The InControl Apps^TMsystem enables the driver to remotely connect with the car, to view information and give the car instructions from their phone such as remote locking, checking fuel levels, or even heating or cooling the car before you get to it.

A suite of supported apps, such as calendars, parking space finder and infotainment tools, allows drivers and passengers to connect to information and entertainment to improve the driving experience. 

Each of these apps has been optimised in their display and functionality to make them controllable via the car’s touchscreen and voice, to minimise distraction and make them ‘Right for Driving’. It is like having your smartphone installed in your dashboard.

Auto Bild recognised how Jaguar Land Rover has created an innovative, cross-platform way for customers to connect to their car. Auto Bild said:

“Jaguar Land Rover has developed its own system that supports both Android and iOS (iPhone) operating systems. InControl^TM Remote also enables remote control of various vehicle functions via the apps system."

Developed in cooperation with technology partner BOSCH SoftTech, InControl Apps^TM is a bridge between the smartphone and the car. It helps customers to seamlessly control their apps from their car – and their car from their phone.

Jaguar Land Rover was at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this month, where Seeing Machines demonstrated its cutting-edge Driver Monitor System (DMS) in a Jaguar F-Type prototype on the Intel stand. 

The innovative system tracks the driver’s eyes and alerts the driver when they aren’t looking at the road, even if they are wearing sunglasses. DMS could be used to alert the driver to hazards earlier, or even enhance the settings of on-board safety systems, to reflect the driver's lack of attention.

Citroën's C4 Cactus wins coveted ‘Most Beautiful Interior’ prize at 30th International Automobile Festival.

• 30^th International Automobile Festival has given Citroën C4 Cactus ‘Most Beautiful Interior’ prize
• Linda Jackson, CEO of the Citroën brand, collected the prestigious award
• Original Cactus concept & C-Elysée, the winner of the 2014 FIA World Touring Car Championship, are on display at the festival until 1 February

The New Citroën C4 Cactus has scooped the ‘Most Beautiful Interior’ of the year prize at the 30^th International Automobile Festival in Paris. Linda Jackson, CEO of the Citroën brand, collected the award.

Every year, the International Automobile Festival features a display of concept cars, celebrates automotive design and pays tribute to the year’s finest automotive and artistic achievements. Prizes are awarded by a jury of experts and enthusiasts from the worlds of motorsport, architecture, fashion, design, culture and media.

The judging panel, chaired this year by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, awarded the New Citroën C4 Cactus with the ‘Most Beautiful Interior’ honour. The award goes to the production model with the most relevant design approach in terms of the harmony of shapes, materials and colours.

This accolade recognises the work of the interior design teams at Citroën. The interior of the Citroën C4 Cactus has a de-cluttered dashboard for a more comfortable cabin environment. It is this approach that won over the judges.

The interior is both stylish and functional, with special storage compartments and details, such as suitcase-style straps on the doors. The slimline, floating dashboard is topped by a large and easily accessible storage area created by transferring the front passenger airbag to the ceiling. Comfortable seats sport a sofa-inspired design, while the 7-inch touchscreen groups the majority of the car’s controls.

In addition to the judging panel, the Citroën C4 Cactus has already won over a considerable number of customers, totalling more than 42,000 orders in 2014.

The International Automobile Festival is open to the public until 1 February at the Hôtel National des Invalides, Paris. On display is the original Cactus concept car, which preceded the C4 Cactus production model, and the C-Elysée, the winner of the 2014 FIA World Touring Car Championship.

1955-2015: DS celebrates it's 60th Anniversary at Retromobile.

In its first year as a brand in its own right, DS will be at the 40th Rétromobile show in Paris next week, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the original 1955 DS. From 4 to 8 February 2015, car lovers can enjoy a stroll around the DS area at the Parisian Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre for an enthralling look back at the legendary DS. The DS exhibition, organised with support from the Amicales Citroën* associations along with DS and SM** enthusiasts' clubs, will include five prestige period models, plus one of the latest arrivals for the DS brand, DS 3 Cabrio, in Ultra Prestige form.

The Rétromobile show in Paris is a major international fixture on the vintage car calendar. The event celebrates its 40^th anniversary as the original DS marks 60 years since its début appearance at the 1955 Paris Motor Show.

In its first year as a brand in its own right, DS has an area at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre, providing an enthralling look back at the legend that is DS. The DS exhibition, organised with invaluable support from Citroën enthusiasts' clubs, will feature five period models plus one of the latest arrivals in the DS brand line-up, DS 3 Cabrio Ultra Prestige.

The period cars on show will provide visitors with an insight into the exceptional heritage that inspires today's DS brand in its quest to offer customers the very best in design, technology, comfort, driving experience, quality materials and outstanding attention to detail.

The stars of the show are:

• DS 19 from 1959, in its original configuration, with a grey-rosé body, aubergine roof, and royal blue interior. This model, adapted for export to Germany, features an engine temperature gauge on the dashboard plus an FM/LW radio. The three-main-bearing engine is coupled with a four-speed gearbox with hydraulic control.
• DS 21 Cabriolet from 1968, with a hydraulic-control gearbox. The superb finish on this exceptionally elegant model extends to red leather upholstery, contrasting with the Carrare white body.
• DS 20 Pallas from 1973, a top-end luxury model featuring tobacco leather upholstery, beige Tholonet bodywork, tinted windows and even a sunroof. The 1985 cm³  engine is mated to a hydraulically controlled four-speed synchromesh gearbox.
• SM Coupé from 1971, previously owned by King Hassan II of Morocco. This model features metallic beige paintwork, special registration plates, natural leather upholstery, air conditioning, a Continental Edison Hi-Fi radio specific to this model, tinted windows and fog lamps. The engine is a Maserati V6.
• SM Coupé from 1972, a model with a Scarabée brown body and light brown upholstery. In addition to the self-levelling hydraulic suspension, similar to that on the DS, this car also boasts Citroën's innovative DIRAVI ‘power-assisted return’ steering, for exceptional driveability.

Alongside these iconic cars, visitors will also be able to admire the DS 3 Cabrio Ultra Prestige on the show stand.

Rétromobile opens to the public on Wednesday 4 February 2015, with the DS showroom in Hall 1.

*The Amicales Citroën organisations comprise L’Amicale des Clubs Citroën France and L’Amicale Citroën Internationale, associations whose mission is to coordinate the operations of enthusiasts' clubs with the Citroën and DS brands.

**The clubs contributing to Rétromobile 2015 are: DS ID Club de France, Idéale DS France, DS Club Révolution 55, Le Monde de la DS, SM Club de France, Euro SM Club, and Club automobile André Citroën.

Vauxhall launches "Camo-net for new Corsa to "Tone down" the bright colours (This is a joke BTW, I think)

Vauxhall Motors has launched a new accessory for Corsa drivers hounded for owning one of the UK’s best loved small cars.  The ‘Corsa Camo-net’ will be available to use across the season’s must-have colours – Flaming Yellow, Flame Red, Lime Green and Chilli Orange – and will hide both Corsa 3 and 5-door models.

The essential accessory has been designed specifically for use near National Trust premises and chocolate box Cotswold villages.  Quick and easy to operate, the ‘Corsa Camo-net’ will fold up easily into a back-pack or the boot of a vehicle, so ideal for use in the countryside by ramblers and tourists who want to park close to their destination. 

Andy Robson, Aftersales Director, Vauxhall Motors, warned: “We advise drivers to always remove the ‘Corsa Camo-net’ prior to driving the car, to avoid being a hazard to other drivers.  We’re looking to extend the range across other carlines depending on demand.  Drivers can locate their vehicle using their remote fob to operate the lights.”

Pamela Meegan, a Vauxhall Corsa driver from the picturesque town of Luton (Now I know they are joking - TMW) said: “I love the ‘Corsa Camo-net’, I will use it every day to keep my neighbours at bay.  I believe they suffer from a deep-rooted jealousy as my new Corsa looks great from every angle.  It’s sporty, sharp and dynamic with real attitude.”

Development of the new accessory from Vauxhall Motors was prompted after tourists visiting the picturesque village of Bibury in Gloucestershire complained that a yellow Vauxhall Corsa ‘ruined’ the view and photographs of the Cotswold village.  The photo-bombed pictures picked on local-resident 82-year old, Peter Maddow who uses the car for grocery shopping in the nearby village.  Peter Maddow will be receiving a ‘Corsa Camo-net’, free-of-charge from Vauxhall Motors.

Vauxhall Motors recently launched its bold all-new Corsa campaign.  The ‘A to Z of Corsa’, is an affectionate nod and rebellious take on the Vauxhall Corsa, which has sold over 1.8 million vehicles in its 22 years on the road.

The ‘A to Z of Corsa’ accelerates viewers through a whirlwind of alphabetic themed scenes.  Illustrating everyday British life and driving scenarios from boxers, cricket and dogs, to quiffs, roundabouts, snogging and tea, the ad follows people through their own personal road trips. The soundtrack, ‘There’s a beast and we all feed it’, by Jake Bugg is used across the campaign.

Tesla opens 20th charging station in the United Kingdom.

Tesla opens its 20^th Supercharger station in the UK, continuing the rapid expansion of the fast-charging network to enable long-distance travel in Tesla’s all-electric vehicles. Tesla Superchargers span routes from Exeter to Edinburgh, allowing access to Europe. Today’s announcement puts Tesla on course for full UK coverage by the end of 2015.

Today, Supercharger stations are available at Sainsbury’s supermarkets in Winchester, Exeter and Bristol. Tesla also recently opened stations at Junction 15 of the M1 near Northampton and Brent Cross shopping centre in North London.

Recent UK charging stations

Other Charging Stations

Model S is the world’s first premium electric sedan. It has a range of 312 miles per charge (according to its NEDC rating), which is more than enough to cover daily commutes and the majority of daily driving scenarios. Tesla Superchargers replenish half a charge in as little as 20 minutes and are conveniently placed along well-travelled routes to enable long-distance travel.

Tesla has energised more than 300 Supercharger stations and more than 1,600 Superchargers worldwide, making it both the largest and the fastest-growing fast-charging network in the world. In Europe, there are 129 Supercharger stations with over 670 Superchargers, extending from northern Norway to Italy and Slovenia. 

The Jaguar XE named ‘Most Beautiful Car of 2014’ at Festival Automobile International in Paris

• The Jaguar XE has been named ‘Most Beautiful Car of 2014’ at Festival Automobile International in Paris
• Jaguar Director of Design Ian Callum was presented the award at a ceremony held on January 27 at the Hotel des Invalides, in front of 600 VIPs and more than 60 media
• The XE will be on show at the ‘Concept Car Exposition’ of Festival Automobile International from January 28 until February 1 alongside 18 concept cars, including Jaguar Project 7
• The Jaguar XE was first revealed at the Paris Motor Show in October 2014 and is available to order in the UK now, from £26,995 on the road

At the 30^th edition of the Festival Automobile International in Paris, the Jaguar XE was awarded ‘Most Beautiful Car of 2014’. Jaguar Director of Design Ian Callum collected the award in front of a crowd of 600 VIPs and more than 60 media.

The award is decided by a public vote, with more than 100,000 votes cast across 59 countries. Beating competition from the Mazda MX-5, Mercedes C-Class Estate and Fiat 500X, the Jaguar XE took victory with 28% of the votes.

From the morning of 28 January, the Festival Automobile International continues in Paris with a four-day exhibition at the Hotel des Invalides, where the Jaguar XE will be showcased alongside 18 concept cars, including Jaguar Project 7. More than 40,000 visitors are expected to attend.

This is the XE’s second French award since the Paris Motor Show in October 2014, where it was crowned ‘Best Production Car’ by Auto Plus magazine and the listeners of French radio station, RTL.

Jaguar Land Rover launches new & bespoke training programme to help Ex-Servicemen.

• Jaguar Land Rover launches a new and bespoke training programme to help Early Service Leavers seek employment
• 10 Midlands based ex-military personnel join the first programme at the automotive company’s Solihull manufacturing plant
• Training programme reflects Jaguar Land Rover’s commitment to the skills agenda and reinforces legacy to former service personnel following the Invictus Games

Jaguar Land Rover, the UK’s largest automotive employer, has launched the first cohort of a new and bespoke training course for ex-military personnel.

10 candidates began the new training course this week at the automotive manufacturer’s Solihull plant, designed to give them confidence and employability skills which will help them secure employment. The 10, who are currently unemployed since leaving the services, all hope to secure employment and will be encouraged to apply for the recently-announced 1,300 job vacancies at the plant once the six week course has been completed.

During the course, participants will spend four weeks in the plant’s Education Business Partnership Centre completing relevant qualifications to prepare them for working in the engineering and manufacturing industry, and employability skills. They will then complete a two week work experience placement in the plant’s brand new, world-class manufacturing facilities which will produce the new Jaguar XE to gain an insight into career opportunities in advanced manufacturing.

One participating candidate - Michael Connolly, aged 19, from Chelmsley Wood in Birmingham, said: “I spent three years as a Private in the Infantry and left as my contract had finished. All I have known is the Infantry and it’s daunting to know how to find another career in the civilian world. I am really excited about what Jaguar Land Rover has to offer and I hope to one day climb the career ladder with them.”

Jaguar Land Rover’s new, industry first ‘Inspiring Tomorrow’s Workforce: Military' programme addresses the social and economic issues of high unemployment among former service personnel.

24,000 ex-military left the forces in 2014 and thousands more are expected to leave this year. Many of these will be Early Service Leavers, who depart before completing four years’ service with no or few military qualifications and little civilian work experience, which can make it more difficult for them to find work.

The ‘Inspiring Tomorrow’s Workforce: Military’ programme has been developed by Jaguar Land Rover’s education partner Birmingham Metropolitan College to help Early Service Leavers prepare for jobs in the automotive sector. The course builds on the company’s ‘Inspiring Tomorrow’s Workforce’ traineeship programme which offers dedicated training for unemployed young people, aged 16 to 24, who have struggled to find a job.

Alan Volkaerts, Operations Director at Solihull, commented: “Already at Jaguar Land Rover we have recruited over 100 ex-military personnel in the last year, the majority here in Solihull. They have valuable skills that can be directly transferred to the automotive industry. Through working with ex-military staff and helping them strengthen their employability skills and relevant work experience, we can make a positive contribution to society as well as increasing the talent pool for our growing business.”

Jaguar Land Rover developed its traineeship and military courses as part of its Business in the Community ‘Responsible Business of the Year’ legacy programme, which aims to make a significant, long-term impact on local and global communities. Jaguar Land Rover was the first ever manufacturer to win the UK’s top responsible business award in July 2013 for placing sustainability at the heart of its business strategy. 

Jaguar Land Rover is proud to be signed up to the Armed Forces corporate covenant which supports the reintegration of the military forces into successful civilian careers and supports a wide range of events linked to the military.