Lister of Cambridge has announced p,ans to make 10 road legal Knobbly sports cars.

• More than 60 years after its race debut, the Lister Motor Company reveals road legal version of its landmark Knobbly
• Lister Knobbly is the first original specification continuation car to be fully eligible for IVA type approval
• Built at George Lister Engineering in Cambridge, using the original chassis jigs
• Three original engineers brought out of retirement to oversee construction
• First deliveries due in June 2018.

The Lister Motor Company has announced the first ever dedicated road-going version of the legendary Lister Knobbly sports racer.

More than 60 years after the original Lister Knobbly first raced, this celebrated competition car – one of the most successful in motor racing history – can finally be driven legally on the public highway.

Uniquely, the Lister Motor Company is the only manufacturer making original specification continuation cars that are eligible for IVA type approval and therefore fully-legal for registration and road use. Other continuation specials built by larger marques are strictly limited to track use only due to the higher volume of the vehicles they produce.

Unlike some ‘replica’ or ‘retro’ sports cars, the Lister Knobbly is not a classic shape on top of modern mechanicals. Beneath its hand-beaten aluminium body is a six-cylinder Jaguar 3.8-litre engine and four-speed gearbox, which is almost identical to the D-Type powerplants fitted in the 1950s.

Engines are built using all-new remanufactured parts around original Jaguar blocks, assembled by experts from Crosthwaite & Gardiner. Despite the ‘old school’ technology the engine is still capable of an impressive 330bhp – enough to power the 787kg Knobbly to 181mph and accelerate from 0-60mph in just 4.3 seconds

The tubular chassis is made from seamless engineering tube using the original jigs, and all welds are pressure tested to ensure integrity. The aluminium body panels alone take around 500 hours to beat into the Knobbly’s distinctive shape.

Commenting on the introduction of the new road legal Lister Knobbly, Lawrence Whittaker, CEO Lister Motor Company, said: “I am really proud and excited that the Lister Motor Company has succeeded by being the first, and to date the only, specialist sports car maker to engineer and launch a fully road legal version of a racing continuation model.

“This is a hugely important step for us, making Lister the first to be able to offer our enthusiastic clients the excitement and thrills of driving a historically significant race car on the road. Our new road legal Knobbly also paves the way for more future road-going Lister models too.”

Just 10 of the new hand-built road-going Lister Knobbly continuation models will be built. Production is due to commence in September 2017 and the first customer deliveries planned for June 2018.

The most notable changes to the road-ready Knobbly, carefully integrated into the original design by Lister’s engineers, are:

• Collapsible steering Column
• Roll over protection
• Indicators, side repeater flashers and rear fog lamp
• Number plates front and rear 
• Padded leather dashbard
• Push button switches
• Removal of wheel spinners for pedestrian safety
• Removal of windscreen, replaced with wind deflector
• Ratchet handbrake
• Rear view mirrors
• Sunken fuel filler cap
• Brake fluid and low fuel level warning lights

A Knobbly fitted with a 4.2-litre 6-Cylinder engine will be priced at £225,000 on-the-road, while a 3.8-litre with Dry Sump will be priced at £295,000.

Skoda announces that it has produced the 1.5 millionth 3rd generation of its Octavia Hatchback and Estate.

• Milestone vehicle rolls off the production line at the main plant in Mladá Boleslav
• More than five million customers have opted for the ‘heart of the brand’ since 1996
• Over 80,000 third-generation Octavia have been chosen by UK customers
• The ŠKODA OCTAVIA is one of the most successful model lines in the automotive world

The ‘heart of ŠKODA’ has reached a special milestone: the car manufacturer’s employees at the main plant in Mladá Boleslav have produced the 1.5-millionth third-generation OCTAVIA. 

The comprehensively upgraded new version of the bestseller has continued the model range’s success story since the beginning of February. It impresses with redesigned front and rear sections as well as state-of-the-art solutions in terms of driver assistance systems, infotainment and connectivity. 

Since the first modern OCTAVIA generation was launched 21 years ago, over five million customers around the world have chosen the compact model from the long-established Czech brand. This makes the OCTAVIA model range one of the most successful in the automotive world.

“With the OCTAVIA, the rapid development of our company really gathered pace from 1996,” said Michael Oeljeklaus, Board Member for Production and Logistics. 

“It has been an important pillar of the ŠKODA portfolio for over two decades. With the third generation of our bestseller, we have seamlessly built on the success story of the first two editions. Much of the credit for the success of the OCTAVIA and the ŠKODA brand goes to our motivated and highly skilled workforce, which now has 1.5 million reasons to be proud of its achievements,” added Oeljeklaus.

With more than five million units sold, the ŠKODA OCTAVIA is the Czech car manufacturer’s bestselling model. The first generation alone, which rolled off the production line from 1996 until the end of November 2010, won over more than 1.4 million buyers. 

The second-generation OCTAVIA continued the success of its predecessor: between 2004 and 2013, ŠKODA sold a total of 2.5 million vehicles. The third generation of the OCTAVIA, which is considered to be the cornerstone of ŠKODA’s model range, has been in production since November 2012; its one millionth vehicle left the production halls in Mladá Boleslav at the end of March 2016. 

In total, almost 1.4 million vehicles from the third generation were produced by the end of 2016. Production of the comprehensively upgraded OCTAVIA commenced at the beginning of February 2017. ŠKODA makes the compact model at its main plant in the Czech Republic as well as in China, India, Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

ŠKODA offers the comprehensively upgraded third-generation OCTAVIA as a hatchback and an estate. With its redesigned front and rear sections, streamlined body and wider track, it comes across as even more dynamic than before. 

The new version of the compact model impresses with proven strengths and sets new standards in its segment in terms of the amount of interior space, functionality, technology for safety as well as comfort, and value for money. Customers have a choice of four trim levels: Active, Ambition, Style and L&K. 

Furthermore, they can also choose Scout and RS versions. The engine portfolio comprises state-of-the-art petrol and diesel units with power outputs ranging from 63 kW (86 PS) to 180 kW (245 PS). Depending on the engine version, the ŠKODA OCTAVIA is also available with advanced direct-shift transmission (DSG) and all-wheel drive.

USA - GMC launches the new 2018 Model Year Terrain Sports Utility Vehicle.

• Premium compact SUV offers more value with new design, more premium features

Pricing for the all-new 2018 Terrain will start at an MSRP of $25,970[1] when it goes on sale this summer, GMC announced today.

The all-new Terrain offers greater refinement and versatility to adapt to customers’ unique needs, and it’s packed with more available features and advanced safety technologies than ever before. Three all-new turbocharged engines, leading with a 2.0L at launch — followed later with a 1.5L and an available 1.6L turbo-diesel — provide more choices when it comes to performance, efficiency and capability.

“Terrain helped define the premium compact SUV segment and the all-new 2018 model elevates it with a stronger roster of standard and available features,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global GMC. “GMC’s proven SUV experience makes it a more compelling choice than ever, with a strong blend of design, functionality and engineering excellence.”

The all-new GMC Terrain provides great value in packaging with a host of standard premium features, including a new 170-hp, 1.5L turbo engine paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission; driver-controllable Traction Select system; signature LED daytime running lamps and taillamps; leather-wrapped steering wheel; flat-folding front passenger seat; and keyless open and start.

The Terrain Denali raises the bar even further to add a standard 252-hp, 2.0L turbo engine; 19-inch ultra-bright machined aluminum wheels; LED headlamps; heated leather-wrapped steering wheel; hands-free power programmable liftgate; an 8-inch diagonal infotainment system with navigation; Bose premium seven-speaker audio system; and a suite of standard safety features that includes:

• Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Rear Park Assist
• Safety Alert Seat

Terrain SL and SLE Starting MSRPs

• Terrain SL FWD — $25,970
• Terrain SLE FWD — $28,795
• Terrain SLE Diesel FWD — $32,565
• Terrain SLE AWD — $30,545
• Terrain SLE Diesel AWD — $34,315

Terrain SLT Starting MSRPs

• Terrain SLT FWD — $32,295
• Terrain SLT Diesel FWD — $35,140
• Terrain SLT AWD — $34,045
• Terrain SLT Diesel AWD — $36,890

Terrain Denali Starting MSRPs

• Terrain Denali FWD — $38,495
• Terrain Denali AWD — $40,245

Connectivity Technologies

The new Terrain keeps passengers connected with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility[2] and access to a standard in-vehicle OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot[3]. GMC customers in the U.S. can currently purchase an unlimited data plan enabled by AT&T for only $20 per month[4].

In addition to the 4G LTE connection, the OnStar Basic Plan[5] comes standard on all new GMC retail models for five years. The Basic Plan offers select remote vehicle services and the OnStar AtYourService marketplace via the myGMC mobile app[6]among other features

BMW Announces sales and income/Profits with a good outlook for the coming months.

• Significant revenues and earnings growth
• Automotive segment EBIT margin within target range
• Sales of electrified vehicles doubled
• Made in Germany: BMW iNEXT to be produced in Dingolfing
• BMW Group reaffirms outlook for full year 2017
• Krüger: Focus on profitability and rigorous implementation of Strategy NUMBER ONE > NEXT

The BMW Group has begun the financial year 2017 with a solid first quarter and made excellent progress in terms of implementing Strategy NUMBER ONE > NEXT. Deliveries of electrified vehicles, for instance, doubled to nearly 20,000 units in the first quarter. In addition, the BMW Group announced its intention to build the BMW iNEXT as the company’s technological spearhead at its Dingolfing plant. The iNEXT, which is due to be unveiled in 2021, will set the benchmark in terms of automated driving, electrification and connectivity. The decision underlines the significance of Germany as a location for developing future technologies and shaping tomorrow’s mobility.

The BMW Group recorded significant first-quarter growth in terms of both revenues and net profit. Alongside a solid operating performance, positive valuation-related earnings effects included in the financial result also contributed to the sharp rise in profit before taxes. “We shall continue to focus on rigorously implementing Strategy NUMBER ONE > NEXT and ensuring sustainable high profitability in order that we can shape future mobility by leveraging our own resources. That is how we will measure our success,” commented Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, in Munich on Thursday.

In the first quarter, the BMW Group embarked on the most substantial model offensive in its history with the launch of the new BMW 5 Series. Around 40 new and updated models of the BMW Group’s three premium brands will be brought to market during 2017 and 2018. “Customers are excited by the new 5 Series Sedan, as we can see in its extremely good market reception. We expect the BMW Group's three premium brands to set new delivery records again in 2017 and the Group to remain the leading manufacturer of premium vehicles,” stated Krüger.

Particular emphasis is being placed on the upper-premium segment. Through the focussed addition of highly emotive vehicles, the BMW Group is targeting significant sales volume growth in this segment by 2020. Alongside the BMW 7 Series, the BMW Group will be launching other models in this segment, including the BMW X7.

New sales volume, revenues and earnings records in first quarter

First-quarter deliveries of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles rose by 5.3% to 587,237 units (2016: 557,605 units). All the Group's major sales regions contributed to this increase. Thanks to this strong performance, Group revenues for the period from January to March were significantly higher at € 23,448 million (2016: € 20,853 million; +12.4%). Profit before financial result amounted to € 2,646 million, 7.7% up on the previous year’s corresponding figure of € 2,457 million. Group profit before tax (EBT) was also significantly higher at € 3,005 million (2016: € 2,368 million). This significant increase was largely due to the following effects: a positive valuation effect of € 183 million in connection with the participation of new investors in the mapping service HERE, an increase in the other financial result of € 122 million, driven mainly by valuation effects, and a higher profit contribution from the Chinese joint venture BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. As a result, the Group’s EBT margin climbed to 12.8% (2016: 11.4%) in the first quarter. Group net profit rose by 31.0% to € 2,149 million (2016: € 1,641 million).

“The first quarter results lay a very sound foundation for us to achieve our ambitious targets for 2017. Given that the BMW Group is embarking on the biggest model offensive in its corporate history, we expect start-up and marketing costs regarding new models to increase over the course of the year. We will also incur high upfront expenditure in connection with electric mobility and autonomous driving,” pointed out Nicolas Peter, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Finance. “Short-term gain is not the decisive factor for us: we remain focussed on sustainable, profitable growth.”

Automotive segment: EBIT margin within target range

First-quarter revenues for the Automotive segment grew by 10.0% to € 20,692 million (2016: € 18,814 million). EBIT improved by 6.1% to € 1,871 million (2016: € 1,763 million). The EBIT margin in the Automotive segment came in at 9.0% (2016: 9.4%) and was therefore within the targeted range of between 8 and 10%. On account of the factors described above, profit before tax rose by 31.4% to € 2,279 million (2016: € 1,734 million).

BMW Group vehicles with electrified drivetrains performed particularly well during the first quarter, as nearly 20,000 BMW i3, BMW i8 and BMW iPerformance plug-in hybrids were sold, twice the previous year’s corresponding figure. “We are therefore well on course to delivering more than 100,000 electrified vehicles for the first time in 2017,” Krüger stated.

Electrified vehicles accounted for more than three per cent of all BMW Group vehicle deliveries to customers in the first quarter (Q1 2016: 1.7%).

With the launch of the BMW i3 almost four years ago, the BMW Group was an early pioneer of electric mobility and has remained true to its strategy ever since. When the first MINI brand plug-in hybrid model is introduced in summer 2017, the BMW Group will have nine electrified models in its portfolio. The BMW i8 Roadster is set to follow in the coming year and the first all-electric MINI is due in 2019. In 2020, the battery-powered BMW X3 will integrate all-electric mobility into the Group’s core brand. One year later, the new BMW iNEXT is set to take to the roads. As the BMW Group’s new technological spearhead, it will set the benchmark in the future-oriented ACES fields Autonomous, Connected, Electrified and Services/Shared.

Deliveries of BMW brand vehicles totalled 503,445 units (2016: 478,743; +5.2%), surpassing the half-million figure for the first time in an opening quarter. Sales volume growth came from various areas, including good contributions made by the BMW Group’s flagship model, the BMW 7 Series, and the BMW X-family models. Nearly 16,000 units of the BMW 7 Series were sold, 50.2% more than one year earlier. Sales of the BMW X1 jumped by 29.5% to 66,063 units in the first quarter. Similarly, the BMW X3 (41,742 units; +7.8%) and the BMW X5 (45,892 units; +17.7%) also recorded significant growth.

Sales of 83,059 units during the first three months 2017 also represented a new first-quarter sales volume record for the MINI brand (2016: 78,311 units; +6.1%). The new MINI Clubman reported a significant rise, with deliveries to customers increasing to 14,830 units (2016: 12,173 units; +21.8%). First-quarter sales of the new MINI Convertible tripled to 7,705 units (2016: 2,553 units). With 47,530 units sold, the MINI 3 and 5 door models matched their previous year’s performance (2016: 47,396 units; +0.3%).

Following the second highest annual sales in 2016, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars sales in the first quarter of 2017 were up year-on-year. This was based on full market availability of Dawn compared with the same period last year. In total, 733 Rolls-Royce motor cars were delivered to customers across the globe (+33.0%). Demand for Rolls-Royce models remains strong in most regions, although this is set against ongoing market volatility in the global luxury industry as a whole. Rolls-Royce continues to strive for long-term sustainable growth.

The BMW Group's upward sales volume trend continued in Europe, with 267,996 units (2016: 257,120 units) delivered to customers during the first three-month period, up 4.2% year-on-year. Solid growth was reported in a number of markets, including Great Britain (+6.5%; 63,004 units), France (+5.4%; 21,943 units) and Italy (+6.7%; 21,278 units).

First-quarter sales of BMW Group vehicles in Asia rose by 9.2% to surpass the 200,000-unit mark (200,140 units; 2016: 183,204 units). Significant growth was also achieved on the Chinese mainland, where sales climbed by 12.4% to 142,958 units. First-quarter deliveries in Japan went up by 5.2% to 19,681 units.

Sales in the Americas region increased slightly by 2.0% to 102,238 units (2016: 100,245 units), including 82,169 units delivered to customers in the USA (+0.7%). 

Motorcycles segment sets new delivery record

The Motorcycles segment had a successful start to the year, delivering 35,636 motorcycles and maxi-scooters (2016: 33,788 units) to customers during the first quarter, 5.5% up on the previous year. Revenues grew by 7.0% to € 623 million (2016: € 582 million). Higher volumes and positive sales-mix factors helped segment profit before financial result to jump by 33.0% to € 125 million (2016: € 94 million). Influenced by seasonal factors at the start of the motorcycle season, the segment EBIT margin came in at 20.1% (2016: 16.2%). Profit before tax also improved by 33.0% to € 125 million (2016: € 94 million). 

Financial Services segment firmly on course

The Financial Services segment continued to perform well during the first quarter. A total of 465,634 new credit financing and leasing contracts (2016: 413,372 contracts) were signed with customers between January and March, an increase of 12.6%. Including contracts with dealerships, 5,214,729 credit financing and leasing contracts were in place at the end of the first quarter (31 March 2016: 4,786,441 contracts), 8.9% more than one year earlier. First-quarter segment revenues rose by 16.8% to € 7,046 million (2016: € 6,032 million), while profit before tax was 4.4% higher at € 595 million (2016: € 570 million). 

Workforce increased

The size of the BMW Group's workforce increased by 3.0% year-on-year and comprised 126,317 employees (2016: 122,692 employees) worldwide. The BMW Group continuously hires skilled experts and IT specialists in future-oriented areas, such as digitalisation and automated driving.

BMW Group reaffirms targets for the financial year 2017

The BMW Group is confident of achieving its projected targets for the current financial year, largely thanks to its strong brands, its attractive product portfolio and the expectation that international automobile markets will continue their generally upward trend. These favourable factors contrast with high levels of upfront expenditure for new technologies, fierce competition and rising personnel expenses. The global political and economic environment is expected to remain volatile.

The BMW Group reaffirms its targets for the full year. "We forecast slight increases, and hence new record figures, for Automotive segment sales volume and profit before tax in 2017,” stated Krüger. With its three premium brands, the BMW Group is therefore confident it will remain the world's leading manufacturer of premium vehicles in 2017.

Automotive segment revenues are also set to grow slightly over the year on the back of higher sales volumes. The EBIT margin for the Automotive segment in 2017 is forecast to remain within the targeted range of between 8 and 10%.

Forecasts for the current year are based on the assumption that worldwide economic and political conditions will not change significantly.

The BMW Group – an overview		1st quarter 2017	1st quarter 2016	Change in %
Sales volume
Automotive	Units	587,237	557,605	5.3
Thereof:   BMW	Units	503,445	478,743	5.2
MINI	Units	83,059	78,311	6.1
Rolls-Royce	Units	733	551	33.0
Sales volume Motorcycles	Units	35,636	33,788	5.5
Workforce 1		126,317	122,692	3.0
EBIT margin Automotive Segment	Percent	9.0	9.4	-0.4 %points
EBIT margin Segment Motorcycles	Percent	20.1	16.2	+3.9 %points
EBT margin BMW Group	Percent	12.8	11.4	+1.4 %points
Revenues	€ million	23,448	20,853	12.4
Thereof:   Automotive	€ million	20,692	18,814	10.0
Motorcycles	€ million	623	582	7.0
Financial Services	€ million	7,046	6,032	16.8
Other Entities	€ million	2	1	-
Eliminations	€ million	-4,915	-4,576	-7.4
Profit before financial result (EBIT)	€ million	2,646	2,457	7.7
Thereof:   Automotive	€ million	1,871	1,763	6.1
Motorcycles	€ million	125	94	33.0
Financial Services	€ million	604	591	2.2
Other Entities	€ million	4	11	-63.6
Eliminations	€ million	42	-2	-
Profit before tax (EBT)	€ million	3,005	2,368	26.9
Thereof:   Automotive	€ million	2,279	1,734	31.4
Motorcycles	€ million	125	94	33.0
Financial Services	€ million	595	570	4.4
Other Entities	€ million	-4	-2	-
Eliminations	€ million	10	-28	-
Income taxes	€ million	-856	-727	-17.7
Net profit	€ million	2,149	1,641	31.0
Earnings per share 2	€	3.26/3.26	2.48/2.48	31.5/31.5

1 Figures exclude dormant employment contracts, employees in the work and non-work phases of pre-retirement part-time working arrangements and low wage earners

2 Earnings per share of common stock/preferred stock