USA SALES APRIL - MERCEDES - a rathe large decrease hits the three pointed star in the month.

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported April sales volume at 26,932 units, decreasing 7.9% from the 29,236 vehicles sold during the same month last year. On a year-to-date basis, Mercedes-Benz retails totaled 106,073 units, increasing 1.0% from the previous year, which was a record for MBUSA. Adding 2,193 units for Vans and 365 units for smart, MBUSA achieved a grand total of 29,490 vehicles for the month, down 8.7% from last year, and up 0.5% year-to-date (117,125).

"While we're outpacing last year, we saw some challenges in April due to limits on availability of some of our most popular model lines (GLC, CLA and GLA) during model changeover," said Dietmar Exler, president and CEO of MBUSA. "That said, we are looking for another record year."

Mercedes-Benz volume leaders in April included the C-Class, GLE and E-Class (including the CLS) model lines. The C-Class took the lead at 7,821, followed by the GLE sales of 4,468. The E-Class rounded out the top three with 4,059 units sold.

Mercedes-AMG high-performance models sold 3,130 units in April, with a total of 11,469 units sold year-to-date (up 48.3%).

Separately, Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) models recorded sales of 9,874 vehicles in April, a decrease of -1.8% when compared to the same month last year (10,054). On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 40,352 vehicles, and increase of 2.5% over 2016 (39,357).

USA SALES APRIL - SUBARU - The motn was the best ever April with a 4% growth over 2016.

• Record April - monthly sales increase 4 percent over April 2016
• 65 consecutive months of yearly month-over-month growth
• Best April ever for Outback, Forester and Impreza
• 38 consecutive months of more than 10,000 Outbacks sold
• 45 consecutive months of more than 10,000 Foresters sold

Subaru of America, Inc. today reported 52,368 vehicle sales for April 2017, a 4 percent increase over April 2016, and the best April in the history of the company. The automaker also reported year-to-date sales of 196,618 vehicles, a 7.6 percent gain over the same period in 2016.

April marked the 38th consecutive month of 40,000+ vehicle sales for the company. Outback, Forester and Impreza sales were notably strong as each model achieved its best April ever. Impreza sales for April 2017 increased 66.2 percent over the same month in 2016 and marked the second time that Impreza has topped 8,000 units in a month.

“With positive press reaction to the all-new Impreza and upcoming Crosstrek models, we expect even stronger demand as we enter the summer months,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “2017 looks set to be our tenth year of consecutive sales growth, with more new product to come.”

“Despite a more competitive market, we’re proud of our retailer’s ability to increase sales volume and market share,” said Jeff Walters, senior vice president of sales. “We are well positioned for continued success with our crossover models, as well as record sales volume from the all-new Impreza.”

Earlier in April, Subaru of America once again won in three major categories of the Kelley Blue Book 2017 Brand Image Awards including Best Overall Brand, Most Trusted Brand and Best Performance Brand. This marks the second consecutive year Subaru has been awarded all three top honors; the second straight year Subaru has won Best Overall Brand and the third consecutive win for Most Trusted Brand and Best Performance Brand. Also in April, the 2017 Impreza made the Wards 10 Best Interiors list for interior design and styling, as well as for its easy-to-use multimedia system.

 

Carline	Apr-17	Apr-16	% Chg	Apr-17	Apr-16	% Chg
	MTD	MTD	MTD	YTD	YTD	YTD
Forester	14,761	14,490	1.9%	56,237	52,917	6.3%
Impreza	8,038	4,836	66.2%	26,622	18,843	41.3%
WRX/STI	3,039	3,096	-1.8%	10,729	10,549	1.7%
Legacy	4,399	5,591	-21.3%	17,102	20,069	-14.8%
Outback	14,469	14,294	1.2%	57,041	51,565	10.6%
BRZ	444	466	-4.7%	1,431	1,677	-14.7%
Crosstrek	7,218	7,607	-5.1%	27,456	27,157	1.1%
TOTAL	52,368	50,380	4.0%	196,618	182,777	7.6%

Ford annouces tha the Fiesta became Europes best selling car in March, not bad considering its a run out model.

• Ford Fiesta is the best-selling car in Europe, according to Ford analysis of March 2017 industry data; 47,000 Ford Fiestas sold in March*
• Ford sold 199,900 vehicles in March, up 14 per cent year-over-year, to become the second best-selling vehicle brand in Europe
• Technologically advanced all-new Ford Fiesta goes on sale across Europe this summer 

The Ford Fiesta is the best-selling car in Europe, according to Ford analysis of March 2017 industry data. 

Customers purchased 47,000 Fiestas in March, a 12 per cent increase year-over-year,* to overtake the Volkswagen Golf as the region’s top-selling passenger car. 

The Ford Fiesta has been the UK best-seller for eight years and, in a record sales month in the UK, it notched up 25,428 sales. 

Almost 70 per cent of Fiesta sales in March were high-specification models, including 17 per cent in top specification Titanium series. Fiesta sales helped fuel a new car registration boom in Europe that saw a record 1.93 million sales in March – a 10.8 per cent increase year-over-year. Europe has now overtaken the U.S. to become the world's second largest region for new car registrations.** 

Ford sold 199,900 vehicles in Europe in March (up 14 per cent year-over-year), including 156,200 passenger vehicles (up 16 per cent year-over-year). This makes Ford the second best-selling vehicle brand in Europe with a total vehicle market share of 9.2 per cent. 

“Fiesta was again our best-selling vehicle in March, making up 12 per cent of Ford total vehicle sales. Customers continue to be attracted by Fiesta’s distinctive style, powerful but fuel-efficient engines, and class-leading fun to drive character,” said Roelant de Waard, Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. “March was a stand-out month for Ford in Europe, with sales increases across the board.” 

Of Europe’s five largest markets for car sales – Germany, the U.K., France, Italy and Spain – Spain recorded the most significant growth for Fiesta with sales increasing 97 per cent year-over-year in March. In Italy, Fiesta sales increased 21 per cent and in Germany 18 per cent year-over year. The UK – where Fiesta is the best-selling vehicle nameplate of all time – saw a sales increase of 8 per cent year-over-year, while Hungary, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Romania, Switzerland and the Netherlands also recorded significant increases in Fiesta registrations. 

All-new Fiesta

The all-new Ford Fiesta goes on sale in Europe this summer offering four distinctive versions, including the stylish Fiesta Titanium, the Ford Performance-inspired Fiesta ST-Line and the upscale Fiesta Vignale. 

An all-new Fiesta Active crossover – the first in a new line-up of Active vehicles to be rolled out across the Ford range in years to come – and the next-generation Ford Fiesta ST, powered by an all-new 200PS, three-cylinder, 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine, will follow in early 2018. 

Featuring the most sophisticated driver assistance technologies and connectivity features ever in a volume small car in Europe, all-new Fiesta debuts an enhanced Pedestrian Detection system that can help prevent collisions at night; and the first Ford Active Park Assist system that can deliver brake interventions to prevent low-speed bumps when parking hands-free. 

Cutting-edge powertrains include Ford’s multi-award winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine offering up to 140PS, and a 1.5-litre TDCi diesel offering 120PS – the first high-power diesel Fiesta powertrain. 

Mercedes announces the launch of the new Mercedes-AMG E 63 4Matic+ Estate.

• Prices start from £81,130 for 571 hp E 63 4MATIC+
• Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC+ Estate available from £90,490
• On sale now with first customer deliveries arriving in September

The Mercedes-AMG E 63 4MATIC+ Estate is now on sale, with prices starting from £81,130. The E 63 S is available from £90,490.

The E 63 is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine which generates 571 hp and 750 Nm. It can sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 3.6 seconds. The E 63 S produces 612 hp and 850 Nm, and can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.5 seconds. Both models are electronically limited to 155 mph – unless specified with the AMG Drivers package which increases the top speed to an electronically limited 186 mph.

With a boot capacity of 1,820 litres when the rear seats are lowered, and 640 litres with the seats in place, the E 63 Estate combines practicality with ultimate driving performance.

All E 63 models feature AMG’s newly-developed 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system. 4MATIC+ combines the advantages of various drive configurations. Torque distribution on the front and rear axles is fully variable – making it easier to make full use of the car’s potential in all conditions. The E 63 S also comes with Drift mode, for use on the track, which makes the car rear-wheel drive.

The E 63 comes with a comprehensive list of equipment as standard, including: AMG Ride Control sports suspension; 19-inch AMG five twin-spoke alloy wheels; Nappa leather upholstery; split folding rear seats; Comand Online with a 12.3-inch display; and 12.3-inch widescreen cockpit display. The E 63 S adds 20-inch AMG five twin-spoke alloy wheels; active dynamic engine mounts; AMG performance seats; and a steering wheel finished in Nappa leather and Dinamica microfibre.

The Edition 1 – based on the E 63 S – adds 20-inch AMG cross-spoke wheels in black; designo Selenite Grey magno paint; and AMG Night package. Extra detailing in Titanium Grey above the side skirts is also standard. Inside, standard equipment includes AMG sports seats and Dinamica steering wheel with yellow contrast stitching, plus AMG carbon fibre trim. Prices for the E 63 S Edition 1 Estate start at £108,780.

For £6,995, E 63 S and Edition 1 customers can choose AMG high-performance ceramic brakes, while the AMG performance exhaust can be added to all models for £1,000.

An AMG carbon fibre package adds front splitter, side sill panels, and rear bumper finished in carbon fibre for £3,370. The AMG Night package adds black detailing on the side sills, black exterior mirror housings and a black front splitter, all for £795.

The optional Premium package (standard on Edition 1) is available for £2,595 and adds a panoramic sunroof; Keyless-Go Comfort package; Burmester surround sound; and Multibeam LED intelligent light system.

As on all E-Class models, an array of advanced driver assistance features is available. The Driving Assistance Plus package costs £1,695, and includes Active Blind Spot Assist; Active Lane Keeping Assist; and Pre-Safe Impulse Side; Active Steering Assist; Active Lane-Change Assist; Active Distance Assist Distronic; and Active Speed Limit Assist.

Ssangyong updates the Tivoli and Tivoli XLV with more safety enhancements for 2017.

• New safety features available include Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking System, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, High Beam Assistance, and Traffic Sign Recognition
• Tivoli priced from £13,300 & Tivoli XLV from £19,200
• 5-year limitless mileage warranty

The SsangYong Tivoli - the brand’s first B-segment SUV, retains its stylish good looks and class-leading levels of equipment and interior space, while also receiving a number of significant safety enhancements for 2017.

Safety features available include Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking System, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assist, High Beam Assistance, and Traffic Sign Recognition.

“This is a quantum leap forward in safety for cars in this class,” says Paul Williams, CEO of SsangYong Motor UK.  “I am really proud of what our colleagues in Korea have achieved, and it means we can now offer cars that achieve the 4-star NCAP rating.”

Further enhancements for both driver and passengers include a fully adjustable steering wheel for rake and reach, improved ventilation for the front seat passengers, and reclining rear seats for optimum comfort on long journeys.  A new 2-position base for the boot floor also provides increased load carrying practicality and flexibility.

Tivoli XLV, the extended bodied multi-role ‘SUV estate’ derived from the Tivoli platform, also receives the same safety upgrades and improvements for 2017, with the addition of heated rear seats for extra passenger comfort in winter.

The all new Audi RS5 Coupe is lighter and faster than the outgoing version, and just as evil.

New lighter, faster RS coupé to join UK Audi range with exceptional specification including valuable upgrades to dynamics and infotainment

• All-new RS 5 Coupé available to order later this month priced from £62,900 OTR – first deliveries later this summer
• New 2.9 TFSI with 450PS and 600Nm of torque from 1,900 – 5,000rpm
• 0-62mph in just 3.9 seconds, 155mph top speed which can be increased to 174mph
• Audi Virtual Cockpit with RS-specific displays and quattro sport rear differential fitted as standard to UK versions
• Combined 32.5mpg and 197g/km of CO2 – a 17 per cent reduction
• quattro all-wheel drive, wheel selective torque control and Audi drive select as standard
• Overall weight reduction of up to 60kg
• Optional carbon fibre roof and fully milled wheels
• RS sport suspension with Dynamic Ride Control, RS exhaust system and dynamic steering also available
• State-of-the-art driver assistance, safety and connectivity systems

Precision shares equal billing with power in the all-new Audi RS 5 Coupé, and this is particularly true of UK-bound examples which benefit from an enhanced specification bringing the pin-sharp clarity of the Audi Virtual Cockpit and the optimal handling adjustability delivered by the Audi sport differential as standard. The new high performance, high technology coupé with its advanced new 450PS V6 biturbo TFSI becomes available in the UK later this month priced from £62,900 OTR, and will touch down here later in the summer.

With 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) of torque, the new 2.9-litre V6 holds a 170Nm advantage over its naturally aspirated predecessor, and delivers it to the tune of a charismatic soundtrack reminiscent of the V6 TFSI powering the original B5 RS 4. The top model in the A5 family sprints from 0 to 62mph in just 3.9 seconds and with the optional dynamic package reaches a top speed of 174mph.

Two turbochargers positioned centrally between the cylinder banks guarantee exceptional response throughout the rev range, and combustion technology employing the B-cycle process with central direct injection ushers in a new level of efficiency for an RS model. Aided by a 60kg overall weight reduction versus the outgoing car, the V6 biturbo is capable of up to 32.5mpg combined, corresponding to 197 grams of CO2 per km – an efficiency gain of 17 percent over the previous model.

quattro with sport differential

The biturbo’s copious power is deftly managed by the eight-speed tiptronic transmission with optimised shift times and by the reworked five-link front and all-new five-link rear RS-specific suspension, which is of course supported by quattro permanent all-wheel drive. 

The centre differential-based system distributes drive forces in a 40:60 front-to-rear ratio favouring dynamic handling with optimal traction, and in UK specification models is augmented by the quattro sport differential, which also apportions torque optimally between the rear wheels to promote even greater handling adjustability.

For the most committed drivers Audi Sport also offers optional RS sport suspension with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC), ceramic brakes and dynamic steering with RS-specific tuning.

Pronounced air intakes, gaping oval exhaust tailpipes, quattro blisters complementing widened wheel arches and an exclusive honeycomb design for the single frame grille are among the features that render the elegantly updated A5 body fit to bear the RS badge. In this latest model, the look can also be further enhanced by new features such as a full carbon roof and by bundled appearance packs that accentuate the sill strips, mirror cappings and diffuser insert. 

The standard LED headlamps with their dynamic scrolling indicators can also be upgraded to Matrix LED units capable of intelligently diverting their high beam around oncoming and leading traffic for maximum illumination, and for maximum visual impact the sizeable 19-inch alloy wheels can also be upgraded to a 20-inch design.

Defining features also abound in the upscale and lavishly appointed interior. Fine Nappa leather-upholstered RS sport seats position the driver perfectly in relation to the flat-bottomed multifunction sport steering wheel and the tiptronic selector lever with its RS insignia. 

When the start button is pressed the exceptionally sharp and richly detailed graphics of the RS-specific, fully digital Audi Virtual Cockpit come to life. This standard feature of UK RS 5 models features a customisable display incorporating special RS screens providing information on tyre pressure, torque and g-forces. 

The list of driver assistants that feature as standard also includes the Audi side assist blindspot monitoring system, Audi hill hold assist and the Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system offering fine-tuning of engine response, transmission shift points, steering weighting and the operating characteristics of the quattro system and sport differential.

On the infotainment front, the RS 5 Coupé comes equipped as standard with the Audi Smartphone Interface bringing Apple Carplay and Android Auto on board, and with MMI navigation plus with MMI touch, which now also includes LTE internet connectivity as part of the Audi connect package. Thanks to the embedded Audi connect SIM, the flat rate data package for the connect services including Europe-wide roaming is free of charge for three years.

Further high-end technologies, including a head-up display and as many as 30 driver assistance systems are available from the options list to help the RS 5 remove even more layers of stress from every journey and leave drivers free to immerse themselves as fully as possible in the performance.