Start of production Golf 7 in Mexico

• Mexican Secretary of Economy, Dr. Guajardo, and Volkswagen CEO, Prof. Dr. Winterkorn, inaugurate production of the new Volkswagen Golf at the Puebla plant
• The Volkswagen Group is investing US$7 billion in new products and modern production facilities in North America in period to 2018
• Volkswagen de México celebrates 50th anniversary

Production of the new Volkswagen Golf1 began today at the Volkswagen plant in Puebla, Mexico. The facility is to build further models from the Golf family for the North America region going forward. Dr. Ildefonso Guajardo, Mexican Secretary of Economy, Rafael Moreno-Valle, Governor of the State of Puebla, and Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, inaugurated Golf production on the occasion of the ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Volkswagen de México. 700 guests from politics and industry attended the celebrations.

“Volkswagen de México has a proud history and a promising future. One car in particular is a symbol of that: The new Golf,” Prof Dr. Martin Winterkorn said in Puebla. “The start of Golf 7 production will give Volkswagen a big boost in the North America region. And it underscores our commitment to Mexico as an automotive location. That is further confirmed by the US$7 billion our Group will be investing in North America in the period to 2018.”

The intelligent lightweight construction of the Golf, the “World Car of the Year 2013”, is based on the technological innovations of the Modular Transverse Toolkit (MQB), and the vehicle will be exported from Mexico to the USA and Canada. The new Volkswagen Golf will hit North American roads from mid-year as it continues its global success story. Volkswagen has invested some US$700 million in new production plant and modern infrastructure for the Golf in Puebla. The first Golf sedan to be built in Mexico is a red Golf GTI2. Production of further derivatives such as the Golf station wagon for the North and South America regions will begin during the course of the year. Golf production at the Puebla plant has a capacity of 700 vehicles per working day.

CEO of Volkswagen de México, Andreas Hinrichs, underscored the major significance of the Puebla location for Volkswagen: “Our Puebla factory is today one of the Group’s highest exporters and one of its largest plants worldwide. Over 10 million vehicles have already been shipped from here to customers all over the world.”

In addition to the new Golf, the Puebla plant also builds the coupé and cabriolet versions of the Volkswagen Beetle plus the Volkswagen Jetta. In terms of technology, these models also belong to the Golf class and are to be adapted to the structure of the Modular Transverse Toolkit (MQB) in the medium term. Furthermore, Volkswagen began manufacturing modern TSI engines at the Silao engine plant in early 2013. The Audi facility in San José Chiapa will strengthen the Volkswagen Group’s production network in North America from 2016.

The vehicles manufactured in Pueba and the engines produced in Silao are built in accordance with the state-of-the art environmental standards of the Volkswagen brand’s “Think Blue. Factory.” programme. This programme aims to optimise resource efficiency at all Volkswagen plants and to continually improve the environmental compatibility of the production process. 50 years of success unite Volkswagen and Mexico. Volkswagen began exports to Mexico back in 1954. 50 years ago, on January 15, 1964, the Wolfsburg-based company founded an import, production and sales company called “Volkswagen de México S.A.” The Beetle began rolling off the assembly line at the new plant in Puebla in 1967, with production of this model only finally coming to an end in 2003. Alongside the Bulli, the Beetle motorized Mexico for decades.

In 1997, Puebla became the only plant in the Volkswagen Group to build the New Beetle, exporting the model all over the world. Production of the fourth Jetta generation commenced at the same time. Both models lent key growth momentum to export business at Volkswagen de México. From 1964 to the present day, the Volkswagen Group has already invested a total of US$8 billion in Mexico.

MEXICO - Chrysler Group announces December sales across all brands.

• FIAT brand sales, driven by Fiat 500, up 111 percent during December 2013, marking this its best sales year since its launch
• Ram Crew Cab increased its sales volume 29 percent during December 2013
• Jeep® brand sales grew 5 percent, led by Jeep Patriot and Jeep Grand Cherokee; Jeep Cherokee has arrived in dealerships, well accepted
• Dodge brand sales propelled by Dodge Journey, which registered sales of 1,579 units — its best sales month in the last two years; Dodge Challenger registered sales of 96 units, best sales month ever and Dodge Durango sold 196 units, marking this its best sales month in five years

Chrysler de Mexico announced sales of 10,473 units for the month of December 2013, setting a sales record for the year.

“As the year ends, we feel very proud of what we accomplished. We closed 2013 with our best month of sales for the year. This month our sales were driven by Dodge Journey, Jeep Patriot, Ram Crew Cab and Fiat 500," said Bruno Cattori, President & CEO of Chrysler de Mexico. "Our new product launches, such as Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Cherokee and Ram ProMaster, pushed our growth sales for the year. During 2013, we opened the Saltillo Van Assembly Plant and added a production line in the Saltillo North Engine Plant, creating new jobs and demonstrating the confidence the Company has in the products assembled in Mexico. We will continue providing new and revamped products in order to satisfy our customers’ needs.”

Chrysler Brand
Chrysler brand continues to perform well with 520 units sold during December 2013. Chrysler Town & Country sales rose 2 percent. Chrysler 200 sold 112 units during December 2013.

Jeep® Brand
Jeep brand sales grew 5 percent. Jeep Patriot led brand sales with 984 units sold, best sales month of the year. Jeep Grand Cherokee posted sales of 632 units, representing an increase of 15 percent. Jeep Wrangler sales improved 27 percent, all versus December 2012. Jeep Cherokee has had very good acceptance among Mexican customers in its second sales month.

Dodge Brand
Dodge brand continues its streak of successful numbers, posting sales this month of 3,894 units. The Dodge Challenger sold 96 units, best sales month ever, while the Dodge Durango registered a sales increase of 32 percent — its best sales month in 5 years. Dodge Journey sales surged 7 percent versus December 2012, with 1,579 units, marking this its best sales month in two years. Dodge Avenger sales grew 16 percent.

Ram Truck Brand
Ram brand showed sales of 1,371. Ram Crew Cab reported a sales increase of 29 percent, with 503 units sold during December 2013. Ram ProMaster, proudly assembled in Mexico, registered sales of 151 units.

FIAT and Alfa Romeo Brand
FIAT and Alfa Romeo achieved sales of 108 percent, with 1,013 units sold. Fiat 500 reached excellent results with 432 units sold during December 2013. Fiat Ducato sales surged 45 percent. This month, Alfa Romeo Giulietta sales improved 60 percent, marking this its best sales month since its launch.

Aston Martin expands into Mexico from 2014.

• First representation for brand in Mexican market to open in 2014
• Expands Aston Martin presence across the Americas to 41 retail sites
• New dedicated six-car showroom in Polanco, Mexico City

Aston Martin is set to add to the company’s dealership reach across the Americas by opening a new dedicated showroom in Mexico City, marking the British brand’s first foray in the country.

Opening for business in quarter one 2014, Aston Martin Mexico City will launch with a new 4,500 sq.ft showroom capable of housing six Aston Martin sports cars. In addition to a customer reception area and new car gallery - all finished in distinctive corporate identity - the new dealership partner will also cater for the servicing needs of Aston Martin owners throughout the country.

Julian Jenkins, Regional Director, Aston Martin The Americas said: “In the continued development of our retail network across the Americas, we have carefully considered the right locations and appropriate partners to support our growth plans.

“Consequently I am delighted that in this new appointment we have found the fitting partners who share our passion for the Aston Martin brand and are well placed to help us grow our presence in the emerging Mexican market.”

The new dealership will be led by entrepreneurs and experienced automotive specialists, Martin Josephi and Fernando Macias. Located in the upscale Polanco area of northwest Mexico City, the new showroom is perfectly situated to help grow Aston Martin’s presence in the region.

Aston Martin Mexico City Dealer Principal, Martin Josephi commented: “We are extremely proud to bring to Mexico one of the most iconic and sought after automotive brands in the world.

“We are confident that Aston Martin will be very well received by the sophisticated luxury automobile clients in our market; customers that will truly appreciate the power, beauty and soul of each Aston Martin.”

The new Aston Martin Mexico City appointment brings the company’s total dealerships to 41 across the Americas and is the first retail site in Mexico.

Aston Martin is a modern, exclusive sports car brand with a unique heritage instantly recognised around the world. In distinctively fusing the latest technology, time-honoured craftsmanship and graceful styling to produce a range of critically acclaimed performance sports cars, Aston Martin has been elevated to a position as one of the world’s most revered brands.

In 2013 Aston Martin has been marking its first 100 years with a series of international celebrations highlighting the unique success of the brand worldwide. The globally-renowned British luxury sports car maker currently offers its strongest product line-up, with the introductions of three new cars in 2013 – the Vanquish Volante, V12 Vantage S and four-door Rapide S as well as the stunning CC100 Speedster Concept.

Aston Martin Mexico City will launch in quarter one 2014 with details of the official opening to follow in the coming weeks.

(US) Chrysler recall #1 - Software upgrade on 2014 Jeep Cherokee

Chrysler Group LLC will recall an estimated 132,000 SUVs to upgrade software that controls instrument-cluster lighting and active chassis systems.

Chrysler Group quality-control personnel observed reports of random warning-light illumination and instrument-cluster blackout. Both events occurred infrequently and appeared to resolve themselves by turning the vehicle’s ignition off and then on. However, regulatory compliance requires that clusters display complete information that is clearly legible.

Engineers discovered an issue in the vehicle’s anti-lock braking system (ABS) module that affects the instrument cluster display. The issue also has implications for the vehicle’s ABS and electronic stability control systems, but Chrysler Group is unaware of any reported problems involving either.

Chrysler Group is unaware of any associated accidents or injuries.

Chrysler Group will update instrument-cluster and ABS module software on certain 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokees. Most (91,559) are in the U.S.; 6,050 are in Canada; 2,662 are in Mexico; and 32,212 are outside the NAFTA region.

The upgrade will be performed at no cost to customers. Those affected will be notified by mail next month.

Customers who are concerned may call 1-800-853-1403.