Jaguar F-Type bursts out of the walls at Castle Bromwich

A Jaguar F-TYPE Coupe can be seen bursting out of the walls of Jaguar Land Rover’s Castle Bromwich manufacturing plant, celebrating the recent reveal of the new car in Los Angeles & Tokyo.

It took a team of 25 people 9 days in total to mount the new vehicle to its eye-catching position opposite the Spitfire roundabout.

The Jaguar F-TYPE Coupe is the most dynamically capable, performance-focused production Jaguar ever. Its model line-up includes the F-TYPE R Coupe, the F-TYPE S Coupe and the F-TYPE Coupe.

The F-TYPE Coupe range complements the existing 2013 ‘World Car Design of the Year’ award-winning F-TYPE Convertible model line-up of F-TYPE, F-TYPE S and F-TYPE V8 S.

The F-TYPE Coupe will be manufactured at the 112 acre Castle Bromwich plant, joining the other five Jaguar models: the all-new F-TYPE; the XK grand tourer; and XJ, XF and XF Sportbrake.

Over 3,000 people are employed at Castle Bromwich, which became a dedicated Jaguar factory in 1980. The site is home to some of the world’s most advanced aluminium body construction facilities and almost 340 body construction robots. On site are body shops, paint and final assembly lines for all models, as well as a press shop which operates 24 hours a day.

Citroen launches DS World Paris, a flagship showcase of the DS range.

• DS World Paris to open on 27 November
• DS World is a showroom, an events venue & an exhibition of DS heritage
• Citroën unveils ultra-limited edition DS3 DS World Paris to celebrate the opening of its new flagship venue

To celebrate the iconic DS line, Citroën is opening a brand new flagship showcase - DS World Paris - on Wednesday 27 November 2013.

Located in the heart of the Parisian Golden Triangle on Rue François, just a stone’s throw from the Champs-Elysées, DS World Paris is a showroom, event space and exhibition of the DS line’s rich history, as Citroën aims to completely immerse visitors in the DS universe.

Unique in Europe, and following on from the opening of DS World Shanghai in March this year, DS World Paris is a true flagship venue for the brand. Celebrating models past and present, it showcases the line’s heritage, which dates back to 1955, with some of the finest DS examples on show, including - for the opening - a 1956 Citroën DS19.

Just as the DS line is inspired by French-style luxury, so too is DS World Paris; fronted by a listed Art Deco façade, the 600m2 interior bears the signature colours of the DS - Black, Champagne and Carmine - with an emphasis on elegance, charm and purity.

The centrepiece to this impressive space is an astonishing tailor-made chandelier, comprising 900 blown glass beads. This, along with a unique DS scent and musical signature, ensures that DS World awakens all the senses.

DS World Paris is a true jewel in the crown for the brand, offering customers exclusive and personalised services, as well as being home to the DS World boutique, where the first in the DS Lifestyle luggage range will be launched.

To celebrate the opening of DS World Paris, Citroën has produced an ultra-limited edition of the popular DS3 for the most dedicated DS fans - DS3 DS World Paris. A jewel of Parisian elegance, this exclusive model is inspired by Art Deco architecture, inside and out, with the numbered DS World badge inlaid on the dashboard insert making each of the 15 models truly unique.

The creation of DS World Paris demonstrates the success story of the DS line. With 400,000 models sold since its launch in 2010, the DS line has enjoyed worldwide commercial success. With its DS models, Citroën dared to be different and this decision has paid off.

Julien Faux, Director of DS World Paris, explained the belief behind the venue: “DS World Paris focuses on the very essence of DS, a distinctive take on luxury à la française. Every detail and every space was fully thought through and designed as you would a haute couture fashion collection.

“In our approach to personalisation, we want the DS World Paris to be on the cutting edge of the avant-garde, in tune with creative communities and breakthrough artistic experiences. We will choose and create events that echo our world and will surprise visitors with our blend of daring and know-how.”

Throughout 2014, DS World Paris will host a range of artistic and cultural events, ranging from fashion and gastronomy to art and design.

AUSTRALIA - Jaguar F-Type needs to respond to Porsche price cuts.

Jaguar F-Type needs to respond to Porsche price cuts.

Price cuts and/or feature upgrades are a chance for the Jaguar F-Type despite strong early demand for the roadster. Jaguar Land Rover Asia-Pacific boss David Blackhall says Porsche's price cuts in response to the launch of the F-Type earlier this year prompted JLR to re-evaluate.

The results seems to say (Porsche) took a look at the car and the segment and thought ‘We're going to protect our turf'." Blackhall says. 'We were comfortable with where the F-Type's price and position ended up but when the goalposts moved, we've had to respond to that."

The F-Type Jaguar is priced between the Porsche Boxster and 911 cabrio, ranging from $138,645 for the base supercharged V6 to $201,945 for the V8 S. The Boxster range starts at $101,500 while the 911 drop-top kicks off at $228,900.

Former Porsche Australia head Michael Winkler will take over local JLR operations from November 11. His appointment comes at a time when demand for Land Rovers and Range Rovers is outstripping supply. 'We would sell in Australia almost anything we can get across the entire Land Rover range except Defender," Blackhall says.

The first shipment of 40 F-Types for Australia was pre-sold and Blackhall says a second batch of 80 also will be a sellout. 'The F-Type was never going to be a volume-seller but it is a halo car for the brand and we'll defend its position in the segment as required," Blackhall says.

Quizzed as to whether basic options - such as dual-zone aircon, manual activation of the active sports exhaust and reversing camera - would be standard to bolster the value-for-money equation, Blackhall says: 'That's all on the table as part of this review. We won't rule

REPORT HERE

USA - Jaguar Land Rover increases October sales by huge percentage

• Jaguar Land Rover North America increases 52 percent in October
• Jaguar continues industry-leading growth streak with 117 percent growth in October on new XF and XJ All Wheel Drive models and F-TYPE sales
• Land Rover brand has its best October sales performance in its 26 year U.S. history, increasing 37 percent on strong Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque demand

Jaguar Land Rover North America today reported October 2013 U.S. sales: Jaguar sales were 1,515 units, 117 percent up from 699 units in October 2012; Land Rover sales were 4,286 units, up 37 percent from 3,129 units in October 2012. Jaguar Land Rover North America October U.S. sales for both brands hit 5,801 units, a 52 percent increase from 3,828 units in October 2012.

Year to date through October, Jaguar Land Rover North America is up 19 percent, with Jaguar up 36 percent and Land Rover up 14 percent.

"The Jaguar Land Rover business in the United States is flourishing in the wake of multiple new product introductions for both brands and rising consumer demand," said Andy Goss, Group Sales Operations Director, Jaguar Land Rover.  The Jaguar brand, led by our updated lineup of sedans and sports cars, continues its dramatic growth streak with a more than doubling of its monthly business. On the Land Rover, side we had our best October ever as the Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque continued their consistent growth pace this year, and we are just starting to ramp up availability of the new Range Rover Sport."

U.S. BRAND HIGHLIGHTS
Land Rover

Range Rover sales were 1,184 units, up 194 percent from 403 in its run out month in October, 2012. Year to date, the Range Rover model is up 49 percent from 2012. In the 2013 J.D. Power 2013 U.S. APEAL Study, the Range Rover was the industry's highest scoring model.

Range Rover Evoque increased 49 percent to 959 units from 645 units in October, 2012.  Year to date, the Range Rover Evoque is up 33 percent.

The Land Rover LR2 and LR4 models are up 44 percent and 19 percent respectively for the month of October.

Year to date, Land Rover is up 14 percent from 2012.

Land Rover's 2014 model year line-up features five models: The 240-hp 2.0 liter powered LR2 and Range Rover Evoque; the LR4 powered by the supercharged 340-hp V6; the Range Rover Sport and Range Rover, both available with the 340-hp V6 and 510-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8 powertrains.

Jaguar

For the month of October, the Jaguar XF was the Jaguar volume and growth leader with 611 units sold, up 120 percent from 278 sales in October 2012. Year to date, the XF is up 39 percent. The current MY XF lineup includes the new 2.0T model as well as all wheel drive and V-6 options.

The Jaguar XJ sales were 454 units, up 75 percent from 260 in October, 2012. All Wheel Drive models now make up approximately half of all XJ sales.

The F-TYPE convertible sports car added 353 units this month.

Year to date, Jaguar sales are 13,962, up 36 percent from 10,249 sales, with both XJ and XF sales increasing on the appeal of new powertrains and All Wheel Drive.

For MY14 the transformed Jaguar U.S. lineup includes:

• Instinctive All Wheel Drive™ - Available on both the XF and XJ
• Supercharged 340hp V6 engines in the XF and XJ
• Turbocharged 240hp four cylinder engine available in the XF
• Eight Speed ZF® Automatic Transmissions on all XF and XJ models
• Auto Engine Stop/Start on select XF and XJ models

The 2014 Jaguar line-up features four models: The Jaguar XJ luxury sedan, powered by a 340-hp supercharged V6 in rear wheel or All Wheel Drive configuration, a 470-hp supercharged V8 or a 550-hp supercharged V8 in the XJR model. The Jaguar XF sports sedan powered by a 240-hp turbocharged four cylinder, a 340-hp supercharged V6 in rear wheel or All Wheel Drive configurations, a 470-hp supercharged V8, a 510-hp Supercharged V8 in the XFR, and a 550-hp Supercharged V8 in the XFR-S. The XK coupe and convertible grand touring cars are powered by either a 385-hp V8 or a 510-hp supercharged V8 in the XKR. Jaguar also offers its highest performance models ever, the 2014 Jaguar XKR-S coupe and convertible with a 550-hp supercharged V8.  The 2014 MY Jaguar F-TYPE convertible comes in three variants, 340-hp F-TYPE, 380-hp F-TYPE S and 495-hp F-TYPE V8 S

USA - Mazda reports best October in six years

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported October U.S. sales of 19,738 vehicles, representing an increase of 6.0 percent versus last year. Year-to-date sales through October are up 5.3 percent versus last year, with 240,229 vehicles sold.

Key October sales notes:

• Sales of 19,738 vehicles represents Mazda's best October since 2007.
• Celebrating its best October since 2008, Mazda6 posted a significant gain of 104.6 percent year-over-year with 3,100 vehicles sold.
• Mazda CX-5 continues to gain popularity among consumers as 5,833 vehicles were sold in October, accounting for a 54.4 percent increase YOY.
• SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY is the no-compromise answer to fuel efficiency and outstanding driving dynamics. Mazda vehicles equipped with SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY accounted for 77.6 percent of October sales.

Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported October sales of 2,602 vehicles, down 6.0 percent versus October of last year.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through more than 700 dealers.  Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

USA - Porsche celebrates another great month of sales in the US

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), importer and distributor of Porsche sports cars, Cayenne SUVs and Panamera four-door sports sedans in the United States, today announced October 2013 sales of 3,562 vehicles, an increase of 11 percent over the same period in 2012. Year-to-date, Porsche has sold 35,111 cars in the U.S., 24 percent ahead of last year’s total of 28,226, thus surpassing the entire 2012 sales volume of 35,043.

“Having sold more cars in the first 10 months of this year than the entire total of our 2012 record year is quite a feat, and it is rewarding to see that nearly half of our sales success is carried by our two-door sports cars,” said Detlev von Platen, President and CEO, Porsche Cars North America, Inc. “This bodes well for the final two months and is the perfect set-up for the upcoming market introduction of the Panamera S E-Hybrid, the top-of-the-line 911 models, the GT3 and 911 Turbo and, especially, the world premiere of our fifth model line, the Macan, at the Los Angeles Auto Show.”

The Cayenne model line continued its strong performance with 1,669 units sold this month (plus 2 percent over last October). For the year, 15,582 Cayenne models have been sold in the U.S. – a year-over-year increase of 30 percent. The 911 model line, which will round out its 50th anniversary celebration this year, impressed with 748 units sold in October, up 27 percent over the same period last year. The Boxster/Cayman mid-engine models, together with the rear-engine 911, account for roughly 40 percent of overall Porsche sales in the U.S. this year.

Porsche Approved Certified Pre-Owned vehicle sales were 883 for October 2013, which brings the year-to-date total to 13,222 units.

First spy shot of third generation AUDI TT

Photographers have caught their first glimpses of Audi's third-generation TT coupe, expected to go on sale in Europe in the second half of 2014 and in the United States the next year.

The photos suggest evolutionary styling changes for the model, which will shed weight and get better fuel economy with a move to the MQB architecture and more efficient turbocharged gasoline engines used in the Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3.

REPORT HERE