May 2015

Infiniti sets new April global sales record

(May 11, 2015) HONG KONG — On the heels of the all-time sales record that Infiniti achieved in the first quarter of 2015, the company successfully carried this momentum into April. Infiniti sold 16,700 vehicles globally last month, an increase of more than 1,700 vehicles or 12 percent versus April 2014. This marks the best April in Infiniti’s history.

Actor Idris Elba breaks historic 'Flying Mile' record in Bentley

(May 11, 2015) CREWE, England — Idris Elba, star of Luther and The Wire, piloted a Bentley to break the historic "Flying Mile" UK land speed record set by Sir Malcolm Campbell in 1927. The award-winning actor hit a top speed of 180.361 mph at the wheel of a new Continental GT Speed on Pendine Sands, Wales.

This broke the existing record of 174.8 mph set by Sir Malcolm nearly 90 years ago in his legendary Napier-Campbell Blue Bird. The record was independently verified by the UK Timing Association.

Rolls-Royce unveils 'Wraith — Inspired by Fashion'

(May 11, 2015) GOODWOOD, England — Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and the world of Haute Couture have long been bound by a common philosophy — to take the very finest materials and craft them into the most exquisite and desirable luxury goods, appointed to the customer’s exact specifications. In this spirit, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled "Wraith – Inspired by Fashion."

Volvo Cars selects South Carolina for its first American factory

(May 11, 2015) ROCKLEIGH, N.J. — Volvo Cars has chosen Berkeley County, South Carolina, as the location of its first American factory, investing up to $500 million in a facility with a capacity to initially produce up to 100,000 cars per year.

 The Berkeley County factory, located outside of Charleston, will make latest generation Volvo models for sale in the United States and for export. Construction will begin in early fall this year, with the first vehicles expected to roll off the assembly line in 2018.

Ad shows 2016 Chevrolet Volt is ‘Tomorrowland’ today

(May 10, 2015) DETROIT — Chevrolet and the upcoming Disney feature, “Tomorrowland,” share a history and future full of possibility, innovation and freedom. “Tomorrow, Today,” celebrates the launch of the next-generation Chevrolet Volt by capturing the spirit of imagination in the process of creating the car of tomorrow.

Audi sales growth continues in April

(May 9, 2015) INGOLSTADT, Germany — After the best first quarter in the company’s history, Audi continued its growth selling more cars in April than the year before. Audi reported 152,850 deliveries exceeding prior-year sales by 2.5 percent.

Demand again increased in all regions of the world compared with the same month in 2014. Audi AG’s business developed positively especially on the American continent: deliveries to customers climbed by 12.7 percent. From January to April, global unit sales of the company grew by 5.2 percent to around 591,050.

Ultimate American street-legal race car returns with 2016 Dodge Viper

(May 8, 2015) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The next chapter in the history of the ultimate street-legal, track-focused, hand-built American supercar begins with the return of the new 2016 Dodge Viper ACR.

Certified for public roads and engineered to wring every last hundredth of a second out of road course lap times, the 2016 Dodge Viper ACR combines the latest in aerodynamic, braking and tire technology — a recipe designed to carry on the ACR's lap-time busting reputation that has made it a legend on race tracks around the world.

Toyota profits rise propelled by U.S. sales, favorable exchange rates

(May 8, 2015) Increased North American sales and favorable foreign exchange rates have caused Toyota profits to surge in the latest quarter while propelling record full-year earnings. Operating profit jumped 46 percent to 635.7 billion yen ($5.31 billion) in the carmaker’s fiscal fourth quarter ended March 31, compared with 436.1 billion yen ($3.65 billion) a year earlier, according to Toyota.

Porsche opens $100 million 'experience center' and headquarters in Atlanta

(May 8, 2015) ATLANTA — Porsche Cars North America officially opened its new $100 million Porsche Experience Center (PEC) and headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia this week. The 27-acre complex located at the Northeast corner of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the largest investment outside Germany for the sports car manufacturer.

BMW refreshes 3 Series for 2016; introduces new 320-horsepower 6

(May 8, 2015) WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — BMW has introduced a refreshened 3 Series. For the 2016 model year, the new 3 Series receives a range of enhancements highlighting dynamics, supporting the vehicle’s true emotional commitment to the brand and its customers. The introduction of the BMW 340i, marks the world premier of an all new inline 6-cylinder gasoline engine, producing 320 horsepower with 330 lb-ft of torque.

This new modular BMW EfficientDynamics engine features BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology, combining increased performance with outstanding efficiency.