The Week In Motoring

Vauxhall Insignia Named Company Car of the Year

Business Car Manager have announced that the Vauxhall Insignia has been named the SME Company Car of the Year. The winner was decided by a high profile panel, chaired by Business Secretary Vince Cable, who were said to be impressed with not only the improved overall quality of the car but more specifically technological and style improvements as well as the further lowering of emissions. ‘Cheap to run and good to drive, the Insignia seems like a real no-compromise company car,’ (BCM).

The Insignia also picked up Best Large Company Car and Best Company Car for Tax Categories. Call WVL on 01753 851561 to discuss our current best leasing deal for your business!

Audi Q3 – the Fastest Selling Used Car

It is believed that the weather warnings and threats of storms have had a significant effect on consumer purchasing habits with 7 out of the top 10 selling used cars being 4x4s. With an average time span of 33.5 days spent on dealers’ forecourts, the Audi Q3 is currently the fastest selling used car in the UK. A close second was the Jeep Patriot which spent an average of 36.2 days on the forecourts. Mercedes Benz R-Class was this month’s slowest selling used car for the second month running, spending an average of 136.3 days on the forecourts.

Fiat Professional Announce 70% Increase in Sales

Fiat Professional have announced a 70% increase in sales, over twice that of their nearest rivals. The growth sees their UK LCW market share rise from 1.5% to 4.4%. They saw sales of over 13,500 units in 2013 despite not releasing any all-new models.

It seems there is no slowing down for the manufacturer this year with Fiat Professional director, Sebastiano Federigo stating, ‘With even more in the pipeline for 2014, we’re looking forward to another strong performance this year.’

Vauxhall Vans Make it 12 Years at Number 1

Building over 44,000 vans from their Luton plant in 2013, Vauxhall has retained the title of Britain’s number 1 van maker for the 12th year running. The figure is over 3 times that of their nearest rivals. Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director, Duncan Aldred, hailed the Vauxhall Vivaro as the ‘lynchpin’ of their ‘award-winning’ van range.

The new Vivaro is currently in pre-production and will go on sale later this year.

Chevrolet Unveils the Camaro Z/28.R

If you like your cars a little more rare and exotic, Chevrolet have unveiled their latest endurance racer: the Camaro Z/28.R. Unsurprisingly based on the Z/28, it contains the same 7.0L V8 engine and generates approximately 505bhp. Where this car differs from the road car is through the addition of a front splitter, rear splitter and belly pan which all improve the car’s downforce.

Mark Kent, Chevy’s motorsport director, says of the Z/28.R, ‘Apart from series-mandated equipment and the specialised suspension components needed for endurance racing, it’s as close to a production-spec race car as you’ll find.’

Additional details on the racer a likely to be announced once the car makes its track debut.