Groupe Renault has increased sales for the 5th consecutive year with 3,761,634 vehicles sold. Including Lada, The Groupe reported an 8.5% rise in global registrations (passenger cars + LCVs) in a market that grew 2.3%. The group market share now stands at 4.0% (+0.2 points vs 2016). In the LCV (light commercial vehicles) segment, the group set a new record with 462,859 registrations, a rise of 4.1% on 2016.
GLOBAL SALES RESULTS IN 2017
The Renault and Dacia brands increased sales to record levels with 2,670,982 and 655,235 vehicles sold respectively. Lada sales jumped 17.8% to 335,564 registrations, while Renault Samsung Motors sales fell 10.1% to 99,846 vehicles.
GLOBAL SALES RESULTS IN 2017
“We set a new group record with sales of over 3.7 million vehicles in 2017. We are continuing to increase sales volumes and market share across all regions. Our strategy of range renewal and geographic expansion is continuing to bring results. In 2018, we will pursue our growth and internationalization of our sales in line with the Drive The Future plan,” said Thierry Koskas, member of the Executive Committee, EVP, Sales and Marketing Groupe Renault.
GLOBAL SALES RESULTS IN 2017
In Europe, in a market that grew 3.3%, group registrations rose 5.6% to 1,911,169 vehicles. The group took a 10.8% share of the European market, up 0.2 points. The Renault brand alone saw sales rise 3.7% for a market share of 8.2%. Renault sales were buoyed in particular by the complete renewal of the Megane family in 2016, and the launch last June of new Koleos. Clio remains Europe’s second best-selling vehicle, while Captur is the number-one crossover in its class.
GLOBAL SALES RESULTS IN 2017
Electric Dreams – In the electric vehicle segment, Renault maintained its leadership with a market share of 23.8%. Sales volumes increased 38%. Registrations of ZOE, Europe’s top-selling electric vehicle, rose 44%. Even before the launch of new Duster at the very start of 2018, the Dacia brand set a new European sales record with 463,712 registrations (+11.7%), and market share of 2.6%, a rise of 0.2 points. The rise is linked primarily to the strong results of Sandero phase 2, launched at end-2016.
GLOBAL SALES RESULTS IN 2017
Outside Europe, the group increased volumes and market share across all regions. Group registrations rose 11.6% in a market that grew 3.3%. Sales outside Europe now account for 49.2% of the total. Groupe Renault consolidated its positions with the success of its new range: Renault Kaptur, LADA Vesta and LADA XRAY in Russia, Koleos in China, Megane Sedan in Turkey, Duster Oroch and Kwid in the Americas.
Over on this side of the globe,In the Asia Pacific region, registrations increased 17.0% in a market that expanded 2.7%. In China, Renault sold over 72,100 vehicles compared with 35,278 in 2016, thus doubling sales volumes in the space of one year. New Koleos consolidated its success with over 43,400 registrations. In India, Renault continues to rank as the number-one European car brand with market share of 3.1%. Sales fell 14.9% pending the ramp-up of Captur.
2018 Market Outlook for Groupe Renault – In 2018, the global market is expected to grow 2.5% vs 2017. The European market is expected to expand 1% with an increase of 1% for France. At international level, Brazil is expected to expand by 5% and Russia close to 10%. China is expected to grow by 5%, and India by 6%. Against this backdrop, the group is expected to reap the benefits of range renewal across all regions in 2018 and to pursue growth2 in sales, driven by international markets, in connection with the new Drive The Future plan.
Here it is! The new Volvo XC60 has arrived in Malaysia! Priced at RM343,888 for the XC60 T8 Twin Engine Inscription Plus, and RM333,888 for the T8 Inscription and RM298,888 for the T5.
Powered by Twin Engine technology, the T8 combines a turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 407bhp and a whopping 640Nm of torque. Do stay tuned for more to come!
The Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) Festival makes it way to Medini City in Iskandar Puteri, Johor this weekend 19th to 21st January, and brings with it a totally immersing experience with non-stop motor racing action, A-list celebrity activities and impressive prizes including a brand new Toyota Vios Sports Edition that will be presented to a lucky visitor.
Having thrilled crowds in Penang and Kuala Lumpur with total attendance of 50,000 visitors, the Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) Racing Festival is expected to attract a sizeable crowd in Medini City on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th January 2018, particularly as the excitement of the Vios Challenge continues to develop with great intensity.
With the championships in mid season and no runaway winner in sight, the duels are beginning to heat up in all three categories where some of the top racing drivers will be competing. Spectators can expect a thrilling weekend of racing on the street circuit that features one of the longest straights of the championship and a hairpin turn, promising lots of overtaking action.
One such race category that fans will definitely be keen to catch will be the Promotional Class where celebrity racers Fattah Amin, Shukri Yahaya, Diana Danielle, Janna Nick, Geraldine Gan, Danny Koo, Venice Min and Shawn Lee will be battling it out for glory. Shukri Yahaya took a popular win in the last event in MAEPS Serdang and he will be out to bring the battle to Shawn once again.
For celebrity watchers, it will be a starry event in Medini as apart from the eight racing celebrities, Media Prima’s Drama Sangat bus tour celebrities including Nazrief Nazri, Intan Najwa, Adiba Yunos, Aishah Azman, Raja Afiq, Ruhainies, Zie Zainal and Aliff Yasraff will be at the event meeting fans and giving away prizes and souvenirs during their meet and greet sessions.
The young at heart will also not be forgotten as superhero Ejen Ali and Comot will be making appearances throughout the weekend.
There will be lots of prizes and souvenirs to be given away throughout the weekend but the biggest prize will be a Toyota Vios Sports Edition that is being offered as the grand prize in the lucky draw.
Fans of Toyota cars will further be treated with a showcase of the latest models including the 2018 Toyota Vios and the show-stealing C-HR that remains one of the biggest attractions everywhere it goes. There will be test drives of most Toyota models as well.
Be sure to catch the stunt performance of Japanese World Champion drifters Masato Kawabata and Drift Samurai, Takahiro Imamura who will be out to thrill, performing their brilliant drift shows in a pair of Toyota 86 drift cars.
In keeping with UMW Toyota Motor’s efforts to promote healthy, safe and wholesome activities, the race track at the Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) Racing Festival in Johor will be open for an hour to cyclists who register on Saturday morning, allowing them an opportunity to experience the circuit in a safe and controlled manner.
Another attraction of the Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) Racing Festival in Medini City is the presence of some of the region’s top food trucks from Johor including Brader Doug, Tacoloco, Salys Streetfood, Aromorasa to name a few.
Entrance to the Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) Racing Festival is free and activities begin from 9am daily stretching till 6.30pm. For the latest developments, event information and everything about the Vios Challenge, visit the homepage Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia, follow the Insta page or like the Facebook page.
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has started 2018 with the launch of the new Triton VGT “Athlete” Edition4×4 lifestyle pick-up truck. Along the lines of the infamous saying “You can have it in any colour as long as it’s black…”, the Athlete comes only in a shade of ‘Black Mica’, which actually looks quite stunning.
While there are now SEVEN variants of the Triton (see below), this Athlete is priced at RM126,990 (OTR w/o insurance, incl. 6% GST), the Athlete is powered by a familiar 2.4-litre MIVEC common-rail turbo-diesel engine with Variable Geometry Turbine (VGT) that puts out 181 Ps (133kW) and a colossal 430Nm of torque, mated to a 5-speed auto tranny with paddle-shifts.
New to the Athlete are a revised front bumper garnish, new black front-grille with honeycomb mesh, 17-inch alloy wheels, new sports bar, as well as dark grey and orange decals.
Over on the inside, the Athlete gets a new infotainment system now equipped with Apple Carplay. Here’s a quick 360-degree video of the inside…
Safety wise, the Triton Athlete has 7-airbags, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Brake Assist, Active Stability & Traction Control, Hill-Start Assist, Trailer Stability Assist, and a Brake Override System.
Stay tuned for the full review once the Triton Athlete is done with its nationwide roadshow which kicks-off at 1 Utama Highstreet (New Wing) today! For a full listing of the nationwide roadshow which hits Melaka, Perak, Penang, Kedah, Sabah & Sarawak, log on to MMM’s official website here.
The Magnificent Seven…*
Triton VGT Athlete – RM126,990
Triton VGT Adventure X – RM126,990
Triton VGT AT Premium – RM116,300
Triton VGT AT GL – RM103,800
Triton VGT MT – RM107,600
Triton MT – RM93,920
Triton Quest (Manual) – RM77,390
*All Triton variants get a 5-year / 200,000km warranty, except Triton Quest, which has a 5-year / 100,000km warranty. All variants are CBU from Mitsubishi Thailand.
BMW Group Malaysia has achieved its best performance in the country with a total of 12,680 units of BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad vehicles delivered in 2017. This is the premium automaker’s seventh consecutive all-time high performance, achieving a segment leading growth of 16% as compared to the same period in 2016 (10,906).
(L-R) Kidd Yam & Han
Han Sang Yun, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia (above, right) said, “We are humbled by this achievement. Our successful growth here in Malaysia is a result of our absolute commitment to the country as well as all our customers, dealers and their premium ownership experiences. We are committed more than ever to serve the country and the South East Asian region from Malaysia this year and set another benchmark with utmost excellence for the premium automotive industry here. Going into 2018, with the continued support of the Malaysian government, our customers and our strong dealership network, we will realise our investments and plans for the region here and we hope in sustaining this momentum and achieving yet another milestone for the Group and the country.”
(Forefront L-R) Han, Raymond & Sashi
The BMW brand grew by 18% in 2017, delivering a total of 10,618 BMW vehicles from 9,000 vehicles in 2016. The growth was predominantly driven by the BMW 3 Series with 3,564 units delivered – 2,408 of which are units of the BMW 330e and BMW 330e M Sport. The BMW X5 xDrive40e is also a key contributor of the brand’s performance, with over 3,000 units sold last year. The BMW 740Le xDrive which was introduced in the first half of 2017 took the concept of Driving Luxury to the Mobility of the Future and had over 400 units delivered.
The successful delivery of BMW’s electrified vehicles to customers in Malaysia continues to underline the company’s leadership role when it comes to electro-mobility and is an indication that Malaysians are ready for the newest technology in the automotive industry. Driving its product portfolio of BMW Hybrid vehicles with eDrive Technology forward, BMW Group Malaysia will continue to prioritize on infrastructure and mobility services in its strategy to make electric driving a more comfortable and convenient experience and a daily pleasure.
The launch of the all-new BMW 5 Series, the most progressive sport-business sedan, in the first half of 2017 also accelerated the brand’s sales with over 1,600 units delivered.
MINI also grew from strength to strength, achieving the brand’s best record performance in 2017 with 1,010 MINI vehicles delivered. This marks a 12% increase from the previous year (902). This feat continues to position MINI as the second fastest growing brand in the Malaysian premium segment and is now the third largest brand in the segment. Last year, MINI added the new MINI Countryman, MINI John Cooper Works Clubman and MINI John Cooper Works Countryman to its portfolio.
BMW Motorrad meanwhile, delivered a total of 1,052 units of its motorcycles, charting a 5% increase as compared to the previous year (1,004). 2017 saw the unveiling of five new motorcycles – the BMW S1000RR, BMW R1200GS, BMW K1600 GT and Bagger and BMW R nineT Urban GS.
Adding to the company’s commitment to deliver greater ownership experience for its customers, BMW Group Malaysia also introduced the Full Circle Programme by BMW Credit Malaysia, and the Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline Program for BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad vehicles, on top of its existing premium offerings such as the BMW 5 Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty and Free Service Program, the BMW Tyre Warranty Program, and the MINI 4 Year Unlimited Mileage and Free Service Warranty program.
The leading premium automaker also opened its doors to its newest Regional Parts Distribution Centre facilities at the Free Trade Zone of the Senai International Airport of Iskandar Malaysia. The new regional facility, which is built on an investment of over RM 130million, is one of the largest of its kind in the Asia Pacific region and supports over 22 countries in the region. This is a testament to Malaysia being a key market for the BMW Group; a market that supports the Group’s strategic business direction in expanding its footprint in the region.
In 2018, BMW Group Malaysia will begin delivery of the first BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series and BMW 7 Series to Vietnam and the Philippines. To support the move, the BMW Assembly Plant in Kulim increased its local assembly capabilities to over 10,000 vehicles in 2017 with an investment of over RM 10million.
“This year is our 15th year of operations in Malaysia and we are very proud to have established ourselves as the leading provider of premium individual and sustainable mobility. We look forward to another year of growth in every aspect – from our sales to the maturity of our product portfolio to our leadership in electromobility and future mobility here in Malaysia,” said Han.
The success of BMW Group Malaysia mirrors that of the BMW Group worldwide. Globally, the premium automaker achieved a new all-time sales high with a total delivery of 2,463,526 vehicles. A seventh consecutive year of record sales. In 2017, the BMW brand saw a 4.2% boost in numbers with a total delivery of 2,088,283 vehicles while the MINI brand also charted a new sales record in 2017, growing 3.2% over the previous year with 371,881 deliveries. Sales across the BMW Motorrad range also increased by 13.2% with a total of 164,153 units delivered worldwide.
The Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bespoke department is an extraordinary collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople, who bring the marque’s discerning and influential patrons’ most ambitious and personal visions to reality.
Today, almost every motor car that leaves the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England, is Bespoke. 2017 was the year that Rolls-Royce elevated Bespoke to unprecedented new levels, resulting in one of the most significant years for Bespoke in the 114-year history of the brand, surmised in this video…
What follows is a snapshot of some of the finest examples of Bespoke design and craftsmanship to be completed by the luxury house over the past 12 months.
Rolls-Royce Torpedo Photo: James Lipman / jameslipman.com
‘Sweptail’
Rolls-Royce ‘Sweptail’, the realisation of one customer’s coachbuilt dream. Premiered in 2017, ‘Sweptail’ is a compelling representation of true luxury, taking Bespoke coachbuild personalisation to new heights. Check out the video…
The result of a collaboration between patron and artisan, ‘Sweptail’s’ bold design embraces the marque’s heritage as the world’s leading coachbuilder whilst reaffirming its pinnacle position in Bespoke personalisation.
This automotive equivalent of Haute Couture draws on the lineage of 1920s and 1930s Rolls-Royce motor cars. The client’s vision was for a coachbuilt two seater coupé featuring a large panoramic glass roof. The result is a contemporary masterpiece.
Rolls-Royce Torpedo Photo: James Lipman / jameslipman.com
The grille, milled from solid aluminium, presents a distinct formality. The side profile of ‘Sweptail’ defines its stately character, whilst the rear taper of the motor car pays homage to the world of racing yachts, shaping a completely new perception of a dramatic Rolls-Royce coupé. The elegant and characterising rear culminates in the registration number 08, milled from ingots of aluminium and hand polished to a mirror finish.‘Sweptail’ is a personal, Bespoke, motor car like no other.
New Phantom and ‘The Gallery’ – An Art Gallery on Wheels
New Rolls-Royce Phantom was unveiled to global critical acclaim in 2017. At the heart of the motor car’s design aesthetic is ‘The Gallery’, a contemporary and luxury reinterpretation of a motor car’s dashboard and instrument panel.
An application of glass runs uninterrupted across the fascia providing an unprecedented opportunity to present artwork, within your motor car. ‘The Gallery’ is an innovation that furthers Rolls-Royce’s unparalleled Bespoke vision and mastery of materials and craft.
Dawn and Wraith at Porto Cervo
Two unique motor cars were created in honour of the 2017 Rolls-Royce Summer Studio, Porto Cervo, Sardinia. A Bespoke Dawn drophead coupé and a Wraith Black Badge were commissioned to encapsulate the essence of this beguiling island.
Dawn adopted a nautical theme, evoking emotions of a languid Mediterranean sojourn. The Porto Cervo motif, encrusted with genuine Sapphires and Mother of Pearl, is embedded into the front facia of the motor car. The navy blue and arctic white hues complement an expanse of teak, including the decking and floor.
The Porto Cervo Wraith playfully emulates Sardinia’s night time ambience. A two-tone Diamond Black exterior is contrasted with gloss and matt paint applications, while black woven leather door panniers infer Wraith Black Badge’s dark and complex character, under the night sky.
‘Spirit of Calligraphy’ Ghost
A special one-off commission unveiled in Dubai in 2017, the Bespoke ‘Spirit of Calligraphy’ Ghost draws its design inspiration from the ancient art of Arabic calligraphy. Words are harmoniously moulded into shapes, creating a unique effect where texts and images become one. Sir Henry Royce’s resonant words “Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it”, in their Arabic form are shaped into Rolls-Royce’s flying mascot, the Spirit of Ecstasy. The calligraphy motif, created by renowned artist Khaled Al Saai, features as a silver inlay on the centre panel and as embroidery on the rear centre seat, amidst an eye-catching array of Turchese, Black and Arctic White leathers.
‘Elegance’
Commissioned for an individual collector, the Ghost ‘Elegance’ raised the bar of Bespoke by becoming the first motor car to be finished in a paint infused with diamonds. Named ‘Diamond Stardust’, the unique paint incorporates 1,000 diamonds crushed to form a very fine powder, giving the finished panels unmatched lustre and sparkle.
The flanks of the motor car are highlighted with Mugello Red and Black twin coachlines, reflected inside with black leather seats and accents in Mugello Red, carried through stitching on the doors and piping on the seats. The detailed fascia of smooth open-pore Tudor Oak veneer is also complemented with a Mugello Red single stitch along the top of the dashboard, and finished with a Bespoke clock.
‘Dawn in Fuxia’
In 2017, US collector Michael Fux was presented with his tenth Bespoke model from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Following a visit to Pebble Beach in 2016, where he collected a cluster of eye-catching fuchsia petals, he challenged the Bespoke team at Goodwood with a commission to bring a striking new colour to Dawn. Subsequently unveiled during The Quail automotive gathering in California, the vibrant ‘Dawn in Fuxia’ represents the addition of another unique hue to the Rolls-Royce Colour Collection, and is reserved exclusively for Mr. Fux to use. His most recent commission is his second Dawn, having collected the first – in one-off ‘Fux Blue’ – in 2016. Reminiscent of that car, the interior of ‘Dawn in Fuxia’ is trimmed in stunning Arctic White leather.
‘Dawn B50’ for Hotel Byblos
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Hotel Byblos in Saint-Tropez in 2017, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars revealed the ‘Dawn B50’, a highly Bespoke and unique motor car inspired by the warmth and vibrancy of the Côte d’Azur. Commissioned by the Hotel Byblos as the automotive ‘Jewel of Saint-Tropez’, the Dawn B50 exudes two dominant exterior colours. The lustrous combination was developed exclusively to celebrate the hotel’s anniversary, along with bespoke door treadplates and a unique hand-painted coachline on each side bearing the ‘B50’ logo. The sophisticated interior takes inspiration from the intense Mediterranean sun, with vibrant tangerine tones that accentuate the dashboard and echo the stitching across the seat upholstery and floor mats.
Homage to a special Silver Dawn
Prominently displayed at the Home of Rolls-Royce is a remarkably rare 1952 Silver Dawn, one of very few ever made. It was sold new to a customer in Canada, and in 2017 a commission for a new Dawn from the same country led to a beautiful homage to this particular car in its 65th anniversary year.
Finished in two-tone Midnight Sapphire and Jubilee Silver, the new Dawn closely emulates the original finishes of the 1952 motor car, with a Bespoke painted coachline, broken for the first time on a Rolls-Royce. Inside, Selby Grey and Navy leather are combined with Crossbanded Walnut Burr veneer, closely matched to the original. The finishing touches include a Bespoke clock with ‘1952’ lettering and a Spirit of Ecstasy veneer inlay.
Inspiration from South Korea
The ‘Bespoke Collection for Korea’ unveiled at the British Embassy in Seoul, embraced the aesthetic heritage of South Korea with a contemporary flare. The Ghost Seoul Edition reflects colours that grace the country’s Taegukgi national flag, finished in bright Andalusian White with a twin coachline in Cobalto Blue and Mugello Red – along with a hand-painted Bespoke motif that captures the silhouette of the iconic Namsan Seoul Tower. Inside, the black leather is complemented by contrasting bands in Arctic White, as well as blue and red highlights for stitching and piping.
The ‘Wraith Busan Edition’ is inspired by the hues of the coastal city of the same name, with a two-tone exterior in Royal Blue and Jubilee Silver that conjures up the shimmer of the surrounding sea. The rear pillar motif echoes the delicate latticework of traditional Korean ‘hanok’ screen doors, and is also carried inside the car across the dashboard. Emulating the dusk sky across nearby mountain ranges, a single coachline in Blushing Pink draws attention to the shoulder line. The colour is also applied to the seat stitching, instrument panel and ‘RR’ headrest monograms inside, as the final flourish to the Selby Grey and Cobalto Blue upholstery.
