Car Leasing News

Fiat Bravo, the unchallenged leader in technological innovations has launched its new 165 bhp 2.0 Multijet with particulate filter (DPF) conforming to Euro 5 standards.

The new version confirms Fiat brand’s commitment to reduction of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Fiat has laid more emphasis on design of environment friendly cars and enhancement of fuel efficiency. The model combines flexibility and driving comfort which have been hallmark of the Fiat brands all these years.

165 bhp 2.0 Multijet offers increased torque and power, reduced CO2 emission of just 139g/km and fuel consumption of 5.3L per 100 km over combined cycle. The design improvement included increase in cylinder bore size, reduction in compression ratio from 17.5:1 to 16.5:1, making it possible to reduce NOx levels substantially.

The 165 bhp power unit uses low voltage spark plug. Compliance to Euro 5 is guaranteed by the close-coupled CCDPF and sophisticated exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR). The Euro 5 approval would enhance its resale value significantly.

Apart from low fuel consumption, 2.0 Multijet gives top speed of 215 kmph and acceleration from 0-100 kmph in 8.2 seconds. It produces 360N/m torque at rpm lower than that of 1.9 Multijet.

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The Volvo Car Corporation has stepped up its production of DRIVe range and Volvo XC60 cars to enter into the growing crossover segment.

It is also offering S40, C30, V50 1.6D DRIVe with lowest CO2 emission and best in class fuel consumption levels.

Both the DRIVe and Volvo XC60 models have been successfully taken into mass production at Volvo Car’s Ghent plant.

Ghent has become the busiest plant of Volvo Cars in Belgium as it rolled above 4 million cars off the assembly line early August.

XC60 cars started rolling off in late August and the production has since then been gradually increasing.

Volvo Cars Gent is busy launching DRIVe range of Volvo V50, S40 and C30, which were on display at Paris Motor Show in October.

With the launch of Volvo XC60, Volvo Car has made entry in the medium crossover segment which is currently on the growth path. Current year target is to produce 12,000 cars and to reach 50,000 units annual level in coming years. The plant underwent extensive makeover with installation of robots for mounting sunroof, enhancement of laser welding capacity and many other facilities for XC60 production.

Volvo has plans to sell 20,000 units of 1.6D DRIVe cars in Europe in 2009.

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Two new suppliers joined Fiat UK as part of its dealer remarketing programme for ultimately supporting network in sale of used cars.

Fiat is aiming to minimise time taken to collect, prepare and deliver used vehicles, to dealers and maximise vehicles’ residual value. Fiat’s higher volume remarketing system is one of the most efficient systems in the industry.

Fiat has appointed Paragon Automotive, a specialist company in fleet management and vehicle processing, to handle preparation and refurbishment of internal as well as rental vehicles which are returned to Fiat daily.

Paragon would provide services for inspection of vehicle, its collection and preparation by processing it through Thurleigh, Bedfordshire mechanical workshops. Vehicles would then be sent to Fiat Approved dealers and buyer networks with the help of Paragon’s 80 transporters and 100 drivers.

Fiat has also roped in JKT Remarketing to enhance service. JTK will be providing web based remarketing system which will integrate across Paragon’s activities and provide online direct access to all Fiat dealers for getting stock of centrally available used vehicles.

This initiative has instilled more confidence across buyer networks and dealers, and led to increase in Fiat’s used car volumes.

Fiat has also appointed used car marketing specialist, Portfolio, to improve web based consumer- facing stock locator and enhance sales of used cars across franchise.

According to Fiat UK’s Remarketing Manager, Simon Wheeler, with the expertise of JTK, Paragon and Portfolio, Fiat dealers were now equipped with tools to help them increase sales more quickly and more profitably.

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Peugeot 308 HDi hybrids and Citroen C4 are on display in the annual H2Roma event, where automobile manufacturers, researchers, academics and general public participate in large numbers. The programme includes test drives, discussion sessions and offers opportunity to carmakers to explain current and future technologies for reduction of CO2 emissions.

PSA Peugeot Citroen, the leader in designing and manufacture of low CO2 emission vehicles in Europe, would outline its strategy and provide visitors an opportunity to drive Citroen C4 HDi hybrids and Peugeot 308 in Rome. Peugeot is targeting to provide environment friendly cars to every user by developing technological solutions of 4 different types.

These solutions include improvement of diesel powered and gasoline internal combustion engines, micro-hybrid technology on all cars by 2010, total introduction of diesel hybrid technology by 2011, and work on Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV).

Deployment of gasoline engines in 1.4L and 1.6L Citroen and Peugeot range has already been stepped up. The introduction of 3-cylinder small gasoline engine fuel efficient car with less than 100/g/km CO2 emission is slated for 2011.

The group would introduce Stop & Start technology across Citroen and Peugeot range in 2010. By 2011 the system, which reduces CO2 emissions by up to 15%, would be equipping one million vehicles.

Full diesel hybrid technology would equip distinctive models offering substantial reduction in CO2 emissions and additional exceptional features.

The group intends in positioning itself as the best maker of environment friendly cars for everybody.

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Volkswagen website has been made more customer friendly with addition of eBay-style system and many new functions to facilitate existing and new customers in making right choice based on information regarding different Volkswagen vehicles and models.

The eBay-style Volkswagen Retailers rating system is visible to customers who search retailers by their postcode or city. The system offers list of 5 outlets with information like contact details, services offered and distance from customer’s place. The system displays ‘Positive feedback’ score with a percentage of recommendations by customers for purchasing Volkswagen vehicle form a particular retailer.

Relationship Marketing Manger, Marianne Nicholas, at Volkswagen UK, commented that decision to publicise feedback scores was hard and well thought and rightly timed to provide customers a choice, adequately supported by the experience of other buyers. He added that for a buyer a retailer and its services were as important as the product itself.

Another function added to website is the on-line booking facility for a test drive, with choice to select car model, retailer and time during two forthcoming weeks. This facility enables customers to schedule their own test drive time make it more comfortable by sitting at home.

Customer can sign up for Volkswagen Wold’s RSS and receive updates on new products and developments.

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