Posts Categorized ‘Uncategorized’
the Volkswagen group has made no secret in its determination to be the biggest car manufacturer in the world, with its recent announcement to use more of its Volkswagen car parts throughout all of its VAG vehicles, to keep costs down at the same time standards high, now it is its employment figures that has stirred interest. At a time when most manufacturing companies are looking to reduce their workforce, Volkswagen group has increased its workforce by 100,00 up to 500,000 world wide, according to an article in auto news.
VW have managed to deliver excellent sales probably dies to its reputation of reliability as well as other marques such as Audi and brands that were not on the shopping list so much as say Seat and Skoda, are now seen as credible if not excellent makes of cars to own. Gone are the days where Skoda’s were described as skips on wheels, so much so there are very few towns in the UK, where you will not see fleets of them being used by taxi firms.
This combination of brands that can extend to different price brackets and countries, but still using shared technology and resources means that the VW group has a very good chance of attaining its objectives.
The VW Audi group, which includes Skoda and Seat as well, have a specific technological design approach to diesel engines called TDI engines or VW Audi Group Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) technology.
The latest range of VW Audi TDIs are forced induction engines which the VW Audi Group claims delivers greater performance and economy AND generating lower co2 emissions. The petrol engine technology range are TSIs.
The current VW Audi petrol TSIs are 1.2 and 1.4 petrol engines.
The current VW Audi diesel TDIs are two engines sizes and four outputs.
1.6-litre 1 x 90 and 1 x 105 PS outputs
2.0-litre TDI engine 1 x 140 and 1 x 170 PS.
There is also BlueMotion Technology petrol and diesel engines.
VW Audi claim their new 1.6-litre 105 PS Blue Motion diesel engine can achieve 61.4 mpg on a combined cycle.
However the older TDIs and TSIs are on the whole outstandingly good engines, and have been used across the who VW AUdi range especially popular models have been the Skoda Fabia, Skoda Octavia, Seat Alhambra, VW Sharan, Toreg and Touran as well as the Golf and Polo ranges. Finding the right used car engines for VW Audi models is never easy but the burdensome task can be greatly lessened by using one of the excellent online car part locators such as Car Engine Finder, 4x4sparefinder and others searching for any of the following:
The Audi A1 looks on course to continue its domination at automobile award ceremonies after it picked up its 5th award of 2011.
The A1 which was awarded the Best Small Car at the 2011 Fleet World honours, is also flying high in the Audi A1 car lease world as the German manufactures surpassed countrymen BMW as the most requested car to leasing companies. Steve Moody, Fleet World editor said: “Audi’s new A1 is just so desirable, combining chunky good looks with meticulous attention to detail and quality
“It might not be the cheapest, but strong performance on the used market will balance the books. Pre-launch, it always looked like being a winner – now on fleet, it has proved it.”
This award follows on from WhatCar? magazines Car of the Year and Supermini of the Year awards. The A1 also picked up the Best Small Hatchback from Parkers and Best Luxury Small Car at the CarBuyer Awards.
Audi launched the A1 at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010 aiming the vehicle at young,affluent urban buyers in a bid to compete with BMW’s release of the MINI.
The A1 is currently one of the most leased vehicle in the industry and is becoming more and more popular as people appear to have seen the benefits of leasing over buying outright. Automotive industry experts however have stressed the importance of shopping around for lease deals and to make sure that all prices are definitive.
Audi has shown forward thinking as it implements its latest marketing strategy using the latest in online and mobile technologies.
The German manufacturer gave hints at what its plans were for the future when it launched the worlds first iPad application made by an automotive manufacturer. The app is basically an advanced mobile version of the ‘Audi Configure’ option found on the website which allows users to put together an Audi to their personal spec.
Audi Motorsport have also announced that they will be releasing applications for both iPhone and iPad. Applications also include video marketing content, something that an established SEO company can help configure for your business.
Audi has grown as a luxury car manufacturer tenfold over the past few years culminating with it ousting country mate BMW as the most requested lease vehicle. The implementation of technology by the manufacturer has also been nothing short of outstanding. Premium vehicle comes with a built in mobile broadband Wi-Fi hotspot which integrates with the a cars voice recognition allowing hands free Google searches, which are then displayed on a 5’ flat screen which is fitted as standard. Wi-Fi can also be connected to mobile devices as you would expect, invaluable for older kids and adults on longer journeys.
Overall it’s clear to see that Audi have embraced multimedia and online technology alongside automotive technology to create a convergent vehicle of the future.
The Audi A1 has recently been awarded the coveted WhatCar? Car of the Year award in the 34th Annual awards.
The WhatCar? magazine awards have often be referred to as ‘The Oscars of the automotive industry’. Steve Fowler, Editor of the magazine said:
“If ever there has been a car that has hit the nail squarely and firmly on the head, the Audi A1 is it. It’s the right car at the right time: a car that combines desirability and ability alongside frugal financials – the perfect combination.”
The Audi A1 has been described by many industry experts as the first ‘premium concept car’ and had already been billed as the most anticipated car of the year by WhatCar?
Jeremy Hicks, Director of Audi UK commented on the win saying:
“It’s a tremendous accolade for the Audi A1 to receive the What Car? Car of the Year Award – a title with such a strong and long-standing reputation.”
The Audi A1 is also one of the first cars to have a tablet based brochure named the “Audi A1 eKatalog”. Which allows users to customise vehicles, includes a 3D driving game and is available as a free download for the Apple iPad.
The Audi A1 is one of the most popular in the leased car industry and Audi A1 contract hire deals are one of the most readily available on the internet. Experts however do recommend that customers shop around as prices quoted online are not always definitive.
Leasing is becoming increasingly more popular as more and more people realise the advantages of leasing over outright buying. Certain leasing companies even include costly servicing and repairs as part of the monthly payment costs. Business owners also need to be aware of the tax benefits of leasing and also the individual tax rates for having a company car.
The car that re-established Skoda as a market leader and also silenced the jokers has picked up two more awards this week, adding to it’s already impressive CV.
The Skoda Octvia has been named by Parkers Guide as the ‘Family Car’ for 2011 and also the Fleet News Juniors ‘Upper Medium Car of the Year’. The Skoda Yeti also scooped the made it two years on the bounce in the ‘Best Crossover’ category and was ‘Highly Commended’ by the publication.
Kieren Puffett, Editor of Parkers paid tribute to the Octavia saying:
In one of the most competitive sectors in the car market, the Octavia underlined just what tremendous value it provides to car buyers. The sheer roominess of the Octavia, its practicality and decent levels of standard kit make it an immediate hit with families. Throw in top build quality, great reliability and the frugal nature of the 1.2-litre petrol engine that also delivers great performance and it is a compelling buy."
Martin Burke, Head of UK Fleet Sales collected the awards adding:
"To pick up one award and get a ‘Highly Commended’ in front of so many people from the industry really puts Skoda at the forefront of their minds when deciding who they should talk to in the future."
Skoda Octavia hatchback lease deals have appeared everywhere in recent years thanks to the excellent rates offered to self-employed taxi drivers. The fuel economy of the vehicle is also outstanding, what may sound like a weak 1.2 engine gives exceptional power and fuel economy. The backing of Volkswagen also means you can expect a long life from the Octavia.
Leasing an Octavia for business is an excellent option as its low emissions and fuel consumption save you money straight away. The design also oozes style and class giving you the best impression if visiting clients. Remember that as a business owner you should be aware of the tax benefits of leasing a company car.
Although be aware and always check out the hidden charges when getting a quote online, the price you are quoted may not necessarily be the price you pay.
Praised for its design and build quality the Audi A5 Coupe is marketed as a direct competitor to BMW’s 3 series which has sold more than 250,000 vehicles in the UK since 2008.
On reviewing the Audi A5 AutoExpress.co.uk even suggested that the coupe model could rival the Mercedes CLK in the luxury mid-size vehicle range.
Over the past year or so Audi contract hire has grown to become the most requested car from contract hire companies.
The Audi A5 just like its competitor screams class and looks amazingly well built, there is even special edition coupe made from completely from aluminium.
What really seems to have impressed people about the A5 though is the 3.0 TDI diesel engine which has been described as “feeling different”. 0-60 in little over 6 seconds shows the power this engine is packing.
For personal use the A5 has one of the biggest boots available, an impressive 455 litres. Pair all of this with the economical running modes you would expect from Audi and it’s an excellent choice for contract hire.
If you think contract hire is for you then be sure to get a range of quotes using a quote site, as some companies offer better packages than others. Many even include servicing and selected repairs as part of their payment packages.
Since its introduction in 1980 the VW Caddy has been through three evolutions to get to where it is today.
One of the top sellers in the light commercial vehicle sector the Caddy held a 42% market share in 2007 and has since expanded its distribution to numerous worldwide markets. More recently the model scooped a hat trick of awards in 2008 as it awarded ‘Best Small Van’ for three industry publications.
With a range of engine options from a 1.4 16V up to 2.0 TDI there is an option to suit most requirements. When the vehicle was first launched many were concerned the premium pricing would hinder sales and put off would be fleet owners. However the driving experience upon release was recipient of high praise and Volkswagens inclusion of a diesel option, making it the only diesel option in its category.
VW Caddy contract hire has also gone hand in hand with the success of the van with many offering the benefits you would expect from individual deals for fleet hire. Contract hire also a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) option that could benefit a business over the long term. As with leasing you don’t actually own the vehicle but your payments are tailored and adapted to reflect the resale value of the Caddy so come the end of the initial lease period you get the option to buy outright. However an added benefit of this deal is that is can include services and certain repairs as part of the monthly payments, Giving you one less thing to worry about.
The Caddy also offers easy modification with models easily adapted to seat up to seven people and can store payloads of up to 750kg., coupled with VW’s usual reliability and economical running it’s definitely worth a look if you’re needing a light commercial vehicle for your business.
The fourth generation Audi A4 is the definition of compact executive car, if you’re wanting to give a good impression to clients or need a vehicle with economic consumption then you’ve found it.
The recent resurgence of Audi as the car of choice for celebrities and footballers hasn’t cheapened it, if anything it shows the how good value this brand is. Dutch Midfielder Mark Von Bommel even reviewed his Audi for a Dutch car website.
Looking good is obviously one thing but if you’re covering a lot of road or wanting to keep costs low then the Audi A4 offers something else. With fuel emissions of only 120g/km you can expect low road tax liability alongside excellent fuel conservation.
If you are going to be using your Audi A4 for business then looking for an Audi contract hire deal might be a good option.
Using contract hire sites also allows you to gauge the market and find the best deals and package to suit you. As a business owner the last thing you need is more worries, by using a contract hire car you can avoid this.
Certain dealers offer inclusive service and repairs to vehicles, another weight off your mind.
The difference between leasing and financing is with financing, you own the car with the car dealer having a lien on the car until it is paid in full. When you lease a car, you do not have ownership of the car. If you were in the market for an Audi, their dealerships offer two different financing plans. One is the regular Audi finance plan and the other is the College Graduate financing plan.
With either plan, you need to decide if you want a new or pre-owned certified car. Once that decision is made, the Audi dealership will work up a Audi car finance plan that will meet your needs. Two of the reasons you might consider purchasing a pre-owned certified Audi, besides the price of the car, is if the years you intend to own the car exceeds four years, and if you want a typical loan of 12-48 months.
The College Graduate financing plan requires less credit history than regular Audi car finance. The other stipulations for qualifying for this financing plan is that you must be within four months of graduating from an accredited program or you have completed your schooling from an accredited university within the last two years. If you have graduated, you must have full time employment. The typical loan period is 12-60 months.
If you do not want to own the car, there is also the option of Audi leasing, which includes a College Graduate lease. When you decide to lease, you can custom-tailor the amount of mileage allotment you will have. Most Audi dealers figure 15,000 miles a year, so any miles over that you will pay a standard mileage fee. You can also buy miles upfront for a discount. At the end of your Audi car lease, you can purchase the Audi, or turn in your current Audi and get a newer Audi.
You can qualify for a College Graduate lease is the same as the requirements to purchase an Audi using the College Graduate financing program. With either program, your payment cannot be more than 25% of your gross monthly income. As with the regular Audi car finance leasing plan, you have the same options.
Leading insurance companies have warned motorists of the importance of having the right insurance.
According to a poll released in the past few days by Marks & Spencer (M&S) shows that nearly 60% of all drivers in the UK have fallen victim to car crime.
Meaning that a fully protective policy is vital for anyone that is looking for insurance, which isn’t a problem but it seems a lot of drivers are putting this area of their insurance at risk.
Almost 60% of drivers admitted in the anonymous survey that they do not activate their vehicle’s alarm when it is left parked up.
Andrew Ferguson, M&S head of general Insurance said:
"It’s important to make sure the vehicle is secure when unattended."
The RSA Insurance group have recently announced the UK’s first online insurance service, RSA customers can now add cover options to their accounts without having to phone a call centre.
The company believe that as the policy is only available online it will help keep premium costs down to a minimum.
Head of RSA Insurance Keith Maxwell said:
RSA eChoice is all about empowering the customer to take complete control of their insurance. Our customers want to be able to pick and mix their covers, rather than buying an off-the-shelf package as traditionally provided by insurers.”
Volkswagen today completed its takeover of Italian design consultants Italdesign with an overall majority share of 90.1%.
The acquisition now officially makes the VW group the largest car manufacturers in Europe and Italdesign seem happy to be under this umbrella commenting:
“Italdesign has now become a permanent member of the Volkswagen Group. Given the full order books and numerous interesting projects, the perspectives are better than ever.”
The Italian company have been in business for over 50 years and pride themselves on having designed some of Italy’s iconic exports such as the Fiat Punto and the Alfa Romeo 156. Other clients of the company include Volkswagen where Italdesign were responsible for the Passat and Sicrocco.
The remaining 9.9% of shares have stayed with the founding family the Giugiaro’s who will stay on as directors of the company.
No details have been released yet as to whether the IDG would work exclusively for VW or carry on in its contracting business.
A unique Audi A1 painted by Britain’s number one contemporary artist Damien Hirst fetched around £350,000 at auction last month.
The car which was the centre piece at Sir Elton John’s White Tie & Tiara Ball was sold to raise money for John’s AIDS Foundation and close to 700 VIP guests were there when the car was out to auction.
The A1 which Hirst painted in a spin technique will not actually be available to UK customers until November 2010 and is being billed by the German firm as a premium compact hatchback. Hirst was specifically commissioned by the car company to paint this one-off model.
Sir Elton John commented on the vehicle saying:
“That’s the most exciting object we’ve ever had on auction at the White Tie.”
Audi have built up the latest addition to their fleet in a big way, many early reviewers have already described the car as being competition to the Fiat 500 and Mini and will enter the market at around £15,000.
Volkswagen today confirmed that they would be taking over the leasing contract for dishwasher suppliers Winterhalter.
The German company announced they would be supplying 47 vehicles to the company including Caddy Maxi, Transporter and Crafter vans.
Winterhalter designs and manufactures commercial dishwashing systems for catering and hospitality businesses, it will use the vans as part of its national service operation network.
Jason Mackay, Operations Director for Winterhalter said:
We operate a 96% first time fix service for our customers so vehicle reliability was very important in out purchasing decision.”
Adding:
“As a UK based German manufacturer we were pleased to find a German van brand that could meet our standards.”
Interested in leasing cars or vans for your business? Take a look at Leasebam who will search all local dealers to find the best prices for you. Saving time and money.
Volkswagen has added a further three award to its BlueMotion range at the What? Car Green Awards this week.
The Golf BlueMotion was named best Green Small Family Car and also beat eight other winners to win the night’s biggest prize of Green Car of the Year.
Steve Fowler, Editor of What? Car said:
“The Golf is a well deserved award winner: carbon dioxide emissions are a paltry 99 g/km making it exempt from road tax and its average fuel economy is 74.3 mpg. So, as well as being impressively green, the Golf is classy, well made, practical, safe, brilliant to drive and an affordable long-term investment. There surely aren’t many other virtues you need?”
Head of Chassis development Dr Stefan Gies collected the award for Volkswagen and said:
“Ever since the first BlueMotion model was launched in 2007 our strategy for this environmental sub-brand has been to produce class-leading vehicles which are efficient, sustainable, practical, comfortable and competitively priced. This is what our customers want and all these values are encapsulated in the Golf.”
The Golf BlueMotion runs a 1.6 TDI common rail engine and gives its environmental and economic savings through new innovations such as Start/Stop and a configuration that accounts for battery regeneration.
The awards come on the back of the car winning Green Car of the Year award at the 2010 World Car of the Year awards.
The vehicle is a fantastic option for business owners or people wanting to lease a car for business purposes as its low running costs and trademark Volkswagen reliability mean less money spent on your side.
Interested in the Volkswagen BlueMotion range, take a look at Leasebam who will search local dealers for you to find the best price possible all without you leaving your computer screen.
Back to top
<< Previous Entries
