sales news

ŠKODA AUTO sustained a high pace in deliveries to customers in April. Worldwide, deliveries to customers rose 4.1 per cent to almost 81,400 in April 2012. This represents ŠKODA’s best ever result for the month of April and its third best result overall (after March 2012 and March 2011). In the first four months of 2012, 324,100 vehicles were delivered to customers, representing a 9.8 per cent increase.

This is Mazda’s first sixth generation vehicle, it is expected to account for over 4000 UK sales in its first year and its arrival marks a watershed moment for Mazda – the CX-5 embodies both Mazda’s sophisticated new SKYACTIV technology and the Japanese company's head-turning new KODO Soul of Motion Design direction.

The BMW Group continued on its successful course as the world’s leading premium car company once again in April with an increase of 6.1% in sales. A total of 145,505 (prev. yr. 137,195) BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand automobiles were sold worldwide last month.

Kia’s April performance couldn’t quite match the record rainfall the country endured but the brand continued its remarkable 2012 performance delivering 5,120 new vehicles to customers during the month.

The Volkswagen Group increased its sales revenue by 26.3 percent in the first three months of the year to €47.3 billion (€37.5 billion). Operating profit rose by 10.2 percent to €3.2 billion (€2.9 billion) and the operating return on sales was 6.8 percent (7.8 percent).

KODAK Gallery, the only online photo service uniquely designed for celebrating KODAK MOMENTS together, announced today that consumers can use the KODAK Gallery app for iPhone to conveniently order KODAK-quality prints for same day pickup at Target and CVS stores nationwide.

The IAB Internet Advertising Revenue Report for the full-year 2011 reveals that revenues soared to a landmark high of $31 billion. That milestone represents a 22 percent increase over 2010’s full-year number, which itself had been a record-breaker at $26 billion.

The month introduced the ‘12’ registration plate and is the biggest for sales in the motor industry calendar. During March, 23,185 new Nissans found homes giving the company a market share of 5.6%. This represents a 16% increase in total registrations compared to the same month in 2011.

The agreement follows extensive talks between JLR and Chery on establishing an equal partnership company. The scope of the proposed joint venture (JV) would include manufacture of JLR- and JV-branded vehicles; establishment of a research and development facility; engine manufacture; and sale of vehicles produced by the JV company.

Select Groupon (NASDAQ: GRPN) subscribers in Baltimore, Kansas City and Philadelphia received an invitation-only email today to try out a complimentary three-month membership of Groupon VIP, a subscription-based loyalty program. Groupon VIP is currently being tested in select markets and allows members early access to deals, the ability to purchase closed deals and anytime-refund capabilities.

Apple® today announced the new iPad®, the third generation of its category defining mobile device, will arrive at Apple's retail stores and the Apple Online Store on Friday, March 16 at 8:00 a.m. local time in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland and the UK; along with Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

In 2011, Volvo was the fastest growing luxury car brand and the start of 2012 shows no signs of slowing down.  Volvo Car UK is currently enjoying a great start to 2012 with increasing sales and new cars with world firsts ready to enter the marketplace, bringing unique Scandinavian Luxury design to the premium car market.  Latest figures show that year-on-year, Volvo has increased its sales performance by 13.4%. 

The BMW Group achieved sales volume, revenues and earnings records in 2011. Compared to the previous year, Group revenues increased by 13.8% to € 68,821 million (2010: € 60,477 million). In earnings terms, profit before tax (EBT) rose by 52.1% to € 7,383 million (2010: € 4,853 million), profit before financial result (EBIT) by 56.9% to € 8,018 million (2010: € 5,111 million) and Group net profit by 51.3% to € 4,907 million (2010: € 3,243 million).

Worldwide PC shipments are on pace to total 368 million units in 2012, a 4.4 percent increase from 2011, according to the latest forecast by Gartner, Inc. PC shipments are forecast to see higher growth by the end of 2013, when shipments are expected to reach more than 400 million units.

From Breitling for Bentley comes a new Continental GT V8 watch to make its public debut at the Geneva International Salon d’Auto on March 5. Breitling has created a 250-piece limited edition of its Bentley GMT chronograph featuring a second time-zone display.

Bentley Motors’ deliveries continue to accelerate in the run up to the Geneva Motorshow.  All major regions are up with a global increase of 47% year-on-year and 894 cars delivered to customers. China and the US are going head-to-head to become Bentley’s number one global market in 2012 with China in front at the very start of the year with 324 cars delivered (+66%) whilst US deliveries were up 29% (251 cars)  over the same period.

Volkswagen of America, Inc. (VWoA) today reported 30,577 units sold in February, a 42.5 percent increase over prior year sales and best February since 1973.

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc, today announced that the sales of the PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) portable entertainment system reached over 1.2 million units worldwide as of February 26, 2012. PS Vita experienced an initial burst of momentum when it launched on December 17, 2011 in Japan followed by Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea.

ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”) (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, announced today it had achieved the world’s-fastest sales revenues increase for the first nine months of 2011.

The merits of a sharp-suited, business-like Audi Avant and the muscle of a high-revving Audi V8 combine again in classic Jekyll and Hyde fashion in the third generation RS 4. Available exclusively in the attractive and accommodating Avant body style, and expected in the UK in September, the RS 4 contradicts its distinctly business-like first impressions with extreme sub-five-second zero to 62mph pace, 174mph capability and exceptionally tenacious quattro all-wheel-drive handling.