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Report: Slumping VW rolls back US sales targets

Filed under: Etc., Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials

After three years as one of the fastest-growing car brands in the US, Volkswagen has hit a sales rut, and it can’t get out. In response, Volkswagen Group of America downgraded VW’s 2013 US vehicle sales target to 440,000, from the original target of about 486,000, reports Automotive News. The stair-step incentive program under which dealerships earn bonuses also was restructured early this month, yet VW USA remains committed to its goal of producing 800,000 cars annually by 2018.

Many VW dealerships rely on bonuses earned from an incentive program to make a profit, and the program was built around sales targets. But the reality of VW sales in 2013 had a number of dealers resorting to sales tactics that strained relationships with customers and other dealers in an attempt to meet the targets. This was reflected in a recent National Automobile Dealerships Association’s survey that ranked VW’s dealer policies last.

Volkswagen of America COO Mark McNabb has indicated that, through lowering US sales targets, simplifying bonus calculations and giving the incentive program clearer goals and more predictable monthly payments, VW is trying to ease the pressure on dealerships that rely on the bonuses, Automotive News reports.

Dealers are confident that sales will pick up when new models roll in, but VW dealership owner and chairman of the company’s national dealership council, Jim Ellis, admits that right now VW is “getting kicked around a little bit here,” reports Automotive News, by stronger-than-expected competition in the compact and midsize sedan segments.

Slumping VW rolls back US sales targets originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jul 2013 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Is your brain predisposed to make you love Rolls-Royce?

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Videos, Rolls-Royce, Luxury

1973 Rolls-Royce Corniche

XCAR has taken a look at what could very well be one of the most quintessential British cars ever built: the 1973 Rolls-Royce Corniche. The question at hand is whether or not expensive luxury items like artisan foods, designer clothing and yes, high-end automobiles are worth their monetary cost. Do they bring some undefined additional value to the table over their low-buck counterparts, or are they simply an excellent way to part a fool from his dollar bills? While the video below can’t comment on four-course meals or $400 jeans, our valiant host does have a word or two on the joy a Rolls-Royce can bring to your life.

That’s even true of a model like the ’73 Corniche. Built during one of the darker days of the company’s history, the convertible was designed and manufactured by an automaker on the verge of collapse. Still, it manages to hold on to that essential spirit of luxury so crucial to the Rolls-Royce brand. Check out the video below to see what we mean.

Continue reading Is your brain predisposed to make you love Rolls-Royce?

Is your brain predisposed to make you love Rolls-Royce? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom 10EX prototype up for auction

Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Auctions, Rolls-Royce

1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom 10EX

1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom 10EX – Click above for high-res image gallery

Times change and so do trends. These days, everyone’s clamoring for more environmentally-friendly and fuel-efficient cars that even Rolls-Royce is tinkering with electric propulsion. The program is being carried out on the 102EX electric Phantom prototype. But go back nearly a century and speed was the cause célèbre du jour. And then just as now, Rolls-Royce was keen to prove its mettle. This was the car with which it did so.

As Rolls-Royce presented the first-generation Phantom to the world, it was eager to show what it could do, so the company’s managing director Claude Johnson had the crew at Crewe put this prototype together. Named in his honor, the “CJ Sports Car” featured a more aerodynamic “torpedo” coachwork by Barker. Although many experimental Phantoms followed (straight through to the aforementioned 102EX), this was the only one that the company held on to after it was done testing, and was even rumored to have been loaned out to Laurence of Arabia at one time.

10EX is expected to fetch around £400,000-£800,000 ($650k-$1.3m) when it goes up for auction on June 23 at RM’s inaugural Salon Privé auction at West London’s picturesque Syon Park estate. Joining it on the docket will be numerous other Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Aston Martin classics (among others) representing the finest of historic British motoring. Follow the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading 1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom 10EX prototype up for auction

1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom 10EX prototype up for auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 May 2011 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rolls-Royce proves its Provenance with new certified pre-owned program

Filed under: Car Buying, Rolls-Royce, Luxury

Rolls-Royce Provenance certified pre-owned cars

Buying a new Rolls-Royce can be a bit more to bite off than most can chew. So for those looking to put Goodwood’s finest in their driveway but without the means for a new model, the company has announced its new certified pre-owned car program.

Similar to such programs available from other automakers, Provenance involves rigorous inspections undertaken by factory-trained technicians and a comprehensive two-year warranty with round-the-clock roadside assistance. Which is a good thing, because while you may want to drive a Phantom, you wouldn’t want it to give up the Ghost on your drive up to the country club. Details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Rolls-Royce proves its Provenance with new certified pre-owned program

Rolls-Royce proves its Provenance with new certified pre-owned program originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 May 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo rolls out exclusive C30 Black Design for Italy… does it look better? [w/poll]

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Volvo, Design/Style

2011 Volvo C30 Black Design

2011 Volvo C30 Black Design – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Volvo C30 is a bit of a divisive design. Some love the radical P1800ES-inspired hatch, while others find it awkward. But maybe the brand’s latest special edition can help.

Called the C30 Black Design, it’s limited exclusively to the Italian market and to just 600 examples. What sets it apart is the application of a 3M carbon-look film to the roof, pillars, grille surround and wing mirrors. There’s also 17-inch matte black wheels (upgradable to 18-inchers) and a specially trimmed interior with individualized dedication plaque.

Italian buyers can choose between the 115-horsepower D2 or 150-hp D3 turbo-diesel engines, or a 145-hp 2.0-liter gasoline four, and specify theirs in white, gray or orange. The question is, does the faux-carbon trim make the C30 look better or worse? Cast your vote in our poll below after looking over the gallery.

View Poll

Gallery: 2011 Volvo C30 Black Design

[Source: OmniAuto.it (translated)]

Volvo rolls out exclusive C30 Black Design for Italy… does it look better? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 27-liter, Rolls-Royce airplane-engined Rover SD1

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Videos, Rolls-Royce

1981 Rover SD-1

1981 Rover SD-1 – Click above to watch video after the jump

Charlie Broomfield got bored of working on run-of-the-mill project cars. He always seemed to finish them to quickly, and was never quite satisfied with the results. Charlie needed a challenge to his engineering and fabrication skills.

That challenge came in the form of a donated 1981 Rover SD-1. The SD-1 needed some serious help to be the luxury sport sedan it was when it left British Leyland during the Thatcher era. Instead of restoring the car from top to bottom, though, Charlie purchased a 27-liter Rolls-Royce Meteor engine from a British Spitfire fighter plane. The engine cost Charlie a slim £1,000.

With 600 horsepower and 1,500 pound-feet of Nazi-stopping gusto wedged between the frame rails, the SD-1 will now break 160 mph without going over 2,000 rpm. Almost none of the original Rover parts are left, save the body panels, and Charlie’s goal is to crack 200 mph in the 24-cylinder beast before he considers the project done.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: 27-liter, Rolls-Royce airplane-engined Rover SD1

Video: 27-liter, Rolls-Royce airplane-engined Rover SD1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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William and Kate royal wedding ride a protest-damaged Rolls-Royce

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Europe, Rolls-Royce, Celebrities, Luxury

1977 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI – Click above for full gallery of the royal wedding’s transportation

When Prince William and Kate Middleton tie the knot on April 29, the bride will ride to Westminster Abbey in a 1977 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI that student protesters attacked on December 9. The car, carrying Prince Charles and his wife Camilla at the time, suffered a broken window and new two-tone paint job. Follow the jump for some video footage of how the attack went down.

According to Alex Garty, the transport manager at Buckingham Palace, the car is being repaired as we speak and will be ready for the April 29 nuptials. Garty says the car is getting a quick freshening while it’s being repaired, just to make sure it’s looking its best for the royal bride.

Once the knot has been tied, William and Kate will proceed back to Buckingham Palace in an open-top 1902 State Landau carriage, provided it isn’t raining. The same State Landau also took Prince Charles to St. Paul’s Cathedral for his 1981 wedding to Princess Diana.

If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the royal couple will ride in an 1881 Glass Coach, which is usually the vehicle of choice for royal brides to get to the church.

[Source: YouTube via Yahoo, Hello Magazine]

Continue reading William and Kate royal wedding ride a protest-damaged Rolls-Royce

William and Kate royal wedding ride a protest-damaged Rolls-Royce originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: BMW i8 prototype rolls on

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, BMW

BMW i8 video

BMW i8 video – Click above to watch video after the jump

A few videos of the new BMW i8 undergoing winter testing have managed to make their way to the web courtesy of YouTube. The clips surfaced after our spy photographers managed to lay eyes on the green supercar frolicking through the snow. The clips give us a good idea of what the i8 will look like in motion. We’re still not completely smitten with the roof-mounted sideview mirrors, and watching the i8 drive around on the ice and snow hasn’t done anything to sway our opinion. We can’t help but think that the pieces look like hippopotamus ears.

It’s impossible to tell whether the mule we see dashing through the snow is equipped with the same small-displacement diesel engine of the concept or whether this machine wears the turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine that’s rumored to debut with the production version. Either way, the clips are worth a look. Hit the jump to see BMW’s next flagship in action for yourself.

[Source: E90 Post]

Continue reading Video: BMW i8 prototype rolls on

Video: BMW i8 prototype rolls on originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Mar 2011 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: Rolls-Royce 102EX Concept is going to rock down to Electric Avenue

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Technology, Rolls-Royce, Electric, Luxury

Rolls-Royce 102EX Concept

Rolls-Royce 102EX Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

The electric car has come of age. How do we know? Well, see for yourself. Rolls-Royce, perhaps the most iconic of classic luxury marques, has stepped firmly into the EV waters with the 102EX Concept. According to CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös, this machine was created to help the company “[seek] clarity on which technology may be suitable to drive Rolls-Royce motor cars of the future.”

We’d imagine a nice big diesel engine (perhaps fueled with a biodiesel blend) would work just fine and dandy, but electric drive is certainly a workable option, as well. Apparently, the 102EX, which is apparently also known as the Phantom Experimental Electric, will be used throughout 2011 as a test bed to shuttle… well, whomever Rolls-Royce deems worthy of transport. It won’t, however, be made into a production vehicle.

The Phantom Experimental Electric started life as a run-of-the-mill Rolls-Royce Phantom from which the 6.75-liter engine and six-speed automatic gearbox were removed and replaced with a pair of electric motors putting out 145 kilowatts each. That thrust is sufficient to send the 6,000-pound EV to 60 miles per hour in “under eight seconds.”

More impressive is the battery pack, which is comprised of 96 individual cells assembled (on purpose, we gather) to resemble the shape of the original engine and transmission. Rolls-Royce believes its 338-volt, 71-kWh unit is the largest battery ever fitted to a road car. Also of note is the inductive charging technology that eschews an actual plug in favor of a charging mat on the ground and an inductive mat on the underside of the vehicle that wirelessly recharges the battery. A plug also exists where the fuel filler normally resides.

Naturally, there’s an exhaustive press release pasted after the break. Be sure to check out our high-res image gallery of live photos below, and pay special attention to the clear Spirit of Ecstasy that is illuminated in blue light.

Gallery: Rolls-Royce 102EX Concept: Geneva 2011

Continue reading Geneva 2011: Rolls-Royce 102EX Concept is going to rock down to Electric Avenue

Geneva 2011: Rolls-Royce 102EX Concept is going to rock down to Electric Avenue originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 06:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric to debut in Geneva

Filed under: Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Rolls-Royce, Electric, Luxury

Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric

Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric – Click above for high-res image gallery

Of all the automakers in the industry, Rolls-Royce doesn’t exactly have the “greenest” image. Its vehicles are heavy and ponderous, equipped with enormous engines and swathed with more dead cows than a beef processing plant. But its parent company BMW has been pushing into the green space with its EfficientDynamics initiative, and it’s looking to bring the Goodwood division along for the electrified ride… one way or another.

Call this another, then: the Rolls-Royce 102EX. It’s an electric version of the Phantom Rolls has been testing for the better part of a year, and now it’s set tomake its debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. Few details were confirmed in Rolls’ announcement, but after taking its curtain call in Geneva, the Phantom Experimental Electric will go on a world tour to gauge how the public feels about the possibility of a battery-powered Roller. Follow the jump for the official release and keep an eye on electricluxury.com, which is set to launch this week as the program’s online base.

Gallery: Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric

[Source: Rolls-Royce]

Continue reading Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric to debut in Geneva

Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric to debut in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Feb 2011 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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