Chevrolet named new Manchester United Shirt Sponsor

 From 2014, Chevrolet will become the Manchester clubs main shirt sponsor. General Motors, who own Chevrolet, and Manchester United announced the deal on the yesterday. Chevrolet will become the 5^th shirt sponsor in the clubs history.

The financial side of the partnership is undisclosed but it is to last for seven years starting in 2014.

Manchester United’s commercial director Richard Arnold, says the deal provides “long-term” brand building opportunities for the club.

He adds: “We have been partners with Chevrolet for only six weeks, but already they have produced some fantastic ideas that will benefit both the partnership and our 659 million followers around the world. They are a key partner on our current tour and I know they have enjoyed experiencing the buzz generated by our fanatical support and the sell-out crowds in South Africa, China, and Europe.”

It’s Chevrolet however, who may feel the main benefactors in the deal. Although a huge brand in America, the following in the UK is distinctly smaller and has only grown slightly in the last few years. This shirt sponsorship however could be seen as a good start to a sales growth in the UK. 

Chevrolet are already the main automotive sponsor for Manchester United after signing a 5-year deal in May this year. The American motoring company also signed a contract last week to become Liverpool FC’s main automotive sponsor.  

New Preview of the Kia Carens

Kia have released images previewing the new Kia Karens which is due to go on show at the Paris Motor Show in September. The images confirm the launch of the 3^rd generation of the vehicle and is expected to go on sale in the UK in March 2013. 

The preview shows the car has adopted Kia’s new design image and looks a lot more stylish than the existing Carens. The new generation of Kia’s certainly look like a step up from the older generations.

The Carens is designed as a cheap way to carry large families around with a 7-seater configuration option.

Kia have confirmed the new Carens will have both 5-seater and 7-seater options available to the buyer.

Once the new car arrives on sale next year it will replace its predecessor which has been on sale in the UK since 2006 and it will leave the Sedona as the only ‘old’ style Kia still on sale in the UK. 

The engine range for the new Kia Carens is not clear from the preview, but it is expected to copy the engine line-up of the Cee’d closely with a 1.4 liter, 1.6 liter and diesel engines. 

The preview gives the impression that the Carens will be a scaled up version of the Cee’d. The Carens has been designed around a “dynamic space" theme. The new car has a much lower roofline than the existing car, alongside a sporty profile, sculpted sides and large alloys.

New Honda Civic Type-R Rumoured

Motoring website Autocar claim Honda insiders have told them that a new Civic Type R is likely to be confirmed and previewed at the 2012 Paris Motor Show in September. It will then be likely we will see a full reveal at the Geneva Motor Show in March next year. It could be on sale in as little as 12 months’ time. 

Details about a new Type R are scarce but engine possibilities could include a downsized engine from their old 2.0 VTEC’s to a smaller turbocharged unit popular with rival hot hatch manufacturers. The VTEC engines in the older generations of Honda Civics were renowned for their performance and reliability so Honda will need to improve of that foundation in order to build a successful car.  

Mugen and Team Dynamics recently showed proposals for a ‘Type S’ version of the Civic at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which has always been showcased as a medium between a Standard Civic and the Type R.

Ford’s Dagenham Plant Produces 40 Millionth Engine

Ford’s massive engine plant in Dagenham has today completed its 40 millionth engine since production started in 1931. The plant, which ceased making cars in 2002, is Ford’s primary manufacturer and distributor for diesel engines with the plant satisfying over 50% of global demand for Ford’s diesel engines.  

The engine, number 4m, is a 1.6 litre TDCi engine, however it is currently unknown what car the engine will be fitted too. 

The plant currently produces engines for the Tiger, Puma, Lynx and Lion models. The Dagenham plant built 987,000 engines in 2011 and around 70% of the plants total output is built for Ford vehicles however Jaguar, Land Rover, Mazda PSA and Volvo also benefit from the plant.

Ford Dagenham, and Ford’s Bridgend plant, which produces EcoBoost petrol engines, produce 1 out of every 3 Ford engines used globally. The two UK plants produce 2 million engines a year of which 85% are exported. 

Combined with production of engines at Ford’s Bridgend plant, which produces Ecoboost petrol engines, UK-built engines power one-in-three Ford vehicles globally. The two plants produce 2m engines a year, 85 per cent of which are exported.

Joe Greenwell, Ford Britain chairman, said: "Dagenham producing 40 million engines is a significant milestone for Ford’s biggest UK site. Ford Dagenham now produces Ford’s most fuel-efficient engine in the 1.6-litre TDCi unit and exports to 12 countries around the world as part of our global ‘One Ford’ strategy. This site is helping to power the UK's sustainable economic recovery."

Ford Car Leasing

Citroen Launch Refreshed C5

Citroen have launched their refreshed version on the Citroen C5, The updated car is priced from around £19,895 and features a more marquee styling to bring it in line with the Citroen fleet designs of today’s market. 

The new exterior design features a redesigned front to incorporate the classic chevron styling that is considered the norm with the current Citroen range. The C5’s interior also features new options such as Citroen’s Techno Pack which includes sat-nav, Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

The Techno Pack comes in three different forms, the VTR, Exclusive and the Tourer. The first of the packs, the VTR, Includes front fog lights, rear parking sensors, 16-inch alloys, and chrome window sills, while VTR+ Techno Pack models add 17-inch alloys to the package. 

The Exclusive Techno Pack features all the extras on the VTR packs but adds 18-inch alloys and front parking sensors. Finally, the Tourer Techno Pack features and a reversing camera. The most expensive model in the range - the HDi 200 6-speed automatic Exclusive Tourer - costs £29,595. 

The New Citroen C5 is a great option for business car leasing.