Autoblog reported that the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 will sell only 2000 examples, which severely limits production possibilities. This only goes for this year, so those who have already ordered and signed on the dotted line are guaranteed a car. The rest fall outside this realm unfortunately.
What happened is that production was cut resulting in dealers only being able to source a few GT500s. The up side is that the value of these Mustangs has just shot up. The down side of course, is the flipside to that coin, which is that prices will most certainly go up.
For owners that’s good news. For prospective owners it’s the very personification of this current recession.
The 2010 Ford Mustang sold 1688 fewer units than its current chief rival the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. GM’s muscle star ticked off 9320 examples vs the legendary pony’s 7632.
This makes sense though because the Camaro is the newest car of the two despite the fact that Ford has completely refreshed the Mustang. Another advantage the Camaro will carry is its worldwide availability; even South Africa is getting right-hand-drive versions by 2011. In contrast the stallion is still largely exclusive, keeping most of its concentration in the United States.
Trailing with 1369 units is the Dodge Challenger, underlining the fact that Chrysler LLC is still not out of the doldrums, although the company did manage to sell 68 297 vehicles in total. Overall US passenger car sales are 28% down on 2008, but only 7% off May 2009 figures.
SUZUKI AUTO SAYS: Exactly 12 months after entering the South African market, Suzuki Auto South Africa (SASA) can look back on a challenging but satisfying first year in one of the toughest, most competitive new car sales environments in the world.
The company officially commenced local retail operations in June 2008, following a decision by the Suzuki Motor Corporation in Japan to launch a range of Suzuki passenger cars and sports utility vehicles in SA.
A dealer network of 18 outlets initially offered the advanced Swift compact hatchback, and the SX4 lifestyle hatchback, following the simultaneous launch of both models to great acclaim from the SA motoring media.
In September 2008, SASA added the Grand Vitara SUV and the Jimny compact 4x4 to the Suzuki line-up locally, allowing it to compete in the highly popular leisure vehicle sector, while also broadening the overall appeal of the brand.
After its first full sales year, SASA has been able to report a total volume of 4 393 units for the rolling year June 2008 to June 2009. During that period, Suzuki sales grew by 35% – a significant achievement against the backdrop of a 29% slump in passenger car sales over the same period.
Despite the contraction of the world economy, and the resultant slump in vehicle sales globally, including SA, the local dealer network has also expanded from the original 18 outlets to 23 dealerships in June this year – a growth of 28%.
Of particular note to Suzuki car and SUV owners is that SASA also significantly expanded its stock of spare parts during the course of the year. The SASA parts warehouse carried 4 800 lines and 45 000 items valued at R5.2 million when SASA commenced business.
Today, the warehouse carries 6 800 lines and 103 000 items, with the parts stock now valued at R10.6 million.
Suzuki’s current top seller in SA is the Swift, which attracted 1 877 buyers during the past 12 months, for an average monthly sales figure of 144 units.
“We are delighted by the positive results achieved by the Suzuki brand during our first year of operation,” says Kazuyuki Yamashita, managing director of Suzuki Auto SA.
“These achievements are particularly gratifying, given the difficult economic climate, and the resultant drop in demand for new vehicles. They prove that our optimism about Suzuki’s prospects in SA was not misplaced.”
Yamashita adds that the positive impetus of the brand is not letting up, either. “Our share of the passenger car market has grown for the past two consecutive months.
Month on month, Suzuki sales in June were up 23%, while the car market as a whole showed a 15% upturn. This indicates that SASA and its products will be well positioned when the passenger car market starts recovering in late 2009, or early 2010,” he concluded.
BMW SAYS: Just weeks after the official 50th birthday celebration for the brand at the Silverstone track, the MINI plant in Oxford claims another milestone. Since production began in 2001, 1.5 million MINI units have been produced there. The milestone model, a MINI Clubman in Chili red, cleared the end of the production line in the presence of Business Minister Ian Lucas and BMW Group board member Ian Robertson. It is destined for a British customer.
Since the brand was relaunched and production started in Oxford, MINI has become a global success story. In recent years, its hallmark blend of driving fun, individual style and premium quality has led to rising sales in every continent. Worldwide, this unique premium small car is now sold in 80 countries, with its most recent launch in Brazil.
Ian Robertson (pictured), member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing (and a former BMW South Africa Managing Director), said: “This is a great day for the plant and a wonderful milestone to reach in the 50th birthday year of MINI. The very first classic Mini rolled off the production line here at this plant on 8 May 1959.
“It was wonderful to see the passion that owners feel for MINI at the car’s recent birthday celebrations at Silverstone, when 25,000 people from around the world joined the party. It is a privilege to be part of the heritage and future of this car.”
Robertson added, “This is a tough time for the car industry and no business is immune from its challenges, but MINI is an extremely resilient brand with huge customer appeal and we have seen a strengthening order bank in recent months. We will launch a wealth of new models in the coming years and the future is looking extremely bright.”
The BMW Group has invested more than £380 million in MINI Plant Oxford since 2001 and a further £100 million in the Hams Hall and Swindon plants, which make up the MINI Production Triangle. The BMW Group employs more than 7,000 people in the UK and its activities account for around 1 percent of the country’s GDP. In all, the BMW Group has invested more than £1 billion in the UK since 2000.
MERCEDES-BENZ SAYS: The attraction of opposites – this is the concept with which the new Mercedes-Benz SLK "2LOOK Edition" special model enters the new open-top market. The intentional limitation to a black-and-white colour scheme both inside and out lends this successful two-seater with a vario-roof an exclusive, dramatic appearance and ensures a decidedly eye-catching presence.
The SLK 2LOOK Edition is painted in a choice of either calcite white or black as standard. On request the SLK 2LOOK Edition is also available in exclusive obsidian black metallic or the special finish designo mystic white, which is limited to 300 vehicles worldwide. Headlamps with black surrounds send an
additional stylish message, ensuring that the SLK 2LOOK Edition is easily recognisable from a distance.
The sporty and striking appearance of the special model is emphasised by 17‑inch 10-spoke light-alloy wheels with mixed tyre sizes (front: 225/45 R17, rear: 245/40 R17). In line with the colour philosophy of the 2LOOK Edition, these are available in two surface variants: a lustrous high-sheen finish in titanium silver or dark, striking chrome shadow.
Discreet emblems on the wings and a draught-stop of transparent acrylic glass from the range of high-quality Mercedes accessories bearing the 2LOOK Edition logo also distinguish the special model.
A contrasting black-and-white colour scheme also characterises the interior of the new SLK 2LOOK Edition. The sports seats are upholstered in nappa leather – with the seat centre panels in white and the contoured bolsters in black.
The doors and centre armrest are also in a contrasting black-and-white scheme in high-grade leather.
Black-and-white features throughout the vehicle underline its dynamic potential: the multifunction steering wheel in black nappa leather with a white decorative seam, the white-painted trim in the black dashboard and – when the roof is closed – the black roof lining. The white-edged floor mats have an embroidered Edition label.
The SLK 200 K 2LOOK Edition comes standard with a 5-speed manual transmission, but the 5-speed auto touchshift speedtronic with cruise control is offered as an option at R13 700.
The SLK 350 2LOOK Edition comes standard with the 5-speed auto touchshift speedtronic with cruise control.
The SLK 2LOOK Edition can be ordered with immediate effect.
Pricing
SLK 200 K 2LOOKR535 000
SLK 350 2LOOKR698 000
The Mercedes-Benz MobiloDrive 120 maintenance contract is standard on the SLK 200 2LOOK models, as with all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars.
