NEWS
INDUSTRYNEWS
New developments in the Automotive industry
Bentley wins award for the Continental GT R
eaders of Europe’s most popular 4x4 magazine, Auto Bild Allrad, have named the Bentley Continental GT ‘All-wheel Sports Car of the Year’ in the import category. Over 105,000 readers cast their votes in Auto Bild Allrad’s annual online poll, choosing from 151 cars in 10 categories. Dr Wolfgang Schreiber, CEO of Bentley Motors, said: “For over a decade, the Bentley Continental GT has defined ultimate luxury and high performance grand touring. The unique W12 engine of the first GT has been so successful that Bentley is now the world’s largest producer of 12-cylinder engines. We are honoured to receive this prestigious award and thank the readers of Auto Bild Allrad.” Visit: www.bentleymotors.com
New head of Honda’s Audi involved in standard for sustainable aluminium UDI AG is joining the Aluminium Stewardship “Active responsibility is firmly anchored A Initiative to help develop a global standard throughout our company. Also in our supply Dealer Development for sustainable aluminum. As a pioneer of unitary chains, we place priority on the integration of
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onda (UK) has appointed Phil Webb as its new head of Dealer Development, effective from 1 April. Phil fills the seat recently vacated by Nick Campolucci who has moved to head up Honda’s Motorcycle Division. In his new role Phil Webb will be responsible for the development of Hondaís dealer network, franchising, standards, profitability and retail experience of the company’s three product ranges – Cars, Motorcycles and Power Equipment. Phil moves into his new role from the position of head of Power Equipment where he has been in charge of the sales operation for four areas: Lawn & Garden, Energy, Marine and All Terrain Vehicles, for the past 3 years. Visit: www.honda-eu.com
aluminum car bodies, the company is taking the opportunity to influence the entire value chain of one of its most important materials – one of the objectives of Audi’s corporate responsibility strategy. The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative was founded in the autumn of 2012 and aims to develop a sustainability standard for aluminum by the end of 2014, with the support of the environmental organisation IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). It sets environmental and social criteria that apply to all stages of extracting the raw material as well as producing and processing aluminum.
Management changes at Daimler AG
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aimler AG is making several changes to its management. On 1 June 2013, Philipp Schiemer, currently head of Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars, will take over the management of Mercedes-Benz do Brasil (MB Bras). MB Bras is a group company with headquarters in São Paulo.
Fifth Aston Martin confirmed for 24 Hours of Le Mans
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ston Martin will run a fifth Vantage GTE at the 90th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as the first reserve #98 car is granted an entry. The car will now run in the GTE Pro class instead of the GTE Am class (as previously listed) thanks to reclassification from the ACO.
environmental protection and social responsibility,” explained Dr Bernd Martens, Audi’s board of management member for Procurement. Visit: www.audi.com
At the same time, Wolfgang Hänle, who has been head of Production at Daimler Buses for more than ten years, will take over a newly created position, in which he will serve as head of Production for the two Brazilian facilities in São Bernardo do Campo and Juiz de Fora. Visit: www.daimler.com
John Gaw, team principal, Aston Martin Racing, said, “In this significant year for both Le Mans and Aston Martin, we would particularly like to thank the ACO for reclassifying the car from the Am to the Pro class. The 24 Hours of Le Mans GTE line-up is extremely competitive and the extra Pro class entry has further supported our ambitions in the category.” Visit: www.astonmartin.com/racing Industry Europe 11
