AUSTIN 7 IS 90 THIS YEAR.
By Christopher Macgowan | January 23, 2012
‘MOTOR FOR THE MILLIONS’ GEARS UP FOR 90th BIRTHDAY.
2012 marks a very special anniversary for the car that played an historic role in the story of the British motor industry and holds a very special place in the hearts and memories of so many people today.
The dimunitive but sturdy Austin 7 is 90 years old in 2012 and a major celebration is taking place at the home of the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, Hampshire.
Organised by the 750 Motor Club, the National Austin Seven Rally takes place on Sunday 1st July 2012 and hundreds of the pre-war ‘baby’ Austins are expected to attend. They will be driven from all over the United Kingdom and Europe to join a weekend of activities culminating in a wonderful display in the historic grounds of the Beaulieu estate. Incredibly, this will be the 50th consecutive year that the club has held this rally at Beaulieu!
Launched in 1922, the Austin 7 became one of the most popular cars ever built and today there are many people who remember their parents and grandparents owning one. Affordable, easy to maintain and amazingly reliable, some 290,000 saloon cars, tourers, sports cars, and vans had been built by the time production ceased in 1939. It really was the ‘motor for the millions’ and today many are in regularly use and still going strong.
The 2012 National Rally will be an extra special event for owners and visitors, with static displays, autotests, trade stands and demonstrations. The general public will be made very welcome and can not only watch the Austin 7 events and chat with owners but also visit the wonderful Motor Museum, House and Gardens.
Christopher Macgowan
twitter: chrismacgowan
Topics: Manufacturing | No Comments »
BOND IN MOTION
By Christopher Macgowan | January 19, 2012
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu was the scene of a frenetic press event this week when the museum’s exhibition “Bond in Motion” was launched. Fifty years ago the first Bond film was released and in conjunction with Eon Films there are fifty Bond vehicles – mostly cars – on show in a wonderfully staged and presented exhibition.
Well worth the visit I thought!
Christopher Macgowan
twitter: chrismacgowan
Topics: This and That | No Comments »
APPLE STOPS 4S SALES IN CHINA.
By Christopher Macgowan | January 13, 2012
Delays in opening the main Apple store in China’s capital Beijing sparked violence among hundreds of customers who had queued for hours for the iPhone 4S. Police arrested two people after scuffles broke out when the crowd threw eggs at the store in Beijing’s upmarket Sanlitun shopping district and shouted at staff to open the doors. Police cleared and sealed off the area and employees later posted a sign in the window saying the iPhone 4S was out of stock, according to reports.
Last May, the store was closed for several hours after a scuffle between an employee and a customer during the release of the iPhone 4. Some of those queuing said they planned to buy as many of the phones as possible and resell them at a profit to cash-in on demand for “Steve Jobs’s best” iPhone, said other reports. Reselling is a major industry in China, where the new iPhone has been on sale for months at a premium on the black market, the reports said.
China, including Hong Kong and Taiwan, is Apple’s fastest growing region, with revenues second only to the US. Although Apple stores in Shanghai opened without incident, Apple called a halt to sales of the iPhone 4S in Beijing and Shanghai to ensure the safety of customers and employees.
Christopher Macgowan
twitter:chrismacgowan
Topics: Marketing | No Comments »
NAIAS
By Christopher Macgowan | January 10, 2012
Twenty-seven New Vehicle Introductions Highlight First Press Day at North American International Auto Show. The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2012 opened its doors to over 5,000 journalists from 55 countries this morning, who witnessed the unveiling of 27 vehicles seen for the first time ever. NAIAS is in the middle of its two-day press preview, and show organizers said they expect approximately 40 total new-vehicle introductions.
“This week the NAIAS is the center of the automotive universe,” said Bill Perkins, chairman, NAIAS 2012. “The floor of Cobo Center is alive with journalists from around the world gathering stories and putting miles on their shoes while covering the 35 press conferences, so much so our web site received the highest traffic ever. What a day we had here in the Motor City!”
Worldwide vehicle introductions unveiled today include:
Acura ILX Sedan
Acura NSX
Acura RDX
Audi Q3 Vail Crossover
Bentley Continental V8
BMW ActiveHybrid 5
Cadillac ATS
Chevrolet Code 130R Concept
Chevrolet Sonic RS
Chevrolet Spark
Chevrolet Tru 140S Concept
Dodge Dart
Ford Fusion
Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Hyundai Veloster Turbo
Lexus LF-FC
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
Mercedes-Benz E300 Hybrid
Mercedes E400
MINI Roadster
Nissan Pathfinder Concept
Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet
Porsche Cayman R
Smart-For-Us Concept
Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept
Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid
Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept
Christopher Macgowan
twitter: chrismacgowan
Topics: Marketing | No Comments »
DETROIT SHOW
By Christopher Macgowan | January 8, 2012
January 9th sees the opening of the Detroit Show or, to give it its proper title, the North American International Auto Show.
http://www.naias.com
Beyond the usual hype at the Detroit auto show, automakers have plenty to crow about this year: U.S. sales are the highest since 2008 and they’re expected to keep growing. Buyers are being lured by cheap loans and an improving economy.
The timing is perfect for automakers to unveil more than 40 new cars and trucks this month at the industry’s annual trade show in Detroit. While there will be a few wild concept cars, like a tiny pickup from Smart, there will also be many models that will go on sale this year. Carmakers, feeling buoyant about their prospects for 2012, will try to outdo each other with lights, music and models to generate buzz among the show’s 750,000 expected visitors.
Here are three trends to look for when the show opens:
fuel-efficient cars with more style and safety features;
trendy subcompacts for younger buyers;
and small luxury sedans.
Smaller but stylish: Gas prices have dropped from their $4 peak last spring but remain high. People looking for a more efficient car will have plenty of choices among midsize sedans and compacts. Being efficient doesn’t mean these cars will be stripped down. They’ll be loaded with gadgets to win customers in these fiercely competitive car segments. Midsize and compact are nearly tied as the largest segment in the U.S, and combined they make up more than 40 percent of the nation’s sales.
Christopher Macgowan
twitter: chrismacgowan
Topics: Marketing, Motoring | No Comments »
« Previous Entries