The Russians Are Coming!!

Well, at least to Mazda anyway.

Leverkusen, 30 August 2006. Mazda Motor Russia, which opened the Moscow International Motor Show today as Mazda’s fastest-growing market in Europe, announced that is has launched a new media website. The new website is in Cyrillic and provides the Russian media with the latest Mazda news and images, relevant to the Russian market.

Members of the media can register for immediate access to country press releases, photos, information on all models sold in Russia, market specific data, local motor show information, facts and figures etc.

The new Russian website is interlinked with Mazda Motor Europe’s press portal at www.mazda-press.com. Here journalists can access comprehensive information about Mazda activities – corporate news, images, press kits, heritage vehicles, executive biographies, motor shows and much more. Registered members have automatic access to Mazda’s country websites.

Williams Leaves Kia For New Challenges

Kia Motors (UK) Limited is sad to announce that Paul Williams, Managing Director since the operation became a directly-controlled subsidiary in 2002, has decided to leave the company.

During that time Williams has led the dramatic growth in Kia’s UK performance – the company has been the fastest growing automotive brand in the market-place – with sales up from less than 13,000 in 2002 to 40,000 in 2005.

Mr Byung Kwang Jang, President of Kia Motors (UK) Limited said: “Paul has led our operation through a remarkable period of growth. He has been fundamental to the brand becoming a major player in the UK market and along with our dealers has dramatically enhanced our reputation for value, reliability and quality.

“During his tenure the brand has also won industry awards in almost every category including the Motor Trader Franchise of the Year, several advertising and marketing awards and significant recognition from J.D. Power. We are very grateful for that dedication and we wish him well in the future,” he added.

Williams, 45, joined Kia in October 2002 from the Colt Car Company where he was Sales and Marketing Director. Previously he was Chief Executive at Daihatsu (UK). He has also held posts with Mercedes-Benz, Nissan and Peugeot.

He commented: “I am very proud of what we achieved at Kia and I believe that during the last four years we have built the foundations of an extremely successful franchise that not only looks to build sales but also seeks to work to enhance dealer profitability and customer satisfaction to the very highest levels.

“This was a difficult decision to take, but as Kia seeks to move on in the UK new car market towards its ultimate goal of 100,000 sales, I think the time is right for me to move in a new direction and for the company to continue its journey without me. It has been an amazing ride for the last four years and I wish Kia and all the team at head office in Weybridge and the dealer network all the very best of luck. I am sure that the focus on providing the best quality vehicles to demanding customers will continue,” he added.

Mazda Motor Europe to Establish National Sales Company in Belgium/Luxembourg

Mazda Motor Europe and its distribution partner, Beherman Auto, are jointly announcing a transfer of distribution responsibilities for the Belgium and Luxembourg markets to go into effect from
2nd April 2007. The news was communicated today separately to employees of Beherman Auto and to the Mazda dealer network.

The advance notice that Mazda will establish its own national sales company in the region reflects a common understanding that has been reached between Mazda and Beherman Auto to cooperate closely over the next seven months to ensure a smooth transition of the business.

Beherman Auto was one of Mazda’s first independent distributors in Europe and began selling Mazda vehicles in Belgium and Luxembourg in 1971. Since then, over 400,000 units have been sold in both markets combined, and the Mazda brand enjoys a strong reputation for quality, reliability and customer satisfaction. James Muir, President & CEO of Mazda Europe, expressed his appreciation for the representation that Beherman Auto has provided Mazda over almost 35 years.

Referring to the reason for the change and its timing, James Muir said: “Over the last six years, Mazda in Europe has progressively acquired control over distribution to the extent that more than three-quarters of our annual sales volume is now made by wholly-owned subsidiaries. We intend to selectively increase this proportion of our volume in markets where it is logical and appropriate, and this move into Belgium and Luxembourg is a consequence of that strategic intent. We are very grateful to Beherman Auto for its loyalty and dedication to the Mazda Brand over many years. The fact that both parties recognised that the interest of developing the Mazda business in the region in the longer term would be best served by announcing the transfer of distribution now rather than later is an endorsement of the close relationship that our companies have.”

Beherman Auto will continue to work with Mazda as it intends to continue to run Mazda dealerships in Brussels, Antwerp and Liege.

Fiat Commercial Vehicles Boosts Aftersales Support

Fiat Commercial Vehicles is implementing a major restructuring of its dealer network, designed to strengthen aftersales support available to customers.

Last year Fiat Auto UK posted a record for its commercial vehicle sales, with 12,417 units. This strong performance resulted in an increase of Fiat Auto’s share of the UK market from 3.85% in 2004 to 3.92% in 2005 – a rising trend for the fourth consecutive year. This trend continues, as year-to-date, Fiat Commercial Vehicles is number two in terms of percentage growth against last year, compared to all other van manufacturers. Fiat Auto’s 2006 UK market share grew to 4.15% at the end of June.

This growth is being spearheaded by Doblò Cargo, voted International Van of the Year 2006. Fiat’s Ducato and Scudo models are also performing well against the competition, with sales of both up on 2005 figures.

This success is primarily attributable to Fiat Commercial Vehicles offering both retail buyers and fleet customers a class-leading range of products which are ultra-reliable, and available at competitive value-for-money prices.

To cope with this increased demand, Fiat Commercial Vehicles are offering business users competitive packages like Fiat Doblo Cargo contract hire with free servicing schemes and has embarked on a programme of strengthening its network aftersales support, ensuring that it meets the requirements of major fleets and retail buyers.

Fiat Commercial Vehicles network now has 11% of its dealers open 24 hours-a-day for service and repair work, and a further 10% of the network has flexible and extended opening hours. There are also currently 63 specialist CV dealers, a number which is set to grow to 75 by the end of this year.

In addition, Fiat Commercial Vehicles has also been working closely with its sister company, Iveco, to take advantage of the obvious synergies the Iveco dealer network provides. This activity has resulted in the appointment of 15 dual Iveco/Fiat sales and aftersales facilities, with a further five Iveco/Fiat aftersales-only points now operational.

The plan is that by the end of 2006, a total of 20 dealers will be dual Iveco/Fiat Commercial Vehicles sales and aftersales, and an additional five will be aftersales-only.

All of these actions put Fiat Commercial Vehicles in an enviable position compared to its nearest competition, and provide a great foundation for the company to increase its share of the fleet market.

Fiat Commercial Vehicles has also launched a marketing campaign to support these measures, with the strapline ‘Get Jobs Done Quicker’. The aim of the campaign is to increase awareness of the Fiat Commercial Vehicles brand and its class-leading range of products. In addition, it highlights the increased levels of aftersales service now available through the Fiat dealer network, nationwide.

The campaign is being featured in national press and trade titles, outdoor locations such as petrol stations and motorway services, and in dealerships as well.

Kevin Henderson, Fiat Commercial Vehicles director, says: "Fiat vans are currently market leaders in the retail sector of the commercial vehicle market in the UK. With the actions we have taken to improve our aftersales offer to the marketplace, we are well positioned to increase our sales penetration in both fleet and business sectors.

"By extending our franchise to Iveco dealers, the network has benefited greatly as their focus has always been on commercial vehicles. As a result, the dealers are geared up to deliver the service levels expected by fleets.

"The strengthening of our network aftersales support is the first step towards leading the way in aftersales service. By 2007 we want Fiat Commercial Vehicles to be the vans brand that prides itself in aftersales service, and clearly positions itself away from the competition."