Archive for the ‘Vauxhall’ Category
Friday, March 12th, 2010
Vauxhall’s vehicle servicing network, MasterFit, has strengthened its Customer Promise to the consumer with a string of upgrades available on all Vauxhalls of any age.
As of April this year, the benefits of the MasterFit Customer Promise have been strengthened to become include a price promise-ensuring customers pay the best price for like-for-like parts. All vehicles will have a 25 point safety check performed on them at all routine services, plus, will have a free fitment of windscreen wiper blades and exterior lighting bulbs, and will be washed and vacuumed before being returned.
MasterFit’s existing six-point Promise includes local pick-up/delivery or courtesy vehicle; advice on work required to vehicle; monthly price check to ensure the lowest possible cost to customers; transparent pricing and invoicing; latest workshop equipment; and, vehicle systems enhancements (such as software updates) as they become available. These remain the core of the MasterFit Customer Promise.
MasterFit Manager Andrew Curley said: “Used car owners in the UK typically do not take their cars to the manufacturer’s franchise service centres but turn instead to independents or carry out routine servicing themselves. The enhancements to the MasterFit Promise add an extra incentive for customers to keep their car in the Vauxhall retail network and take advantage of the good value package of genuine parts, diagnostic equipment which is right for the vehicle, the support of highly-trained Vauxhall technicians and highly-competitive pricing. Now more than ever, the MasterFit Customer Promise assures customers of a first class service.”
Vauxhall’s aftersales network encompasses more than 400 outlets nationwide.
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
General Motors has issued a safety recall of 1.3 million cars to repair a motor in the power steering system. The recall comes after more than 1,100 complaints of motorists complained about sudden loss of power steering assistance. The fault has also been linked to 14 crashes and one injury in North America.
Vehicles affected include the 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and the 2007-2010 Pontiac G5 sold in the US; as well as 2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit sold in Canada, and the 2005-2006 Pontiac G4 sold in Mexico.
The car giant, which owns Vauxhall/Opel among other brands, says that it informed the US car safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) about the recall on Monday after concluding an investigation that began in 2009. NHTSA opened its own investigation on January 27, 2010 into approximately 905,000 Cobalt models sold in the United States after receiving more than 1,100 complaints about the power steering assistance, as well as 14 crashes and one injury.
"After our in-depth investigation, we found that this is a condition that takes time to develop. It tends to occur in older models out of warranty," said Jamie Hresko, GM Vice President of Quality. “Recalling these vehicles is the right thing to do for our customers’ peace of mind.
"While greater steering effort under 15 mph may be required, if the customer experiences loss of power steering assist, it is important to note that the vehicle can still be safely controlled because the customer can still steer the vehicle,” Hresko said. “When the condition occurs, both a chime will sound and a ‘Power Steering’ message will be displayed.”
Plans for the remedy are being developed, the carmaker intends to contact owners of the affected vehicles.
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
Available to order from dealers today, the new Meriva enters the UK market with aggressive pricing starting at just £15,495 OTR for the 100PS 1.4 S model, making it a highly competitive proposition for buyers in the compact MPV sector.
With a larger wheelbase offering added practicality for buyers – especially those with young children – the Meriva has shifted out of the small-MPV and into the five-seat compact-MPV class, where it’s set to raise the bar for innovation, thanks to standard features like FlexDoors and FlexSpace. Its more expensive than its predecessor and not as well equipped as the Nissan Note, but the new model promises much more space than the old Meriva and is more affordable proposition than some of its rivals.
With generous equipment as standard, including CD player with MP3 format and aux-in/USB, graphic information display, heated door mirrors, electric windows and electronic park brake. In the mid-range Exclusiv form, the Meriva gets air conditioning, cruise control, curtain airbags and the clever FlexRail storage/convenience feature, at a starting price of £16,650 for the 100PS 1.4-litre version.
But for the ultimate in MPV luxury, the SE model includes standard features like fixed Panoramic full-glass roof with electronic sunshade, dark tinted rear windows and front foldable tray tables on front seat backs and comes at a reasonable starting price of £17,430.
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Entry price for diesel models is £16,875 for the S trim 1.3 CDTi 75PS, and extend to £21,255 for the range-topping SE 1.7 CDTi 100PS automatic. From launch, all 1.7 CDTi versions will come with automatic gearboxes, with a six-speed manual becoming available soon after.
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Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Vauxhall can afford to feel a little smug this morning, after a Ipsos MORI survey revealed that the carmaker’s offerings are a firm favourite with the newly wealthy.
According to the research specialist, in a survey of National Lottery winners who won a million or more, buying a new car/cars was among one of the top ten purchases to make with the new money. After quizzing 100 winners, the firm found that Vauxhall ranked number four in their automotive wish lists, in front of prestige brands like Range Rover, Porsche, Audi and Jaguar.
In total, 15 per cent of those surveyed purchased a Vauxhall after they received their winnings, illustrating how even newly-minted millionaires need cars still pull towards more practical car offerings.
In total 36 per cent of winners revealed that they choose to visit a car showroom before visiting either an estate agent or even the high street shops, leaving the carmaker in good stead to see one of its cars gracing the drives of the newly rich.
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“This is great news for Vauxhall,” said Andy Gilson, Vauxhall’s Marketing Director. “It goes to show that, while exotic brands like Ferrari and Rolls Royce may feature further down National Lottery winners’ shopping lists, they’re still a pragmatic group at heart – but one that still recognises quality and value!”
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Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Vauxhall will be taking part in a ‘Drive it Day’ on Sunday April 25 by opening the doors to its Heritage Centre and giving classic car owners the chance to fully appreciate the carmaker’s unique motoring history.
Organised by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs, ‘Drive it Day’ encourages owners to take their classic out on the road and celebrate motoring and heritage at its finest. Owners from across the UK are encouraged to come along and visit the carmaker’s Heritage Centre in their own classic – any make or model is welcome.
Throughout the day there will be a range of Vauxhall memorabilia for sale, refreshments will be provided and will also have our own on-site photographer available all day to take pictures of your classic.
Vauxhall will also be celebrating 30 years of the Astra going on sale in the UK, with a line up of the Astra throughout the ages on view.
Opening times will be 10:00am to 4:00pm, and the entrance to the Heritage Centre can be found in Park Street, Luton, behind the main Griffin House headquarters in Osborne Road.
‘Drive it Day’ represents the classic vehicle movement in the UK – 64 cars set off from London back in April 1900 the first day of the Thousand Mile Trial – owners are encouraged to drive anything old or interesting and take to the road for one day, demonstrating the enthusiasm for classics and showing just how many classics are still on the road today.
At 9:00am the Vauxhall/Bedford Owners Association will gather at the Heritage Centre for a road run to Duxford.
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Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
Its happy birthday for the Astra which turns thirty this month, one of Britain’s ‘best loved cars’, its maker proclaims.
The evidence to substantiate that claim is fairly compelling it has to be said. After 30 years, nearly three million UK sales and six generations, Vauxhall’s Astra accounts for almost one in 20 of all vehicles currently registered in the UK.
Officially, Britain’s best selling UK-built car, the latest Mk6 Astra, launched last December, is already selling ahead of projections and has been instrumental in securing production of future models at Ellesmere Port, Vauxhall’s main manufacturing plant in the north west of England.
Since the first Astra rolled out of a UK dealership in February 1980, over 2.8 million Astras have found UK homes. It’s been this popularity which has helped make Britain the lead market in Europe for the Astra, accounting for 25 per cent of all its sales.
From when the first Astra went on sale, it rapidly gained a reputation for adopting the latest technology and innovation. The Astra Mk1 was Vauxhall’s first car to incorporate both front-wheel-drive and a transverse engine layout, and also the first Vauxhall to be offered with a diesel engine in 1982.
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It also gained a great image as a drivers’ car, spawning the iconic GTE, as well as the later GSi (Mks 3 & 4) and VXR (Mk5), many of which formed the basis for heroic motorsport campaigns in both international rallying and the British Touring Car Championship.
Moving on three decades and the 2010 Astra Mk6 carries the mantle from its predecessors with pride. A driver’s car through and through, it features a clever Watt’s linkage/compound crank rear suspension design and unique-in-class nine-beam AFL lighting system, highlights which illustrate Vauxhall’s continued passion for innovation and bringing new technology to a wider audience.
One thing’s for sure, few cars on sale in the UK today have become such a staple of the British diet as the Astra.
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Friday, February 12th, 2010
Due to the popularity of its recently announced Swappage Programme, where buyers can trade in cars over seven years old to obtain a discount worth at least £3000, Vauxhall has extended the scheme to three more of its best-selling models: the Insignia, Meriva and Zafira.
That means that in addition to the generous discounts already available on the new Astra, Astra Sports Hatch and almost all Corsa models, buyers can now bag a fantastic deal on two of the most popular MPVs on the market and a recent Car of the Year winner.
Vauxhall’s Swappage offer allows buyers to use any seven-year-old UK-registered car with insurance, road tax and MOT – no matter what its value or condition – as currency to reduce the cost of any of the six models listed by at least £3000.
But in some cases, the deal is almost double that. For example, the Swappage price on a Zafira Life 1.6, which normally retails at £18,670, tumbles to just £12,995, if the buyer has an eligible trade in – that’s a massive saving of £5,675!
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“There’s never been a better time to buy a new Vauxhall,” said Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s Retail Sales Director. “Better still, buyers can take full advantage of the Swappage programme just in time for the new ‘10’ plate on March 1.”
Vauxhall’s Swappage scheme launched on February 5th and applies to new cars ordered or registered before March 31 from participating dealers.
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Friday, February 12th, 2010
It would seem that Vauxhall is feeling very enigmatic this week, releasing probably the least informative press release ever on its plans for the forthcoming Geneva motor show.
Simply stating that the brand intends to reveal a new ‘futuristic concept cat’ which will ‘boost the company’s credentials as a leader in environmental vehicles’. Ohh Vauxhall, you tease, whatever could you mean?
Sorry to say that is all the firm is giving away at the moment, the teaser shot (pictured) is meant to give you some idea of what the car will look like, but in truth all it gives away is that this ‘futuristic concept car’ is likely to be some sort of plug-in hybrid, where the badge is removed to plug in a super charger.
With the doors of Switzerland’s premiere motor show set to open on March 2 to the motoring press, Vauxhall however does give more detail on other vehicles set to form part of its display. An all new Meriva compact MPV, the range-extended electric vehicle-the Ampera and the brand’s most economical production car to date, the latest Corsa ecoFLEX will all form part of the display.
‘Flex’ is the buzz word for the new Meriva, featuring FlexDoors, rear-hinged back doors that swing open to an angle just shy of 90 degrees for improved access and egress. Add this to the ‘FlexRail’ a flexible centre console storage space ideal for a wide range of everyday items, from handbags and colouring books to iPods and sunglasses. Finally of course, the FlexSpace seating system which offers a range of cabin configurations without having to remove any of the seats.
Meanwhile the five-door, four-seater Vauxhall Ampera, schedule to go into production late next year, will display its everyday usability. It carries similar design to the new Astra and Insignia, yet it uses groundbreaking extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) technology. Unlike other conventional propulsion systems, E-REV uses electricity as its primary power source, supplemented by a small engine to generate electricity for its motors when electric power runs low. This helps the Ampera overcome the ‘range anxiety’ issues associated with pure electric cars.
But for those that can’t wait to go green, the Corsa has impressed fuel efficiency. The economy star of the range is the latest ecoFLEX model, which not only gains 20PS of power, but also achieves a combined 76.3mpg and emissions of just 98g/km.
Of course, if you fancy finding out what Vauxhall is banging on about, you could visit the Geneva Motor Show. Ticket are available from the website:http://www.salon-auto.ch/en/
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Friday, February 5th, 2010
Vauxhall is offering at least a generous £3,000 off a new Astra, Astra Sport hatch or Corsa model, even to customers not eligible for the final stages of the Government’s Scrappage Scheme.
Instead car buyers can take advantage of the carmaker’s own Swappage Scheme, which will allow them to take a big discount off any model within the Astra range or nearly any model in Corsa range in exchange for any roadworthy car they own which is at least seven years old.
Even better, this discount does not impose an upper age limit on the trade-in car, as long as it is still roadworthy, you can cash it in. Better still, unlike the current scrappage scheme, even buyers who have a ten year old car (or older) to swap only need to have owned it for 90 days – and dealers will also allow a husband/wife to trade in their partner’s car, as long as they live at the same address.
That means that any seven-year-old UK –registered car with insurance, road tax and MOT – no matter what its value or condition – can be used as currency to reduce the cost of the 2010 Corsa 1.0 Energy 3-dr to just £8,925 and the recently-launched Astra 5-dr to as little as £12,995 for the Exclusiv 1.4 model.
Even bigger savings can be made by swapping your old car for the latest Astra Sport Hatch Sport 1.4, with its standard VXR styling pack, sports suspension and air conditioning. Swappage brings the cost of this model down by a £3,885 to just £12,995.
“We’re determined that our customers won’t be left short-changed when the Government’s scrappage scheme comes to an end,” said Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s Retail Sales Director. “Vauxhall Swappage not only increases the amount of discount off selected Vauxhalls from £2,000 to at least £3,000, but it also widens the net to cars over seven years old, compared with ten years plus in the old, Government-backed scheme.”
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Vauxhall Swappage is available on all Corsa (exc. S & Exclusiv), new Astra and Astra Sport Hatch models ordered or registered between February 5 and March 31, 2010 at participating dealers, and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers.
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Friday, December 11th, 2009
First customers will receive the keys to their new Astras today as Vauxhall celebrates its launch.
Vauxhall dealers across the country are expecting a surge of interest in the new five-door hatchback when their doors open this morning. They’ll also be busy delivering cars to eager customers who placed their orders soon after the car went on sale in September.
With its range of five petrol and three diesel engines and a starting price of just £15,675, the new Astra promises to reinforce its position as one of the most popular cars in its class, where it’s held sway in the UK for nearly 30 years.
Featuring a powerful and rakish design and clever interior packaging that offers more occupant space and comfort than ever before, the new Astra is available in five trim levels – S, Exclusiv, SRi, SE and Elite.
All models now come with ESP, 6 airbags, air conditioning, electric windows, CD/radio with MP3 format and aux-in and electric/heated door mirrors.
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But the Astra will also offer customers a range of options not normally found in this class. AFL (Adaptive Forward Lighting) offers drivers nine headlight functions that automatically adapt to road conditions, while the addition of FlexRide brings a choice of three suspension settings which drivers can manually control or leave for the car to select automatically.
The Astra’s engine efficiency has improved by over 13 per cent on the outgoing range, meaning that drivers will not only benefit from cleaner emissions, but also a reduction fuel costs, VED and Benefit in Kind tax for fleet users. Petrol engines range from an 87PS 1.4-litre to a 1.6-litre turbocharged unit producing 180PS, while diesels span from 110 to 160PS in either 1.7 CDTi or 2.0 CDTi form.
Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant will build new Astras for all European markets initially, but the UK will take the biggest share, with around 25 per cent of all production going to British buyers.
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