Norton Way Corporate Newsletter - September 2015

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norton way MONTH

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Welcome to the all new edition of the Norton Way Group Corporate news. This month we bring you news that Honda has ranked top in customer satisfaction, the Peugeot 308 is voted best buy for company cars, Nissan reports 2 5 6

PEUGUOT 308 BEST BUY

308 awarded ‘Best Company Car’

HONDA RANKED TOP

Highest in UK customer satisfaction

NISSAN REPORTS

July 2015 sales for Europe

FULL MOON

28TH

Take an umbrella!

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healthy growth, Mazda fleet forecasts accelerating toward 2016, the Suzuki Baleno debuts and Norton Way hosts its very own track day at the Bedford Autodrome to celebrate the arrival of the new Honda Civic Type R!

MAZDA FLEET FORECASTS Sales to accelorate in 2015/16

CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP

SUZUKI BALENO DEBUT

The all new Baleno hatchback is here!

TYPE R TRACK DAY

We unleash the beast at Bedford Autodrome

CHECK OUT OUR LATEST UPDATES AND INFORMATION CHECK OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

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Peugeot 308 awarded ‘Best CLICKE HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THE PEUGEOT 308 AWARD 2015

The New 308 is one-of-a-kind. It’s sleek, it’s elegant, and every last detail is designed to make your senses come alive. The bodywork is streamlined and dynamic, and the same can be said of the interior too. The unique PEUGEOT i-Cockpit is stripped right down, with most functions controlled by the touchscreen, allowing you a high level of technology as well as a pure, minimal design.

The award-winning Peugeot 308 has obtained yet another accolade – this time awarded the ‘Best Company Car to Buy’ by Business Car Manager - the business motoring magazine. It follows numerous awards in the UK and across Europe, having won the most prestigious prize last year – European Car of the Year 2014.

Peugeot 308 5-door Hatchback - 1.6-litre BlueHDi Active 120 Stop&Start – chosen as the ‘Best Company Car to Buy’ Ralph Morton, Editorial Director at Business Car Manager, commented: “Already Car of The Year, Peugeot can now add the Best Company Car to Buy Award, to its swelling shelves of silverware for the new 308. The 308 has been on a diet, shedding 140kg along the way. This and the range of superefficient petrol and diesel engines, equal a Peugeot Hatchback and SW estate range that is a much better option for company car buyers.”

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Company Car to Buy’ 2015

“Already Car of The Year, Peugeot can now add the Best Company Car to Buy Award, to its swelling shelves of silverware for the new 308.”

- Ralph Morton, Editorial Director at Business Car Manager

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He added: “Our winner here is the 120hp diesel with its brilliantly low 82g/km CO2 providing small businesses that buy their company cars with an important 100% First Year Allowance tax break – at least until the end of the 2014/15 tax year.

Add in low running costs and fuel economy of over 90mpg and it’s not difficult to see why our judges were persuaded in the 308’s favour.”

Lighter than the previous 308, with a lower centre of gravity, a more compact steering wheel and newly-developed electric power steering. The New 308 is incredibly responsive and controlled and with intuitive features like the interactive touch screen, plus the minimal, luxury cabin, there really are moments when you’re not sure where you end and the car starts.

Due to its simplified, streamlined design ethos, the New 308 is very efficient. It’s 140kg lighter than the previous 308, without sacrificing strength or space, and the range of eight engines offer both power and efficiency, with the diesel 1.6 HDi (coming Summer 2014) giving 120bhp and just 82g/km CO2 – currently unheard of in any other car in this segment. Even the LED headlights are now more efficient, delivering a car where performance and efficiency are perfectly balanced.

The challenge behind the New 308 was to produce a car that will be like new after three years of driving it. So the greatest care has been taken over every detail, from the plush leather seating to the scratch-resistant dashboard. It’s built on a brand new platform (chassis) and is made from high-strength steel so your ride will be more than comfortable and will last.

So it really is the ideal company car, even the most testing of days can have a silver lining.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THE PEUGEOT 308 AWARD 2015 What does it cost? £14,995 to £25,945 Target Price £13,597 - £23,475 Fuel per 100 miles £6 - £10 CO2 82 - 130 g/km Tax band A-C

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Back in 1810 the main business of Peugeot was mainly the manufacturing of bicycles and coffee mils.

Honda ranked top for customer service N O R T O N WAY C O R P O R AT E • I S S U E 1 1 • S E P T 2 0 1 5

READ MORE ABOUT HONDA’S TOP RANKING STORY, CLICK HERE

“Any brand and any dealership can provide a consistently positive customer experience if they make it a priority. When they do, they will likely see an increase in revenue and will be able to build customer loyalty.”

Honda has ranked highest amongst volume brands when it comes to UK customer satisfaction with vehicle servicing, according to new research.

The inaugural JD Power 2015 UK Customer Service Index Study measures customer satisfaction with their experience at franchised dealers’ service departments. The study is a comprehensive analysis of the vehicle service experience and is independently conducted by JD Power in 16 countries worldwide.

Honda ranks highest among volume brands in satisfaction with a score of 768. Suzuki and Toyota tied in second with a score of 759, and Kia and Skoda tied in fourth on 758.

Previously run in conjunction with What Car? the annual Customer Satisfaction Index Study is now run solely by JD Power. Founded in 1968, JD Power is a marketing information services firm that conducts surveys of customer satisfaction, product quality and buyer behaviour for industries ranging from cars to marketing and advertising.

Dr Axel Sprenger, senior director of European automotive operations at JD Power

Philip Crossman, Managing Director at Honda UK, commented: “It is testament to our outstanding dealer network that we have topped the list of volume brands when it comes to customer satisfaction. One of the fundamental beliefs at Honda is developing a relationship with the customer based on mutual trust and this accolade from JD Power just goes to show how evident that is within our dealer network.”

Come experience it for yourself at our Honda dealerships.

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NISSAN REPORTS JULY 2015 SALES FOR EUROPE Another month passes with further great results from Nissan, let’s hope we will experience the same results for August 2015.

July sales (units) July market share

Rolle, (Switzerland) 11th August, 2015 - Nissan announced today European retail sales for July of 55,954 units (Nissan and Datsun), representing a market share of 3.9%.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THE NISSAN RESULTS

2015

2014

55,954

52,948

3.9%

3.8%

July highlights: ›› Nissan’s UK retail sales have grown by 12% year-on-year during the January-July period to 99,357 units. ›› Nissan’s retail market share in Germany grew by 0.5pp in July vs. the same period last year to 2.2% making it the best performing Japanese brand during the month and extending this leadership position over the calendar year. ›› Nissan’s France retail sales stood at 5,516 in July with a 3.5% market share. Two out of every three units sold were crossovers. ›› Nissan’s Spain retail market share grew by 0.5pp in July vs. the same period last year to 4.8% with 5,310 units sold making it the 8th bestselling automotive brand and the number 1 Asian brand in the country. ›› Nissan in Italy increased retail sales by 17% over the same month last year with 5,293 units sold in July 2015 and recorded a growth in the January-July period by 23%, with 40,807 units sold. ›› Nissan-Datsun combined retail market share in Russia grew by 0.6pp year-on-year in July to 5.7%. Datsun sales in Russia totalled 2,288 units.

TOP 5 EUROPEAN MARKETS JULY 2015

TOP 5 MODELS JULY 2015

#

#

MARKET

RETAIL UNIT SALES

MODEL

RETAIL UNIT SALES

1

UK

10,699

1

QASHQAI

20,209

2

RUSSIA

7,843

2

JUKE

8,188

3

GERMANY

6,255

3

X-TRAIL

5,048

4

FRANCE

5,516

4

MICRA

4,674

5

SPAIN

5,310

5

NOTE

3,591

RUSSIA = NISSAN & DATSUN

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON THE MAZDA FLEET FORECASTS

Mazda forecasts fleet sales to accelerate 25% in 2015/16

“The launch of the all-new Mazda2 and Mazda CX-3 coupled with riproaring success of the Mazda3 and further enhancements to the Mazda6 and Mazda CX-5, which have both been long-time fleet favourites, gives the brand a powerful model line-up in the corporate sector.”

Mazda fleet sales are in the fast lane with the marque forecasting corporate demand to accelerate 25 per cent in 2015/16 on the strength of a new model blitz, including the recently launched all-new MazdaCX-3 which has taken the brand into the small SUV sector for the first time.

Allied to the launch of the all-new Mazda2, which is expected to attract demand from public sector fleets and employees opting for company cars through salary sacrifice schemes, and continuing corporate demand for the Mazda3 launched just last year, as well as the 2015 enhanced Mazda6 and Mazda CX-5, it means the marque has one of the youngest line-ups of any manufacturer.

In addition, Mazda’s third new model launch of 2015, which just recently took place with the arrival of the iconic all-new Mazda MX-5. The eagerly awaited sports car continues to find favour among employees who can make lifestyle company car choices. What’s more Mazda’s yearon-year fleet growth is being driven by public and private sector organisations that lease or outright

- Steve Tomlinson, Mazda Head of Fleet

purchase their company cars with volumes up 31 per cent year-on-year. Key to Mazda’s boom in fleet sales is the brand’s breakthrough emissioncutting, fuel-saving SKYACTIV technology, which will feature in all models and delivers fuel bill savings to businesses and tax savings to employers and company car drivers alike. Mazda Head of Fleet Steve Tomlinson is forecasting that fleet sales will top 15,000 units in 2015/16 fuelled by further demand for the Mazda3, Mazda6 and Mazda CX-5 allied to significant demand for the all-new Mazda2, which will have its first full year on sale.

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Suzuki Baleno Hatchback Debut N O R T O N WAY C O R P O R AT E • I S S U E 1 1 • S E P T 2 0 1 5

The all new Baleno, an ideal hatchback from compact car expert Suzuki is set to make its world premiere at the 66th IAA Frankfurt Motor Show.

The debut of the full production version follows on

from the iK-2 Concept seen at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. The Baleno harmoniously combines stylish design, spacious interior and new technologies.

These new technologies include the first application of the newly Suzuki developed 1.0-litre BOOSTERJET direct injection turbocharged petrol engine that saves fuel while delivering driving pleasure. Fuel efficiency has been improved by reducing engine displacement; output and torque are boosted by using a turbocharger.

In addition to fulfilling fuel efficiency and dynamic performance expectations, the layout has been

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CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SUZUKI BALENO HATCHBACK DEBUT

optimised and various technologies used to reduce weight in order to meet the rigorous size and weight requirements specific to compact cars.

The new Baleno will be launched in the UK early next Summer and we at Norton Way believe that it will be a real feast for the eyes and the senses.

Surely a game changer for Suzuki. From family trips to business meetings the Baleno should cater for all while also boosting Suzuki’s confidence in the market.

CLICK TO WATCH THE ALL-NEW BALENO TEASER MOVIE!

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R T R TYPE n Wednesday 19th August Norton Way Group provided a Civic Type R Track Day for a selected number of our lucky customers. The Track Day was to launch the vehicle and give people the opportunity to try the Beast that is the Type R out on the Track.

The event took place at Bedford Autodrome, MK44 2YP. The track was designed from scratch by former F1 driver Jonathan Palmer, it was purpose build for speed and space, containing four entirely distinct circuits, over 5 miles of track, across 384 acre site. Due to the Autodrome not holding race events there are no crowdprotecting safety barriers or concrete walls, meaning the guests could drive to the limits in a safe environment. The South- West circuit at the track provided a fantastic venue to get the very most out of the amazing Civic Type R. It was decided to run three different slots for the customers, with starts at 4pm, 5pm and 6pm.

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Each slot was filled with 14 customers, meaning this experience was provided for 42 customers.

The day started off with a meet and greet at the circuit’s Monaco Suite with food and refreshments, giving the customers some needed fuel ready for the evening’s activities. This was followed by an introduction and full safety briefing by the head instructor for the day. The customers were then taking by coach to the track side ready for their race experience. Each customer had 4 laps around the 3 mile circuit with one of the track’s instructors in the car. The instructors were fantastic and gave directions & advice to our customers to get them round the track both as quickly and safely as possible. Each customer was given the opportunity to try the vehicle in its regular mode and then R mode which results in the suspension dampers getting 30% stiffer, the throttle becomes more responsive and the steering weights up. The circuit provided the 10

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customers to reach speeds over 130mph as well as the opportunity to test out the Type R’s amazing handling on challenging corners and chicanes.

Feedback from the customers about the vehicle was superb with many commenting on the vehicle’s handling, as well as how much quicker and the amount of improvements it has from its predecessors. This was further supported when the instructors took the vehicle around the track, many of which had professional race experience. All of the instructors gave the vehicle amazing feedback crediting the new 2.0 turbocharged i-VTEC engine and its grippy chassis enabling the vehicle to stick to the track to ensure precise handling.

Norton Way Group would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Bedford Autodrome in helping run a successful event. The Group hopes all the customers had an excellent day and the track experience gave them an insight into how this fantastic car handles at high speeds.

Following on from this Track Day, Norton Way Group is considering various different track days for its other franchises.

If this something you would be interested in, please email: info@nortonway.com to receive more information.

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CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CIVIC TYPE R TRACK DAY EMAIL US FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING NORTON WAY TRACK DAYS CHECKOUT MORE PHOTOS FROM OUR CIVIC TYPE R TRACK DAY ON FACEBOOK

Norton Way Group Unit 1 Arlesey Business Park, Mill Lane, Arlesey, Beds SG15 6RF Tel: 01462 754 700 www.nortonway.com

CARS AVAILABLE FOR DELIVERY THIS MONTH FROM NORTON WAY

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