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International motoring industry news
09:30 (GMT+2), Thu, 09 August 2012

MOTORING NEWS -
GEELY LC IN ECONOMY RUN
A Geely LC 1.3 GS, driven by reigning South African regularity rally champion Schalk van Niekerk and navigated by his wife Susan, finished third in class B for petrol-engined cars from 1 351cc to 1 350cc and 13th overall. It returned a fuel consumption of 6.663l/100km in the recent 1 100km Total Economy Run.

Van Niekerk, who last drove a Geely in the 2009 Total Economy Run, was highly impressed with the latest version of the little B class hatchback.Geely South Africa said it was committed to supporting the Total Economy Run as it provides the consumer with a meaningful comparison of fuel consumption figures achieved by different vehicles running at the same time, under the same conditions and on the same roads.

With the high cost of fuel in South Africa and regular price increases, fuel efficiency is a major consideration when buying a car. The Total Economy Run provides the perfect opportunity to expose the Geely brand to the car-buying public while at the same time demonstrating how inexpensive it is to run, the company said.

LAND ROVER SUPPORTS BORN FREE
Land Rover continues it commitment to wildlife conservation through its support of the Born Free Foundation (BFF) at the Shamwari Game Reserve near Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Land Rover South Africa's Managing Director Kevin Flynn recently handed over a new Defender 130 Double Cab to the local team and commended them.

The Born Free Foundation is a UK-based wildlife charity with projects worldwide. It has been one of Land Rover's Global Conservation Partners since 2002. The Shamwari centre was opened in 1999 and forms part of the Foundation's Big Cat Campaign. It comprises a sanctuary that cares for big cats rescued from around the world, as well as educational facilities to promote awareness and conservation of wild animals in their natural habitat.

"At Land Rover we are passionate about our conservation and environmental awareness and sustainability projects," says Flynn. "By supporting the Born Free Foundation at Shamwari, we're assisting this commendable wildlife charity to not only provide a safe haven for rescued big cats from around the world, but also to educate people on the plight of our wild animals."

The Defender 130 Double Cab is used for all aspects of the Foundation's activities, and is a crucial sponsorship, said Catherine Gillson Born Free Co-ordinator.

BMW RECORD SALES
After achieving record sales in the first half of 2012, the BMW Group reported its best-ever sales result for July. With a total of 135 537 (prev. yr. 129 102) BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles delivered worldwide last month, the company increased its sales by 5.0% over the previous year. It was also the first time in the company's history that over one million vehicles had been delivered in the first seven months. From January to July the number of deliveries climbed 7.6% to 1 036 088 vehicles.

"The BMW Group continued on its successful course in July and we are confident that we will continue to make solid gains throughout the second half of the year. Our new vehicles have been very well-received - the luxurious BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé has had an excellent start - and we are confident that the new BMW 7 Series and X1 will provide further success," said Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management, Sales and Marketing BMW.

In the first seven months of the year, the BMW Group made strong gains in Asia, with sales climbing by 25.0%. Several key markets in Asia experienced double digit growth last month including Japan, Korea and China. Mainland China accounted for 23 092 deliveries in July, an increase of 22.5% over the same month the previous year.

In South Africa, sales of BMW Group vehicles continued to grow in July with 2 262 units delivered to customers (12.9%). In the first seven months, BMW South Africa delivered 16 613 vehicles to customers (10.9% ).

In Europe, sales of BMW Group vehicles remained stable in July although slightly lower (-2.4%). The new BMW 3 Series Touring, which accounts for two thirds of BMW 3 Series registrations in the German home market, is expected to bring further momentum to European markets with its launch in September.

BMW Group sales in the Americas grew by 3.4% in July and in the first seven months 227 696 vehicles were delivered to customers, which reflects an increase of 8.0% on the previous year. The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported a July sales increase of 4.0% and in the year-to-date, the BMW Group is up 9.5% over the same period in 2011.