After reporting best-ever revenues and earnings figures for the seventh year in succession, the BMW Group intends to continue its course of sustainable and profitable growth, while also expanding its role as innovation leader. The company’s core business will be strengthened by the targeted addition of new models and continued work on the strategic areas of electric mobility and automated driving.

“Once again, we are targeting record sales volume, revenues and earnings in 2017,” stated Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG in Munich on Tuesday. The BMW Group forecasts a slight increase in Automotive segment deliveries to customers in the current financial year, which would result in a corresponding growth in segment revenues. Group profit before taxes is also expected to improve slightly.

 “It’s truly a labor of love for the Jeep team to develop exciting, capable concept vehicles each year for Moab and the Easter Jeep Safari,” said Mike Manley, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA Global. “We look forward to the reaction and feedback from enthusiasts and our most loyal customers as these new Jeep concepts are put through their paces on the trails in Moab.”

 
An array of production and prototype Jeep Performance Parts were used on this year’s collection of concept vehicles. The Mopar brand is responsible for developing, building and ensuring that all Jeep Performance Parts meet rigorous specifications and with 4x4 capabilities in mind, enabling Jeep owners to further enhance their stock vehicles.

“Jeep and Mopar have teamed up over 15 years to create unique, fun and highly capable concept vehicles for the popular Easter Jeep Safari in Moab,” said Pietro Gorlier, Head of Parts and Service (Mopar), FCA – Global. “These concept vehicles are a perfect example of how off-road enthusiasts can use Jeep Performance Parts to personalize and enhance the already outstanding Jeep capability, allowing them to face the toughest trails in the world.”

Audi and Silvercar expect approval of the transaction by regulatory authorities, with the transaction concluding in the first half of 2017.

Austin, Texas-based Silvercar helps Audi strengthen its platforms to serve the evolving mobility needs of the U.S. marketplace. The two companies have worked together since 2012, developing and delivering innovative consumer mobility offerings under the Audi mobility, Silvercar and Dealerware brands. In 2015, Audi participated in a $28 million Series C investment in Silvercar. The company employs about 150 people.

“Audi and Silvercar share a vision for the future of transportation,” said Matt Carpenter, Audi of America’s chief financial officer. “This acquisition enables Audi to move forward with a progressive partner and continue our technology leadership into the next era of mobility.’’

Judges called this year’s Canadian Green Car Awards process, “the tightest competition in its five-year history,” with six vehicles now vying for the overall title to be announced Friday, April 7 at the Green Living Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
 
“We’re truly thrilled that Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid has been named the best ‘Efficient Three-Row Family Vehicle,’ by the Canadian Green Car judges,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO, FCA Canada. “No other vehicle in the marketplace can match Pacifica Hybrid’s combination of seven-passenger seating and game-changing efficiency, plus advanced safety technology and overall utility.”
 
The all-new, made-in-Canada 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid electrifies the minivan segment, adding an innovative, advanced hybrid powertrain to the Pacifica’s no-compromises combination of functionality, versatility, technology and bold styling.

One lucky winner will drive away with a 2018 Ford Mustang GT plus $5,000 in Ford Performance Parts in the eighth-annual Mustang 5.0 Fever Sweepstakes Presented by Motorcraft.

Contestants 18 years or older can enter online for a chance to win at www.Mustang50Fever.com now through noon ET on Dec. 1, 2017, or at Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing’s midway display at select Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races and automotive and Ford enthusiast events. Entries are limited to one per person.

In 2016, more than 194,000 entered the contest, and Robin Staudte of Lemon Grove, Calif., near San Diego, who registered online, was last year’s lucky winner. She took delivery of her magnetic metallic Mustang GT with black interior from Penske Ford in La Mesa on Saturday, Feb. 25.

Jason Lucas has been named the director of marketing and communications at Michigan International Speedway.

Lucas joins MIS after serving as the director of consumer marketing at Daytona International Speedway since 2016. In that role he was responsible for the promotion and strategies for the speedway. He developed and implemented marketing plans across all media channels to promote the diverse schedule at the “World Center of Racing.”

“We are excited to have Jason join us as the director of marketing and communications,” MIS President Rick Brenner said. “He brings a wealth of knowledge to the speedway and is well positioned to lead the department.”

Daytona International Speedway was recently transformed into the world’s only motorsports stadium with DAYTONA Rising, a $400 million renovation. Thanks to the marketing efforts of Lucas and his team, the stadium was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year.

Volkswagen is adding the Arteon Gran Turismo to its lineup and has revealed the vehicle to a global audience for the first time at the Geneva International Motor Show.

Volkswagen Head Designer Klaus Bischoff says: "The Arteon combines the design elements of a classic sports car with the elegance and space of a fastback. It’s an avant-garde business-class Gran Turismo that speaks to the heart and head alike."

Tobias Sühlmann, responsible for the Arteon's exterior design, further explains: “The athletic lines of the Arteon embody a highly functional overall concept. Form and function find common ground here in a progressive way. Thanks to its long wheelbase, stretched roofline, coupe-style fastback design and large rear hatch, this Gran Turismo provides more space and flexibility than conventional sedans."

The new Arteon was designed on the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB). The architecture allows for a long, 111.9- inch wheelbase and for short overhangs on the 191.4-inch long body. With a width of 73.7 inches and a height of 56.2 inches, the Arteon delivers truly dynamic proportions and a visual starting point for the Volkswagen designers.

Erik Jones and Furniture Row Racing’s No. 77 5-hour ENERGY Toyota team look to add to his already impressive track record at Phoenix International Raceway in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Camping World 500. 

The Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate has earned three victories and three pole positions, as well as five top-five and eight top-10 finishes in just nine starts at the flat one-mile oval east of Phoenix. The statistics from eight of those races were achieved in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, where he won the spring race last season, and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series where he earned his first NASCAR victory in 2013 and then repeated the next year.

The ninth race took place in the Cup series (Nov. 15, 2015), when Jones subbed for Matt Kenseth in the No. 20 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing. His strong seventh-place qualifying effort was followed by a very respectable 19^th-place race finish despite it being just his third NASCAR Cup Series start.