Peter Schreyer introduces Kia's new Sportage

It's a sign of just how significant the new Sportage is for Kia that rather than flying UK journalists to an international launch location the company instead rented a boutique hotel in London's Notting Hill, created a sketch gallery in the basement and flew in key members of the car's development team to meet the press — who were then lent some the first new Sportage's in the UK to test for a month. One executive present at the event was Kia's Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer. Car Design News was invited to meet with Peter to talk about his role at Kia and for him to talk us through a vehicle Kia is billing as the first to be designed entirely under his tenure.

UK new car sales hit a 10-year high

UK new car sales continue to scale new heights, with more new cars sold in March 2014 than in any month in the past decade. Sales figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveal that 464,824 new cars were registered last month – a 17.7% rise over March 2014. It continues the trend of rocketing sales, with year-to-date registrations up 13.7%.

Citroen UK adds more incentives

It’s no surprise as car companies fight to shift metal that the offers to buyers will get better and better until we all start buying again. So Citroen has pitched in with some extra new year offers to tempt wary buyers. Citroen are now extending their ‘VAT Free’ offer across the range on Berlingo Multispace, C4, C4 Picasso, C8 and C-Crosser, which means savings of up to £3.5k are now available without haggling at Citroen dealers throughout the UK.