• BENTLEY is envisioning a powerful and even more efficient future with the Bentley Hybrid Concept — a technology showcase that previews Bentley’s first plug-in hybrid model, set to be a dedicated version of the all-new SUV available in 2017. The Bentley Hybrid Concept will be on display at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition as of Sunday April 20. As the first luxury brand to present a plug-in hybrid, Bentley leads the way in bringing new power train choice to the luxury automotive sector. Dr. Wolf-gang Schreiber, chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, said: “There is no doubt that plug-in hybrid technology is true to Bentley’s values of outstanding luxury and effortless performance. Combining our renowned engines with electric power reinforces and enhances both principles, and so we will gradually introduce this power train across our model range. By the end of the decade, at least 90 percent of our production will be available as a plug-in hybrid. We are proud to be pioneering these developments in the luxury sector.”

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• INFINITI announced sales have increased to 5,892 units across the Middle East in financial year 2013 (April 2013 to March 2014) — a substantial rise of 19 percnt compared to the same period for 2012. Significant increases were seen across the GCC making Infiniti one of the fastest growing premium automotive brands in that market. In Financial Year 2013 Infiniti’s strong line-up of SUVs contributed to over 75 percent of total sales volume with QX60 and QX70 remaining Infiniti’s core models. However, QX80 achieved an all-time monthly record high in March 2014. QX50 also had a good year and became one of the most popular models in its class with a 16 percent rise in sales.

• WOLFGANG Durheimer, general representative of the Volkswagen Group responsible for motorsport, is to become chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors Ltd. with effect from June 1, 2014. He is to succeed Wolfgang Schreiber, who will take up a leading position within the Volkswagen Group. “I would like to thank Wolfgang Schreiber for his successful work with Bentley and Bugatti and the consistent further development of the two brands,” said Martin Winterkorn, chairman of the board of management of Volkswagen AG. Under the leadership of Schreiber, Bentley set new records in terms of deliveries, sales and profit last year. All in all, Bentley delivered 10,120 vehicles, 19 percent more than in 2012. Sales grew by 15.5 percent to €1.68 billion. Profit rose by 66.9 percent to €167.7 million. In the first quarter of 2014, Bentley boosted deliveries by a further 17 percent.

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• HYUNDAI Motor Company has unveiled its premium sedan, the new Genesis for the first time in the Middle East and Africa.

The all–new Genesis is the first Hyundai to feature the brand’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design concept, while also boasting significantly enhanced driving performance and state-of-the-art technologies such as a Head-Up Display, Smart Trunk function and Autonomous Emergency Braking. First revealed in Korea at the end of 2013, the new Genesis received a record 3,500 orders on the first day of pre-orders.

The premium sedan is expected to prove equally popular in the Middle East and Africa, which is set to be its second biggest market after the US.

Unveiled at a gala ceremony in Dubai, the new Genesis also comes with Hyundai’s class-leading Premium Assurance Plus Program as standard.

Tom Lee, Vice President and Head of Hyundai Africa and Middle East Regional Headquarters, said: “The all-new Genesis will compete head-on with top-tier premium models in the Middle East and Africa and we are confident that it will set new standards in the sector for design and specification.