• Since its launch in the Middle East six months ago, LINCOLN MKZ has continued to receive industry recognitions and many awards. The all-new MKZ signaled the reinvention of the Lincoln brand, featuring a sleek and sporty design, unique and segment-exclusive technologies as well as outstanding driving dynamics. One of the early recognitions it received was being named as 2013’s best compact premium vehicle in the J. D. Power and Associates Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. The award reflected the high marks owners gave the vehicle for exterior styling, intuitive technology, seat comfort and storage. Recently, USAA, a leading financial services provider to the US military community and their families, added the 2014 Lincoln MKZ to its fourth-annual Best Value vehicles list, which identifies the top 2014 vehicles in their respective categories based on the proprietary USAA Preferred vehicle rating system. The 2014 Lincoln MKZ is the top vehicle in the Midsize Luxury category, recognized for offering fuel efficiency and superior safety.

• VOLKSWAGEN Middle East announced new managerial appointments for its regional operations. Guy Edmunds, currently serving as dealer development director for Volkswagen Middle East since 2011, has been appointed to the role of sales director. With more than 25 years of automotive experience, Edmunds’ new role within Volkswagen Middle East will focus on the development of the brand’s sales strategy in order to achieve its regional growth targets for 2018. Taking up the reins of Edmunds’ former role, Boriana Savatova-Ince has been appointed Dealer Development Director. She has over 15 years of automotive experience and in her new role, she will manage and further develop the retail network with a core focus on people, premises and processes. Thomas Milz, managing director of Volkswagen Middle East, said: “With 35 years’ automotive experience combined and a track record of success, we have a strong team in place to further drive our growth strategy in the Middle East.”

• The all-new 2015 YUKON, Yukon XL and flagship Yukon Denali models are designed to deliver greater levels of comfort. The interiors of the all-new Yukon family have been refined to enhance functionality and comfort, while delivering the technologies that are more important in the daily routines of increasingly connected customers. Premium materials and enhanced ergonomics demonstrate the SUVs’ blend of sophistication, craftsmanship and function. Aluminum decorative trim is used on Yukon/Yukon XL models, while Denali models feature aluminum trim with a unique, burnished and tinted appearance, along with authentic Java Burl Poplar wood accents. The instrument panel design for all models has a straightforward design featuring a large, easy-to-view cluster. For Yukon SLE and SLT, it includes a 4.2-inch color driver information center display in the center of the cluster, for vehicle and infotainment and other data. Denali models feature an eight-inch, reconfigurable cluster display. All functions for the Denali cluster are controlled via the steering wheel and are integrated with the vehicle’s center stack so drivers can access audio, phone and navigation functions in the cluster.

• FORD says its new Mondeo will compete better in Europe’s shrinking mid-sized segment because it has a sophisticated new platform that was also designed to underpin the automaker’s US luxury brand, Lincoln. “The suspension and platform were developed to be compatible with Lincoln as well” Ford’s outgoing assistant global line director for CD platform cars, Darren Palmer, said. The Mondeo will go on sale in Europe at the end of the year, competing against models such as the Volkswagen Passat, Europe’s best-selling mid-sized car, and the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia. The Mondeo is built off Ford’s global CD4 platform, which also underpins Fusion in the US. The platform will also be used for the forthcoming S-Max and Galaxy minivans, as well as the Edge large SUV. The first Lincoln car to use the platform will be the Edge-based MKX, Palmer said. Sales of mid-sized cars in Europe are falling as customers opt for rival models from German premium brands and crossovers.

• Sales for the BMW Group in the Middle East continue to climb as the company has posted a record sales increase of 25 percent for the first half of this year. A total of 15,797 BMW and MINI vehicles were delivered to customers in 12 Middle East markets. Based on these outstanding figures, BMW is in pole position for yet another successful year in the region. The UAE remains the biggest market in the Middle East, accounting for around half of BMW and MINI total sales in the first half of the year, followed by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar. Markets which showed strong individual sales growth included the UAE which grew 40 percent, Oman 57 percent, Jordan 39 percent, Bahrain 33 percent and Qatar with 13 percent growth. Commenting on the company’s impressive results, Johannes Seibert, managing director, BMW Group Middle East said: “These robust sales results are testament to the desire our customers have for our brands. The regions premium automotive market is growing approximately 15 percent so we are delighted to be above this figure, and look forward to continuing our growth momentum throughout the rest of this year.”