• Volkswagen Middle East has reported record growth across its retail network with the opening of six showrooms and a series of service facilities in the first half of 2014. The $20 million development of the brand’s retail network reveals sustained demand across the model line-up in the Middle East, as Volkswagen remains committed to offering peerless German Engineering after more than 50 years in the region. Thomas Milz, managing director, Volkswagen Middle East said: “Service excellence is our first priority and together with our local partners, we are committed to providing our customers with high quality products and unrivalled customer service through strategic investment in technology, after-sales and better accessibility than ever before with new and enhanced, world-class showrooms and service centers. “Our retail network’s record-breaking growth signifies our ongoing commitment to the Middle East. With the support of our trusted partners in the region, we remain on track to becoming a world leader in customer satisfaction and innovation by 2018,” Milz continued. The retail network expansion includes the opening of six new showrooms in Beirut, Doha, Dubai, Erbil, Fujairah and Sharjah.

• The BMW Group celebrates at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2014 with a very special concept: The MINI SuperleggeraTM Vision. This exclusive interpretation of an open-top two-seater was created by MINI and Touring Superleggera, the design and coach building house based in Milan. The MINI SuperleggeraTM Vision is a classic roadster, a compact and agile two-seater, expressing the most minimalist and emotional style of motoring; and its electric drivetrain gives the car distinctly modern driving dynamics. In collaboration with MINI, Touring SuperleggeraTM has designed and built an elaborately crafted, unique model which blends the tradition of classic coachwork construction with the MINI’s authentic British styling to create timeless aesthetic appeal.

• ‘Gallery Design’ in Riyadh has collaborated with Italian luxury car manufacturer Maserati to showcase the new Maserati Ghibli as part of an exhibition. ‘Designed’ is the first multi-line interiors show in the Middle East where internationally renowned brands showcase their latest innovations and products. Among the exhibitors this year was Italian luxury brand Poltrona Frau, which supplies Maserati with genuine leather for its sumptuous interiors. In addition to the Ghibli, Fast Auto Technic, the official importer of Maserati in Saudi Arabia, also showcased the Maserati flagship, the Quattroporte. Through its participation in the event, Maserati aims to interact with visitors and design connoisseurs such as architects and interior designers to encourage the exchange between Maserati design and modern interior design.

• Car sales in western Europe rose about five percent in May, the eighth consecutive month of growth, but the seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) of sales slipped back from the April level, according to analyst LMC Automotive. "We continue to forecast that the market will reach 12 million units for the full year as economic growth and consumer confidence continue to head in the right direction, but the road to recovery remains a bumpy one," LMC analyst Jonathon Poskitt said. The UK, Spanish and German markets were largely responsible for the expansion in Western European sales last month. In year on year terms the UK market increased for the 27th month in a row. This is a new record as the longest period of continuous growth enjoyed by that market.