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GM outsold VW globaly in first quarter, Toyota reports numbers next week

General Motors released its first quarter sales figures this week, reporting that it sold 2.36 million cars and trucks worldwide. That figure represents an increase of 3.6 percent when compared to the same period last year. GM's growth was attributed to many factors, including global Cadillac sales that were up 26 percent and Chevrolet posting a one percent increase over last year (this marked Chevy's tenth straight year of record global sales).
Volkswagen came in just behind GM, as the German automaker reported global sales from January through March at 2.27 million vehicles, an increase of five percent when compared to last year. While that number was strong, VW is cautioning that markets outside China and the US, such as those in Europe, are becoming a challenge as economies falter.
Yet to report sales is Toyota, current holder of the global world sales crown (the Japanese company sold 9.75 million cars last year, against 9.29 million sold by GM and 9.1 million vehicles sold by VW). Even though GM and Toyota both say they don't care who sells the most units, it is unquestionably a strong bragging point and sales equate to revenue. That said, Toyota will report its first quarter numbers next week.

Fully Charged rolls into season 3 with VW XL1 and electric Land Rover

It's been some time since last we visited with British actor and electric car proponent Robert Llewellyn and his web-based video series, Fully Charged. The show, now sponsored by Ecotricity, has started rolling out its third season and now has available two episodes featuring a pair of truly unique – and diametrically opposed – vehicles. The first installment starts with some interesting numbers involving the host's Nissan Leaf and its energy consumption over the past 36,000 miles, but soon moves on to the ultra-aero, ultra-expensive Volkswagen XL1. Now, if you've already seen the footage from our own XL1 first drive review, there's not a lot new here except, perhaps, more enthusiasm and a better listen of the two-cylinder diesel kicking in. Still, it's a great reminder of a truly unique vehicle and we enjoyed the segment. The second episode features an electrified Land Rover Defender 110. This is a vehicle you'd more likely see on an African safari than at the local mall. It's not a home-built conversion either, but rather, something the company has put together "for the boffins to create the ideas and see if they work." Boasting a 50-mile range, it's certainly something we like to take on an off-road adventure. Llewellyn is given the chance to do just that, and though the course is somewhat milder than what we might attempt, it does feature a stretch of river and some rough, rutted tracks. You can watch both episodes by scrolling below let us know which vehicle you'd prefer in the comments. This writer is going with the four-wheel-drive. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: Fully Charged Green Land Rover Volkswagen Technology Emerging Technologies Electric Videos robert llewellyn fully charged vw xl1

Seinfeld's Porsches and VWs command $22 million at auction

Jerry Seinfeld sold off parts of his private collection last weekend at the Gooding & Company auction at Amelia Island, and the comedian's prized possessions garnered an impressive $22 million. Seinfeld is a passionate collector of Porsches, and the top lot which Gooding moved from his collection was a 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder, which sold for $5.35 million – right in the middle of its estimated range. Others inline with their pre-sale estimates included a 1990 962C racer ($1.65 million), a '94 964 Flatnose Turbo ($1 million), a '66 911 ($275,000), and a '64 VW Camper ($99,000). A few lots exceeded expectations, notably a '74 911 Carrera IROC RSR that went for $2.3 million (over an estimate of $1.2-1.5 million), as did a pair of 911 Speedsters from 1989 and 2011 and a 356 Speedster from '57. Jerry's 1960 Volkswagen set a new record for Beetles sold at auction when it went for a top bid of $121,000, well exceeding its estimated $45,000 value. The '73 Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder, however, sold for $3 million – which might seem like a lot of money until you realize that it was estimated to fetch upwards of $5 million. A '59 718 RSK went for only $2.86 million when it was valued at $4 million. A pair of 356s sold for $825,000 (instead of $1.25 million) and $1.5 million (instead of $2.25 million). A 993 Cup and a '58 Jadgwagen fell below expectations as well. Altogether, CNBC notes that the $22 million brought in by the collection fell well below the $28-32 million it was anticipated to raise. Far be it from us to count someone else's money, but something tells us Seinfeld won't be hurting too much after the sale. This is the guy, after all, who turned down an offer from NBC that would have netted him $5 million per episode for another 22-episode season of the eponymous show that made him famous. Related Video: Gooding & Company Sets Amelia Island Record for Single Lot and Celebrates More Than $60 Million in Sales from its 2016 Amelia Island Auction 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Fetches $17,160,000, a Gooding & Company Record Selections from The Jerry Seinfeld Collection Total More Than $22.2 Million AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. (March 13, 2016) – Gooding & Company, the auction house acclaimed for selling the world's most significant and valuable collector cars with the tradition of presenting some of the greatest collections to ever come to market, realized $60,162,150 in a single day at the company's 2016 Amelia Island Auction.