Fancy yourself behind the wheel of a sporty new coupe? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is pleased to offer some fantastic leasing rates on the all-new Vauxhall Astra GTC.

Arguably one of the most striking cars on the road, the Vauxhall Astra GTC certainly turns heads with its signature daytime running lights, strong shoulder lines and aerodynamically fine-tuned front bumper.

But it’s not just on the outside that the Vauxhall Astra GTC impresses. Under the bonnet, this striking sports coupe boasts a range of petrol and diesel engines ranging from 120 PS to 180 PS, all offering lively performance with excellent fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions.

The new Vauxhall Astra GTC is now available to lease from Nationwide Vehicle Contracts with prices starting from just £214.95 + VAT a month for the 2.0CDTi Sport S/S. Standard features on this superb model include:

• DAB Digital Radio

• USB / Aux-In Connections

• Daytime Running Lights

• Cruise Control

• Air Conditioning

• 18″ Alloy Wheels

To view the full Vauxhall Astra GTC range and to get an instant quotation on any model, simply follow the above links or call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts on 0844 482 9595.

Prices based on a 4 year contract and excludes VAT, initial payment and processing fee. Limited Stock Available. Terms & Conditions Apply.

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When the entire furore over the new registrations last year died down, just before the second wave hits this year, and the “look-at-me-I’ve-got-a-new-reg” -ers have had their moment in the spotlight, reality sets in for the UK car industry.

In 2011, new car sales in the UK fell to 1.94m (4.4% down on 2010), the lowest total since 1994′s 1.91m.

But these figures don’t truly reflect the manufacturing state of the industry. 80% of cars built in the UK are exported, and these figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) are therefore more of a reflection of the British buying economy.

Paul Everitt, chief executive of the SMMT, commented: “This [fall]  is what you would expect to see. Consumer demand is weaker, but at the same time we are seeing a strong performance in some key segments of the manufacturing economy.”

By that, I guess he means exports and fleet sales, boosted by hire cars and company cars. Consumer sales, in fact, actually fell by a whopping 14% fuelled by a lack of confidence in the economy, the VAT increase to 20%, the scrapping of the scrappage scheme and petrol prices.

Strong demand from China, the USA and India helped keep sales of Nissan, Toyota and Jaguar Land Rover afloat. and this is expected to continue throughout 2012. In fact, the SMMT expects the UK Industry to manufacture around 1.5m cars this year (up 5%) and 1.6m in 2013.

But Deloitte, the consultancy firm, expects a further decline in actual car sales in the UK to an actual figure around 1.84m as the economic crisis continues to bite around Europe.

So who do you believe? My money’s on the latter, but then my glass has always been half empty.

There were winners last year. No real surprise that the Ford Fiesta. a perennial favourite, was the best seller, but the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagon Golf and Vauxhall Astra also sold well.

And worldwide, VW sold a record 5.1m, with Europe and China contributing 3.4m  of that. In fact, China’s overall ‘car consumption’ grew by 13.8%, especially in the luxury car market, with Daimler having a great year in the Far East market. Just think what the figures would have been without that! And surprisingly, considering the state of the US economy, VW sales there grew by over 26% (a possible head in the sand syndrome?) as well as more than expected in India.

So not all good news, and not all bad news. But there is no escaping from the fact that 2012 is going to be a tough year for the car industry as a whole.

Fasten those seat belts. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has some super stock savings available across a great range of vehicles including the Mercedes C Class, Citroen DS4 and Vauxhall Corsa.

First up is an amazing offer on the Mercedes C Class Saloon C250 2.2 CDi BluEF Sport Auto, in stock to lease from just £289.95 + VAT a month – fantastic value for a car of this specification! Boasting a striking new style, a luxurious interior and powerful 2.2 CDi BluEF engine, it’s no surprise that the Mercedes C Class Saloon has won over the hearts of consumer and critics alike. Standard features on the above model include automatic climate control, liverpool cloth/artico leather upholstery, front & rear parktronic system and 18″ AMG alloy wheels.

The popular Citroen C3 1.4HDi 70 VTR+ has been reduced by a further £95 a month with prices now starting from just £129.95 + VAT on a 2 year contract. Compact on the outside but spacious on the inside, the Citroen C3 is ideal car for the city thanks to its compact design, comfortable interior and handy 10.2m turning circle. The VTR+ trim also comes well-equipped with Bluetooth, cruise control, air con and 15” alloy wheels.

It’s your last chance to take advantage of FREE Metallic Paint worth up to £475 on the Kia Sportage before our offer ends on 31st January. Prices now start from just £217.95 + VAT a month for the Kia Sportage 17. CRDi 1 with Bluetooth, cruise control, aux-input socket and 16″ alloy wheels all offered as standard on this fantastic model. A selected number of higher spec ’2′ and ’3′ models are also in stock for quick delivery.

You can now save up to a further £5 a month when you lease the Vauxhall Corsa 3 Door 1.2 SXi A/C with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts. Prices now start from just £119.95 + VAT a month with cars in stock for March delivery. The high-spec SXi trim comes well-equipped with air con, daytime running lights, front sports seats, sports leather steering wheel and 16 alloy wheels.

The Citroen DS4 1.6 HDi 110 DStyle is now available to lease from just £189.95 on a 2 year contract, representing a saving of up to £67 a month. Recently named ‘Most Beautiful Car Of The Year’ the DS4′s striking exterior and well-equipped interior rivals even the hottest of hatchbacks. Features include rear parking sensors, dual zone air con and 18” alloy wheels.

Finally the all-new Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback 1.6 LS is now in stock to lease from just £169.95 + VAT a month. Revamped for 2012, the new Chevrolet Cruze boasts better fuel economy and more standard equipment than ever before. Standard features on the 1.6 LS model include aux input socket, air con, tinted glass and follow me home headlights.

To take advantage of one of these fantastic stock deals, simply follow the above links or call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts today on 0844 482 9595.

Prices based on a 2 or 4 year contract and excludes VAT, initial payment and processing fee. Limited Stock Available. Terms & Conditions Apply.

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Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is pleased to announce further reductions across the Vauxhall Corsa range with prices now starting from £119.95 + VAT a month and cars in stock for March delivery.

Stylish, spacious and packed full of character, the new Vauxhall Corsa is the ideal car for mixing city living with a busy family life.

Boasting an enhanced exterior design, colourful new interior and a host of new options, the Vauxhall Corsa offers exceptional value for money without compromising on style or comfort.

The latest generation model is also pretty nippy when it comes to power and performance with the 1.2 SXi A/C model delivering a respectable 85 bhp and CO2 emissions of just 129 g/km.

You can now save up to a further £5 a month when you lease the Vauxhall Corsa 3 Door 1.2 SXi A/C with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts. Prices now start from just from £119.95 + VAT a month with a selected number of cars in stock for March delivery.

The high-spec SXi trim comes well-equipped with the following features as standard:

• Radio/CD/MP3 player + Aux-In Socket

• Air Conditioning

• Daytime Running Lights

• Front Sports Seats

• Sports Leather Steering Wheel

• 16″ Alloy Wheels

To take advantage of this fantastic Vauxhall car leasing deal call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts today on 0844 482 9595 or follow the above links.

Prices based on a 4 year contract and excludes VAT, initial payment and processing fee. Limited Stock Available. Terms & Conditions Apply.

Like this deal? Join our mailing list to receive weekly emails with our latest car leasing offers straight to your inbox!

Look, it’s quite simply really. No matter what Clarkson et al say, if we’re to continue this motorised existence, then we simply must find alternatives to the internal combustion engine.

It’s served us well for over a century now, but really: It’s done its damage, its time is up.

At the moment, the most desirable and likely alternative seems to be good old electricity. But the forward-thinkers of Vauxhall have an ace up their sleeve. A big old hydrogen shaped ace.

At today’s UK H2Mobility launch event in London, Vauxhall is presenting its 4th generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicle “HydroGen4”.

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles combine the advantages of electric propulsion with the convenience of fast fuelling and long range. Vauxhall believe them to be the future, which is why they’ve been investing in research and development of hydrogen fuel cell technologies for over a decade.

And they think they’re on to something. They’re so excited, in fact, that they reckon that their technology might even be ready for the market by as early as 2016.

But don’t take my word for it. Here’s Bill Parfitt, Vauxhall Motors’ Director for Governmental Affairs and Public Policy.

Bill?

“Following our company’s unrelenting focus on hydrogen fuel cell technology development, the launch and successful roll-out of these vehicles will now depend on the availability of hydrogen to the consumer in a real life environment. We therefore greatly appreciate this very timely initiative, gathering various stakeholders, under government lead, to establish an adequate strategy for future hydrogen development in the UK.”

Exciting times lie ahead, motorists!

If you fancy yourself behind the wheel of a new car but Christmas has left you strapped for cash, you’ll be pleased to hear that Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has some fantastic low deposit deals available across a great range of cars. 

First up is a great deal on the Nissan Micra 1.2 Acenta Sat Nav in stock to lease from just £119.95 + VAT a month with an initial rental of just £359.95 + VAT. Designed for urban life, the all-new Nissan Micra sets the standard for clever design, comfort, technology and performance. What’s more, we’re also offering FREE Metallic Paint in Pearl White or Universal Silver worth £420, helping you save even more money!

Next is a fantastic deal on the Vauxhall Corsa 3 Door 1.2 SXi, available to lease from just £133.95 + VAT a month. The high-spec SXi trim is hard to beat with its 16-inch alloys, leather covered steering wheel, twist cloth upholstery and front sports seats as standard. Our initial rental is also pretty impressive at a low £133.95 + VAT!

You can now save up to £15 a month on the Hyundai i10 when you lease with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts. Our cheapest deal is on the pre-registered 61 plate Hyundai i10 1.2 Active, in stock to lease from just £99.95 + VAT a month. Initial rentals also start from a low £399.95 + VAT making the Hyundai i10 fantastic value for money.

Finally, the Kia Picanto 5 Door 1.0 1 is now available to lease from just £104.95 + VAT a month with an initial rental of just £341.85 + VAT. Revamped in 2011, the all-new Kia Picanto is bigger and better than ever before, boasting a stunning new style, improved cabin space and crisper handling. A nippy car with low running costs –ideal for those on a strict budget.

To take advantage of one of these fantastic low deposit deals, simply follow the above links or call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts today on 0844 482 9595.

Prices based on a 4 year contract and excludes VAT, initial payment and processing fee. Limited Stock Available. Terms & Conditions Apply.

You can now save up to £80 a month on the 7-seat Vauxhall Zafira Tourer when you lease with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts before 31st January.

Combining the classic style and personality of a premium MPV with the versatility of a seven-seat people carrier, the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer redefines attitudes to motorized flexibility.

From the outside, the Zafira Tourer’s distinctive front styling with boomerang headlights, signature wing running lights and trapezoid grille make the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer instantly recognisable on the road whilst still maintaining a sporty personality.

But it’s on the inside that the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer shows its true colours with its impressive spaciousness and quality. Newly designed front seats with extra-long travel-rails add to the executive feeling whilst the panoramic windscreen – standard on the Elite model and optional on SRi and SE models – enhances the airy ambience.

You can now save up to £80 a month on the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer when you lease with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts. Prices start from just £299.95 + VAT a month for the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer 2.0 CDTi 110 ES. Standard features on this model include:

• Cruise Control
• DAB Digital radio
• MP3 Compatible CD Player + Aux Socket
• Daytime Running lights
• Air Conditioning

To find out more about the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer and to view the full range, simply follow the above links or call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts on 0844 482 9595.

Prices based on a 4 year contract and excludes VAT, initial payment and processing fee. Limited Stock Available. Terms & Conditions Apply.

I’m really looking forward to Steven Spielberg’s imminent release – War Horse – it looks mind blowing! Already I’m sure that, despite some incredible performances, the titular equine will steal the show.

Be that as it may, there will be some people whose attention will be gripped by the mechanical marvels appearing alongside said horse. The 1911 Vauxhall C-Type “Prince Harry and the 1918 Vauxhall D Type Army Staff Car both feature in War Horse. In fact, the trailer even features a sneak peek of the Prince Henry racing against the War Horse across Dartmoor.

The 1911 Vauxhall C-Type was widely acknowledged as Britain’s very first sports car and was named after Prince Henry of Prussia who sponsored early reliability trials. The C-Type was on sale from 1911 to 1914.

The 1918 Vauxhall D-Type Army Staff Car is a development of the ‘Prince Henry’. Vauxhall built nearly 2,000 for the War Office. Army Staff Cars saw war-time service in many countries, including Egypt and Salonika. It holds the distinction of being the first car to cross the Rhine into Germany after the 1918 Armistice.

Denis Chick, Vauxhall Motors’ Director of Communications said, “Steven Spielberg loved the C-Type Prince Henry but due to its non-conventional controls, an expert was on hand to drive on set to master the centre-mounted throttle and outside gear changes.

“Mechanics were also around 24/7 to ensure the car was always operational so that valuable filming time was not lost. It’s great that these two cars from Vauxhall’s own museum, representing the company’s rich automotive heritage, are starring alongside such notable actors.”

And this being Spielberg, you know that such attention to detail has gone into every aspect of production. This is going to be ace.