Classic car owners! Is your pride and joy – your holy of holies – currently sat unused in your garage?

You understand that I’m not for one second suggesting that it’s neglected, abandoned or unloved. No – I know that not a day goes by without a buff and polish. I know that your car gleams a gleam more dazzling than that found on the sheen of any brand new car found in any showroom this side of Photoshop.

But your car has needs beyond those which can be applied with care by hand. Your car yearns to soar again.

And soar it would, you think, soar it would – were it not such a rigmarole for it to soar.

You’re hardly going to drive it to the shops and back, are you? It deserves better than that.

And to take it out on the open road? Yes. Good idea. But an isolated classic car attracts looks. And though this is partly what you want – you have your pride, after all – are all such looks the sort of looks you wish to receive?

Perhaps not.

But fear not, classic car owner! For come April, Vauxhall will once more open the doors to their Heritage Centre for another of their annual classic car celebrations!

“Drive It Day” is doubtlessly a day already marked in your diary – it’s taking place between 10am and 4pm on Sunday April 22nd.

All classic car owners are invited for light refreshments and a rare opportunity to see Vauxhall’s proud heritage collection for free.

We’re talking around 70 historic Vauxhalls here. Not to be missed, I’m sure you’ll agree.

But the main thing is that your pride and joy – your holy of holies – will once more be able to soar as part of a veritable flotilla of classic cars as you and your fellow enthusiasts take to the road to celebrate motoring heritage at its finest.

Does that sound like the sort of thing you might be into? Then pop along! Bring the family!

Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has managed to get hold of some highly sought after stock of the Vauxhall Astra GTC 2.0CDTi Sport S/S with leasing rates starting from just £199.95 + VAT a month!

Arguably the hottest coupe for 2012, the Vauxhall Astra GTC‘s sharp exterior style, bespoke sporty suspension and powerful engine range has caused quite a stir on the competitive coupe market, taking on rivals such as the Volkswagen Scirocco and Renault Megane Coupe.

But don’t let its striking style fool you, the Vauxhall Astra GTC is also pretty impressive when it comes to power and performance, boasting a powerful range of petrol and turbo diesel engines and automatic transmission now available on the 2.0 TDCi and 1.4 Turbo 140 models.

Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is pleased to announce a special stock deal on the Vauxhall Astra GTC 2.0CDTi Sport S/S, available to lease from just £199.95 + VAT a month!

Standard features on the above model include:

• Radio/CD + Aux-In
• USB Connection
• Daytime Running Lights
• Air Conditioning
• Cruise Control
• DAB Digital Radio
• 18″ 7 Spoke Alloy Wheels

Stock of this vehicle is strictly limited so to take advantage of this fantastic Vauxhall car leasing offer before it’s too late, 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.

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Back in September 2010, after a two-year long tender process, car maker Hyundai was awarded ‘preferred supplier’ status by the National Association of Police Fleet Managers meaning that all UK police forces were able to purchase Hyundai cars and vans.

Each area have their own choice as to what they spend their money on, and  now the North West’s police forces have caused outrage among workers at Vauxhall in Ellesmere Port by switching to Hyundai for their new cars.

With the Ellesmere Port plant in danger of closure by its owners General Motors, the choice by the ‘local’ force to use a foreign car manufacturer’s product has angered local politicians and unions wanting to know why they’re putting millions into the economy of another country when David Cameron, in a visit to India recently, was urging that country to buy British.

Lindsay Hoyle, Labour MP for Chorley said: “This is bad for the North-West and bad for the country. It doesn’t make sense.” Yet Cheshire police say that by buying 40 new cars from Hyundai it saves them £150,000 a year, as the government continues to cut budgets.

Not all forces are going Korean. The National Association of Police Fleet Managers released a statement saying: “The UK police fleet comprises of almost 50,000 cars – around a fifth of which are being replaced. Most regions actually selected Vauxhall apart from two – the North-West being one of them.”

But, at a time that General Motors are said to being ready to “bite the bullet” in Europe to stem losses on the Continent, should the North-West police be giving preferential treatment to suppliers in the UK?

In China, the Beijing government is considering plans to stop using foreign brands as state cars and only use local manufacturers instead.

According to a proposal from the Ministry of Industry and Information technology, all 412 models approved for purchase will have to be Chinese brands; which will benefit FAW (builders of the quizzically named Hongqi) and Red Flag, makers of Chairman Mao’s custom-built limousine back in 1958.

Not such good news for General Motors and VW, whose Audis account for around a third of the government and State fleets, and definitely not for the cadres and bureaucrats who treasure their Audis and GM cars.

Quality has improved in the Chinese motor manufacturing industry, but not to the standard of western creations, so they have a lot of catching up to do. But it seems to be the thin end of the wedge to force local overseas car makers out of a very lucrative £8.2 billion section of the world’s biggest car market.

Maybe this is what the North-West police force should be considering when it comes to car supply, or is it the government’s fault for cutting budgets so severely?

It’s your last chance to take advantage of FREE Metallic Paint worth up to £495 when you lease selected Vauxhall’s with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts.

Whether you’re after a stylish supermini like the Corsa, a robust 4×4 like the Antara or a luxury family car like the Insignia, Vauxhall has a great range of vehicles to suit everyone.   To help make choosing a little easier, we’ve put together a list of our top 5 Vauxhall car leasing deals to help you find the right model – and price – that’s perfect for you.

But remember, order before 29th Feb to take advantage of FREE Metallic Paint on selected models!

1. Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer From £189.95 + VAT  

First up is a great deal on the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer 1.7CDTi 110ps Exclusiv eFX, available to lease from just £189.95 + VAT a month with FREE Metallic Paint. With its extensive storage space, comfort cabin and clever safety features, its no wonder that the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer has been named as the UK’s favourite family estate.  Standard features on the above model include air conditioning, cruise control, daytime running lights and Radio/CD with aux-in socket.

2. Vauxhall Corsa 3 Door From £134.95 + VAT

For those on a strict budget, the Vauxhall Corsa 3 Door 1.2 SXi A/C is available to lease from just £134.95 + VAT a month with FREE Metallic Paint. Boasting an enhanced exterior design, revamped interior and a host of new options, the Vauxhall Corsa offers exceptional value for money without compromising on style or comfort. The high-spec SXi trim comes well-equipped with 16-inch alloys, leather covered steering wheel, twist cloth upholstery and front sports seats.

3. Vauxhall Insignia From £199.95 + VAT

Next is a fantastic deal on the Vauxhall Insignia 2.0CDTi 160 Exclusiv, in stock to lease from £199.95 + VAT a month with FREE Metallic Paint. Jam packed with standard features such as cruise control, automatic climate control, lowered sports chassis and 17” alloy wheels, the Vauxhall Insignia Exclusiv is one of the most luxurious and stylish family cars on the market. A great deal not to be missed!

4. Vauxhall Antara 4×4 From £239.95 + VAT

For those after a 4×4, the Vauxhall Antara 2.2CDTi 16v Exclusiv 4×4 is now available to lease from £239.95 + VAT a month with FREE Metallic Paint. Rugged and stylish on the outside, comfortable and practical on the inside, the new Vauxhall Antara pushes the limits in the SUV/crossover market, offering all the style, comfort and technology you’ll ever need in a family vehicle. Standard features on the above model include front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, air conditioning and 18” alloy

5. Vauxhall Astra 5 Door From £179.95 + VAT

Finally, the Vauxhall Astra 1.7CDTi 110ps Exclusiv ecoFLEX is now available to lease from just £179.95 + VAT a month with FREE Metallic Paint. Featuring a sporty exterior, generous equipment list and impressive performance figures, the new Vauxhall Astra is certainly one hot hatchback! Standard features include air conditioning, cruise control, daytime running lights and Radio/CD with aux-in socket.

To take advantage of one of these fantastic Vauxhall car leasing 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.

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

Vauxhall’s hottest and newest model – the Vauxhall Astra GTC – has just become even more appealing with the introduction of two new automatic models.

Designed to take on rivals such as the Volkswagen Scirocco and Renault Megane Coupe, the Vauxhall Astra GTC certainly makes its mark in the competitive coupe market thanks to its sharp exterior style, bespoke sporty suspension and powerful engine range.

Under the bonnet, the Vauxhall Astra GTC boasts a powerful range of petrol and turbo diesel engines with automatic transmission now available on the 2.0 TDCi and 1.4 Turbo 140 models.

Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is pleased to offer some fantastic leasing deals on the new Vauxhall Astra GTC Automatic.

Our best deal is on the Vauxhall Astra GTC 1.4 Turbo 140 Sport S/S Auto, available to lease from just £259.95 + VAT a month. Standard features on this model include:

• Radio/CD with MP3 and Aux-In Socket

• Cruise Control

• DAB Digital Radio

• Daytime Running Lights

• Air Conditioning

• 18″ 7 Spoke Alloy Wheels

To find out more about the Vauxhall Astra GTC 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.

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

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has got some super hot car leasing deals to get your blood pumping and your heart racing.

First up is a hot offer on the stunning Mercedes C Class Coupe 250 2.2 CDi BluEF AMG Sport in stock to lease from just £269.95 + VAT a month on a 2 year deal – unbelievable value for a car of this specification! With its long, low profile, aggressive front end and striking AMG bodystyling, the new Mercedes C Class Coupe is automotive design at its best. The C250 AMG model also boasts an impressive equipment list with sport seats, Bluetooth, cruise control, cloth/artico leather upholstery and 18’’ alloy wheels.

The brand-new Mercedes SLK Roadster SLK250 2.1 CDi BluEf 7G-Trc+ Auto is now available to lease from just £229.95 + VAT a month on a 2 year contract! Arguably the most beautiful model in the Mercedes range, the new Mercedes SLK Roadster is in a class of its own with its sharp new style, innovative folding metal roof and powerful BlueEFFICIENCY engine. Features include Bluetooth, cruise control, sport seats, DAB radio, LED daytime running lights and 17” alloy wheels.

If the SLK doesn’t tickle your fancy, take a look at our amazing deal on the BMW Z4 Roadster 2.0 sDRIVE20i M Sport available to lease from just £274.95 + VAT – saving a whopping £179 a month! With its striking looks and luxurious cabin, the BMW Z4 offers an exhilarating drive that few of its rivals can match. Its 2.0 straight six-cylinder petrol engine also delivers 184 bhp of thrilling performance with high-level efficiency thanks to BMW’s latest technology.

Next up is a great deal on the Nissan 370Z 3.7 Coupe, available to lease from just £374.95 + VAT a month. Oozing a sharp sporty style, high quality cabin and super responsive handling, the Nissan 370Z continues Nissan’s long history of developing thrilling sports vehicles, combining power and style with an affordable price tag. The award-winning V6 3.7 litre engine also delivers a whopping 326bhp, accelerating from 0-62mph in just 5.3 seconds.

The Vauxhall Astra GTC is now available with automatic transmission with leasing rates starting from just £259.95 + VAT a month. Combining urban chic styling with a sporty interior and outstanding driving dynamics, the Vauxhall Astra GTC is one of this year’s hottest coupes on the market. Standard features on the 1.4 Turbo 140 Sport S/S Auto include cruise control, DAB digital radio, air conditioning and 18″ alloy wheels

Finally, the Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDI BMT is now available to lease from just £236.95 + VAT a month. With its striking style, powerful engine range and well-equipped interior, the VW Scirocco is the most dynamic and technologically advanced coupe Volkswagen has ever made. It’s impressive performance figures and excellent attention to detail has won over the toughest of critics – even the boys at Top Gear voted it ‘Car of the Year’ in 2008.

To find out more about any of the above deals, call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts today on 0844 482 9595 or follow the above links.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Prices based on a 2 or 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!

Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is pleased to offer some great 2 year deals on the all-new Vauxhall Antara with savings of up to £10 a month.

Rugged and stylish on the outside, comfortable and practical on the inside, the all-new Vauxhall Antara pushes the limits in the SUV/crossover market, offering all the style, comfort and technology you’ll ever need in a family vehicle.

The latest generation model also comes with optional electronic all-wheel drive, giving you all the response you need, however tough the driving conditions.

Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has reduced the monthly leasing rates on the all-new Vauxhall Antara with savings of up to £10 a month on a 2 year contract.

Our cheapest deal is on the Vauxhall Antara 2.2CDTi 16v Exclusiv 4×4 available to lease from just £294.95 + VAT a month on a 2 year contract. Standard features on this model include:

• Cruise Control

• Front & Rear Parking Sensors

• Air Conditioning

• Auxiliary Socket for External Device

• Front Fog Lights

• Leather Covered Steering Wheel

• 18″ Alloy Wheels

To find out more about the new Vauxhall Antara and to get an instant quotation on any model in the range, call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts today on 0844 482 9595 or follow the above links.

Prices based on a 2 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!

Until 29th February, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is offering FREE Metallic Paint worth up to £495 when you lease selected Vauxhall’s with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts.

Whether you’re after a stylish supermini like the Vauxhall Corsa, a robust 4×4 like the Vauxhall Antara or a luxury family car like the Vauxhall Insignia, you can take advantage of FREE Metallic Paint when you order before the end of February.

For those on a strict budget, the Vauxhall Corsa 3 Door 1.2 SXi A/C is now available to lease from just £119.95 + VAT a month with FREE Metallic Paint. 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 high-spec SXi trim is also hard to beat with its 16-inch alloys, leather covered steering wheel, twist cloth upholstery and front sports seats as standard.

Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is also pleased to offer a fantastic deal on the Vauxhall Insignia 2.0CDTi 130 Exclusiv, in stock to lease from £219.95 + VAT a month with FREE Metallic Paint and FREE Bluetooth. Jam packed with standard features such as cruise control, automatic climate control, lowered sports chassis and 17’’ alloy wheels, the Vauxhall Insignia Exclusiv is one of the most luxurious and stylish family cars on the market.  A great deal not to be missed!

Our FREE Metallic Paint offer finishes on 29th February so to take advantage of this fantastic offer before it’s too late, 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. FREE Metallic Paint not available on Vauxhall Astra GTC. 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!

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.

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

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.