CAP Blog

Blog - Author: Martin Ward

A popular figure in the automotive industry, celebrated in the Business Car Power list Top 10. An unrivalled understanding of the entire automotive manufacturing process. Providing independent and tailored advice to help automotive and related businesses identify and achieve their goals.

• Competitive vehicle positioning
• Model specification and pricing policy
• Developing and implementing strategy
• Market development
• Competitor analysis
• Facilitating new vehicle launches
• Marketing new vehicles
• Discussing and advising on new models at design stage
• Expertise and sanity checking

EXPERIENCE

A career in the motor industry that started in 1972, and a CAP employee since 1988, has gained wide industry knowledge, commercial manufacturing insight and a specific focus on what consumer wants and needs are.

Expert advisor on vehicle launches, test drives, design, badging policies, engines, specification, codes, colours, new vehicle data and marketing strategy to gain the best residual value advantages.

Previous roles at CAP include dealer management, operational development, sales, Black and Red Book Editorial and new product development. Currently has a loyal social media following.

First Driving Impressions – Jaguar F-Type and Jaguar E-Type V12

18/04/2013 - Martin Ward

One week, two Jaguars, the F-Type in Spain, and an E-Type in Yorkshire.

First Driving Impressions – BMW X6 M50d

07/02/2013 - Martin Ward

There is no such thing as a monster, but they can be perceived as large angry animals that are feared by most or small purple or green cuddly toys that are adored by children, the monster comes in various forms, loved and hated. This monster is a huge, snarling diesel BMW estate.

First Driving Impressions – Ford Fiesta, UK Press Launch, Trafford Park, Manchester

30/01/2013 - Martin Ward

Ford chose the Northern Imperial War Museum to launch the latest version of the Fiesta; a strange place perhaps but it did have plenty of parking spaces for guests and all those new Fiestas.

First Driving Impressions – Fiat Panda 4x4, UK Press Launch, Kenilworth, near Coventry

22/01/2013 - Martin Ward

Go anywhere in Europe where there’s a farm up in the mountains, a house well out of the way or down a rough track, and it’s likely that an old Panda 4x4 will be sat on the drive or in a field next to it.

First Driving Impressions – Skoda Octavia, European Press Launch, Faro

17/01/2013 - Martin Ward

First deliveries of the all-new Octavia hatchback begin in March, with the estate due in May. The ever popular and great looking vRS is due in UK showrooms in June, the fuel efficient Greenline will arrive in November and the pumped-up 4x4 will be with us by early 2014.

First Driving Impressions – Vauxhall/Opel Adam – European Press Launch, Lisbon

09/01/2013 - Martin Ward

The design stage for the Adam only started in the summer of 2009 and in this short time, Malcolm Ward – the Design Director of GM – brought this small, cute car to market.

First Driving Impressions – Toyota Auris

04/01/2013 - Martin Ward

There’s nothing technically wrong with the current Auris; it’s well built, high in quality and uses some good materials throughout, but the design was a little old-fashioned before it even hit the roads.