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Business Times
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Times
Inside the fizzy world of Europe's fastest-growing car brand
[Barcelona] Before you drive a Cupra, you can literally get a taste of it. Just pop open a can of Cupra by Vichy Catalan. The zero-sugar soda tries to bottle the brand's Mediterranean DNA and rebellious spirit, and has a gingery lime kick. Remarkably, the fizzy drink didn't spring from Cupra's marketing minds, but from the department that decides things like colour and engine options. 'That was someone from the product management team saying 'I wanna work on the taste of Cupra',' Cecilia Taieb, Cupra's global director of communications, told The Business Times. 'And then he developed this. It's actually super funny because now you can buy it in any supermarket, and we sold more than we expected, you know?' Barcelona-based Cupra isn't trying to muscle in on Red Bull's turf, but to broaden its cultural relevance. Likewise, it has partnerships with FC Barcelona and the America's Cup, and launched Cupra Design House in April. More creative side project than business unit, it gives its car designers a chance to team up with stylists from other fields. Coming up: a collaboration with Harper Collective, the luggage firm co-founded by Jaden Smith. Head of design Jorge Diez told BT that Cupra's desire to be different means shunning the car industry. 'I always tell my team, don't look at what the other car companies are doing,' he said. 'Do your own thing.' A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up Diez even sees seven-year-old Cupra's lack of history as a plus. 'We don't have heritage and sometimes for design this could be an advantage, because you can think freely about the future, you can create actually what you feel is the best for the product.' Cupra has a startup mentality because it is the only one of Volkswagen Group's 10 brands that it actually created itself. It started life as the go-faster division of Seat, a chronically underperforming Spanish subsidiary that VW acquired in 1986. The name itself comes from 'cup racing', and for years it appeared as a badge on souped-up Seat models. But VW spun off Cupra just as the broader car industry was mulling over the idea of trimming brands. So far, the gamble has paid off. It sold 14,400 cars in its first year, and sales have since grown by 17 times, giving it bragging rights as Europe's fastest-growing car brand, and powering Seat to a record 633 million euros in operating profit last year. Along the way, it has also managed to woo more youthful drivers. Cupra's customers are typically 10 to 12 years younger than the average new car buyer in Europe. 'I'm lucky, because I don't have anything to protect. We've only been in the world for seven years,' Taieb said. 'Say if suddenly I do a sex toy of Cupra, there won't be all these people that say, 'Oh, my God, you're killing the brand!' No. We can fail, wake up again, and go.' While Taieb likes to play up Cupra's rebellious spirit, she admits that VW's financial, manufacturing and technical clout, plus its extensive dealer network, made its rapid growth possible. Yet, she sees an upper limit on Cupra's size – 500,000 cars a year, or double its current volume, at which point the brand would be too mainstream. 'If you have a big family and you want to go from A to Z with a car, don't buy a Cupra,' Taieb said. 'Cupra is not for everybody to like, but for some people to love.' Much like its gingery drink, Cupra is meant to be an acquired taste.
Wales Online
11-07-2025
- Wales Online
Judge tells man with fake ID the sooner he's deported the better
Judge tells man with fake ID the sooner he's deported the better Nam Ngoc entered the UK illegally three years ago Nam Ngoc is a member of an organised crime group (Image: South Wales Police ) Police swooped on a member of an organised crime group as he was delivering drugs from Cardiff to Swansea, a court has heard. Officers found 5kg of cannabis in the back of Nam Ngoc's car, and found he was carrying a false international driver's licence. Swansea Crown Court heard 21-year-old Ngoc entered the UK illegally three years ago and has previously worked as a painter and decorator in Yorkshire. A judge told the defendant that the sooner he is sent back to his home country the better. Alycia Carpanini, prosecuting, told the court that on December 20 last year police received reports from the Grangetown area of Cardiff of a group of men transferring large bags from a van to the boot of the car. Some of the men were said to be carrying firearms. She said officers were dispatched to the incident and officers located the car - a Seat Leon - travelling westbound on the M4 motorway. The Seat was followed as it left the motorway and drove into Swansea, and was tracked to Pentregethin Road where it was stopped. The court heard police detained the driver - Ngoc - and searched the Seat. In the boot they found two bags for life shopping bags which contained vacuum-packed packages of cannabis. The total weight of the cannabis was 5.2kg worth up to £26,000. For all the latest court stores sign up to our crime newsletter Article continues below The prosecutor said when Ngoc was searched he was found to be carrying £395 in cash and an international driver's licence in the name of Tien Dung Nguyen but bearing the defendant's photo. When the defendant's phone was searched officers found pictures of cannabis, messages relating to the supply of drugs, and a document containing a list of "SA" postcodes. The court heard Ngoc answered "no comment" to all questions asked in interview but then gave officers a prepared statement in which he denied possessing cannabis with intent to supply. Nam Ngoc, of no fixed abode, had previously pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. Ieuan Rees, for Ngoc, said the defendant came to UK illegally from Vietnam some three years ago and lived in Bradford where he worked as a painter and decorator "before becoming involved in matters which brought him to Swansea". Judge Huw Rees said there was no explanation as to why the defendant had a driving licence in the name of someone else but said it was clear that Ngoc was in the UK illegally. He said Ngoc and "no doubt others" were involved in the supply of cannabis, and he told the defendant that the sooner he is deported back to his home country the better. With a 10% discount for his guilty plea Ngoc was sentenced to eight months in prison. Defendants serve up to half their sentences in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community but the court heard the Home Office officers have already arranged to speak to Ngoc about his status in the country. Article continues below Get Swansea news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice
STV News
10-07-2025
- STV News
'Beautiful' teen who died following crash had just completed Ben Nevis 'dream'
Tributes have been paid to a 'beautiful' teenager who died in hospital five days after a two-vehicle crash in the Highlands. Jake Larmour was travelling in the passenger seat of a Seat Leon car on July 3, having just completed his 'dream' of climbing Ben Nevis. Around 11.15am, the car was involved in a collision with a bus on the A82 near Glencoe. Emergency services raced to the scene and Jake, along with the driver of the Seat, were transported to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment, where the 18-year-old died five days later. The teenager's family said Jake had just enjoyed 'one of the best days of his life'. A family statement read: 'Our beautiful baby boy Jake was taken from us after what was supposed to be one of the best days of his life. He'd been and climbed Ben Nevis which was a dream of his and was on his way home to tell us all about it. 'Words can't describe how we are feeling, we were only celebrating his 18th birthday just over a week ago and now we are arranging his funeral. Please let us grieve as a family. Fly high our darling Jakey.' The road was closed to allow for investigations to be carried out and re-opened around 7.15pm. Sergeant Ewan Calder said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Jake at this very difficult time. 'Our enquiries into this crash are still ongoing and I would urge anyone who was travelling on the A82 around 11.15am on July 3 and saw what happened to contact us. 'Likewise, if you saw either vehicle prior to the collision and have information which may assist our investigation, please get in touch. 'I'd also ask drivers with dash-cam footage to review this and bring anything of significance to our attention.' Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference number 1206 of July 3, 2025. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Glasgow Times
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Glasgow Times
Aldi Baby Event is back in July with savings of up to £50
Parents can stock up on everything from soft play kits to travel essentials, without breaking the bank. Whether shopping for a newborn or a growing toddler, the range includes a wide selection of must-haves fit for both young families and seasoned parents alike. The supermarket is offering savings of up to £50 compared to leading retailers, including unbeatable prices on top brands Nuby and Graco. These baby gamechangers are set to fly off shelves – but shoppers are being warned to be quick, as with all Specialbuys, once they're gone, they're gone. (Image: Aldi)For parents and tots on the go, the 360 Graco Car Seat (£99.99) is suitable for children aged from 0 to 4 years. It features hassle-free installation and a 360-degree seat rotation, making getting in and out of the car quick and convenient. Shoppers can save £50 compared to leading retailer Halfords. Bring Soft Play home with the Aldi Ball Pit (£39.99) for hours of endless fun for kids aged 10 months and above. The ball pit includes 200 plastic balls and a machine-washable cover for easy clean-up. Bath times just got more fun with Aldi's Silicone Bath Toys (£7.99). Available in playful teatime shapes or as a creative cooking essentials set, tots and parents alike are sure to enjoy bath time even more. The Graco Myavo Stroller (£99.99) has four-wheel suspension for any terrain, and cosy reclining options for smooth sailings, plus a built-in sunshade, rain cover, removable bumper bar and adjustable calf support. It covers all bases for ages 0 to 4 years old, all for a saving of over 20% compared to Halfords. (Image: Aldi) The Baby Safety Gate (£14.99) boasts triple-step safety technology to outsmart even the craftiest toddlers. The handy 180-degree two-way open feature is a must-have for hassle-free access. New to the middle aisle this year is the Nuby My Real Urinal (£14.99), priced at half the cost compared to leading retailer Argos. The clever kit lands in stores alongside the returning My Real Potty (£14.99), which offers savvy shoppers opting for Aldi over Argos savings of more than half price. Recommended reading: Designed to help make the leap from potty to toilet a breeze, these toddler-friendly training tools bring big-kid confidence to little learners. With real flushing sounds and handy wipe storage, the My Real Urinal helps little boys get familiar with the real thing. Aldi's Baby and Toddler Event returns to stores from July 17, while stocks last.
North Wales Chronicle
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- North Wales Chronicle
Coronation Street legend nearly quit show over ITV decision
Simon Gregson, who has played the role of Steve McDonald since 1989, was told by showrunners that he would not be allowed to pursue his love of racing cars while working on the programme. This forced him to consider hanging up his hat and dropping out of Corrie altogether. Recalling the dilemma, the Coronation Street star said: 'I was offered rallying with Seat." He added: "I was offered a few things. I had to meet with the boss of insurance for ITV, and he said: 'Absolutely hell no', and that was my possible career in racing gone. I was gutted, it was my lifelong dream.' The ITV actor remembered that he was envious, Kelvin Fletcher, who left rival soap opera Emmerdale to race cars. He said: 'And then of course, Kelvin from Emmerdale, he's racing McLaren, Bentley, Porsche." According to The Mirror, he added: 'I was like, 'that was my dream!' He said 'Get lost' and left the show. Which is what I should have done, or maybe I shouldn't, or I wouldn't be here now.' A post shared by Adrian Flux Insurance Services (@adrianfluxinsurance) However, despite his love for cars and acting clashing, he previously admitted that he wouldn't be on the cobbles if it wasn't for the former. 'The reason I went for the job - because I wasn't an actor, I wanted to join the RAF originally - the reason I went for it was for money,' he explained. He added on the motoring podcast Fuelling Around: 'Because I'd seen a Ford Escort Mexico, in bright orange and I was like 'I want that car, so I'll go for that job'.'
