<p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/541723ffeab8ead86c0c3933-1200-924/2014-bentley-flying-spur.jpg" border="0" alt="2014 Bentley Flying Spur"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/author/benjamin-zhang">Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider</a></span></p><p class="caption">A 2014 Bentley Flying Spur on the mean streets of New York City. The Maserati was also nervous about its surroundings.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div></span></p>
<p><span>I thought I understood driving in New York City. I thought I understood stress.</span></p>
<p><span>But then I drove a 2014 Bentley Flying Spur in Manhattan and my ideas about stress were changed forever.</span></p>
<p><span>The Flying Spur is a 17-foot-long, 5,500-pound, $250,000 engineering marvel that's a unique pleasure on the roads <em>outside</em> New York City. I enjoyed every mile and minute of our all-too-brief weekend together. </span></p>
<p><span>But then I drove to Gotham to meet friends for dinner and everything changed.</span></p>
<p><span>I'm no novice when it comes to driving in New York. I've navigated the city in exotic sports cars and utilitarian SUVs. City driving is never stress-free, but I've learned to manage. </span></p>
<p><span>Bentleys, however, operate on a different plan of risk analysis. Every time a cab dove into a gap near my car, I feared for the Bentley's $4,400 Kingfisher Blue paint job. My terror would be temporarily drowned out by the $7,500 Naim premium audio system. But then another cab would come diving into the another gap!  </span></p>
<p>I felt like I was running with the bulls in Pamplona while holding a priceless Ming vase. </p>
<h3>No Parking For Bentleys</h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/541992c46da81128350cbb1a-1200-924/2014-bentley-flying-spur-no-parking-1.jpg" border="0" alt="2014 Bentley Flying Spur No Parking"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/author/benjamin-zhang">Benjamin Zhang/Business Flying Spur</a></span></p><p class="caption">Bentleys not welcome.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div>If that sounds like an exaggeration, just try parking a Ming vase - I mean, a <em>Bentley</em> - anywhere in Manhattan. There are rules against it, and those rules are clearly posted to discourage such behavior.</p>
<p>I met up with friends at their apartment on the Upper East Side before going to dinner in SoHo, a few miles south. I figured the parking garage of a luxury building in the generally posh neighborhood would gladly accept the car.</p>
<p>Wrong. Nobody on the Upper East Side wanted to take the Bentley, probably because of insurance risks.</p>
<p>Being unable to park the Flying Spur was worrisome. But then we started to run out of gas (10 miles per gallon will do that to a car). With little fuel to spare, I headed south toward Business Insider's offices, where I knew I could find parking and, more important, gasoline. As I inched along Park Avenue, the stress from the 4.4-mile trip became ulcer-inducing. More cabs entered the fray. I could feel my blood pressure rising as I gripped the $2,200 steering wheel more tightly.</p>
<p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5419931669bedd700c47c0dc-1200-924/2014-bentley-flying-spur-interior-1.jpg" border="0" alt="2014 Bentley Flying Spur Interior"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/author/benjamin-zhang">Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider</a></span></p><p class="caption">The $2,235 steering wheel - before 10 mpg depleted my fuel reserves.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div>I finally found a small gas station, which should have relieved some of the pressure. But remember when I said the Bentley was 17 feet long? A Honda Civic beat me to the spot closest to the station's entrance. Five feet of Flying Spur jutted out into the street. My passenger hopped out to divert traffic from an unimaginably expensive bumper and presumably priceless taillight.</span></p>
<p>By this point a crowd had gathered, both out of a curiosity and because I had blocked the sidewalk. As countless cellphone photos were taken, I managed to maneuver the Bentley in front of another pump. I was afraid that filling the tank would be like refueling an Abrams tank, but I was finished, mercifully, in 10 minutes. During the fill-up, the Bentley's big <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W12_engine#mediaviewer/File:Volkswagen_W12.jpg">twin-turbocharged W12 engine</a> radiated so much heat that the station attendant ask if I needed a mechanic. </p>
<p><span>It all worked out OK in the end, but the next time I see a</span><span> Bentley in the city, I'll understand what the driver is going through. I'll feel their pain.</span></p>
<h3>But What A Car!</h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54172e4e69bedddb4e1a57ac-1200-924/2014-bentley-flying-spur-1.jpg" border="0" alt="2014 Bentley Flying Spur" style="color: #000000;"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/author/benjamin-zhang">Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider</a></span></p><p class="caption">Nothing compact about this car.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div><span><span>Fortunately, I also got the chance to assess the Bentley on the calm roads of Northern New Jersey and the soothing byways of Upstate New York. </span></span></p>
<p><span><span>The 616-horsepower Flying Spur is stylish, powerful, and athletic, everything a Bentley should be. Even better, the super-sedan's raw horsepower is wrapped in civility. This is a car that coddles passengers with almost </span></span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">otherworldly luxury. </span></p>
<p><span>The car is massive. However, thanks to its aluminum construction, it feels surprising light on its feet, whether navigating country roads - far from marauding cabs - or cruising in the left lane of a highway.</span></p>
<p><span>There's no lack of pep, either. When you s</span><span>tomp on the gas pedal, that W12 comes life (and, yes, you read that right - with <em>12 cylinders</em> the Flying Spur proves that there's no replacement for displacement). </span></p>
<p><span>Zero to 60 whizzes by in just 4.3 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 200 mph (I obviously didn't come remotely close to testing that limit). This is surprising supercar speed in a four-door that some might liken to a road-going mega-yacht. </span><span>But acceleration in the Flying Spur isn't the gut punch it is in many supercars. Bentley simply wouldn't subject occupants to such vulgarities. Instead, the power come on in a steady, confident surge - a continuous tidal wave of thrust. </span></p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5417442c6bb3f77c733a412f-1200-924/2014-bentley-flying-spur-3.jpg" border="0" alt="2014 Bentley Flying Spur" style="color: #000000;"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/author/benjamin-zhang">Benjamin Zhang/ Business Insider </a></span></p><p class="caption">Get me outta here!</p></img></div><p></p></div></div><span>All in all, I marvel at what Bentley's engineers have been able to accomplish with the Flying Spur. Sure, it was a difficult to drive in Manhattan. But then again, that's not where it's supposed to shine. The Flying Spur is a high-speed cruiser. It's a throwback to the days before the private jet, or commercial air travel in general, when the well-heeled used big-engined chauffeured sedans to cover long distances in style. </span></p>
<p><span>In that role, the Flying Spur is a world-beater. And the next time I want to drive to my ancestral castle in the distant New Jersey countryside, the Bentley will be my ride of choice.</span></p>

I Drove A Brand-New $250,000 Bentley Around Manhattan, And It Was Surprisingly Stressful

<p><div class="image-container float_right" style="width:400px"><div class="image"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5124e7e3ecad044c21000000-1546-1159/bentley-flying-spur.jpg?maxX=400&amp;maxY=299" border="0" alt=" bentley flying spur" width="400" height="299" /></div><p class="source"><keyword id="72074" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Bentley">Bentley</keyword> Motors</p></div>Bentley has officially unveiled the full details of the brand new Flying Spur, the fastest and most powerful four-door the automaker has ever produced. It's a beauty.</p>
<p>The update on the Continental Flying Spur ("Continental" has been dropped from the name) is lower, wider, and a lot more powerful, thanks to a 6.0-liter, twin turbocharged W12 engine.</p>
<p>That's good for 616 brake horsepower and an impressive 580 pound feet of torque at 2,000 revs/minute.</p>
<p>The Flying Spur, which was <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bentley-is-about-to-reveal-its-powerful-new-sedan-2013-2">teased earlier this month</a>, will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and make its first North American appearance at the New York Auto Show a few weeks later.</p>
<p>It can hit 200 mph and go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. That's incredibly fast, especially for a Bentley (these aren't sports <keyword id="20632" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Cars">cars</keyword>), and even more impressive when the car's 6,546 pound gross weight is factored in. That's heavier than even the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/test-drive-the-2013-range-rover-is-more-car-than-you-will-ever-need-2013-2">fattest version of the 2013 Range Rover</a> SUV. (Side effect: Fuel economy goes out the window.)</p>
<p>Naturally, the interior is stuffed with all the hand-crafted leather (in 12 different colors) and wood veneers (choose burr walnut or dark fiddleback eucalyptus) any member of the elite could want.</p>
<p>(For interested parties, Bentley has also released a line of colognes that <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bentleys-new-cologne-smells-like-a-fancy-car-2013-2">make you smell like the inside of a Bentley</a>.)</p>
<p>For those who don't get to sit behind the wheel, the back seat is the place to be: There's a nine-liter bottle cooler in the central rear armrest, and two 10-inch LCD screens are fixed to the backs of the front seats, among many other <keyword id="6363239" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="luxury">luxury</keyword> features.</p>
<p>Of course, that level of comfort and performance come with a price tag that is inflated by the Bentley "B" on the hood: They Flying Spur starts at $206,000.</p>
<p>Last month, we test drove Bentley's flagship <keyword id="46360" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Sedan">sedan</keyword>, the Mulsanne, and found that while the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/2013-bentley-mulsanne-test-drive-2013-1">$347,000 price tag may be a bit steep</a>, the way that having <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-a-bentley-mulsanne-changes-your-life-2013-1">a Bentley name changed our lives</a> made it worth it.</p>
<p>The Flying Spur will yield that same benefit, and add a sporty quality the Mulsanne is missing. How it handles remains to be seen, but as you can hit 60 mph in 4.3 seconds while your passengers sip on chilled champagne and watch movies on their own screens, the $200,000 price tag seems like a good deal.</p>
<p><div class="image-container" style="width:619px"><div class="image"><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/5124df69eab8eaee0400000d-2592-1728/-3-48.jpg" border="0" alt="bentley flying spur" width="619" height="412" /></div><p class="source">Bentley Motors</p></div><br /><br /></p>
<p><div class="image-container" style="width:618px"><div class="image"><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5124df6969beddf96f00001c-2000-1451/-4-35.jpg" border="0" alt=" bentley flying spur" width="618" height="448" /></div><p class="source">Bentley Motors</p></div><br /><br /></p>
<p><div class="image-container" style="width:618px"><div class="image"><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5124df69ecad04f40f000003-2000-1503/-5-30.jpg" border="0" alt=" bentley flying spur" width="618" height="464" /></div><p class="source">Bentley Motors</p></div></p>

Bentley's Incredibly Fast Sedan Is Worth The $200,000 Price Tag

New Delhi, In a fillip to 'Make in <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>' initiative, India saw mobile phones exports worth $5.5 billion (over Rs 45,000 crore) in the April-August period in the ongoing fiscal year (FY24), government and industry data showed on Wednesday. <br /><br />As per the estimates by the Department of Commerce and the <keyword id="7825659" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india-cellular-and-electronics-association" source="Orion">India Cellular and Electronics Association</keyword> (<keyword id="6816005" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="icea" source="Orion">ICEA</keyword>), accessed by IANS, the April-August period saw mobile phone exports worth $5.5 billion, against $3 billion (about Rs 25,000 crore) in the same period in FY22-23.<br /><br />According to industry sources, <keyword id="6354427" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="apple" source="Orion">Apple</keyword> led the India-made phone exports in the April-August period, surpassing more than 50 per cent of the total estimated figure for the first time, followed by <keyword id="10591" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="samsung" source="Orion">Samsung</keyword>.<br /><br />In the June quarter, Apple shipped nearly 50 per cent of the country's total 12 million smartphone shipments, as compared to Samsung's 45 per cent export, sources told IANS.<br /><br />This is the first time Apple has surpassed its South Korean counterpart Samsung in smartphone export volumes from the country, as it saw robust iPhone 15 series sales and demand which was over 100 per cent (or 2 times) as compared to last year. India is set to cross Rs 1,20,000 crore in mobile phone exports in the current fiscal year, with Apple leading the market with more than 50 per cent in FY24.<br /><br />Driven by domestic manufacturing, Apple iPhones are also set to garner 7 per cent market share in the Android-dominated smartphone market this year, according to latest data. Apple iPhone shipments grew 68 per cent (year-on-year) in the first half of this year in the country.<br /><br />In the first half, Apple secured a 6 per cent market share in the Indian smartphone market and dominated the super-premium smartphone segment (priced between Rs 50,000-Rs 100,000) with a robust 63 per cent market share, according to market research firm CyberMedia Research (CMR).<br /><br />For the first time, Apple sold India-made iPhone 15 and 15 Plus on the first day of its global sales, with exporting those units to a few other markets as well. There are estimates that the iPhone 15 shipments in the launch quarter, which heralds the massive festive season in India, will hover around 65 per cent, driven by an increased 'Make in India' initiative.<br /><br /><b>SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/bajaj-pulsar-n150-vs-yamaha-fz-s-v3-bikes-comparison-of-price-and-features/slidelist/103985134.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/bajaj-pulsar-n150-vs-yamaha-fz-s-v3-bikes-comparison-of-price-and-features/slidelist/103985134.cms" target="_blank">Bajaj Pulsar N150 vs Yamaha FZ-S V3 – The bike to consider under ₹1.25 lakh</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/bentley-flying-spur-hybrid-hits-indian-roads-in-bid-to-go-greener/slidelist/103979187.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/bentley-flying-spur-hybrid-hits-indian-roads-in-bid-to-go-greener/slidelist/103979187.cms" target="_blank">Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid hits Indian roads in bid to go greener</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/pixel-8-launch-on-oct-4-from-camera-to-design-specifications-what-we-know-so-far/articleshow/103924696.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/pixel-8-launch-on-oct-4-from-camera-to-design-specifications-what-we-know-so-far/articleshow/103924696.cms" target="_blank">Pixel 8 launch on Oct 4 – From camera to design specifications, what we know so far</a></b><br />

Mobile phone exports from India cross Rs 45,000 cr in April-Aug period, Apple leads

Survival drama "<keyword id="18932982" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="2018-Everyone-is-a-Hero" source="Orion">2018-Everyone is a Hero</keyword>", based on the Kerala floods that year, is <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>'s official entry to the Academy Awards 2024, the Film Federation of India announced here on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference, Girish Kasaravalli, noted filmmaker and chairperson of the selection committee, said the 16-member jury unanimously selected the Malayalam film to represent the country. <br /><br />Kasaravalli, a renowned voice in Kannada cinema, said they had a lengthy discussion before choosing "<keyword id="6355580" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="2018" source="Orion">2018</keyword>" to represent India at the 2024 Academy Awards. <br /><br />"It was a pan-Indian selection. And we were happy that we were 16 members and we watched 22 films in one week's time. It was a difficult decision because there were so many good films and we had to analyse to find out which film had better merit. Finally, we decided on '2018 - Everyone is a Hero'," the filmmaker said. <br /><br />According to Kasaravalli, the Jude Anthany Joseph-directed film highlights "Indian ethos, situation and people". <br /><br />"It's a film that talks about a calamity that Kerala faced in 2018. It not only represents India but also the calamity that's happening around the world. The film also excels cinematically and technically," he said. <br /><br />"Such messages are linked to climate change and the so called development," he added. <br /><br />Lead star <keyword id="1721478" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tovino-thomas" source="Orion">Tovino Thomas</keyword>, who is currently in Amsterdam for the Septimius Awards where he won the best Asian Actor trophy for "2018", said it was time for celebration for the team. <br /><br />"I was very happy last night and woke up even happier to this exciting news as our film '2018' has been selected as India's official entry (to <keyword id="6376611" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="oscars" source="Orion">Oscars</keyword>). We worked in extreme conditions but it's all paying off. This movie is now getting international acclaim. It's great," Thomas told PTI over phone from Amsterdam. <br /><br />"I'm not with the team to celebrate this moment. But this definitely calls for a celebration," he added. <br /><br /><keyword id="26993" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="joseph" source="Orion">Joseph</keyword> said the announcement came as a happy surprise. <br /><br />"It was such a happiness that our film is going for the Oscars as the country's official entry," he added. <br /><br /><keyword id="1546264" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ravi-kottarakara" source="Orion">Ravi Kottarakara</keyword>, FFI president, said as many as 22 titles including Hindi films "The Kerala Story", "Rocky Aur Rani Kii <keyword id="5323802" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="prem-kahaani" source="Orion">Prem Kahaani</keyword>", "Gadar 2", "Zwigato", "The Vaccine War", "Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway" as well as "Balagam" (Telugu), "Vaalvi" (Marathi), "Baaplyok" (Marathi) and "August 16, 1947" (Tamil) were also in the running. But the jury unanimously chose "2018". <br /><br />"2018" also stars Tanvi Ram, <keyword id="789766" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="kunchako-boban" source="Orion">Kunchako Boban</keyword> and <keyword id="3252579" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="aparna-balamurali" source="Orion">Aparna Balamurali</keyword>. In June, the makers claimed that the film had crossed over Rs 200 crore at the box office to become the highest grossing film in Malayalam cinema. <br /><br />FFI, an autonomous body of producers, exhibitors, studio owners and distributors, decides India's official entry to the Oscars for the best international feature category. <br /><br />Last year, "RRR" and "The Elephant Whisperers", the two Indian films which won the best original song and best documentary short, were sent to the Oscars directly by the makers, but India's official entry in the international film category, Gujarati film "Chhello Show"(Last Film Show), failed to make the cut in the final five nominations. <br /><br />The last Indian film that made it to the final five was the Aamir Khan-led "Lagaan" in 2001. <br /><br />The 96th Academy Awards are scheduled to take place on March 10, 2024 in Los Angeles.<br /><br /><b>SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/bajaj-pulsar-n150-vs-yamaha-fz-s-v3-bikes-comparison-of-price-and-features/slidelist/103985134.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/bajaj-pulsar-n150-vs-yamaha-fz-s-v3-bikes-comparison-of-price-and-features/slidelist/103985134.cms" target="_blank">Bajaj Pulsar N150 vs Yamaha FZ-S V3 – The bike to consider under ₹1.25 lakh</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/bentley-flying-spur-hybrid-hits-indian-roads-in-bid-to-go-greener/slidelist/103979187.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/bentley-flying-spur-hybrid-hits-indian-roads-in-bid-to-go-greener/slidelist/103979187.cms" target="_blank">Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid hits Indian roads in bid to go greener</a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/pixel-8-launch-on-oct-4-from-camera-to-design-specifications-what-we-know-so-far/articleshow/103924696.cms">Pixel 8 launch on Oct 4 – From camera to design specifications, what we know so far</a></b>

Malayalam survival drama '2018:Everyone is a Hero' is India's official entry to Oscars

<h1 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 2.85714rem; line-height: 3.42857rem; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></h1>With nearly US$50 billion, the Ambani family is the richest in Asia – and they never hesitate to show off their wealth. From gorgeous homes to impressive charitable contributions, the Ambanis make the most of their fortune. Here’s how they spend their money.<br /><br /><strong><span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong">Antilia</span><br /></strong><br /><img src="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/09/25/4e0bb178-ddc2-11e9-94c8-f27aa1da2f45_972x_111351.JPG" class="wrapper__img preview-img-item img--portrait" /><br /><sub><sup>Antilia, the residence of Reliance Industries chairman and managing director, Mukesh Ambani’s family, is decorated during his daughter <keyword id="617730" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Isha-Ambani">Isha Ambani</keyword>’s wedding, in <keyword id="6358070" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="mumbai">Mumbai</keyword> in December 2018. Photo: Reuters<br /></sup></sub><br />The Ambanis have multiple homes but the crown jewel of their real estate holdings is Antilia, the 27-story skyscraper in Mumbai that allegedly cost US$1 billion to build. The home features 600 full-time staff, three helipads, a garden that spans three floors, swimming pools and gorgeous ballrooms – and it’s said to be the second most expensive property in the world (behind only Buckingham Palace).<br /><br /><span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong"><strong>Cars</strong></span><br /><img src="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/09/25/d90b169e-ddc5-11e9-94c8-f27aa1da2f45_972x_111351.JPG" class="wrapper__img preview-img-item img--landscape" /><br /><sup>Mukesh Ambani. Photo: Reuters</sup><br /><br />Mukesh Ambani has used his massive wealth over the years to amass a fleet of luxury cars. The cars in his collection include a Mercedes Maybach 660 Guard, BMW 760 Li, Bentley Continental Flying Spur and a Rolls-Royce Phantom. Several of them are among the most expensive on the market. They also feature bulletproof coating to ensure that the family stays safe wherever their travels take them.<br /><br /><strong><br /><span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong">Weddings</span></strong><br /><img src="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/09/25/0a962902-ddc5-11e9-94c8-f27aa1da2f45_972x_111351.JPG" class="wrapper__img preview-img-item img--landscape" /><br /><sup>A view of City Palace, one of the venues for the pre-wedding celebrations of Isha Ambani in Udaipur, in the Indian desert state of Rajasthan in December 2018. Photo: Reuters<br /></sup><br />It’s been a celebratory couple of years for the Ambanis. In 2018, their eldest daughter Isha married Anand Piramal in a gorgeous ceremony. The wedding reputedly cost nearly US$100 million and featured stunning decorations, a private concert by Beyoncé and plenty of charter flights to fly in the Clintons, Nick Jonas and his wife Priyanka Chopra, and other celebrities. That doesn’t count the engagement party and pre-wedding ceremonies which the Ambanis hosted.<br /><br />Son Akash’s wedding a year later was apparently even more expensive. While a private concert from Beyoncé reportedly costs US$2 million, Akash’s wedding in Switzerland included performances by Maroon 5, Coldplay and The Chainsmokers. You do the maths. They also booked a luxury hotel for 500 guests.<br /><br /><strong><span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong">Parties</span><br /></strong><br /><img src="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/09/25/2d9783a6-ddc5-11e9-94c8-f27aa1da2f45_972x_111351.JPG" class="wrapper__img preview-img-item img--landscape" /><br /><sup>Actress Priyanka Chopra and her husband, singer Nick Jonas, arrive for Isha Ambani’s wedding in Mumbai in December 2018. Photo: Reuters</sup><br /><br />Weddings aren’t the only cause for celebration for the Ambani family. They also like to throw massive parties at Antilia to celebrate personal or professional victories. They hosted get-togethers for the Mumbai Indians cricket side at Antilia after their recent Indian Premier League (IPL) titles.<br /><strong><br /></strong><span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong"><strong>Sports</strong></span><br /><img src="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/09/25/5cb863bc-ddc5-11e9-94c8-f27aa1da2f45_972x_111351.JPG" class="wrapper__img preview-img-item img--landscape" /><br /><sup>Mumbai Indians players and support staff and team owner <keyword id="7024" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nita-Ambani">Nita Ambani</keyword> (right, in a white shirt) celebrate becoming the first team to win three IPL titles with a thrilling one-run victory over Rising Pune Supergiant in Hyderabad in May 2017. Photo: AFP<br /></sup><br />The Ambanis love sport – particularly cricket. In 2008, they bought the Mumbai Indians for US$111.9 million, the largest sale of an IPL team at the time. They’ve rarely spared any expense in signing star players on expensive contracts, and these contracts have paid off with titles in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019.<br /><br /><span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong"><strong>Charity</strong></span><br /><br /><img src="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/09/25/3f696fd6-ddc5-11e9-94c8-f27aa1da2f45_972x_111351.JPG" class="wrapper__img preview-img-item img--landscape" /><br /><sup>Isha Ambani serves food to guests during an Anna Seva ritual that coincided with pre-wedding functions ahead of her marriage to Anand Piramal. Photo: AFP<br /></sup><br />It has been said that Mukesh Ambani is India’s most charitable individual. Ambani reportedly gave over US$60 million in 2018, with most of that going to education, health care and rural development. These donations are organised through the Reliance Foundation, Reliance Industries’ charitable arm that was founded in 2010.<br /><br />While the Ambanis have a taste for luxury, it’s encouraging to know that they still find ways to give back and use their wealth for the good of the world. As Mukesh and Nita’s three children grow up and take on more influence in the family business, we’ll be watching to see how their spending habits evolve, too.<br />

How does Mukesh Ambani – India’s richest man – and his family spend their US$50 billion fortune?

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container no-rightrail"><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/545d3c83ecad04361cc556dd-1200/porsche-panamera-turbo.jpg" alt="Porsche Panamera Turbo" class="" width="1200" /><p class="source"><span>Porsche</span></p></div><p></p></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">With the introduction of the Panamera Exclusive Series at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show, Porsche will now be selling an incredible 12 different versions of its flagship luxury car.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">First introduced in 2009, the Panamera has become a sales success - giving Porsche its first legitimate four-door sedan to compete with the likes of the Aston Martin Rapide, Bentley Flying Spur, and Maserati Quattroporte.</span></p>
<p>Like many of the company's other models, the various versions of the Panamera may be difficult to tell apart. However, like the Porsche 911, each iteration of the Panamera are differentiated by very subtle, but important differences. In the US, Porsche currently sells various versions of the Panamera in two different sizes and with 5 different engines. </p>

Here's A Guide To The Dozen Different Versions Of The Porsche Panamera You Can Buy

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/56fd38aedd0895bc148b45de-1153-865/pa-25944212.jpg" alt="golden supercars Lamborghini rich wealth london" data-mce-source="PA Images" /><p class="source"><span>PA Images</span></p></div><p></p></div></div>A Saudi tourist who flew his fleet of gold supercars over to London has received several parking fines after leaving the vehicles unattended in central London. </p><p>The ostentatious collection of cars has an estimated value of over £1.2 million and includes a <span>Lamborghini Aventador, a Mercedes G63 6x6, a Bentley Flying Spur, and a Rolls Royce.</span></p><p><span><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3515182/Loophole-means-Saudi-billionaire-gold-cars-save-money-getting-fines.html" target="_blank">The Daily Mail</a> reports the gold wrap on each vehicle can cost around £4,000. </span></p><p><span>However, the vehicles' owner will have to hand over £320 to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea after each of the cars received an £80 parking fine - although they can save £160 if they pay the fine within 14 days. </span></p><p><span>The convoy was parked outside the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge, just metres from a carpark which costs £50 per vehicle for 24 hours. So it's actually cheaper for the cars' owner to pay the fines.</span></p><p><span><span><span>Charlotte Eaton, who was taking photos of the cars, is quoted in the <a href="http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/owner-of-luxury-fleet-of-gold-supercars-in-knightsbridge-hit-with-hundreds-of-pounds-in-parking-a3214636.html">Evening Standard</a> as saying: "They are incredible, they're amazing - I mean they're disgusting, you wouldn't want one ... but I suppose when you've got that sort of money, you don't give a damn."</span></span></span></p><p><span><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/56fd38aedd0895bc148b45df-1300-865/pa-25944251.jpg" alt="gold supercar lamborghini" data-mce-source="PA Images" /><p class="source"><span>PA Images</span></p><p class="caption">The convoy in question.</p></div><p></p></div></div></span></span></p><p><span>April marks the early stages of "supercar season" in London. The summer period when the Middle East's über-wealthy escape the heat by flying their luxury vehicles over and driving them through the city's streets.</span></p><p><span>Ferraris, McLarens, and other high-end motors can be seen swarming the streets of the most exclusive neighbourhoods.</span></p><p><span>The tourists love it, but locals hate it. Following noise complaints from people who live in the area, the council banned drivers from revving their engines, racing, causing obstructions, and sounding their horns in the area, or they'll face a £1,000 fine. </span></p><p><span>It's not just the super-rich who want a piece of the action either. Someone parked a modest Ford KA behind the £353,000 Mercedes and wrapped it in gold-coloured paper.</span></p><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/56fd38aedd0895bc148b45e0-3500-2329/pa-25944241 (1).jpg" alt="gold car" data-mce-source="PA Images" /><p class="source"><span>PA Images</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></span></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sbc-fitness-workout-supermodel-exercise-2016-3">Here's the intense and exclusive workout that supermodels are doing in London</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="U5eG9nMjE685nxPtC5HQWcyFtG7H7TO2" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'U5eG9nMjE685nxPtC5HQWcyFtG7H7TO2',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

A Saudi's fleet of golden supercars got handed several parking fines in central London

<p><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5155a5e3eab8ea3d2d00000c-1200-800/girls gone wild.jpg" border="0" alt="Girls Gone Wild Joe Francis" /></p>
<p>Joe Francis doesn't know how to keep a low-profile.</p>
<p>The "Girls Gone Wild" founder has been hit with a $5,000 daily fine until he returns two luxury cars belonging to the soft-porn empire that was recently <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/bankruptcy/2014/04/24/girls-gone-wild-under-new-management/">bought out of bankruptcy</a>, <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2014/07/23/bankruptcy-judge-sanctions-girls-gone-wild-founder-joe-francis/?mod=WSJBlog">the Wall Street Journal reports</a>.</p>
<p>A bankruptcy judge initiated the fines Friday, as Francis' reasoning for why he hasn't returned a Cadillac Escalade and a Bentley Flying Spur didn't fly. He claims, in court documents, that he was "powerless" to return the cars after a Mexican strip club owner took the vehicles from him.</p>
<p>Although Francis is appealing, there will be another hearing set for July 31 to see whether or not the cars have been returned to "Girls Gone Wild," which is known for dispatching camera crews to film college-age women on the beach.</p>
<p>Francis' lawyer said the sanctions were "outside the scope of proper civil contempt sanctions."</p>
<p>Francis is no stranger to court. He has been <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2007/apr/12/business/fi-girls12">indicted for tax evasion</a>, and he was previously sentenced to nine months in jail for allegedly <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2007/apr/12/business/fi-girls12">holding three women hostage in his limo</a>.</p>
<p>In April, an investor group bought the bankrupt "Girls Gone Wild" for $1.8 million.</p>
<p>"I'm fortunate to have made my money a long time ago and can let GGW go with a smile on my face<span class="sew44hc3gl38x41"></span><span class="sew44hc3gl38x41"></span>," <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/bankruptcy/2014/04/24/girls-gone-wild-under-new-management/">Francis said in an email</a> to the Journal at the time.</p>

Judge 'Gives Girls Gone Wild' Founder $5,000 Daily Fine Until He Returns Luxury Cars

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Newspress" title_caption="" class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/53d667de6bb3f7444a523a5f-960/2015-dodge-charger.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/53d667de6bb3f7444a523a5f-1200-924/2015-dodge-charger.jpg" border="0" alt="2015 Dodge Charger " /></a><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.newspressusa.com/ViewPressReleaseResources.aspx?search_c=40520&amp;search_rt=image&amp;search_ct=pressRelease">Newspress</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div>For years, a horsepower war has been raging among the makers of sports sedans.</p>
<p>Premium brands like Bentley, Rolls-Royce, and Mercedes-Benz are the usual combatants. But while the current champ may be <a href="http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicles/class/class-S/bodystyle-SDN" target="_blank">Mercedes' 621 horsepower S65 AMG</a>, if <a href="http://www.roadandtrack.com/go/future-cars/future-car-news/dodge-is-building-the-worlds-most-powerful-sedan-707-hp-charger-srt-hellcat?src=spr_FBPAGE&amp;spr_id=1459_75874067" target="_blank">Road and Track's reports are correct</a>, that car's reign will soon come to an end courtesy of an unlikely brand: Dodge. </p>
<p>Dodge will stuff its monumentally powerful 6.2 liter 707 hp supercharged Hemi Hellcat V8 into the company's upcoming 2015 Charger sedan, which debuted at this year's North American Auto show in Detroit.</p>
<p>According to R&amp;T, this will make the Hellcat-powered Charger the most powerful sedan ever built. And a<span>lthough the Chrysler Group has not officially announced the vehicle configuration, the company did include a "<a href="http://standards.sae.org/cpcg1_15chsrt/" target="_blank">2015 Dodge Charger 6.2L SC SRT</a>" when it participated in a third-party engine rating test earlier this year with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). While the SAE filing does not explicitly say "Hellcat," the description of the specifications match the monster Hemi. </span></p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="High Gear Media" title_caption="" class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/53d66c94ecad04fb4793ea67-960/2015-dodge-challenger-srt-hellcat-hemi-4.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/53d66c94ecad04fb4793ea67-819-614/2015-dodge-challenger-srt-hellcat-hemi-4.jpg" border="0" alt="2015 dodge challenger SRT Hellcat Hemi" /></a><p class="source"><span>High Gear Media</span></p></div><p></p></div></div>Hellcat fans can now ask which other Chrysler vehicles may get the motor. Disappointingly, one vehicle that <a href="http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1093451_hell-no-why-srt-hellcat-v-8-wont-be-giving-viper-extra-bite" target="_blank">will not receive it is Dodge's own Viper supercar.</a> The Viper's sleek, sloping hood doesn't allow for enough room in the engine compartment.</p>
<p>Obviously, there's no word yet on official prices for the Hellcat-powered Charger. However, a <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/kbrauer/2014/07/22/2015-dodge-challenger-srt-hellcat-top-10-amazing-facts-about-americas-most-powerful-car/" target="_blank">similarly equipped 2015 Dodge Challenger will be priced around $60,000</a> (the 2014 non-Hellcat version of the Charger SRT is listed at $48,000).</p>
<p><span>In addition to the big S65 AMG, the Hellcat powered-Charger will </span><span>leave Bentley's 616 hp Flying Spur and Rolls-Royce's 593 hp Ghost V-Specification in its wake. At just a quarter of the cost, the Hellcat Charger is unlikely to match the luxury, refinement and prestige of that high-priced trio. However, if you're in the market for a four-door with a motor that can claim victory in the horsepower wars, get your deposit ready - and practice buckling up.</span></p>

Dodge Could Be Building The Most Powerful Sedan Ever

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/535525aa6da811be3bc9e13f-1200-924/hongqi-l7.jpg" border="0" alt="Hongqi L7" style="color: #000000;" /><p class="source"><span>REUTERS/Jason Lee</span></p></div><p></p></div></div>What do a Bentley Flying Spur, a Ferrari 458, and <a href="http://www.constecrealty.com/miami-property-A1933670.php" target="_blank">a 1,500-square-foot South Beach Condo</a> have in common with each other?</p>
<p>They all cost less than the $803,000 a Chinese businessman paid for his Hongqi L5 luxury sedan this week.</p>
<p>Hongqi, Chinese for Red Flag, is the flagship product of China FAW Group and has long been the vehicle of choice for the leaders of the Chinese Communist Party.</p>
<p>The exact details of this particular sedan are hard to come by, but <a href="http://chinaautoweb.com/2013/06/specs-of-hongqi-l5-ultra-luxury-revealed/" target="_blank">according to China Auto Web</a>, all L-series models are powered by an all-aluminum 6.0 litre V-12 engine producing 402hp and 405 lb/ft.</p>
<p>The L-series is also said to feature "intelligent" 4-wheel-drive technology and will ride on an adjustable hydro-pneumatic suspension. </p>
<p>The 7,000-pound sedan is an incredible melange of modern and retro-themes. While the side and rear profile of the car are reminiscent of the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph/Bentley Arnage of the late 1990s and early 2000s, the front end is decidedly more archaic.</p>
<p>In fact, the car's designers drew inspiration for the front fascia from Chairman Mao's 1960s era Hongqi CA770 sedan. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/9110647/China-removes-Audis-and-BMW-cars-from-official-list.html" target="_blank">According to Bloomberg</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">, FAW began taking orders for the L-Series sedan this week at the 2014 China Auto Show. FAW's decision to shift the L-Series from exclusive government runabout to commercialized production vehicle can be interpreted as an attempt to cash in on the Chinese government's push for domestic branded products. In fact, </span><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/9110647/China-removes-Audis-and-BMW-cars-from-official-list.html" target="_blank">the Chinese government has now banned </a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">the purchase of foreign-branded vehicles with public money. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Wang Zhonghua, the buyer of the $800,000 L5, tells Bloomberg that delivery is expected to take place in roughly 3 months.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">In addition to its in-house brands, FAW also produces vehicles for Audi, General Motors, Toyota, and Volkswagen under joint-venture agreements. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Here is a close look at the Hongqi L-Series sedan:</span></p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/535529e869beddd14a083f79-1200-750/hongqi limo.jpg" border="0" alt="Hongqi Limo" /><p class="source"><span>REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/53553f936da8115f34c9e13f-1200-924/hongqi-sedan-front.jpg" border="0" alt="Hongqi Sedan front" /><p class="source"><span>REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic</span></p></div><p></p></div></div><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5355416decad040b17083f72-1200-924/hongqi-sedan-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Hongqi Sedan" /><p class="source"><span>AP</span></p></div><p></p></div></div><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/53553f0deab8eaae5fad5085-1200-924/hongqi-sedan.jpg" border="0" alt="Hongqi Sedan" /><p class="source"><span>REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p>

This Super-Luxurious Chinese Sedan Just Sold For $800,000 

<p><div class="image-container float_right" style="width:400px"><div class="image"><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5151b33169beddf84a000010-403-403/554552_10151366606130040_576893436_n.jpg?maxX=400&amp;maxY=400" border="0" alt="2013 new york auto show poster" width="400" height="400" /></div><p class="source">New York International <keyword id="4582" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="auto-show">Auto Show</keyword></p></div>The New York International Auto Show opens to the public on Friday, and will run until April 7.</p>
<p>We were on the scene for the press preview days Wednesday and Thursday, checking out all the new rides and reporting the best back to you.</p>
<p>There's a lot to see this year, from new luxury offerings (like the <keyword id="25952" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Mercedes-Benz">Mercedes-Benz</keyword> CLA45 AMG and <keyword id="91410" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Range-Rover">Range Rover</keyword> Sport) to fire-breathing muscle <keyword id="20632" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Cars">cars</keyword> (including the revived Camaro Z/28), to the new Corvette convertible, just in time for the warm weather.</p>
<p>So if you're in the area or headed to the Big Apple for the show, here's what you don't want to miss:</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/meet-the-booth-babes-of-the-ny-auto-show-2013-4?op=1#ixzz2PK6xOeM7">Meet The Classy Booth Babes Of The New York Auto Show</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-auto-show-best-gimmicks-2013-3">The Craziest Ways Automakers Tried To Get Our Attention At The Auto Show</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-bentleys-flying-spur-is-made-2013-4?op=1#ixzz2PK7AFVEg">See How Craftsmen Make Each Bentley Flying Spur One-Of-A-Kind</a> </strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/carlos-ghosn-shows-off-nissans-taxi-of-tomorrow-2013-3#ixzz2PK7H8bPa">Nissan's CEO Shows How To Get A Wheelchair Into One Of NYC's New Taxis</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/auto-show-sunday-is-gang-initiation-day-2013-3">Auto Show Sunday Has Become An Unofficial 'Gang Initiation Day' In NYC</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/why-audi-revealed-the-a3-in-nyc-early-2013-3">Audi's Ploy To Get People Talking About Its New Car Worked Perfectly</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bmw-disses-audi-and-cadillac-2013-3">BMW Isn't Sweating The New Competition From Audi And Cadillac</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-brand-new-range-rover-sport-is-a-lightweight-powerhouse-2013-3">The Brand New Range Rover Sport Is A Lightweight Powerhouse</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/chevy-revives-camaro-z28-at-new-york-auto-show-2013-3">Chevy Has Revived A Barely Street-Legal Version Of Its Iconic Camaro</a> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/audi-reveals-new-a3-at-new-york-auto-show-2013-3"></a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/audi-reveals-new-a3-at-new-york-auto-show-2013-3">Here's The New Sedan Audi Made To Conquer The American Luxury Market</a> </strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bugatti-veyron-at-new-york-auto-show-2013-3">Bugatti Hired A Security Guard Just To Keep Journalists Away From Its Car</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/shelby-1000-sc-has-1200-horsepower-2013-3">The Latest Shelby Muscle Car Is More Powerful Than Any Ferrari</a> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/2014-mercedes-benz-cla45-amg-photos-leaked-2013-3"></a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/buick-regal-gs-may-appeal-to-young-buyers-2013-3">Buick's New Performance Sedan May Actually Appeal To Young People</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/2014-mercedes-benz-cla45-amg-photos-leaked-2013-3">Here's The High-Performance Version Of Mercedes-Benz's Sleek New Sedan</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/2014-srt-viper-ta-is-built-for-the-track-2013-3">The New Dodge Viper Is Built To Be A Beast On The Track</a> </strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/first-look-all-new-range-rover-sport-2013-3">Here's A First Look At The All-New Range Rover Sport</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-auto-show-preview-2013-3">15 New Cars We Can't Wait To See At The New York Auto Show</a></strong></p>

Here's Everything You Need To Know About The New York Auto Show This Week

<p><div class="image-container float_right" style="width:480px"><div class="image"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/4ff5e4f6eab8ea7a7e000027-590-443/china-chrysler.jpg?maxX=480" border="0" alt="China chrysler" width="480" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/model-poses-beside-the-chrysler-hollywood-during-a-special-news-photo/80800856">Feng Li/Getty Images</a></p></div></div><keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="China">China</keyword>’s slowing economic growth, government and state-run media criticism, and a growing number of competitors entering the marketplace are just a few obstacles faced by top global automakers Volkswagen, Daimler, and BMW in the country’s luxury auto market these days.</p>
<p>However, these multiple changing conditions have prompted the companies to undertake a set of multifaceted strategies in order to attempt to regain growth numbers that dropped off at the beginning of this year.</p>
<p>China’s slowdown took its toll on luxury auto market growth after a decrease in GDP growth numbers was accompanied by government austerity policies such as a ban this spring on military license plates on high-end <keyword id="20632" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Cars">cars</keyword>. The picture wasn’t looking great earlier this year: during the first few months of 2013, Volkswagen’s Audi, Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz, and BMW all saw<a href="http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2013-03/18/content_16315085.htm" target="_blank">year-on-year growth or sales declines</a>. While the first two months of the year saw sales growth around 20 percent overall for passenger cars, the number dramatically decelerated to <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324010704578416183262178670.html" target="_blank">11 percent in March</a>.</p>
<p>However, second-quarter reports are showing recovering growth from this year’s earlier downturn. Mercedes-Benz car unit sales in China increased to 60,000 in the second quarter of 2013 as compared to 59,700 in the second quarter of last year for a 1 percent increase, after seeing a massive sales decline of 47 percent in February. Meanwhile, BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce second-quarter sales grew 22.5 percent to 96,984 units, bringing up the total first-half sales growth rate to 15 percent after only a 9 percent increase in January and February. However, growth isn’t necessarily what it was last year, as Volkswagen’s first-half sales rose 18.7 percent for the first half year-on-year, compared with <a href="http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2013-01/14/c_132102254.htm" target="_blank">24.5 percent at the end of 2012</a>, and BMW’s numbers may seem small when you consider the fact that its sales surged by <a href="http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2013-03/18/content_16315085.htm" target="_blank">40 percent last year</a>.</p>
<p>As growth seems to be picking back up but has remained slower, auto companies have had to adapt to concerns regarding pricing, environmental policies, and branding strategies in order to gain an edge in this complicated market.</p>
<p>Firstly, these three main brands have been dealing with comparatively high prices due to tariffs — or according to Xinhua, “claiming” that high China prices are due to tariffs, by avidly pursuing joint venture deals allowing them to produce cars in China. BMW even went so far this year to announce the creation of its Chinese sub-brand<em> Zhi Nuo</em>, which should be <a href="http://www.jingdaily.com/bmws-first-sub-brand-model-spotted-in-china/28271/" target="_blank">hitting the market sometime before the year’s end</a>. However, this strategy is not without its quality assurance risks, as BMW recently <a href="http://www.jingdaily.com/is-bmw-caught-in-chinas-bad-pr-crosshairs/32481/" target="_blank">had to recall 140,000 China-produced cars</a> due to reported safety issues.</p>
<p>Relatedly, BMW was also recently denied expansion of its Shenyang factory due to environmental concerns, another issue of which the brands are highly cognizant, especially considering recent auto sale limits in certain Chinese cities to try to cut down on dangerous pollution levels. Last week, BMW chose Beijing as one of the three locations for the new rollout of its i3 electric car model, and has been <a href="http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2013-07/29/content_16844854.htm" target="_blank">sponsoring a sustainability campaign</a> in China for years. Meanwhile, Volkswagen was sure to point out in its first-half report of this year that it is undertaking sustainability initiatives in China as well, and is “setting new ecological standards in sustainable automobile production in terms of resource conservation and waste production” in the country.</p>
<p>In order to try to catch up to Audi and BMW in China, whose sales outstrip those of Mercedes-Benz, Daimler has embarked on one of  its “<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323971204578627893585075934.html" target="_blank">biggest model offensives ever</a>”, with a plan to launch 13 new models by the end of the decade. According to a recent <a href="http://seekingalpha.com/article/1567992-daimler-ag-usa-ddaif-pk-management-discusses-q2-2013-results-earnings-call-transcript?part=single" target="_blank">investor conference call with Daimler</a>:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">We assume that unit sales in the second half of this year will be above the level of the first half. China will contribute to that. Thanks to the rollout of a new product, the increasing benefits from the retail network expansion and the integrated sales company, we expect sales of passenger cars in China to grow further during the second half of 2013.</span></p>
<p>Volkswagen has also emphasized the benefits of new model rollouts in China, such as the recent introduction of Bentley’s new Flying Spur.</p>
<p>For now, Volkswagen commands the lead of China’s passenger car market, with an Audi-dependent market share that stands at 20.6 percent. However, Daimler and BMW aren’t the only companies it needs to worry about. A growing number of competitors are stepping up their game to edge their way into the luxury market. Nissan has been touting its <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2013/07/23/nissan-moves-to-get-friendly-with-chinese-consumers/" target="_blank">China design center</a>, where it works on Infiniti models, GM’s new Cadillac plant is underway, and Chinese brand Hongqi has been trying to capitalize on Chinese nostalgia by promoting new “vintage” models in recent months. The economic outlook for China’s market is far from certain for the second half of the year, but it is clear that luxury automakers in China will all be stepping up their game in order to remain key players in the years to come.</p>

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