Category Archives: marketing

March Global Light Vehicles Sales Up 12%

The month-on-month (MoM) improvement in the SAAR is largely attributed to the rebounding of the China market as customers took advantage of expiring tax incentives before April, in LMC’s view. Relatedly, both the North American market and the Western Europe markets saw YoY improvements when compared against a very weak 2022. Eastern Europe showed the first positive YoY growth in March since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, LMC noted. Continue reading

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First Look – 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

Cross Hybrid debuts the Fifth Generation of the Toyota Hybrid System with increased performance and efficiency. In a bow to America’s large appetite for cross-overs and trucks, it comes only in all-wheel drive as a version of the so-called TNGA-C platform. It also a higher sight-lines, and higher prices ranging approximately from more than $30,000 to more than $35,000. The non-hybrid version starts at ~$25,000.  Continue reading

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Ford Motor Q1 2023 US Sales Up 10%

Ford Motor’s (NYSE: F) overall vehicle sales – Ford Blue, Ford Pro, Model e and Lincoln – totaled 475,906, up 10.% with estimated share up over a year ago, the Dearborn based automaker said this morning. Sales increased in the usual areas across Ford’s strengths, including trucks (up 19.6%); three-row SUVs (up 47.6%); Bronco brand (up 18.3%); Ford Pro Transit van (up 86%); Mustang (up 5.2%) and electric vehicles (up 41%) on a  year-over-year basis, which given last year’s dismal performance increased the percentage gains markedly. Continue reading

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Stellantis Simplifies European Financing and Leasing Services

“Today marks the birth of Stellantis Financial Services, a major player in European automotive financing, and of the new consolidated Leasys,” said Philippe de Rovira, Stellantis Chief Affiliates Officer. “This simplification allows for superior agility to serve our customers, better support of the commercialization across Stellantis brands**, and strengthened competitiveness by leveraging various synergies.” Continue reading

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Toyota Motor North American Sales in March and Q1 Drop 9%

“With 22 electrified vehicle options between both the Toyota and Lexus brands, the most among any automaker, we’re giving customers a choice that fits their lifestyle, pocketbook and needs,” said Jack Hollis, executive vice president, sales, TMNA. “We continue to make improvements to our vehicle inventory to satisfy customer demand, while doing all we can to exceed expectations as we introduce more electrified vehicles throughout the balance of 2023,” Hollis said. He did not address the disconnect between a growing overall market and TMNA’s decline. Continue reading

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Subaru to Launch Forager Granola on 1 April

“The closest thing you’ll find to eating compost for breakfast, Subaru Forager Granola is a companion snack to power you through life’s crunchiest pursuits. The ultimate driver’s seat treat (just ignore the crumbs) Forager can power even the busiest days, whether you’re scouting out trees to hug, talking to plants, or searching for a spot for your latest bumper sticker,” Subaru said in a release. Continue reading

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Kia EV9 Joins the Three-Row SUV Parade

“The Kia EV9 transcends all aspects of traditional SUV thinking and represents the pinnacle of Kia’s design and engineering capabilities. Created to meet the needs of all family members, the EV9 also spearheads Kia’s rapid transition to a sustainable mobility solutions provider, not just by its advanced EV architecture, but also through the numerous recycled and sustainable materials used in its creation,” said Ho Sung Song, President and CEO. Continue reading

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Cordless EV w 400 Mile Range – 2023 Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell

At its heart, Mirai remains a breakthrough fuel-cell electric vehicle where the driver fills the tank with compressed hydrogen gas rather than liquid gasoline. It was derived from the Lexus LS 400 platform (rear-wheel drive – RWD-GA-L). A FCEV, of course, generates its own electricity onboard from hydrogen, with water as the only emission. A fuel cell system combines stored hydrogen with oxygen from the air, and a chemical reaction that produces electric current, and water, which drops out of a vent pipe beneath the Mirai. Continue reading

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March US Auto Sales Forecast Up. Q1 to Set Spending Record

“March is shaping up to be yet another positive month for the industry. With retail sales forecasted to be up nearly 2%, along with average transaction prices tracking up 3.5%, consumers are on pace to spend nearly $50 billion this month, an increase of 5.5% from what they spent on new vehicles a year ago,” said Thomas King, president of the data and analytics division at J.D. Power. Continue reading

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Gen Six Chevy Camaro Stops Production in January

“As we prepare to say goodbye to the current generation Camaro, it is difficult to overstate our gratitude to every Camaro customer, Camaro assembly line employee and race fan,” said Scott Bell, vice president, Global Chevrolet. “While we are not announcing an immediate successor today, rest assured, this is not the end of Camaro’s story.” Continue reading

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Auto Rag Trade – Hyundai Re:Style 2023 Haute Couture

‘Hyundai Re:Style Exhibition’ will be presented at AP Again in Seongsu-dong for three weeks starting 23 March, following a private gala preview event later tonight. As the first ‘Re:Style’ exhibition to be held in Korea, the opening is also in line with the global launch of the all-new KONA Electric. Continue reading

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New Mercedes-Benz GLB Mild Hybrid Shown in Europe

In Stuttgart today Mercedes Benz released European photos of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLB mild hybrid that will appear in US showrooms later in 2023. Basically it’s a freshening of the compact SUV with a redesigned front bumper and contoured side graphics. There are now new full-LED headlights and taillights, along with a range of expanded options, including two additional wheel designs in 18- and 20-inch sizes and new Starling Blue Metallic paint. Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz EQE Priced from +$79,000 in the US

For the first time, the fully variable 4MATIC all-wheel drive system with torque shift in the EQE 350 4MATIC SUV is offered at the same starting price as the EQE 350+ SUV. Mercedes-Benz claimed that this , enhances value for customers for the highest volume model. Each trim has EQ-specific innovative technologies and luxurious features, along with an array of additional options for further personalization. All are built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.* Continue reading

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Stellantis Sells Its Turkish Distribution Company

As a result, all Stellantis brands available for distribution in Türkiye – Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Jeep®, Maserati, Opel and Peugeot – will be distributed by Tofaş.** The transaction, which will be subject to requisite regulatory approvals, including the approval of the relevant competition authorities, is expected to close in the second half of 2023. Continue reading

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Cadillac to Run the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Three Entries

The engineering challenge – of course – is to bring the old success of Cadillac’s DPi V.R, which won two titles and four consecutive Rolex 24s in its six years in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship – to the new car. Notably, this will mark the brand’s return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans after 22 years. Continue reading

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