Category Archives: marketing

Nissan to Run Delta Wing at Le Mans in P.R. Stunt

The real Japanese race to watch at Le Mans this year will be a Toyota, which will run a hybrid in the LMP1 class. Last year’s race was the most exciting in years – maybe decades – as Peugeot and Audi fought an epic battle. In a fiercely fought 24 hours of racing with sporadic rain, wrecks and attrition, a diesel-powered Audi R18 won the 24 hours of Le Mans in the fastest, factory run P1 class. The Audi was followed by four Peugeot 908s. The three drivers of the second place Peugeot – Simon Pagenaud, Pedro Lamy and Sebastien Bourdais – competed to the very end as their 908 was only 13 seconds behind. Nissan and Chevrolet Corvette did win in other classes. Continue reading

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Airlines Profitable as Passenger Fees Continue to Rise

As part of their third-quarter revenue, the airlines collected almost a billion dollars – $898 million – in baggage fees and $603 million from reservation change fees from July to September 2011. Baggage fees and reservation change fees are the only ancillary fees paid by passengers that are reported to BTS as separate items. Other fees, such as revenue from seating assignments and on-board sales of food, beverages, pillows, blankets, and entertainment are reported in a different category with other items and cannot be identified separately. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Group February Sales Up 15%, Europe Weak at 1%

Still, executives are cautious. “We are very satisfied with the Group’s noticeably positive performance. However, we will remain vigilant over the coming months in spite of this clear upward trend and are keeping a very close eye on the markets – especially in Western Europe,” said Christian Klingler, Group Board Member for Sales, in Wolfsburg on Friday. Continue reading

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Ford China Sales Up 28% in February, But Down 15% YTD

The new Focus, built at Changon 2 is the first of 15 new or revised models due from Ford China by 2015. If the downward sales trend continues, Ford Motor will be in financial trouble because three additional new manufacturing facilities are scheduled to open by the end of 2013. Continue reading

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Ampera and Volt Voted European ‘Car of the Year 2012’

The Volt and the Ampera have won many international awards including the “World Green Car of the Year 2011” and the “North American Car of the Year 2011” award. Volt and Ampera also received the maximum 5-star Euro NCAP award. While awards are good for promotional purposes, journalists are notoriously out of touch with real car buying trends. The award comes as GM is preparing to close its Detroit Hmatrmack assembly plant for five weeks where the Volt and its Ampera identical twin are assembled because of slow sales – 1,626 Volts so far this in 2011. Continue reading

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GM Posts February Sales Record in China, Up 30%

The makes February the third highest for any month in GM’s history in China where it has led sales among foreign automakers for seven straight years. In January, GM sales dropped 8% year-over-year, and Ford’s plummeted 42%, leading to speculation that the Chinese economy is slowing down. Continue reading

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Only Nissan of Japanese Big Three Grows with Overall Auto Market in February. Toyota and Honda Lag Industry Slightly

Nissan North America reported record February U.S. sales of 106,731 units versus 92,370 units a year earlier, making for an increase of 15.5% over last February’s record total. Toyota Motor Sales moved 159,423 vehicles in February for a 12.4% increase in volume. American Honda reported February 2012 monthly new-vehicle sales of 110,157, an increase of almost 13%.

Since the overall light vehicle sales market grew by 16%, only Nissan actually kept pace with the slow recovery in auto sales that saw the best February since 2008, although Nissan also has the highest incentives in the group. Economic indicators – from consumer confidence to the stock and job markets, are showing the best results in four years. This is good news for automakers since sales are off to their strongest start industry-wide since 2008 at a strong seasonally adjusted annual selling rate or SAAR of 13.3 million light vehicles.

The difference among the Japanese Big Three was more pronounced in the higher-margin luxury segment. As usual, Lexus easily led the way with almost 17,000 luxury cars and trucks, followed by Acura at 11,000 and Infiniti at 9,000 vehicles. Continue reading

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Chrysler Group February 2012 U.S. Sales Up 40% as the Strong Comeback Continues for the Fiat Controlled Automaker

in February every Chrysler Group model posted a year-over-year sales gain, where the comparison was available. The Chrysler brand led the way with a 114% increase. The Fiat brand finished its first year of sales with its best month ever. Sales of the Fiat 500 were up 69% in February compared with the previous month. In 2011 Fiat sold 26,000 vehicles in the U.S. after predicting 50,000. Continue reading

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General Motors U.S. February Sales Up 1% as Last Year’s Incentives Are Claimed to have Hurt Results

General Motors Company today reported total sales of 209,306 vehicles in February, up 1.1% compared with the company’s February 2011 results, which were boosted by high incentive levels. Overall the industry was up almost 16% based on preliminary numbers. A question remains whether GM’s recovery has stalled in the face of a strong seasonally adjusted annual selling rate or SAAR of 13.7 million light vehicles. Continue reading

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Ford Motor February U.S. Sales Increase 14%

Leading the way at Ford was the F-Series pickup truck sales totaled 47,273 pickups, up 26% – V6 engines made up 57% of F-150 retail sales in February; the expensive EcoBoost option accounted for 43% of mix. Trucks continue to be the real strength at Ford with trucks up 21%. Cars were up 16%, utilities up 5%. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Volt EVs on Way to California. Volts now Qualify For HOV Lanes and a $1,500 State Taxpayer Subsidy

Chevrolet Volts with a ‘Low Emissions Package,’ which is standard for California Volts, began shipping from the General Motors Detroit-Hamtramck plant this week and will begin arriving at the more than 140 Chevrolet dealerships in California before the end of … Continue reading

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U.S. Light Vehicle Sales in February Trending Up 5%

Total light-vehicle sales in February are projected at 1,064,700 units, only a 3% increase from February 2011. After a fleet mix of 25% in January 2012, levels are expected to be in the 19% range in February, slightly below levels one year ago, according to J.D. Power and Associates. Continue reading

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Camaro, Corvette Auto Transmissions Faster than Manuals

The latest evidence against manual shifting comes from Chevrolet whose paddle shifter automatic transmissions on Camaro and Corvette models in 2012 have a new software algorithm that improves tap response time ~60% compared to the previous system. As a result, the 2012 Camaro ZL1’s six-speed automatic transmission has a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds – a tenth of a second faster than GM’s official manual transmission time. Continue reading

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U.S. Vehicle Ownership Now at a Record 71 Months

The average length of vehicle ownership that were purchased as new has risen to a record 71.4 months, or nearly six years, according to the latest Polk registration data. Consumers who purchased used vehicles held them nearly 49.9 months. Combined, new and used vehicle owners are holding on to their vehicles for an average 57 months. Continue reading

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Buick Drops Base Regal Model in 2013. E-Assist Now Standard

Starting with 2013 models this fall, E-Assist will be standard on the mid-size Buick Regal with the discontinuation of the 2.4-liter base model. It is the second mild-hybrid to join the Buick lineup as standard equipment following the full size … Continue reading

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