NADA Keynote Speaker: President George W. Bush

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) drew 24,000 attendees from their base of 16,000 members or 90% of the country's car dealers to their convention in Las Vegas last weekend which ended, as usual, to their credit, with an impressive keynote speaker to leave the audience with inspiration, motivation, hope and, in this case, religion. This was my sixth NADA convention and in the past I've seen Richard Branson, President George H. W. Bush together with President Bill Clinton, Boone Pickens and Condoleezza Rice and have always left with a warm and fuzzy feeling and renewed ambition.

On Monday, at 4:06pm. President George W. Bush was warmly received by thousands of car dealers who frequently erupted into applause during his 12 minutes of prepared remarks which made numerous references to his book, Decision Points, which I have not read so can't measure how much new content we heard in the live venue at the Las Vegas Convention Center. He said there were many decisions in a complex environment and the book is anecdotal. He said, "we are safer".

He threw in many jokes, like being relieved when he confirmed that his birth certificate was aligned with his parents marriage certificate because he was born while his father was attending Yale. And there was serious honesty in admitting that had he not quit drinking that he would never have been President.

He stressed his desire to remain useful and is building an institute at Southern Methodist University to train school principals, defend the marketplace, promote the desire to be free by helping democracies and fight desease by helping women in Africa, specifically in Rwanda, deal with cervical cancer. He told the story of Rwanda orphans responding to his remark that "God is good" with "All the time". It lead to frequent "God is good" mentions that evetually had the audience responding, "All the time".

4:18pm: Questions from NADA Chairman Stephen Wade that brought some expected and maybe unexpected answers.

President Bush's "best pal" on the global stage was British Prime Minister Tony Blair with mentions going to Australia Prime Minister John Howard and German Chancellor Angela Merkle. He said Russian President Vladimir Putin was difficult and then told a story which is apparently in his book, about when he introduced President Putin to his Scottish terrier, Barney, on a visit to the U.S. presidential retreat, Camp David and Putin commented on his small size. When Bush visited Russia, Putin's Lab came charging over and Putin commented "bigger, stronger, faster than Barney". 
Miss most about being President? "being pampered" and "being Commander in Chief".
What does he miss least? He said the "noise", "the spotlight can be harsh" but then said "I'm glad I did it", "it was an awesome experience".
"Do-overs": the aircraft carrier banner ("mission accomplished" on the USS Lincoln in 2003 referring to Iraq) and the Katrina flyover which he justisfied by saying that landing would have been a distraction to the hurricane ground efforts.
"I would have done it again": cutting taxes, interogation techniques and Saddam Hussein.
On the lighter side: in response to the relationship of his father and President Clinton, "mother says he's your new step-brother".
On the Past President's Club, he says he and Clinton were both born in 1946 and "he's a good guy".
On his father, President George H.W. Bush, he says, "I would not be sitting here if not for the unconditional love of my father" and "1992 was the worst year of my life when my father lost the election".
On seeking advice: "find smart capable people to express there opinions if I like them or not". His "go to guy" was a circle of people depending on the subject and he rattled off Condy (Rice), (Josh) Bolten, (Karl) Rove. 
His advice: "Understand your committments in life", "We will remain leader of the free world, it will require decent policy", "We cycle through these moments".
"Latter years?" "I'm up for suggestions".

4:53pm. after 47 minutes: "God is good" and the crowd responded, "All the time" - Bush 43 walked off stage leaving us with: OK, I might buy your book.

Next year, the NADA convention returns to Orlando with more top speakers I'm sure.

Chrysler's "It's Halftime, America" Ad Tops Super Bowl Auto Spots

Sixteen auto manufacturer ads ran during last Sunday's Super Bowl and, according to Ace Metrix criteria below, here's how they ranked relative to all the ads that aired on NBC during the game.

6. It's Halftime, America - Chrysler -  633
7. Matthew's Day Off - Honda - 630
12. Transactions - Acura - 593
14. Dog Strikes Back - Volkswagen - 590
21. Green Hell - Cadillac - 563
22. Happy Grad - Chevrolet - 558
23. Seduction - Fiat - 556
24. Cheetah - Hyundai - 552
25. It's Reinvented - Toyota - 552
26. 2012 - Chevrolet - 550
29. Think Fast - Hyundai - 544
30. Stunt Anthem - Chevrolet - 538
31. A Dream Car for Real Life - Kia - 537
32. Vampire Party - Audi - 536
39. Connections - Toyota - 502
42. The Beast - Lexus - 489

According to Ace Metrix website, Ace Metrix scores every ad in front of 500+ consumers – alongside other advertising. Each ad gets its own unique audience. Ace Metrix has conducted more than 2.6 million surveys in 2011 alone. It is our belief that a complete test of advertising creative must take into consideration both the voluntary nature of advertising consumption and the business goal of the advertiser. As a result, the Ace Score is calculated with both of those objectives in mind. First, we measure the success in achieving the business objective through our Persuasion metric. Persuasion is composed of six factors, each one identified for its ability to influence behavior: Desire, Relevance, Information, Attention, Change, Likeability. Second, we address the nature of advertising consumption, through our Watchability metric which is designed to measure the ad’s ability to attract a viewer’s interest in watching the ad voluntarily. Persuasion and Watchability interact with each other, which results in the overall effectiveness of an ad (its Ace Score).

My personal favorite was the Fiat "Seduction" ad because it encompasses sexy, performance and imagination in the eyes of the beholder - and that's what a car is all about. What was your favorite?

2013 Mazda CX-5 Compact Crossover SUV Starts At $21,490

 
The all-new 2013 Mazda CX-5 five-passenger compact crossover SUV with the 155 horsepower SKYACTIV-G engine starts at a $21,490 (including the $795 destination charge but not title, taxes, license, options and dealer charges). Using Mazda's SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY, CX-5 achieves 35 miles per gallon on the highway and 29 mpg combined city/highway.

2013 Mazda CX-5 Sport models equipped with the optional SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission start at $22,890 MSRP and when equipped with Mazda's all-new active torque-split all-wheel-drive system, the starting price is $24,140 MSRP. SKYACTIV-Drive is standard on Touring models, which start at $24,690 MSRP with front-wheel-drive and $25,940 MSRP when equipped with AWD. Available in either FWD or AWD configurations, the Grand Touring model starts at $27,840 and $29,090 MSRP, respectively. A Blind Spot Monitoring system is standard on Touring and Grand Touring models only.

The CX-5 was introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November and is expected in showrooms in the next month or so. It is a welcomed entry into the competitive and fast-growing compact SUV segment.

2012 NADA Video: John Krafcik, CEO, Hyundai Motor America

2012 NADA Video: Jim Lentz, Pres/COO, Toyota Motor Sales, USA

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne Opens NADA With Optimistic Speech

Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Chrysler, was the opening keynote speaker at the 2012 NADA Convention in Las Vegas, where, he says despite his world travels, it's a first time visit to Vegas but having watched so many movies made here, he said he felt like he's been here before. He gave a content-filled speech that touched on many issues, both industry and Chrysler-specific. He is optimistic about sales continuing to grow and pointed out that the average car on the road is 10.8 years old, the oldest since Polk began keeping the data in 1995 when the average vehicle age was 8.4 years. He cautioned the uncertainty surrounding Europe's financial health could spread beyond its borders. He said overcapacity is not a problem and product sales should drive profitability, not the financing business. Marchionne said Chrysler is adding 1800 employees in Illinois to build the new Dodge Dart based on the Alfa Romeo, which, as a brand will be built and back on sale in the U.S. as early as next year. Chrysler will also be adding jobs in Detroit to build the Maserati Kubang SUV.

Marchionne stressed that their bankruptcy and subsequent "restructuring set the rebirth of the industry" and "sense was restored to the marketplace". He emphasized that they have to "maintain the discipline that restructure enforced". He punctuated that "customer satisfaction is a crucial differentiator" in the industry. He said that the internet has "taken pricing out of the dealers' hands." He said that "dealers are more profitable than they have been in a decade". Customer satisfaction scores have plateaued so Chrysler is revising their program that is  based on them.

The 2025 54.5 miles per gallon fuel economy target presents a challenge that Marchionne says will force getting more power out of smaller engines. They are working on an electric Fiat 500 for later this year. He said electric vehicles will only play a marginal role and highlighted natural gas as a viable option and made clear that there will be a multiple array of solutions for 2025 and they have a sustainability team working on it. In a speech filled with numerous quotes from significant men in history, Marchionne came across as humbled and thankful for the government bailouts that saved Chrysler yet confident that Chrysler and its ties to Fiat and Alpha Romeo will be good for Chrysler, the industry and America.

Time Dealer Of The Year: Mike Shaw of Denver

Response Logix & Digital Air Strike Merge In Online Customer Lead Mgmt.

 

 Response Logix, a prospect-response digital marketing solution and Digital Air Strike, a social media and reputation management solutions company are merging with a goal to help dealerships improve their digital marketing efforts and response times to prospects and customers who search out dealer price quotes online. Tom Mohr, President and CEO of Response Logix (left) made the announcement with Alexi Venneri, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Digital Air Strike (right) who will now also be Chief Marketing Officer of the combined company.

Response Logix has Internet lead management tools called SmartQuote, SmartFollow and RapidTouch. SmartQuote delivers an information-rich, multi-vehicle price quote to the customer within 10 minutes of lead arrival, 24/7. SmartFollow provides continuous email and online advertising-based follow-up to prospects for up to 180 days. Through a partnership with a leading automotive call center, RapidTouch ensures that once the quote has been sent, a follow-up phone call is made to the prospect within 45 minutes.

Digital Air Strike offers a complete solution to fully manage over 50 social media and review sites. Dealers can select from multiple levels of service including the Defend package for outsourced online reputation management, the Conquer package for proactive social media marketing, and the Dominate package which is a complete solution that offers the broadest combined automotive social media and reputation management solution. 

2012 NADA Video: Jonathan Browning, President Volkswagen of America

Jonathan Browning, President Volkswagen of America, discusses the goal of selling 1 million vehicles in the U.S. by 2018 as part of the global goal of 10 million in sales by 2018. VW increased U.S. market share from 2.2% in 2010 to 2.5% in 2011. VW has a global market share of 8.4% with more than 8 million sold for the first time in 2011. It has 14.4% of China and 12.8% of Western Europe.

2012 NADA Video: Earl Hesterberg, Pres/CEO Group 1 Automotive

Earl Hesterberg is President and CEO of Houston-based Group 1 Automotive, the fourth largest dealership group in the United States, which owns and operates 110 automotive dealerships, with 142 franchises and 28 collision centers, in the United States and in the United Kingdom.  Group 1 Automotive is publicly-traded under ticker symbol: GPI.
Earl discusses challenges and the year ahead.

JDPA Sr. VP John Humphrey Optimistic About Car Sales

The J.D. Power and Associates Roundtable sessions have begun with an optimistic future for the auto industry. John Humphrey, Sr. V.P., Global Automotive, JDPA, ran through the numbers saying emerging markets are continuing to grow and making a larger contribution to global sales, gaining from an under 20% percent consumption rate between 2000 - 2005, to 51% in 2010 to an expected 55% in 2015. The 2012 prediction is for a global increase of 5% to 79.2 million vehicles. North America will grow 8% to 16.4 million, Brazil 16%, China 9% this year. Humphrey says China could sell 19.7 million this year increasing to 35 million by 2020.

Vehicle prices are up to $28,341 on average while incentives are down to $2,680 per vehicle. The optimistic forecast is tied to the boost in new product introductions, redesigns or facelifts, a rebound in leasing to pre-crisis levels, credit history improvement and the age of the average vehicle knocking on 11 years on the road. Having said that, Humphrey says there are risks like the price of oil, the Euro-crisis, job recovery, a China bubble burst and the infrastructure, namely roads and highways, in emerging markets being able to support the new vehicles hitting the streets.

Humphrey described Retail 3.0 which encompasses younger buyers being more difficult to satisfy, different applications and sites, increased cross-shopping, innovations in consumer engagement, etc. He says by 2015, 40% of car buyers will be Gen X or Gen Y and now 81% of people go online for pricing (24% on mobile devices, 19% on tablets). Maybe not too surprising, reasons consumers reject buying a specific vehicle is 24% dealer treatment compared with 29% brand and 23% price, 12% inventory.

Vehicle quality is narrowing among all brands so the dealership experience becomes the competitive edge and very critical as the JDPA numbers clearly illustrate. Humphrey forecasts global light vehicle sales to hit 99 million by 2015 up from the expected 2012 level of 79.2 million - that's optimistic and music to dealers' ears.

Audi R8 GT Spyder Will Cost More Than $210,000

The hand-built 560 horsepower quattro all-wheel-drive Audi R8 GT Spyder, with just 333 being produced world-wide and 50 units coming to the U.S., will have an MSRP of $210,000 (excludes $1,200 Destination and Delivery and Taxes). With its 5.2-liter V10 with direct injection engine, the R8 GT Spyder accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 197 mph.

January 2012 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors reported total sales of 167,962 vehicles in the United States in January, down 6 percent compared with a very strong January 2011. 

Ford Motor Company U.S. sales totaled 136,710 vehicles in January, a 7 percent increase versus year-old levels. The Ford brand totaled 131,589 vehicles in January, making it the best January sales month for the Ford brand since 2008.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. reported monthly sales results of 124,540, a 7.5 percent gain over the year-ago month. Toyota Division passenger cars recorded sales of 67,602 units, up 20.1 percent over January 2012. Lexus reported passenger car sales of 6,069 units, up 9.1 percent over January 2011.

Chrysler Group LLC reported U.S. sales of 101,149, a 44 percent increase compared with sales in January 2011, the group's best January sales since 2008.

American Honda reported January 2012 monthly new-vehicle sales of 83,009, an increase of 8.8 percent over January 2011. The Honda Division posted January 2012 sales of 74,628, an increase of 9.3 percent year-over-year and the Acura Division's January sales totaled 8,381, up 5.3 percent compared to January 2011.

Nissan North America January sales of 79,313 was an increase of 10.4 percent over January 2011.  Nissan Division sales rose 12.5 percent for the month to 72,517 while sales of Infiniti vehicles fell 8.2 percent from the prior year to 6,796.

Hyundai Motor America announced all-time record January sales of 42,694 units, up 15 percent versus 2011. 

Kia Motors America had record January sales of 35,517, a 27.8 percent increase over the same period in 2011 for its 17th straight monthly sales record. 

Volkswagen of America reported sales of 27,209 in January, a 47.9 percent increase over prior January sales. Separately, Audi reported its 13th straight record-setting month of sales with 9,354 vehicles sold in January 2012, a 19.7 percent increase over 2011.

Mazda North American Operations reported its best January since 1994 with U.S. sales of 23,996, an increase of 68.2 percent versus last year.

Mercedes-Benz USA sold 21,726 vehicles in January, a 25.8 percent increase over January 2011, the highest January volume in the company's history. 

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported January sales of 19,739 vehicles, an increase of 5.8 percent from the same month a year ago.

Subaru of America reported record vehicle sales for January 2012 of 22,807 vehicles, a gain of 21 percent over January 2011.

Mitsubishi Motors North America reported January 2012 sales of 4,711, down 17.6 percent from January 2011.

Volvo Cars North America had sales of 4,461 in January, a 4 percent increase over January 2011.

Jaguar sold 985 cars in January, 5 percent more than last January and Land Rover had sales of 3,205, a 41 percent jump from a year ago bringing combined JLR sales to 4,190 for January, a 31 percent rise.

Porsche Cars North America announced January 2012 sales of 2,550 vehicles a 6 percent increase over January 2011.

American Suzuki sold 1,505 vehicles in January, a 41 percent drop from a year ago.

Sales will be updated as manufacturers report.

Lexus First-Ever Super Bowl Commercial Features The All-New 2013 GS

 Lexus' first-ever commercial, "Beast", for the "big game", introduces the all-new 2013 GS.

Volkswagen Shows Off Super Bowl Ad Featuring All-New 2012 Beetle

The Dog Strikes Back: 2012 Volkswagen Game Day Commercial is out. My dogs seem to sleep most of the day, I wonder if a new Beetle would give them that get-up-and-go they may have got-up-and-went. VW says the "all-new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle inspires Bolt the dog to get in shape, and an intergalactic superstar makes a surprise appearance." VW released the game day ad shortly after their teaser.

Volkswagen Goes To The Bark Side In Their Super Bowl Ad Teaser

Volkswagen will advertise during the Super Bowl for the third consecutive year with one 60-second spot at the beginning of the third quarter of Super Bowl XLVI. VW says the spot will feature the all-new Beetle, which arrived in dealerships in September. The "Bark Side" commercial teaser has dogs barking Darth Vader's theme so let's see how it sets up what we will see on Sunday.

Hyundai Will Have Five Super Bowl TV Commercials

Hyundai, in its fifth consecutive year as a Super Bowl advertiser, will launch five total game-day ads on Sunday, including two pre-game spots, one in the highly rated pre-kick-off time slot and two ads during the game. The 60-second pre-kick-off spot, "All For One", highlights Hyundai employees teamwork as they hum “Gonna Fly Now” from the movie “Rocky”.

“Cheetah,” a 30-second spot slated for the first quarter, features a caged cheetah set to race a new 201-horsepower Veloster Turbo on a long stretch of open road. The car launches and the cage opens, but just a few yards into the race, the cat realizes he’s met his match as the car speeds ahead. The competitive cheetah then takes his frustration out on his handler.

“Think Fast,” a 30-second spot slated for the fourth quarter of the game, introduces a character that will star in Hyundai’s social media efforts named Bob. In this vignette, a young professional is driving his boss, Bob, a seasoned business pro, in his Genesis Coupe R-Spec. Bob is about to deliver a pearl of wisdom when he falls unconscious. The young driver hits the brakes hard, then throws his Genesis Coupe into drive repeatedly, generating enough force to revive Bob, at which time he delivers his piece of advice unphased by his apparent health scare.

To round out the game-day lineup, Hyundai will celebrate its 2012 North American Car of the Year victory for Elantra with a new 30-second spot called “Victory Lap.” 

“Faster Acting” showcases the new 429-horsepower Genesis R-Spec sedan and furthers the theme of performance which bridges the pre-game spots with the in-game ads.

Toyota's Super Bowl Commercial Promotes "Reinvented" Camry

Toyota's Super Bowl XLVI commercial promoting the "reinvented" Camry, is a humorous take on potential day-to-day experiences and items that could have been reinvented. The "Reinvented" spot will be broadcast during the third quarter and will mark Toyota's return to Super Bowl advertising for the first time in three years.

Honda & Acura Super Bowl Ads Feature Well-Known Personalities

Award-winning actor Matthew Broderick is starring in a fourth-quarter Super Bowl commercial to promote the all-new 2012 Honda CR-V. "Matthew's Day Off" reprises Broderick's role in the 1986 film, Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Honda's luxury car division, Acura, for the first time, will run a commercial during the Super Bowl. This commercial, "Transactions,"  will air in the third quarter and feature comic Jerry Seinfeld and Tonight Show host Jay Leno who are trying to buy the first NSX supercar concept car that debuted in Detroit a few weeks ago.

Consumer Reports Recommends Prius V, X3 and Tiguan In March Issue

The BMW X3 xDrive28i powered by a 240 horsepower 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine beat the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque in Consumer Reports head-to-head road test match up. The X3 scored an 80 in CR's road test while the Evoque received a Road Test score of 60, scoring near the bottom of its category. The X3 is one of the few SUVs that feels sporty to drive, and a new eight-speed automatic transmission helps bring its fuel economy to a respectable 22 mpg overall on premium fuel. With its unique styling, the new Evoque turns heads, but it has many shortcomings, including a cramped cabin, stiff ride, artificial-feeling steering, and troubling emergency handling.

The new Toyota Prius V received an Excellent road test score. No other vehicle comes close to its blend of versatility and fuel economy. This wagon version of the Prius hatchback has a big cargo area and roomy rear seat yet still returns 41 mpg overall.

The Prius V, X3, and Volkswagen Tiguan are all Recommended. The Evoque and Wrangler scored too low for CR to Recommend. Consumer Reports only Recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR's Annual Auto Survey of its more than seven million print and Web subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.

2012 Suzuki Kizashi Featured in New Super Bowl Ad

American Suzuki's Super Bowl commercial which emphasizes the features of the 2012 Kizashi sport sedan is entitled "Sled" and is a fun, simple tale of a dog sled being traded in for a car. "Sled" will continue to run following the Super Bowl in conjunction with a new Suzuki advertising campaign scheduled to debut in March.

Audi's Super Bowl XLVI TV Commercial - Vampires Beware

Check out these headlights! Coming at you - Audi's 60 second Super Bowl XLVI commercial, which features a vampire theme, airing in the first break after kick-off promoting Audi's signature LED headlights on the new 2013 Audi S7. Audi LEDs - at 5,500 Kelvin produce the closest recreation of daylight available - good riddance vampires! See the ad on YouTube now.

Chevy Code 130R & Tru 140S Concepts Designed in Car Capitol L.A.

The Chevrolet Code 130R concept (pictured on the left) is a four-seat rear-wheel drive coupe with a turbocharged engine to be tuned to work in tandem with eAssist technology that shuts off the engine at stops, recapturing braking energy, and smoothing torque during acceleration.

The Chevrolet Tru 140S concept (pictured on the right) is a front-wheel-drive, “affordable exotic” four-seat sporty coupe based off the same platform as the Chevrolet Cruze and the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range. Tru 140S designers want to demonstrate technologies typically found in more expensive cars, including direct injection and a starter-based stop-start technology, balancing internal combustion and electrification to deliver high value and improved fuel economy.

The concepts, designed at the GM North America Advanced Design studio in Los Angeles, are aimed at younger buyers who say they want sedan-sized functionality in performance coupe form that seats four passengers, interior connectivity and convenience featuring innovative storage, WiFi, smart phone integration with Chevrolet MyLink and heads-up display, 40 MPG with a 150 horsepower 1.4 liter Turbo Ecotec engine and with a possible production price range in the low $20,000s.

Concepts are becoming reality because of the high research and development costs so let's see if these little Chevys deliver on their promise.

2013 Cadillac ATS Goes On Sale In Second Half Of This Year

The 2013 Cadillac ATS, built on the legacy of the CTS-V Series, comes with a standard 202 horsepower 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine and choices of a 270 horsepower 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine or an estimated 320 horsepower 3.6 liter V-6. The ATS, with available all-wheel drive, uses the first five-link independent suspension in a Cadillac to help keep the tires planted on all surfaces and during all hard-cornering maneuvers. Engineers focused on making the Cadillac ATS one of the lightest cars in the compact luxury segment with a curb weight of less than 3,400 pounds which helps deliver peak highway fuel economy of more than 30 mpg. The 2013 Cadillac ATS goes on sale during the second half of 2012.

2013 Buick Encore Luxury Small Crossover Arrives First Quarter Next Year

The all-new 2013 Buick Encore luxury small crossover with room for five is powered by a 140 horsepower Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission. The Encore has 100.6-inch wheelbase and is 60.6-inches wide. With up to 48.4 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seat folded, the Encore offers substantial cargo capacity. Features include 10 standard air bags (driver and front passenger knee air bags), remote vehicle start, rainsense wipers, Bose premium sound system and Standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control. The Buick Encore will begin arriving at U.S. Buick dealerships in the first quarter of 2013.

Audi Shows Q3 Vail, A4, S4, allroad, A5, S5, RS 5 & A8 3.0T

Audi had many debuts last week including the Q3 Vail SUV, the A4, S4, A5, S5, RS 5 and A8 3.0T sedans and the allroad that will replace the A4 Avant starting in the 2013 model year.

The Audi Q3 Vail compact SUV features a 314 horsepower 2.5-liter five-cylinder TFSI engine with direct injection and turbocharging transferred to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system via a seven-speed S tronic transmission. For winter sports fans the side wall of the trunk houses a charging station that can be used for storing flashlights and charging them inductively at the same time. The same technology is used for the Thermos bottle located in the cup holder between the front seats which is able to chill or warm drinks. In addition to LED lighting, the flashlights incorporate an infra-red heating element that can be used for warming your hands or a pair of ski boots.

The redesigned Audi A4 and S4 for 2013 model year features two engines the 2.0 liter TFSI engine with 211 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque for the A4 and allroad and the 3.0 liter TFSI engine with 333 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque for the S4. The new Audi drive select is a system that adjusts the vehicle's transmission shift characteristics, throttle response, and dynamic steering. On the S4, the Audi drive select system can also control the adaptive damping suspension and quattro sport differential. Audi drive select offers 27 distinct driving configurations, allowing drivers to configure vehicle drive characteristics exactly to their liking with their choice of Comfort, Auto, Dynamic or Individual settings.

The new Audi allroad quattro permanent all-wheel drive wagon, built on the A4 platform, makes a return after a 6 year absence replacing the A4 Avant starting in the 2013 model year featuring the 211 horsepower 2.0 liter TFSI engine with 258 lb-ft of torque mated to a standard 8-speed tiptronic transmission making it faster and more fuel efficient than its predecessor. The new allroad is 185.9 inches in length with a wheelbase of 110.4 inches. Compared to its predecessor, the new allroad has a longer wheelbase for ride comfort and more headroom for front passengers. The allroad has 27 cubic feet of cargo space and a spacious 50 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded down. The interior of the new allroad features a standard Panorama sunroof, 8-way power seats, and Aluminum Trigon inlays. An optional power tailgate is available.

The 2013 Audi A5 features the 2.0 TFSI engine and provides 211 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque. The A5 Cabriolet comes standard with front-wheel drive and multitronic transmission, while the A5 and S5 coupe has quattro standard and six-speed manual, The S5 Cabriolet has quattro standard and is mated to the seven-speed S tronic transmission. New for the 2013 model year, the S5 coupe features the 333 horsepower 3.0T V6 engine, which replaces the 4.2 liter V8.

Want more power? The 2013 Audi RS 5 features a 450 horsepower 4.2-liter V8 mated to a seven-speed S tronic transmission with launch control program and an electronically-governed top speed of 174 mph.

The 2013 Audi A8 flagship sedan now offers the 333 horsepower supercharged V6 engine with standard quattro all-wheel drive.

New Nissan Pathfinder Goes On Sale This Fall

The Nissan Pathfinder Concept, one of 20 new or redesigned products Nissan plans to introduce in this market within the next two years, has an all-new streamlined look. The fourth generation 7-passenger Pathfinder has a V6 engine and next-generation Continuously Variable Transmission projected to deliver a 25 percent increase in combined City/Highway fuel economy (over the previous V6-equipped design).  In addition to offering an intuitive four-wheel-drive system, the new Pathfinder will also have towing capacity competitive with the leaders in the segment. The next-gen Pathfinder goes on sale in Fall 2012 at Nissan dealers nationwide.

New Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid Available At The End Of The Year

The new Jetta Hybrid uses a turbocharged gasoline engine mated to a zero-emissions electric motor with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission allowing acceleration of 0-60 mph in less than 9.0 seconds and achieving an estimated combined fuel economy figure of 45 mpg. The Jetta Hybrid can be driven in pure electric mode at speeds of up to 44 mph. The downsized four-cylinder engine develops 150 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. A lithium-ion battery supplies the energy to the electric motor. The compact 220-volt, 1.1 kWh battery is integrated behind the rear bench seat and weighs less than 80 lb. The battery consists of 60 individual cells with a combined energy capacity of 5 Ah. As in the Touareg Hybrid SUV, the Jetta Hybrid features a clutch that decouples the gasoline engine from the drivetrain when in pure electric drive or coasting modes.

Three trims will be offered for the Jetta Hybrid. Standard features include Bluetooth® technology, LED taillights, SiriusXM® satellite radio, special 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, and a unique Hybrid body kit and badging. Available premium features will include bi-xenon headlights and LED Daytime Running Lights, a power driver's seat, heatable front seats, the RNS 315 navigation system, a rear-view camera and Volkswagen's exclusive Fender® Premium Audio System. The 2013 Jetta Hybrid will launch in the North American market at the end of 2012.

Redesigned 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe & All-New Veloster Turbo

The redesigned 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe now sports more aggressive coupe styling with the 348 horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine receiving sophisticated direct-injection technology and the 274 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine upgrading to a more precise twin-scroll turbocharger and larger intercooler. Automatic transmissions for these two models now have 8-speeds, with paddle-shift SHIFTRONIC® manual-shifting capability. Hyundai’s proprietary telematics platform, Blue Link®, is now available.

The all-new 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo powered by a new 201 horsepower 1.6-liter Turbocharged-Gasoline Direct Injection (T-GDI) engine and in-house six-speed automatic or manual transmission arrives in the Summer of 2012, facing off against competitors such as the Volkswagen GTI, Honda Civic Si and Mini Cooper/Clubman S with a better power-to-weight ratio than all of them, and a unique sport-tuned steering and suspension hardware set. All Velosters feature six airbags—including dual front, front seat-mounted side-impact, and front and rear side curtain airbags. The Veloster Turbo is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifter and and Shiftronic® controls rather than the base Vesloster’s EcoShift DCT.

All-new Ford Fusion Hits U.S. Showrooms Later This Year

The all-new Ford Fusion offers gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions in S, SE and range-topping Titanium series. The 1.6-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine is expected to deliver 26 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine paired with a paddle-shifted six-speed SelectShift Automatic™ transmission, available 19-inch wheels and tires, and all-wheel drive with the ability to send additional torque to the rear is the Fusion performance option. Fusion's new technology features can help drivers maintain proper lane position, adjust vehicle speed to changing traffic conditions, identify suitable parking spaces and help park, even aiding drivers backing out of parking space where visibility is obstructed. Fusion also offers the latest version of MyFord Touch®, allowing a driver to interact with vehicle systems through voice control, a touch screen tap or a conventional button.

The Fusion Hybrid has all-new lithium-ion batteries that save weight and generate more power than previous nickel-metal hydride batteries, while raising maximum speed under electric-only power from 47 mph to 62 mph. Fusion Hybrid also features an all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gasoline engine, significantly downsized from the previous 2.5-liter unit while maintaining performance standards. This innovative powertrain is anticipated to deliver best-in-class fuel economy of 47 mpg in city driving and 44 mpg on the highway.

Lincoln MKZ Concept Becomes Reality Later This Year

The new Lincoln MKZ Concept strongly hints at the production model arriving in dealerships later this year, as well as Lincoln's design future. A panoramic glass roof spans uninterrupted from the windshield to the top of the backlight. Integrated into the sedan's aluminum and boron steel superstructure, the fixed-glass expanse extends to the side roof rails of the cabin, creating an airy, open interior.

The Lincoln MKZ Concept's interior features include push-button transmission gear selection, an open, tiered center console and liquid crystal instrumentation. The reconfigurable 10.1-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) LCD positioned ahead of the driver operates with the latest version of MyLincoln Touch™ as does the nearly flush-mounted center 8-inch LCD touch screen.

2013 Porsche Boxster At $50,450 & 911 Porsche Carrera Cabriolet

 
2013 Porsche Boxster open-top two-seat car receives an entirely new lightweight body and a completely revamped chassis weighing less than the previous generation and rides on a longer wheelbase and a wider track. The new Boxster base model delivers 265 horsepower from a 2.7 liter displacement, 10 more horsepower than its larger displacement predecessor and it's also up to 15 percent more fuel-efficient than previous models on the European cycle.  Technically, it is now based on the 3.4-liter engine of the Boxster S which delivers 315 horsepower, 5 horsepower more than before. Both models feature a manual six-speed gearbox as standard with the seven-speed PDK available as an option With gear changes without interruption to the power flow, the Boxster sprints from zero to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, the Boxster S in 4.7 seconds. The new Boxster models are expected in U.S. showrooms in early summer 2012. The basic list price will be $49,500 for the Boxster and $60,900 for the Boxster S, not including a $950 destination charge.

The 911 Porsche Carrera Cabriolet with a completely new roof concept and lightweight design ensures less weight and lower fuel consumption. As with the Coupés, the new Cabriolets start with the 911 Carrera, powered by a 350 horsepower 3.4-litre six-cylinder engine and the 911 Carrera S with 400 horsepower 3.8 litre flat engine.

2013 Dodge Dart Starting At $15,995 Next Quarter

The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart, with Alfa Romeo DNA and fuel-efficient powertrains will have a starting U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $15,995 and will be available in five trim levels: SE, SXT, Rallye, Limited and R/T. The 2013 Dodge Dart will be powered a new 160 horsepower Tigershark 16-valve 2.0-liter engine, a 160 horsepower 16-valve 1.4-liter MultiAir® Intercooled Turbo engine and a new 184 horsepower Tigershark 16-valve 2.4-liter MultiAir 2 four-cylinder engine combined with three transmission choices: six-speed manual, six-speed automatic or six-speed dual dry clutch transmission. Production of the 2013 Dodge Dart will begin in the second quarter of 2012.

Acura Debuts 2013 RDX, ILX & NSX Concept

Acura unveiled three new vehicles last week: the ILX luxury compact sedan concept; a prototype of the 2013 RDX crossover sport utility vehicle; and the NSX Concept. Acura also announced the next-generation NSX will feature Acura's new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® technology.

The lineup of Acura ILX models will include an entry-level model powered by a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine; a high-performance model with a 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission; and a 1.5-liter gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain, Acura's first-ever hybrid offering.

The 2013 Acura RDX, the second generation of Acura's five-passenger crossover SUV, scheduled to launch in Spring 2012, will have as standard equipment a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that produces 273 horsepower— 33 more than the outgoing model and is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with a new lock-up torque converter. The RDX front-wheel-drive models anticipated EPA fuel economy ratings of 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

As with the ILX, the 2013 RDX will receive a host of new technologies including Pandora internet radio interface, SMS text message feature, a smart entry keyless access system, pushbutton start, and a three view rear camera. An available Technology Package will provide a full complement of relevant technologies, including AcuraLink® Satellite Communication System, Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with Traffic Rerouting™, and AcuraLink Real-Time Weather™ with radar image maps. New for 2013, the even more advanced navigation system utilizes a hard disk drive (HDD) with 60 gigabytes of storage capacity – including 15 gigabytes that can be allocated for music storage.

The Acura NSX Concept has a 2 Electric Motor Drive Unit with a bilateral torque adjustable control system, the all-new hybrid all-wheel-drive system can instantly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering. The new Acura supercar, expected to debut in the next three years.

All-new 2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept With 3 New Engines

The all-new ninth-generation 2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept will feature three all-new powertrains: the new Earth Dreams 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC® four-cylinder engine featuring direct- injection engine that will be paired to a 6-speed manual transmission or a new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) producing more than 181 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The 2013 Accord Sedan and Accord Coupe will also be offered with a re-engineered 3.5-liter, 24-valve, SOHC, i-VTEC V-6 engine, paired to a new 6-speed automatic transmission or an available 6-speed manual transmission.

Hybrid
The 2013 Accord lineup will also feature the first application of a new two-motor plug-in hybrid system to the Accord Sedan. The Honda two-motor hybrid system moves continuously through three modes - all-electric, gasoline-electric and direct-drive - to maximize driving efficiency and fuel economy. In all-electric mode, the 2013 Accord Plug-In Hybrid will use a 6 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and a powerful 120 kW electric motor to achieve an all-electric range of approximately 10-15 miles in city driving scenarios and a top speed of 62 mph. Fully recharging the battery will take less than four hours using a 120-volt, outlet and less than 1.5 hours using a 240-volt charger. In the gasoline-electric hybrid mode, the Accord is powered by its fuel-efficient 2.0-liter, i-VTEC inline four-cylinder, Atkinson cycle engine, paired with an electric Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT). For more efficient high-speed cruising, the Accord Plug-In Hybrid can engage in a direct-drive mode, in which only the engine drives the front wheels. The Accord Plug-In Hybrid will launch next winter.

2013 Lexus LX 570 Is Refreshed

The 2013 Lexus LX 570 eight-passenger SUV has a new Lexus spindle grille, new 20-inch alloy wheel design, upgraded interior and gets a new look at both the front and rear. New LED daytime running lights complement new headlamp design and new larger fog lamp bezels. Taillamps are also updated, while the rear license plate surround gets a revised look and the tow hitch cover is more integrated. Both front and rear bumpers are refreshed, and the rear bumper protector is enhanced by a stainless steel accent. Turn signals have been added to the side mirrors, and wider bodyside moldings sport a new look. The LX 570 has a 383 horsepower 5.7-liter V8.

Lexus LF-LC Hybrid 2+2 Sport Coupe Concept

The Lexus LF-LC hybrid 2+2 sport coupe concept is a new design driver-focused concept showcasing the future design direction for Lexus. The front-engine, rear-wheel drive LF-LC features Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive with a glass roof and a lightweight, cantilevered pillar with a glass-to-glass juncture. Overall, the greenhouse design enhances driver visibility while adding to the sleek lines of the car. Twin 12.3-inch LCD screens provide information and navigation display.

Toyota NS4 Plug-in Hybrid Concept Targeted for 2015 Production

The Toyota NS4 advanced plug-in hybrid concept is a mid-sized concept with a Human-Machine Interface providing a user interface built around a multi-touch screen with the look and feel of a smartphone. The NS4 introduces a next generation Pre-Collision System with lane departure, rear-end and pedestrian collision avoidance technologies designed to predict collisions under certain circumstances and help avoid them. This PCS uses millimeter-wave radar and stereo cameras mounted on the front of the vehicle to detect and react to lane departure, pedestrians and other vehicles. In addition, the system emits near-infrared beams to enhance PCS recognition at night helping to avoid collisions with other vehicles, road-side obstructions, and pedestrians by applying the brakes and manipulating steering.

Adaptive Driving Beam headlights help prevent vision-impairing glare to oncoming drivers and pedestrians. Using a camera mounted behind the front grill and partial shielding inside the headlights, this feature allows drivers to maintain near-high beam illumination to improve nighttime visibility. Four new glass technologies are integrated into the windshield and front triangle, door, and rear windows to improve driver visibility, gas mileage and electric driving mode mileage efficiency: Hydrophobic coating – Fluorine coated glass causes rain drops to form into semi-spherical shapes for improved visibility and rain drop elimination (also used on the roof solar panel), Anti-fog film – High performance resin material with anti-fogging characteristics and increased durability, High ultraviolet (UV) absorbing inner-layer – Removes 99 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays, Anti-solar film with radio-wave transparency – Reduces the internal vehicle temperature and improves electronic device functionality.

The NS4 concept is a dedicated plug-in hybrid, separate from the Prius family, for potential global market introduction by 2015.

2011 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors reported total U.S. sales of 234,351 vehicles in December, up 4.7 percent compared with December 2010.  Sales for the calendar year were 2,503,820, up 3.7 percent.

Ford Motor Company U.S. sales in December were 210,140, a 10 percent rise over 2010 and for the full year sales reached 2,148,806, an 11 percent gain over last year.
   
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. reported December 2011 sales results of 178,131, flat compared to the same period last year. For the full year, TMS reported annual sales of 1,644,661 vehicles, down 6.7 percent from the same period in 2010 as inventory continued to recover from shortages due to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. 

Chrysler Group reported U.S. sales of 138,019, a 37 percent increase compared with sales in December 2010, the group's best monthly sales since May 2008. For the year, Chrysler Group sales totaled 1,369,114, up 26 percent versus sales in 2010.

American Honda reported December monthly new-vehicle sales of 105,230, a decrease of 18.8 percent on a daily selling-rate basis. American Honda's 2011 annual vehicle sales totaled 1,147,285, a decrease of 7.1 percent compared to 2010.

Nissan North America reported record December U.S. sales of 100,927, an increase of 7.7 percent.  NNA finished the calendar year with 2011 sales totaling 1,042,534, 14.7 percent higher than 2010.

Hyundai Motor America announced sales of 50,765 vehicles in December, a 13 percent increase compared with the same record-setting period a year ago. For the year, Hyundai sales were 645,691, up 20 percent versus 2010.

Kia Motors America reported record December sales of 43,390 units, a 42.5 percent increase over the same period in 2010, which contributed to the Kia's best-ever full-year sales of 485,492, a jump of 36.3 percent over 2010.

Volkswagen of America reported December sales totaled 32,502, up 36.2 percent over 2010, marking the best December since 1972. 2011 sales of 324,402 was a 26.3 percent increase over prior year sales. Separately, Audi announced December 2011 sales of 12,655, a 20 percent increase over the same period last year, a new all-time monthly record. 2011 sales were a record 117,561, 15.7 percent over 2010. 

BMW Group reported December sales of 32,545 vehicles, an increase of 17.9 percent from the same month a year ago. In 2011, the BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) achieved its best sales since the record year of 2007 retailing 305,418 vehicles, up 14.9 percent compared to the vehicles sold in 2010.

Subaru of America reported December sales of 33,701, a 26.3 percent jump over the same month a year ago. For 2011, sales of 266,989 represent a 1.2 percent gain over 2010. Subaru has now posted sales records in each of the past three years and Subaru is the only manufacturer in the US to have posted four successive years of sales growth.

Mercedes-Benz USA reported 28,006 vehicles were sold in December, a 30.4 percent improvement over December 2010 and for the year sold 264,460 vehicles in 2011, representing the highest annual volume on record with a 17.5 percent increase over 2010. 

Mazda North American Operations reported December U.S. sales of 22,353 vehicles, an increase of 4.1 percent versus last year. For 2011, Mazda's U.S. sales were 250,426, up 9.1 percent over 2010.

Mitsubishi Motors North America reported December 2011 sales of 5,032, up 3.2 percent from December 2010.  Mitsubishi's 2011 sales of 79,020 finished 41.9 percent more than sales in calendar year 2010, its highest full-year sales total since 2008.

Jaguar December sales of 1,137 was a 4 percent drop from December 2010 and for the year Jag sales were 12,276 down 8 percent. Land Rover sales were 4,743 in December, up 28 percent over the same month last year and came in at 38,099 for the year, a 20 percent increase over 2011. Combined, Jaguar Land Rover December sales were 5,880, a 21 percent gain and for the year sales were 50,375, up 11 percent over 2011.    

Porsche Cars North America announced December sales of 1,834, a 28.6 drop from December 2010. Porsche 2011 sales of 29,023 vehicles is a 15 percent increase over last year.

American Suzuki sold 2,566 in December, a 3 percent drop from a year ago and for 2011 sold 26,619 vehicles, a gain over 11 percent over 2010.

Sales will be updated as manufacturers report.

2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid With 37 MPG Starts At $26,610

The 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid powered by a  2.4L Atkinson Cycle 4-cylinder hybrid engine and equipped with standard Blue Link® telematics has an MSRP of $26,610 including the $760 frieght charge. The 2012 Sonata Hybrid delivers a 37 mpg combined city/highway rating from the EPA. Standard features include a 4.2-inch TFT multi-function trip computer with hybrid technology display, AM/FM/SiriusXM/CD/MP3 with iPod®/USB & Aux input jacks, Integrated Bluetooth® with phonebook transfer and Hyundai Blue Link Telematics system.

Two optional packages
The Leather Package for $1,500 MSRP that has leather seating surfaces, heated front seats and rear seat bottom cushions, leather-wrapped steering wheel & shift knob and auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink® and compass. The Ultimate Package for $5,500 MSRP includes the Leather package contents plus panoramic sunroof with tilt & slide, 17-inch Eco-spoke alloy wheels with unique finish, navigation system with high-resolution touch-screen display, rear backup camera, Infinity® premium speakers, subwoofer and external amplifier (400-watt), HD Radio® Technology with multicasting, SiriusXM, NavTraffic, NavWeather and Sports & Stocks w/ 90-Day Trial, HVAC multi-mode button, Premium door sill plates, Glossy black door surround and outside mirror housing. Looks like a lot of car for the money not to mention the gas savings.

KNX Radio "Live" From L.A. Auto Show: Sedan Introductions

Richard Saxton on KNX Radio with Business Hour host Frank Mottek discussing new sedan introductions at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The focus is on new vehicles from Cadillac, Hyundai, Lincoln, BMW and Porsche.

KNX Radio "Live" From L.A. Auto Show: Compact SUV Introductions

Richard Saxton on KNX Radio with Business Hour host Frank Mottek discussing the highly popular new compact SUVs coming in 2012 - Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape and Honda CR-V.

 

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Goes On Sale This Spring

 The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL is almost 2 inches longer, 2.24 inches wider and 242 pounds lighter than its predecessor in an all-aluminum bodyshell with few components made from other materials. The designers used even lighter magnesium for the cover panel behind the fuel tank and roof. High-strength steel tubing is integrated into the A-pillars for added safety. The new V8 in the SL550 develops 429 horsepower from its displacement of 4663 cc, which is around 12 percent more than its predecessor despite some 0.8 liters less displacement. Fuel consumption has been reduced while at the same time the torque has increased from 391 lb-ft to 516 lb-ft, a gain of 32 percent. The SL550 takes just 4.5 seconds from 0 to 60 mph - eight tenths less than the previous SL550.

The sixth generation of the 60-year old SL model has a retractable hard top that can be operated using a space-saving electrohydraulic mechanism, converting the SL from coupe to roadster and back again in less than 20 seconds. In contrast to its predecessor, the new SL offers two versions of the retractable hard top - glass or the unique panoramic roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL. The transparent roof switches between light and dark at the push of a button. In the light setting it is virtually transparent, offering an open-air experience even in cold weather. In its dark state the roof provides welcome shade and prevents the interior from heating up in bright sunlight. The frame of both versions is made from magnesium, reducing weight by around 13 pounds compared with the outgoing model, lowering the vehicle's center of gravity and delivering greater agility.

New Features
The FrontBass system which uses of the spaces in the aluminum structures forward of the footwell as resonating chambers for the woofers delivering clear, rich bass sounds even with the top down. The new layout has the added bonus of freeing up space in the doors and interior.

MAGIC VISION CONTROL is a new wipe/wash system which dispenses wash fluid just in front of the wiper blade via channels integrated into the blade - in both directions of travel. The result is no water splash on the windshield to disrupt driver visibility and a perfectly clean windshield. The water also stays on the windshield, with no risk of overspray into the passenger cabin when the roof is down. A fully heated wiper blade is included as standard equipment, preventing the build-up of snow and ice on the blade in winter. This heating function also allows warm water to be applied directly onto the windshield for the first time, even in cold temperatures.
   
The HANDS-FREE ACCESS system allows hands-free operation of the trunk lid by the driver simply moving their foot in the vicinity below the rear bumper.

The 2013 SL550 will make its global debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show and goes on-sale in the U.S. this spring.