All-New Fourth Generation Mazda MX-5 Unveiled

The all-new fourth generation Mazda MX-5 was unveiled in Japan, USA and Spain and will be rolled out to global markets starting in 2015. As of July 2014, total production volume of the Mazda MX-5 exceeded 940,000.

August 2014 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors dealers delivered 272,423 vehicles in the United States in August, down 1.2 percent compared with last August, which was GM’s best sales month of 2013. Retail deliveries, which are sales to individual consumers, declined 4 percent. Fleet deliveries were up 9 percent compared with a year ago. Year-to-date total sales were 1,984,451, a 2.8 percent increase over last year.

Ford Motor Company U.S. sales totaled 222,174 vehicles in August, up 0.4 percent from a year ago and the best August sales in eight years. Retail sales of 178,800 vehicles increased 2 percent, while fleet sales of 43,374 vehicles declined 6 percent. Year-to-date sales of 1,704,442 is an 0.2 percent drop from a year ago.

Toyota, Scion and Lexus reported total August 2014 sales results of 246,100, an increase of 6.3 percent from year-ago month. Year-to-date Toyota, Scion and Lexus sales are 1,627,509, a 6.1 percent increase over 2013.

Chrysler Group reported U.S. sales of 198,379, a 20 percent increase compared with sales in August 2013 and the group’s best August sales since 2002. Year-to-date sales of 1,386,169, is a 14 percent increase over last year.

American Honda reported August 2014 Honda and Acura vehicle sales of 167,038, an increase of 0.4 percent versus August of last year. Honda division had sales of 151,551 vehicles in August while Acura posted sales of 15,487 in the same period. Year-to-date American Honda sales reached 1,042,382, down 1.1 percent from last year.

Nissan Group announced total U.S. sales for August 2014 of 134,388, an increase of 11.5 percent over the prior year and an August record. Year-to-date sales of 960,317 is a 12.4 percent increase over 2013.

Hyundai Motor America announced an all-time August sales record of 70,003, up 5.9 percent versus the same record-setting period in 2013 and only the second time ever the company has topped the 70,000 mark. Year-to-date sales of 501,448 is a 1.7 percent increase over 2013.

Kia Motors America announced record August sales of 54,667, a 5.1-percent increase over the same period last year.  Kia’s year-to-date sales are 404,389, up 6.9 percent.

Subaru of America reported 50,246 vehicle sales for August 2014, a 22 percent increase over August 2013. August marks the best-ever sales month in company history, breaking the previous record set in July 2014 (45,714). Year-to-date Subaru sales total 333,968, a 19 percent increase over the same period in 2013.

Volkswagen of America reported 35,181 vehicles delivered in August, a drop of 12.8 percent from August 2013. Year-to-date sales of 244,878 is a 13.4 percent decline from 2013. Separately, Audi achieved its best month ever in August on sales of 17,101 vehicles, a 22.1 percent increase over last year. Audi U.S. sales year-to-date of 116,066 is an increase of 14.5 percent over last year.

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported August sales of 32,220 vehicles, an increase of 5.5 percent from the 30,546 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, the BMW Group (BMW and MINI combined) is up 5.4 percent on sales of 245,974 in the first eight months of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.  

Mazda North American Operations reported August U.S. sales of 31,305 vehicles, representing an increase of 11.4 percent versus last year. Year-to-date sales through August are up 9.6 percent versus last year, with 216,973 vehicles sold.

Mercedes-Benz reported record-breaking August sales of 27,078, a 9.4 percent gain from the same month last year. Sprinter Vans August sales of 1,880, up 35.3 percent and smart sales of 1,334, up 34.3 percent bring total August sales for Mercedes-Benz USA to a record 30,292, increasing 11.6 percent from August 2013. Year-to-date, Mercedes-Benz sales total 205,894, up 8.2 percent while volumes of 15,577 at Sprinter and 7,332 at smart propelled MBUSA to a grand total of 228,803.

Mitsubishi Motors North America August sales total was 6,786, a 28.5 percent increase over the sales total from August 2013. Year-to-date sales of 52,807, is a 29.3 percent rise over last year.

Jaguar Land Rover North America reported August 2014 U.S. sales: Land Rover sales reached 4,489, down 9 percent from a U.S. brand record for the month in August 2013; Jaguar sales were 1,184, down 31 percent from in August 2013. Jaguar Land Rover North America August U.S. sales for both brands hit 5,673, a 15 percent decrease from August 2013, and are up 7 percent for the year.

Volvo Cars of North America reported U.S. August sales of 4,960, down 10.1 percent from a year ago. Year-to-date sales are 39,184, down 11 percent versus the first eight months of 2013.  

Porsche Cars North America announced August 2014 sales of 4,540 vehicles, up 36.5 percent over last year. During the first eight months of 2014, PCNA has delivered 31,759 vehicles in the U.S., an increase of 11.6 percent over last year.

2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan - Redesigned Starting At $29,485 This Month

The redesigned 2015 Toyota Sienna minivan with a standard 266 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine paired to an electronically controlled six-speed transmission has a starting base MSRP of $29,485 (including $885 delivery, processing and handling fees) for the Sienna L grade up to $46,150 for the Sienna Limited Premium all-wheel-drive when it begins arriving in dealerships later this month. The expected EPA-estimated mileage ratings are 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway (16 mpg city/22 mpg highway on AWD models). The Sienna will be available with four different EntuneTM audio systems, all of which come standard with either a 6.1 or 7-inch touchscreen display, USB 2.0 port with iPod® connectivity and Bluetooth® wireless technology. Sienna Limited and Limited Premium grades come with Entune Premium JBL® Audio with Navigation and App Suite that features 10 speakers including a subwoofer. Certain Sienna grades are available with a tow package that features a 3,500-pound towing capacity. The new Sienna is also available with Pre-Collision System with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management and Hill Start Assist Control. Available Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert helps drivers change lanes and back out of a parking space.

All-New Volvo XC90 Starts At $48,900, First Edition For $65,900

The all-new Volvo XC90 7-seat SUV with a 316 horsepower 2 liter turbocharged and supercharged AWD engine mated to an 8-speed transmission comes well-equipped as a XC90 T6 AWD with a starting price of $48,900. Standard features include Navigation, 19” wheels, a power laminated panoramic sunroof, state-of-the-art car connectivity and with expected best-in-class power and fuel efficiency. The top of the line 400 horsepower XC90 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid which combines a two-liter, four-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged gas engine with an electric motor.

Safety technologies includes a run-off road protection package that detects what is happening and tightens the front safety belts to keep the occupants in position and auto brake at intersection capability. As for sound, the XC90 features an available Bowers & Wilkins 1,400 Watt Class D amplifier and 19 Bowers & Wilkins speakers with air-ventilated subwoofers integrated into the car body, so it turns the whole interior space into a giant subwoofer.

The Urban Luxury package combines a color coordinated body kit with polished stainless steel details, such as front deco frames, front and rear skid plates and side scuff plates and 21-inch exclusive polished wheels. The Rugged Luxury kit enhances the ruggedness of the XC90 SUV with tech matte black exterior trim, stainless steel skid plates, running boards with illumination and integrated exhaust pipes coming with 22-inch wheels.

First Edition
A limited First Edition of the all-new Volvo XC90 will have 1,927 individually numbered cars only be available for order via digital commerce at www.volvocars.com/us starting on September 3rd at 10:00 am ET for $65,900 for a fully-equipped XC90 T6 AWD First Edition.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Starts At $78,995

The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, offered in 1LZ, 2LZ and 3LZ trims, with a 650 horsepower supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine will be offered at a suggested retail price of $78,995, and the convertible model will start at $83,995 (excluding tax, title, license, optional equipment and dealer fees). Available packages include the $2,995 Carbon Fiber Ground Effects package with a functional carbon fiber front splitter, carbon fiber rocker panels and a larger rear spoiler. The Z07 Performance Package for $7,995, adds Brembo carbon ceramic-matrix brake rotors along with adjustable front and rear aerodynamic components to the Carbon Fiber Ground Effects package.

2015 Volkswagen Jetta Starts At $16,215 In 3rd Quarter

The latest redesigned 2015 Volkswagen Jetta with new front, rear and interior styling, and an all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged TDI® Clean Diesel engine with an EPA-estimated highway fuel economy rating of 46 mpg with the manual transmission hits showrooms in the third quarter. 2015 Jetta engines offered are a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine, 1.8-liter and 2.0-liter versions of the turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® engine, a 1.4-liter turbocharged hybrid unit and the all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged EA288 TDI® Clean Diesel engine.

The entry-level 2.0L trim starts at $16,215 (excluding transportation, taxes, title, options, and dealer charges), with a standard five-speed manual transmission. The S model starts at $18,425 with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the entry-level 1.8T model, the SE, is priced from $18,995 with a five-speed manual transmission. The TDI Clean Diesel model starts at $21,640 for the S trim. In total, the 2015 Jetta is offered in four trim levels, Base, S, SE, and SEL, with a total of 12 equipment levels. A limited-edition Jetta Sport, based on the 1.8T SE with Connectivity, adds a sport suspension, front sport seats, RNS® 315 navigation with rearview camera, rear spoiler, and unique interior decor. When paired with a five-speed manual transmission, the Sport starts at $20,895 and costs $21,995 with a six-speed automatic transmission.

2015 Volkswagen e-Golf Starts At $36,265 In November

The 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf, fully electric vehicle for the U.S. market will start at $36,265 (including $820 destination and delivery) for the SEL Premium model when it hits showrooms in November. The eGolf, powered by a 115 horsepower compact electric motor and lithium-ion battery, has an average range between 70 and 90 miles, depending on driving style and charging behavior. Amenities include a 5.8-inch touchscreen navigation system and infotainment center, Bluetooth® technology, SiriusXM® Satellite Radio, heated front seats and rearview camera and front and rear Park Distance Control.

Chrysler's Bigland Heads Up Alfa Romeo, Hegbloom Leads Ram Truck

Chrysler Group announced that effective immediately, Reid Bigland (left) is appointed Head of Alfa Romeo Brand for the NAFTA region.  Bigland continues as Head of U.S. Sales and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Chrysler Canada.  He will also continue as a member of the NAFTA Leadership Team and the Fiat Chrysler Group Executive Council. Robert Hegbloom (right), who joined Chrysler in 1986, is appointed Head of Ram Truck Brand after previously serving as the Director of Ram Truck Brand.  In his new role, Hegbloom will become a member of the NAFTA Leadership Team.

Toyota FT-1 Sports Car Concept, For Gamers For Now

The Toyota FT-1 sports car concept that debuted in January has a new look intended to have more sophisticated feel with a new saddle-colored leather interior styling and exterior color developed by Calty Design Research in Newport Beach, California. Next month two new versions of the FT-1 will be available for download virtually inside PlayStation®3 Gran Turismo 6, the latest iteration of the best-selling racing franchise. Its a concept that the press release calls the "spiritual pace car for the new direction of Toyota Global Design". For now, game on, as we wait for reality to hit showrooms.

2014 BMW i8 Concours d’Elegance Edition Auctioned For $825,000

 A one-of-a-kind 2014 BMW i8 Concours d’Elegance Edition sold for $825,000 with Frozen Grey metallic exterior paint, Dalbergia Brown leather upholstery accented with stitching in BMW i Blue, and the Pure Impulse Tera World interior trim accented in BMW i Blue, including the seat belts, as well as having “BMW i8” embossed into the front headrests. The words “Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Edition” are laser etched into the door sills. The plug-in hybrid all-wheel drive powertrain combines an electric motor to drive the front wheels and 1.5-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder gasoline engine driving the rear wheels. The BMW i8 is capable of driving on pure electric power at speeds up to 75 mph for approximately 20 miles, producing zero tailpipe emissions. When the gasoline engine joins forces with the electric motor, together they are capacity of propelling the i8 for 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds and to a top speed of 155 miles per hour. The MSRP for the BMW i8 when it goes on sale is $137,500.

2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Gets 707HP Engine Next Year

The new 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat will feature the 707 horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® Hellcat V-8 engine mated to a new TorqueFlite 8HP90 eight-speed automatic transmission making it the quickest, fastest, most powerful production sedan in the world with an NHRA-certified quarter mile elapsed time of 11.0 seconds on street tires and a top speed of 204 miles per hour. There are five all-new Drive Modes controlling horsepower, transmission shift speeds, paddle shifters, traction and suspension. Drive Modes are pre-configured for Sport, Track and Default settings, while the Custom setting lets the driver customize the drive experience to their favorite settings. Production begins in the first quarter of 2015.

2015 Chevrolet City Express Cargo Van Gets 24 City MPG

The 2015 Chevrolet City Express cargo van with a 2.0L dual-overhead cam inline-four-cylinder engine matched to a continuously variable transmission will offer an EPA-estimated 24 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, resulting in 25 mpg combined. The 2015 Chevrolet City Express LS starts at $22,950, MSRP excluding tax, title, license, optional equipment and dealer fees. Chevrolet’s first entry into the small van segment with 122.7 cubic feet of customizable cargo space and an estimated payload capacity of 1,500 pounds will arrive in dealerships in the fourth quarter.

All-New Volvo XC90 To Be Revealed In Two Weeks

The all-new Volvo XC90 seven-seat SUV, which will be revealed in two weeks in Stockholm, will offer a 316 horsepower T6 supercharged and turbocharged gasoline engine and a T8 twin engine plug-in hybrid at around 400 horsepower that combines a two-liter, four-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged engine with an electric motor, both available for the U.S. market.

The XC90 will be the first car in its range to be built on the Scalable Product Architecture modular chassis technology developed in-house, part of Volvo's ongoing 11 billion dollar transformation plan, allowing a wide range of cars, powertrains, electrical systems and technologies, all of differing complexity, to be fitted on the same architecture, generating significant economies of scale. The drum roll for the Chinese-owned, Swedish-designed car company's future has begun.

2015 Range Rover Sport SVR Starts At $111,400

The 2015 Range Rover Sport SVR, with an all-aluminum 550horsepower 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with a starting price of $111,400 (including $925 destination and delivery fee), will be the first Land Rover vehicle to wear the new high-performance SVR badge, capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds with an electronically limited top track speed of 162 mph.

2015 Chevrolet Colorado Extended-Cab Starts At $20,995 This Fall

The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado extended-cab pickup with a a 200-horsepower 2.5L four-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection mated to a a 6-speed manual transmission will start at $20,995 (including an $895 dealer freight charge) when it hits showrooms in the Fall. There's a choice of extended-cab models with a 6-foot box and crew-cab with 5- or 6-foot boxes. The Colorado LT crew cab with 2WD and the 5-foot box has a starting price of $27,985 and the Colorado Z71 crew cab 4x4 with the 5-foot box starts at $34,990 (pictured above).

Available options will include a 305-horsepower 3.6L V-6, also with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing mated to a a 6-speed automatic transmission, 4G LTE with a built-in WiFi hotspot, Forward Collision Alert and Land Departure Warning and the GearOn™ accessory system.

2015 GMC Canyon Starts At $21,880 This Fall

The all-new 2015 GMC Canyon mid-size pickup with a 200 horsepower 2.5L I-4 Direct Injected engine will start at $21,880 (including a $925 dealer freight charge) when it arrives in dealerships this Fall. Available options include the 3.6L V-6 engine with direct injection and variable valve timing, a six-speed automatic transmission, Bose premium seven-speaker audio system, and the GearOn™ accessory system.

The SLE trim level starts at $27,520 (2WD extended cab) and a 4WD Canyon SLT crew cab short box model starts at $37,875, and includes the 305 horsepower 3.6L V-6 engine, leather-appointed seating, automatic climate control, 18-inch polished cast-aluminum wheels, remote start and an automatic locking rear differential.

July 2014 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors dealers delivered 256,160 vehicles in the United States in July, for the company’s highest July sales since 2007. Total sales were up 9.4 percent compared with a year ago. Retail sales were up 4.2 percent. Year-to-date total sales of 1,712,028 is 3.5 percent higher than a year ago. Retail sales are up 3.1 percent over 2013.

Toyota, Scion and Lexus reported July 2014 sales results of 215,802, an increase of 11.6 percent from year-ago month. Toyota division posted July 2014 sales of 188,469, up 10.6 percent over July 2013. Lexus reported July sales of 27,333, up 18.7 percent. Year-to-date Totoya sales are 1,381,409, a 6.1 percent gain over 2013.

Ford Motor Company U.S. sales of 212,236 vehicles increased 10 percent over a year ago for the best July in eight years. Retail sales of 162,028 vehicles are up 7 percent.  Year-to-date sales of 1,482,268 is 0.3 percent lower than last year.

Chrysler Group reported U.S. sales of 167,667, a 20 percent increase compared with sales in July 2013 and the group’s best July sales since 2005. Year-to-date sales of 1,187,790 is 13 percent higher than last year.

American Honda Motor reported July 2014 Honda and Acura vehicle sales of 135,908, down 3.9 percent. The Honda division posted sales of 123,428 in July while Acura sold 12,480 in the same period. Year-to-date American Honda sales reached 875,344, down 1.3 percent from last year.

Nissan Group announced total U.S. sales for July 2014 of 121,452, an increase of 11.4 percent over the prior year and a July record. Year-to-date sales of 825,929 is a 12.6 percent increase from 2013.

Volkswagen of America reported 30,553 vehicles delivered in July, a drop of 14.6 percent from July 2013. Year-to-date sales of 209,697 is a 13.6 percent slide from last year. Separately, Audi reported that its July 2014 sales increased 11.9 percent to 14,616 vehicles, a total that stands as the 43rd consecutive month of record monthly U.S. sales for the brand. Audi U.S. sales year-to-date increased 13.3 percent to 98,965 vehicles.

Hyundai Motor America posted its best July sales ever of 67,011, up 1.5 percent compared with the same period in 2013.  Year-to-date sales of 431,445 is a 1 percent gain over last year.

Kia Motors America announced record July sales of 52,309, a 6.7 percent increase over the same period last year. Kia's year-to-date sales of 349,722 are up 7.2 percent.

Subaru of America reported 45,714 vehicle sales for July 2014, a 27 percent increase over July 2013 sales of 35,994. July marks the best-ever sales month in company history, breaking the previous record set in March 2014. Year-to-date Subaru sales totaled 283,722 – an 18 percent increase over the same period in 2013. The company has now seen 32 consecutive months of year-over-year growth and is already on its way to its sixth successive annual sales record.

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported July sales of 32,220 vehicles, an increase of 7.4 percent from the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, the BMW Group (BMW and MINI combined) is up 5.4 percent on sales of 213,754 in the first seven months of 2014 compared to 202,780 in the same period in 2013.  

Mercedes-Benz USA reported the highest July retail volumes in its history with 30,757 units sold across the Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter and smart model lines, representing a 16.4 percent increase from the same month last year. July sales for the Mercedes-Benz brand alone totaled 27,192, up 15 percent, bringing year-to-date volumes to a record 178,816. Adding year-to-date sales of 13,697 for Sprinter Vans and 5,998 at smart, MBUSA delivered a best-ever year-to-date grand total of 198,511.

Mazda North American Operations reported July U.S. sales of 29,238 vehicles, representing an increase of 17.1 percent versus last year. Year-to-date sales through July are up 9.3 percent versus last year, with 185,669 vehicles sold.

Mitsubishi Motors North America had sales of 6,349, a 21.4 percent increase over the sales total from July 2013.

Volvo U.S. July sales of 4,897 is a 17.1 percent decline from a year ago and year-to-date sales of 34,228 is 11.1 percent lower than 2013.

Porsche Cars North America announced July 2014 sales of 4,300 vehicles. During the first seven months of 2014, PCNA has delivered 27,219 vehicles in the U.S., an increase of 8.3 percent over last year.

Sales will be updated as manufacturers report.

2015 Audi Q3 Arrives This Fall Starting At $33,425

The 2015 Audi Q3 compact premium crossover has a 200 horsepower 2.0 liter TFSI® engine with a six-speed Tiptronic® transmission and will go on sale this Fall. The Audi Q3 Premium Plus FWD will start at $33,425 (including transportation charge of $925), Audi Q3 Premium Plus quattro $35,525, Audi Q3 Prestige FWD $37,325 and Audi Q3 Prestige quattro $39,425. There's an optional Sport package which includes sport seats, shift paddles and Audi drive select adds to the dynamic character of the Q3.

The available MMI® Navigation plus with voice control utilizes a 7.0 inch display and adds a color display to the driver information system located in the instrument cluster. The MMI Navigation Plus features the Audi connect® infotainment system (included in Prestige model), which includes in-vehicle Wi-Fi connectivity for up to eight wireless devices for passengers. Audi connect also provides Google Earth™ maps for a true aerial view of roads and the surrounding area. A 14-speaker, 465 watt Bose Surround Sound System is also part of the Prestige model.

2015 C300 Sedan Starts At $38,400, 2015 GLA250 Starts At $33,300

The all-new 2015 C-Class sedan will start at an MSRP of $38,400 for the four-cylinder C300, and $48,590 for the C400 4MATIC sedan. The new C-Class has such features as COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, a radar-based system which can brake autonomously to avoid collisions or minimize their effects in combination with PRE-SAFE which prepares the vehicle if a collision is imminent.

 The all-new GLA starts at $31,300 for the two-wheel drive 2015 GLA250 hitting showrooms in the first quarter of next year, $33,300 for the 2015 GLA250 4MATIC arriving in September along with the $48,300 2015 GLA45 AMG, a 355 horsepower all-wheel drive vehicle.

2015 Lexus GX 460 Luxury SUV

The 2015 Lexus GX 460 has a 301-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 engine, body-on-frame construction, full-time 4-wheel drive and 6,500-lb. trailer capacity. Other features include Crawl Control to navigate through sand, mud or snow, Downhill Assist Control, Hill-start Assist Control, Active Traction Control, Vehicle Stability Control and a TORSEN® torque-sensing limited slip center differential distributes power 40:60 under most driving conditions. iPhone® users (iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 models forward) can use the newly standard Siri® Eyes Free Mode. Music choices are expanded in the 2015 GX 460 courtesy of the Lexus Enform App Suite which upgrades to include iHeartRadio 4.0 and Slacker.