Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Nissan subs in soccer fan for ad campaign

Nissan subs in soccer fan for ad campaign http://ift.tt/2mr86FA replaced an injured soccer player with a fan in the latest spot to top our weekly viral video charts.

AutoNews Now: Audi tops Consumer Reports ranking

AutoNews Now: Audi tops Consumer Reports ranking http://ift.tt/2lTR7J6 again tops Consumer Reports ranking, Tesla best domestic marque; U.S. inventory build-up; Peek at Mitsubishi's Eclipse Cross; Volvo loads next XC60 with safety tech.

Audi repeats as Consumer Reports' top brand; Tesla leads domestics

Audi repeats as Consumer Reports' top brand; Tesla leads domestics http://ift.tt/2lvHjE2 paced the industry for the second consecutive year in Consumer Reports' latest Brand Report Card, while Tesla was the highest-ranked domestic brand -- ending Buick's three-year streak.

Shift to fancy gear knobs draws ire of Consumer Reports

Shift to fancy gear knobs draws ire of Consumer Reports http://ift.tt/2lvS2OH have been replacing traditional gear shifts with buttons, knobs and wheels to spruce up vehicle interiors -- but that is confusing motorists and diminishing safety, Consumer Reports says.

Toyota ramps up winter sports marketing with Burton Snowboards partnership

Toyota ramps up winter sports marketing with Burton Snowboards partnership http://ift.tt/2lvTdxw is snowballing its support for winter sports with a multiyear partnership with Burton Snowboards.

VW's Seat sees strong 2017 sales

VW's Seat sees strong 2017 sales http://ift.tt/2mpv4Ne Group's Seat brand expects strong sales this year after deliveries grew by double-digit percentages in the first two months, thanks to new models and demand from southern Europe.

First Shift: Honda robotics, mobility push

First Shift: Honda robotics, mobility push http://ift.tt/2mAlWlQ plans push into robotics, mobility RandD; Takata plea clears hurdle to sale; Wilbur Ross confirmed for Commerce post; A stock drop and moon shot; Snyder's spin on Feb. sales.

Dealer's first overflow lot in 37 years sign of U.S. inventory pileup

Dealer's first overflow lot in 37 years sign of U.S. inventory pileup http://ift.tt/2mGjedU dealer lots in America, inventory is piling up as automakers produce more cars than are being bought.

Valeo raises its midterm sales and profit targets

Valeo raises its midterm sales and profit targets http://ift.tt/2m70F5G set higher midterm sales and profit targets as the supplier to reassure investors that they need not wait too long for returns on its investments in hybrid, electric and self-driving cars.

GKN sees growth outpacing markets after profit rises 12%

GKN sees growth outpacing markets after profit rises 12% http://ift.tt/2m7650D engineering group GKN reported a 12 percent rise in adjusted pretax profit and said it would grow ahead of both its main autos and aerospace markets in 2017.

Monday, February 27, 2017

AutoNews Now: GM on a truck-spiff spree

AutoNews Now: GM on a truck-spiff spree http://ift.tt/2lNqabs shave thousands off GM pickups; Trump's NAFTA stand a dilemma for unions; Supplier showcases leaps in lighting; Volvo XC40 spied; Bentley mulls EV; A Hazzard-ous stunt.

VW's Seat sees strong 2017 sales after jump in first two months

VW's Seat sees strong 2017 sales after jump in first two months http://ift.tt/2lOvtFM Group's Seat brand expects strong sales this year after deliveries grew by double-digit percentages in the first two months, thanks to new models and demand from southern Europe.

First Shift: New look at self-driving cars

First Shift: New look at self-driving cars http://ift.tt/2lM8iNY. to review guidance on self-driving cars; Honda prioritizes size, price over range for Clarity EV; Takata to face judge; Most track-capable Camaro; Subaru hoping Impreza will impress Gen Y.

Sunday, February 26, 2017

The millennials are coming

The millennials are coming http://ift.tt/2lW5Nt4 you thought millennials didn't care about owning cars? Think again. They're the fastest-growing segment among vehicle buyers and are likely to represent about 40 percent of the U.S. new car market by 2020.

Millennials won't compromise on technology

Millennials won't compromise on technology http://ift.tt/2m0NdR5 are at ease with digital technology. That makes the 18- to 34-year-olds less willing to compromise on the features they want, experts say.

PSA takes 1st step back into N.A.

PSA takes 1st step back into N.A. http://ift.tt/2m0L0VI Group, with plans on re-entering the North American market, will be a partner in a ride-sharing service set to begin in April at airports in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

MOBILITY REPORT: How to sell mobility services

MOBILITY REPORT: How to sell mobility services http://ift.tt/2lW4VVx are going all in on mobility, but it will take more than big investments to get new services off the ground.

Errant email lands Uber in court

Errant email lands Uber in court http://ift.tt/2lVQi4s said an inadvertent email sent its way gave it enough evidence to sue Uber for intellectual property theft

Auction houses cope with crowded lots

Auction houses cope with crowded lots http://ift.tt/2mu50NF in technology and analytics help auctions move vehicles through the system faster, but the remarketing industry should not lose sight of the importance of asphalt, says Tom Webb, Manheim chief economist.

AutoNation captures growth of millennials

AutoNation captures growth of millennials http://ift.tt/2mBkLBK a percentage of its new-vehicle sales, millennials grew from 9 percent in 2010 to 22 percent through the third quarter last year, Autonation found.

Conn. auction bill 'deader than dead'

Conn. auction bill 'deader than dead' http://ift.tt/2mB1XCA proposed Connecticut bill that would have required auctions to post their fees conspicuously has been dropped from consideration following pushback from local auction houses, according to a proponent of the bill.

A spa with a service bay

A spa with a service bay http://ift.tt/2lWdEGX's easy to mistake the amenities at Big Two Toyota in Chandler, Ariz., for those at a high-end resort and spa.

Why did they buy? Millennials explain

Why did they buy? Millennials explain http://ift.tt/2m0TXhE millennial buyers explain their decisions to purchase a new car.

Fuel efficient cars always make sense

Fuel efficient cars always make sense http://ift.tt/2m0XOeN one in the industry has a record for correctly predicting fuel prices or knows how they function in the permanently changed energy economics of the 21st century, writes one reader.

Saturday, February 25, 2017

FTC checks lenders' use of 'kill switches'

FTC checks lenders' use of 'kill switches' http://ift.tt/2lcn7pN Federal Trade Commission is looking at this practice of installing GPS trackers and "kill switches" on vehicles to disable them if the owner fails to make timely payments.

Friday, February 24, 2017

Subaru sees Impreza as gateway to young buyers

Subaru sees Impreza as gateway to young buyers http://ift.tt/2muZeuH is Subaru reaching out to millennials? With a puppy, of course.

New Audi S5 Coupe campaign pits man against beast

New Audi S5 Coupe campaign pits man against beast http://ift.tt/2mtYxSc is launching a new ad campaign for the 2018 S5 Coupe, slated to hit dealerships this spring. The ad, titled 'Monster,' was released Friday, targeting thrill-seeking drivers.

AutoNews Now: Flat sales, fat spiffs in Feb.

AutoNews Now: Flat sales, fat spiffs in Feb. http://ift.tt/2liApBW see flat Feb. sales, fat spiffs; Peek at VW Arteon; Tesla's cash-burning ways; Pensions hang over Opel talks; Cadillac takes on 'nation divided' in Oscars ad.

Acura lands jersey sponsorship deal with Columbus Crew soccer club

Acura lands jersey sponsorship deal with Columbus Crew soccer club http://ift.tt/2l7Y3QI will be the official jersey sponsor and automotive partner for Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew. The deal calls for the Acura logo to appear on the front of Crew jerseys for the next three seasons.

Cadillac takes on 'divided nation' in Oscars ad

Cadillac takes on 'divided nation' in Oscars ad http://ift.tt/2lADjo8 Cadillac to the list of advertisers using an ad in an attempt to bridge political divides. In a TV spot that will run during Sunday's Oscars, the GM unit seeks to dispel the notion that America is a nation divided.

February forecasts see flat U.S. sales despite heavy discounts

February forecasts see flat U.S. sales despite heavy discounts http://ift.tt/2lhcpip. new-vehicle sales this month, driven by high incentive spending, are expected to be about the same as a year ago or down slightly.

First Shift: Waymo alleges Uber got stolen tech

First Shift: Waymo alleges Uber got stolen tech http://ift.tt/2lhcZN8 sues Uber, alleging stolen tech; Benz pickup for U.S.?; Audi board backs Stadler, Diess said to win support at VW; Car owners' biggest gripe: Tech glitches.

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Jeep Compass priced from $22,090

Jeep Compass priced from $22,090 http://ift.tt/2lxQwhF for the redesigned 2017 Jeep Compass will start at more than $22,000, while the compact crossover will become the second most-fuel efficient Jeep after the Renegade, Fiat Chrysler said.

Waymo claims former employee stole self-driving tech secrets

Waymo claims former employee stole self-driving tech secrets http://ift.tt/2lwUib6, in a lawsuit filed Thursday in California, claims Anthony Levandowski downloaded 14,000 files before leaving to start his own company, Otto, which was later bought by Uber.

PSA-Opel deal would find 'speedy' savings

PSA-Opel deal would find 'speedy' savings http://ift.tt/2ldllW5's proposed acquisition of Opel would swiftly create savings and value for both companies, PSA CEO Carlos Tavares said.

Tavares says PSA-Opel deal would find 'speedy' savings

Tavares says PSA-Opel deal would find 'speedy' savings http://ift.tt/2mg4xia's proposed acquisition of Opel would swiftly create savings and value for both companies, PSA CEO Carlos Tavares said.

Kia counts on loyal buyers for new Picanto

Kia counts on loyal buyers for new Picanto http://ift.tt/2kPKwlx hopes customer loyalty, along with new connectivity and safety features, will help lift sales of the Picanto in the price-sensitive minicar segment.

PSA's Tavares says Opel deal would find "speedy" savings

PSA's Tavares says Opel deal would find "speedy" savings http://ift.tt/2kPp9AU's proposed acquisition of Opel would swiftly create savings and value for both companies, Carlos Tavares, the French carmaker's CEO, said.

PSA takes first steps to U.S. market entry with ride-sharing service

PSA takes first steps to U.S. market entry with ride-sharing service http://ift.tt/2mfaXye will be a partner in TravelCar, a ride-sharing service set to begin in April at airports in San Francisco and Los Angeles, as the automaker takes the first steps toward re-entering the North American market.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

KAR Auction's Q4 net income drops despite gain at ADESA

KAR Auction's Q4 net income drops despite gain at ADESA http://ift.tt/2lGPbp8 parent company KAR Auction Services reported a 5.8 percent decline in fourth quarter net income on higher service costs and selling and administrative expenses.

AutoNews Now: Lexus, Porsche top dependability study

AutoNews Now: Lexus, Porsche top dependability study http://ift.tt/2lGHnDW, Porsche top dependability study, Fiat struggle continues; PSA eyes partnership with Lotus owner Proton; BMW inks deal with Mobileye; Boost in range for VW's e-Golf.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Man and machine highlight Lexus spot

Man and machine highlight Lexus spot http://ift.tt/2kKtRQf showcases the sporty LC 500 in the latest spot to top our weekly viral video charts.

AutoNews Now: Leadership shift at American Honda

AutoNews Now: Leadership shift at American Honda http://ift.tt/2m5iB1f Honda's Mendel retiring, Conrad assumes duties; Lithia wants in on FCA's store expansion; Shell, Toyota team up on hydrogen stations; Spy photos of '18 Buick Enclave.

Buick Enclave grows more muscular for 2018

Buick Enclave grows more muscular for 2018 http://ift.tt/2lIqOYt redesigned 2018 Buick Enclave will be sleeker and more muscular than the current version, spy photos shot in the Detroit area indicate.

Toyota's giant hydrogen leap gets an assist from Shell

Toyota's giant hydrogen leap gets an assist from Shell http://ift.tt/2lqkqm6 Dutch Shell will build seven fueling stations for hydrogen cars in California through a partnership with Toyota, laying down their latest bet on the demise of the internal-combustion engine.

Monday, February 20, 2017

Ingredients to 50-plus mpg

Ingredients to 50-plus mpg http://ift.tt/2kQKJ2W pieces of the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze diesel's 52-mpg highway results.

Monetizing the service drive is key to dealerships' survival

Monetizing the service drive is key to dealerships' survival http://ift.tt/2kQMTPY Ferrara, Hyundai Motor America's retired vice president of customer satisfaction, says the lack of a long-term focus and doing "crazy stuff" can get in the way of building stronger parts and service operations.

VW Group sales rise 5% in January despite China, Brazil losses

VW Group sales rise 5% in January despite China, Brazil losses http://ift.tt/2ldE4Dz Group's global vehicle sales rose 5 percent last month as growth in Europe and the U.S. helped offset steep declines in China and Brazil.

Ford's big Russia gamble pays off as sales finally rise

Ford's big Russia gamble pays off as sales finally rise http://ift.tt/2lC47oK has become the first major foreign automaker in Russia to see sales grow after three bad years, potentially vindicating its decision to double down on a notoriously volatile market after rival U.S. carmaker General Motors decided to quit.

Sunday, February 19, 2017

FIXED OPS JOURNAL: Monetizing the service drive is key to dealerships' survival

FIXED OPS JOURNAL: Monetizing the service drive is key to dealerships' survival http://ift.tt/2mdAqqC Ferrara, Hyundai Motor America's retired vice president of customer satisfaction, says the lack of a long-term focus and doing "crazy stuff" can get in the way of building stronger parts and service operations.