Car Blog

August 2010 sales of 9,182 vehicles rose 14% above August 2009, topping previous August record set in 2003

Consumers continue to demand TDI clean diesel vehicles, as both the Audi Q7 TDI and A3 TDI posted significant sales mix gains in the most recent month

Q5 crossover sales increased 78.8% from August 2009 sales to set an all time record

Audi maintained its 2010 momentum with record August U.S. sales, which surpassed the prior August record set in 2003 by more than 900 vehicles. August 2010 sales of Audi cars and SUVs climbed 14% compared to August 2009, and marked the best monthly sales performance since May of this year.

The August results keep the German luxury automaker on track to set a vehicle sales record in the U.S. by year-end. The existing annual sales record for Audi in the U.S. is 93,506 vehicles sold in 2007.

Overall, Audi sold 9,182 luxury cars and SUVs in August 2010, topping the previous August record of 8,057 vehicles sold in August 2009. Additionally, the automaker posted steady quarter-to-quarter sales increases of more than 5% and nearly 15% over June 2010 and July 2010, respectively.

The August 2010 results were buoyed by the continued extraordinary consumer response by year-over-year sales increases for the Audi Q5 crossover and Audi Q7. For the month, Audi sold 2,675 Q5 vehicles, a 78.8% increase over the 1,496 vehicles sold in August 2009. The Q5 line also enjoyed more than a 25% August 2010 sales jump over July 2010. For August 2010, Audi reported Q7 sales of 560, a 42.1% increase above the 394 vehicles sold a year earlier. Read the rest of this entry »

More Standard Comfort and Safety Features, Better Fuel Economy

When the first 2011 Chevrolet Cruze sedans arrive at U.S. dealerships in September, they will offer consumers more for their money, with class-leading standard safety features, expected class-leading fuel economy, and more standard equipment than competitive vehicles.

“We set out to redefine the compact segment by offering customers more of the features they want for less money than comparably equipped competitive models,” said Margaret Brooks, Chevrolet Small Car marketing director. “The Cruze offers significantly more value than the competition – and the vehicle it replaces — with standard equipment that is appreciated by today’s consumers.”

For example, the Cruze LS offers an estimated $1,700 more value than a 2010 Honda Civic DX. With a starting price of $16,995 including destination, the Cruze LS is $590 more than a base Civic. But when consumers look closer, they will find that Cruze has about $2,700 worth of additional equipment, including:

– Air conditioning
– Power locks with remote keyless entry
– OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation
– XM Radio, with three-month trial subscription
– AM/FM Single-CD radio
– StabiliTrak and traction control
– 6-speaker stereo system
– Rear side impact and knee airbags
– Passenger seat height adjustment
– 60/40 split folding rear seat Read the rest of this entry »

With More Connectivity Features, Advanced Technology and Pristine Sound Reproduction, THX and Lincoln are Defining How Music Should Be Experienced

The THX II Certified Audio system in the new 2011 Lincoln MKX crossover SUV rivals all others with exclusive technology, sound quality and value. Offered as an available feature, the technology-rich THX II Certified system is only $995, a fraction of the price of other premium audio brands.

With most car audio systems, surround sound is restricted to a handful of hard-to-find, DVD-Audio titles. The THX II Certified system, featuring DTS Neural Surround®, lets audiophiles rock-out with immersive 5.1 surround sound from hundreds of radio stations, including many HD Radio(TM) broadcasts. Even MP3s and other stereo music tracks can be up-mixed to surround sound with a push of the button.

Featuring a wide range of connectivity options and advanced technologies, the THX II Certified system puts other luxury automakers to shame. CDs deliver uncompressed music that mirrors the recording studio, and USB-connectivity brings your MP3 player’s digital music library to life–accessible using the exclusive MyLincoln Touch(TM) interface.

And, only Lincoln features a “THX Demo Button,” giving driver and passengers the legendary THX Deep Note(TM) “OoommMMM” cinematic sound–anytime, anywhere. Turn it up. We dare you. Read the rest of this entry »

Toyota Motor Sales  U.S.A. announced that it will conduct a voluntary safety recall involving approximately 1.13 million 2005-2008 Model Year Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles sold in North America to address some Engine Control Modules (ECM) that may have been improperly manufactured. No other Toyota or Lexus vehicles are involved in this recall.

On vehicles equipped with the 1ZZ-FE engine and two-wheel drive, there is a possibility that a crack may develop at certain solder points or on the electronic component used to protect circuits against excessive voltage (varistor), on the ECM’s circuit board. In most cases, if a crack occurs at certain solder points or on certain varistors, the check engine may illuminate, harsh shifting could result, or the engine may not start. In limited instances, if cracking occurs on particular solder points or varistors, the engine could stop while the vehicle is being driven.

There are three unconfirmed accidents alleged to be related to this condition, one of which reported a minor injury.

Steve St. Angelo, Toyota chief quality officer for North America, said, “This recall is an example of our commitment to standing by our products and being responsive to our customers. Our goal is to help ensure that Toyota drivers are completely confident in the safety and reliability of their vehicles.”

As part of the recall, the ECM on involved vehicles will be replaced at no charge to the owner. Beginning in mid-September 2010, Toyota will mail an interim notification to advise owners of this recall and the fact that they will receive a future notice when parts become available to complete the repairs. Owners who have previously paid for replacement of the ECM to address this specific condition should refer to the owner letter for reimbursement consideration instructions.

Detailed information and answers to questions are available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall and at the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331, Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., or Saturday 7 a.m. through 4 p.m. PDT.

The 2011 Ford Fiesta is the first mini-car to earn a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) since the introduction of a new roof strength test. The award applies to vehicles built after July 2010. The Fiesta is the eighth Ford Motor Company vehicle to earn the Institute’s top designation – breaking a tie with Toyota for the most “Top Safety Picks” of any automaker.

Fiesta’s extensive use of high-strength steels, Trinity front crash structure, Side Protection And Cabin Enhancement (SPACE) Architecture® and advanced airbag technologies helped the car perform well in IIHS testing. Fiesta’s energy-absorbing body structure is optimized for strength and stiffness and designed to absorb and redirect crash forces away from the passenger compartment. Plus, it features the most standard airbags in its segment, as well as standard electronic stability control – a must-have feature for Top Safety Pick eligibility.

“Fiesta is proof that a small car can deliver big safety, and earning a Top Safety Pick further demonstrates Ford’s commitment to providing all of our customers with world-class crash protection,” said Sue Cischke, Ford’s group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “Fiesta combines rigidity and more airbags – smartly deployed – than its competition, as well as standard stability control.” Read the rest of this entry »

New campaign to feature full line of Nissan vehicles, innovations that drive them -

Nissan North America announced a significant new marketing initiative to showcase the strength of Nissan’s innovative product portfolio and build on 10 straight months of sales growth for the Nissan brand in the U.S. market. The campaign, to be headlined under the theme “Innovation for All,” will launch on Aug. 28 and permeate a variety of medium and targets over the next several months.

“Innovation for All” will begin with a series of five television spots that capture Nissan’s history, track record and process of innovation. The campaign features the full line of Nissan products – from the 100-percent electric Nissan LEAF and Altima mid-size sedan to the Z sports car, Titan full-size pickup truck and cube ® activity vehicle. The versatile campaign also will appear in print and online with a consistent look and feel.

“Innovation has been the heart and soul of the Nissan brand for nearly 100 years,” said Jon Brancheau, vice president, Marketing, NNA. “‘Innovation for All’ isn’t simply a new marketing idea. It’s the very foundation of Nissan worldwide. This campaign captures Nissan’s spirit and continued drive towards innovation – not just for the elite, but for everyone.” Read the rest of this entry »