In response to Chinese market demands and competitive offerings by German rivals, Infiniti previewed the long-wheelbase M last week at the Beijing Auto Show. Media coverage of this vehicle appeared stateside as well, surfacing across various media outlets over the same time period. This may have contributed to the splash of added interest that the M received in shopping activity on kbb.com…

 

For the full report and commentary, visit http://mediaroom.kbb.com/hot-car-report/.
(Please note: Past Hot Car Reports are available by clicking the ‘Archives’ link)

 

 

- Joe Lu, Senior Market Intelligence Web Analyst, Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com

 

 

**Top News**

 

GM profit falls on European losses; North America gains

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120503/OEM/120509950/1193/gm-profit-falls-on-european-losses-north-america-gains

 

GM reports $1 billion first-quarter profit, beating estimates

http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/03/11518519-gm-reports-1-billion-first-quarter-profit-beating-estimates?lite

 

Chrysler says four plants to skip midyear output breaks

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-02/chrysler-says-four-plants-to-skip-midyear-output-breaks.html

 

No July break for 4 Chrysler plants as sales jump

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/05/no-july-break-now-for-4-chrysler-plants-as-sales-jump/1

 

 

**OEM/Vehicle News**

 

Automakers eager to open up the ‘other’ China

http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/03/11506693-automakers-eager-to-open-up-the-other-china?lite

 

Toyota, Volkswagen grab market share from other automakers

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-toyota-volkswagen-marketshare-20120502,0,5206126.story

 

Toyota Prius plug-in sells 1,654 copies in April beating Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/toyota-prius-plug-in-sells-1-654-copies-in-april-beating-chevy/

 

BMW joins VW, Daimler beating estimates as Porsche gains

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-03/bmw-joins-vw-daimler-beating-estimates-as-porsche-gains.html

 

Ford says Faurecia will acquire parts in Mich.

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120503/OEM10/120509947/1424/ford-says-faurecia-will-acquire-parts-plant-in-mich

 

Hyundai to equip its cars with throttle-override system

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/05/02/hyundai-to-equip-its-cars-with-throttle-override-system/

 

Diesel-powered Chevy Cruze may be a tough sell

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/02/diesel-powered-chevy-cruze-may-be-a-tough-sell/

 

Renault-Nissan to take control of Russian automaker

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/04/business/global/renault-nissan-to-take-control-of-avtovaz.html?_r=1&ref=automobiles

 

Ford will open $450M Thailand plant

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120503/AUTO0102/205030353/1148/auto01/Ford-will-open-450M-Thailand-plant

 

 

**Dealer/Industry News**

 

New fuel rules will cost feds, drivers

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120503/AUTO01/205030352/1148/auto01/New-fuel-rules-will-cost-feds-drivers

 

 

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

 

Volkswagen’s tiny car comes with glove-box book about tiny roads

http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/volkswagens-tiny-car-comes-glove-box-book-about-tiny-roads-140011

 

Scion offers free PlayStation with every iQ minicar

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/05/scion-offers-free-playstation-with-every-iq-minicar/1

 

On the road to the geek’s final four

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2012/05/on-the-road-to-the-geeks-final-four/

 

GM fuels passion with licensed products

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/173777/gm-fuels-passion-with-licensed-products.html?edition=46394

 

Nissan back with GT Academy

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/173806/nissan-back-with-gt-academy.html?edition=46394

 

The big doubt over Facebook

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304868004577378122958515302.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

 

The dirty truth about Facebook commerce

http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/31650.asp

 

YouTube commits $200 million in marketing support to channels

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/youtube-commits-200-million-marketing-support-channels-140007

 

3 things we didn’t know about viral videos

http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/31679.asp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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