(Page 2 - 12/16/10)

 

 

Sample of commentary for this week’s Kbb.com Hot Car Report:

 

The Korean car companies, and especially Hyundai, continue to successfully play the game of “shock and awe” with their Japanese and Domestic competitors. Last year’s Sonata introduction rearranged the mid-size sedan segment, as Hyundai looks to sell more than 200,000 vehicles in 2010 in this high-profile category. Now, Hyundai looks to create similar shockwaves in the ultra-competitive compact car segment with introduction of the all-new 2011 Elantra...

               

For the full report and commentary, please visit: http://mediaroom.kbb.com/hot-car-report

(Please note: Past Hot Car Reports are available by clicking the ‘Archives: 2010’ link)

 

 

**Top News**

 

Honda to recall 1.35 million Fit subcompacts globally

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101216/RETAIL05/101219877/1147

 

Honda recalls over 1.3 million Fit cars

http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/16/autos/honda_recall/index.htm

 

Chrysler recalls Town and Country, Dodge Caravan minivans

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/12/chrysler-recalls-2008-town-38-country-dodge-caravan-minivans/1

 

Chrysler, Ford and Volkswagen recalling 780K vehicles

http://www.detnews.com/article/20101216/AUTO01/12160362/1148/auto01/Chrysler--Ford-and-Volkswagen-recalling-780K-vehicles

 

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Strength in December New-Vehicle Retail Sales Expected to Lead to Robust Finish for 2010

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jd-power-and-associates-reports-strength-in-december-new-vehicle-retail-sales-expected-to-lead-to-robust-finish-for-2010-111994534.html

 

GM pays U.S. Treasury $2.1 billion for preferred shares

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101215/OEM/312159944/1424

 

GM repurchases $2.1B in stock

http://www.detnews.com/article/20101216/AUTO01/12160366/1148/auto01/GM-repurchases-$2.1B-in-stock

 

U.S. auto mandates may raise prices, depress sales

http://www.autonews.com/article/20101215/OEM/101219883/1186

 

Congress to end green car tax credit

http://www.detnews.com/article/20101216/AUTO01/12160365/1148/auto01/Congress-to-end-green-car-tax-credit

 

 

**OEM/Vehicle News**

 

Jeep, Sonata top bumper class

http://www.detnews.com/article/20101216/OPINION03/12160373/1148/auto01/Jeep--Sonata-top-bumper-class

 

BMW brightens 1 Series’ face for 2012

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/12/bmw-brightens-1-seriess-face-for-2012/1

 

Ford sees 12 million sales rate in December; transaction prices rising

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101215/RETAIL01/101219882/1448

 

Fiat may consolidate Chrysler next year, UBS says

http://www.autonews.com/article/20101215/OEM/101219886/1424

 

GM, Ford parts shortages cut output for second day

http://www.autonews.com/article/20101215/OEM01/101219888/1128

 

Mercedes-Benz USA Delivers First Customer Zero-Emission F-CELL Vehicle

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mercedes-benz-usa-delivers-first-customer-zero-emission-f-cell-vehicle-111948854.html

 

Cobra Jet Mustangs to zoom out of Flat Rock plant

http://www.detnews.com/article/20101216/AUTO01/12160364/1148/auto01/Cobra-Jet-Mustangs-to-zoom-out-of-Flat-Rock

 

Lexus prices CT 200h at $29,995

http://www.autonews.com/article/20101215/RETAIL/101219890/1078

 

Honda says hydrogen auto fuel cell know-how helped speed battery-car plan

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-16/honda-says-hydrogen-auto-know-how-helped-speed-plan-for-battery-run-fit.html

 

Daimler’s by-the-minute Smart car rentals woo customers from Mazda, Fiat

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-15/daimler-s-by-the-minute-rentals-woo-customers-from-mazda-fiat.html

 

THINK™ Delivers Its First U.S.-Built Electric Cars

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/think-delivers-its-first-us-built-electric-cars-111994119.html

 

Leaf is practical for very few people

http://www.freep.com/article/20101216/COL14/12160391/1331/BUSINESS01/Leaf-is-practical-for-very-few-people

 

Rick Hendrick Buys First Volt Offered for Public Sale

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rick-hendrick-buys-first-volt-offered-for-public-sale-112000149.html

 

Ford E-News – Dec. 15, 2010

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ford-e-news---dec-15-2010-111949984.html

 

 

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

 

Topping VW, Mercedes-Benz offers ‘Tweet Race’ car giveaway

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/12/mercedes-benz-tops-vw-jetta-promo-tweet-race-for-free-c250s/1

 

J.D. Power: Reliability up, but style still rules

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=141389

 

Lexus goes for gamers with new entry hybrid car

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=141388

 

Lexus ‘Darkcasting’ in Xbox for new hybrid

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=141399

 

You say social, I say tomato...but let’s not call the whole thing off

http://www.clickz.com/clickz/column/1932393/social-tomatobut

 

Social video advertising soars in 2010, study shows

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=141425

 

Report: Social networks no place for marketing to college crowd

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=141380

 

Microsoft upgrades Bing

http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/direct/e3iede2df1c8193b39078d70789f592b5a1

 

Microsoft Bing launches mobile, local, social features

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=141419

 

 

 

 

 

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