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

 

The growing interest for the Suzuki Grand Vitara and Saab 9-3, a couple of highly incentivized, low-volume carryover models, highlights what is going on in today’s marketplace. The economy is recovering and gas prices are at their peak, causing the current car shopper to scrutinize every penny that they spend....           

 

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’ link)

 

 

**Top News**

 

Ford, Focus, Honda Civic and Nissan Juke among I.I.H.S. Top Safety Picks

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/ford-focus-honda-civic-and-nissan-juke-among-i-i-h-s-top-safety-picks/?ref=automobiles

 

Six small cars with high gas mileage rated Top Safety Picks

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/05/six-of-13-sedans-rated-tops-in-safety----and-good-on-gas-too/1

 

Small cars make big safety improvements

http://www.cnbc.com/id/43180770?__source=yahoo%7Cheadline%7Cquote%7Ctext%7C&par=yahoo

 

All-new 2012 Volkswagen Passat starts at less than $20,000

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/all-new-2012-volkswagen-passat-starts-at-less-than-20000-122652358.html

 

Redone, bigger 2012 VW Passat priced $7,000 cheaper

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/05/redone-bigger-2012-vw-volkswagen-passat-price-is-7000-cheaper/1

 

VW cuts price of revamped Passat by $7,000

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110526/OEM04/110529927/1294

 

Honda sees full U.S. output in August for most cars, except Civic

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110526/OEM01/305269845/1329

 

Honda sees near-normal American production in Aug.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Honda-sees-nearnormal-apf-3322336289.html?x=0&.v=4

 

Honda not optimistic about NA Civic production

http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-not-optimistic-about-na-civic-production.html

 

 

**OEM/Vehicle News**

 

Chrysler to test plug-in pickups

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110526/AUTO01/105260353/1148/auto01/Chrysler-to-test-plug-in-pickups

 

Saab plans to restart production on Friday, report says

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110526/COPY01/305269846/1265

 

Tesla Motors needs more money? Add it up

http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/05/25/tesla-motors-needs-more-money-add-it-up/?section=magazines_fortune

 

Mazda3 hits the 3 million milestone

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/05/mazda3-hits-the-3-million-milestone/1

 

Nissan installing LEAF charging stations at its U.S. HQ

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110526/AUTO01/105260415/1148/auto01/Nissan-installing-LEAF-charging-stations-at-its-U.S.-HQ

 

VW sees Bosch as right battery technology partner

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110526/COPY01/305269872/1186

 

GM to invest $331 Million, add 110 jobs in Arlington, Texas

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gm-to-invest-331-million-add-110-jobs-in-arlington-tex-122662608.html

 

Ford provides $50,000 to help Missouri tornado victims, and Ford employees step in

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ford-provides-50000-to-help-missouri-tornado-victims-and-ford-employees-step-in-122662613.html

 

BMW developing customizable LCD gauges for refreshed 5 and 7 Series models

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/25/bmw-developing-customizable-lcd-gauges-for-refreshed-5-and-7-ser/

 

New McLaren: An affordable supercar at $231,000

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/05/mclaren-mp4-12c-race-affordable-exotic-audi-r8-lamobrghini-gallardo/1

 

Simpler antidote for heavy eyelids

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/automobiles/22DROWSY.html?_r=1&ref=automobiles

 

Autoglass envisions the windshield of 2020

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/25/autoglass-envisions-the-windshield-of-2020/

 

 

**Dealer/Industry News**

 

Delphi Automotive files for an I.P.O.

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/delphi-automotive-files-for-an-i-p-o/?partner=yahoofinance

 

UAW to vie for board seats at GM, Ford and Chrysler

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/26/uaw-to-vie-for-board-seats-at-gm-ford-and-chrysler/

 

UAW to push for pay raise for 2^nd tier workers

http://www.freep.com/article/20110526/BUSINESS01/105260481/UAW-push-pay-raise-2nd-tier-workers?odyssey

 

 

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

 

Hotels alleviate pain of pump prices to draw visitors

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2011-05-26-hotels-pump-prices_n.htm

 

Brands and sites partner to kick off summer

http://www.clickz.com/clickz/column/2073558/brands-sites-partner-kick-summer

 

Google readies Gmail undo send feature

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=151215

 

Facebook to launch music service with Spotify

http://blogs.forbes.com/parmyolson/2011/05/25/facebook-to-launch-music-service-with-spotify/

 

Zuckerberg’s stage – Is this the end of advertising?

http://www.adweek.com/eg8/zuckerberg-s-stage-131998

 

7 ways ad agency pros stay on top of social media trends

http://mashable.com/2011/05/26/agency-social-media-trends/

 

What the Tweetdeck acquisition means for marketers

http://adage.com/article/digitalnext/tweetdeck-acquisition-means-marketers/227758/

 

The history of advertising on Twitter

http://mashable.com/2011/05/26/twitter-advertising-infographic/

 

 

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