Today's News - February 1, 2011

 

**KBB in the News**

 

Marchionne: Chrysler is surpassing expectations, but still has a ways to go

http://www.autoremarketing.com/content/retail/marchionne-chrysler-surpassing-expectations-still-has-ways-go

 

Volvo V60 Hybrid to be unveiled at 2011 Geneva Auto Show

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110131-Volvo-V60-Hybrid-to-be-unveiled-at-2011-Geneva-Auto-Show/

 

 

**Top News**

 

Chrysler posts $199 million quarterly net loss as vehicle shipments fall

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-31/chrysler-reports-199-million-quarterly-loss-as-vehicle-shipments-decline.html

 

Chrysler expects 2011 profit of up to $500M

http://www.freep.com/article/20110201/BUSINESS01/102010338/Chrysler-expects-2011-profit-up-500M?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Auto News

 

Chrysler posts net loss for 2010, but will give employee bonuses

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110201/AUTO01/102010379/1148/auto01/Chrysler-posts-net-loss-for-2010--but-will-give-employee-bonuses

 

Chrysler loses $199 million in fourth quarter but sees profit on horizon

http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-0201-autos-chrysler-20110201,0,6327082.story

 

Unprofitable Chrysler doling out $750 bonus to workers

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/01/unprofitable-chrysler-doling-out-750-bonus-to-workers/1?loc=interstitialskip

 

Chrysler to dole out hourly, salary bonuses

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110131/OEM/110139998/1250

 

 

**KBB Comments on Top News**

 

Slowly Gaining Ground

 

Many words have been written and spoken in the last 24 hours with regard to Chrysler's announced 2010 financial results and slowly improving balance sheet. Accountants and economists have provided analysis that they believe offers a clear view into the prospects for Chrysler and Fiat's long-term success, but only one review truly matters - that of the consumer.

 

Fiat has indeed worked a bit of a miracle by meeting a previously promised goal of preparing and releasing 16 all-new or significantly refreshed vehicles in the past 12 months, and the majority of these vehicles are about to begin shipment into local dealers. In fact, in this week's forthcoming Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com Hot Car Report, we see four of these vehicles from the Chrysler group occupying the top website traffic spots for the past week among all new or redesigned vehicles currently on the market - a strong early indicator of interest and shopping consideration. 

 

However, it is our view that the crop of 2011 and 2012 vehicles from the new Chrysler are not the real story. We see Fiat's management scrambling to patch additional holes and bail out the last bit of water, as the storm for Chrysler is not nearly over. The real test comes later in 2012 and 2013 when the first waves of Fiat-engineered and designed vehicles are introduced to the U.S. market with Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep badges and transplanted “DNA.” The market success of this next wave of vehicles is key to Chrysler's survival, as they also will provide the company with shelter from the increasingly stringent Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards that their current lineup is ill-equipped to support. In addition, Fiat's overall financial and manufacturing status will be improved with priceless additional production volume if these European vehicles resonate with North American buyers.

 

- James Bell, executive market analyst, Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com

 

 

**OEM/Vehicle News**

 

U.S. auto sales may reach second-fastest rate in 17 months

http://www.autonews.com/article/20110131/RETAIL01/110139986/1448

 

U.S. auto sales may reach second-fastest rate since ‘Cash for Clunkers’

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-31/u-s-auto-sales-may-reach-second-fastest-rate-in-17-months.html

 

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: New-Vehicle Retails Sales Pace Cools as January Ends

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jd-power-and-associates-reports-new-vehicle-retail-sales-pace-cools-as-january-ends-114968059.html

 

GM surpasses Ford in market value

http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/31/news/companies/gm_ford_market_value/index.htm

 

Beetle recall: VWTF?

http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/31/autos/volkswagen_beetle_recall/index.htm

 

Honda reports 40 percent drop in profit

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110201/AUTO01/102010330/1148/auto01/Honda-reports-40-percent-drop-in-profit

 

Chrysler hopes dealers avoid haggling when Fiat returns with 500

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110131/OEM04/110139984/1250

 

BMW returning to four-cylinder engines after 14 years

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/02/bmw-returning-to-four-cylinder-engines-after-14-years/1

 

Baby Jaguar wanted for U.S. to fight off Audi, BMW

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/02/baby-jaguar-wanted-for-us-to-fight-off-audi-bmw/1

 

Toyota Increases its Presence at 2011 Chicago Auto Show

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/toyota-increases-its-presence-at-2011-chicago-auto-show-114936679.html

 

Saab Automobile AB Announces New Global Sales Structure

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/saab-automobile-ab-announces-new-global-sales-structure-114999224.html

 

 

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

 

What to expect from General Motors in the Super Bowl

http://adage.com/superbowl/article?article_id=148595

 

Chevrolet goes for goal with Super Bowl buy

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=143932

 

Six Chevy ads to debut in Super Bowl blitz

http://www.freep.com/article/20110131/BUSINESS0101/110131035/6-Chevy-ads-debut-Super-Bowl-blitz?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Auto News

 

GM goes after men with new TV series

http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/automotive-travel/e3icbadfa5f9ba95488b53287cff20ad33e

 

All-New Nissan Quest Powers Back into Minivan Market with ‘Innovation for Family’ Marketing Campaign

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/all-new-nissan-quest-powers-back-into-minivan-market-with-innovation-for-family-marketing-campaign-114967624.html

 

Car and Driver, Road & Track included in Hearst magazine offer

http://www.autonews.com/article/20110131/RETAIL03/110139976/1078

 

Car and Driver, Road & Track in $889 million sale to Hearst

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/31/car-and-driver-road-track-in-889-million-sale-to-hearst/

 

Gogo Inflight Internet Provides Complimentary Access to Facebook® for the Month of February

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gogo-inflight-internet-provides-complimentary-access-to-facebook-for-the-month-of-february-114999099.html

 

Facebook ads get half the clicks of network banners

http://www.clickz.com/clickz/news/2015809/facebook-ads-half-clicks-network-banners

 

How much is one Googler and Facebooker worth?

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=143918

 

 

 

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