Kelley Blue Book Hot Car Report Analysis – March 1, 2012:

Gas prices are back on the rise in America, and consumers are starting to take notice. After a several-month period where fuel prices were declining, the average price per gallon is back to more than $3.60 - a level we have not seen since September 2011. As a result, all five of this week’s risers are fuel-efficient vehicles with an electric and a hybrid-only model leading the way…

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)

- Akshay Anand, Market Intelligence Web Analyst, Analytic Insights Division, Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com

**Top News**

Chrysler sales increase 40 percent

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-01/chrysler-sales-rise-tops-estimates-as-gas-prices-lift-demand-for-200-sedan.html

Asian automaker sales: Hyundai up 17.5%, Nissan up 15.5%

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/03/asian-maker-sales-nissan-posts-155-increase/1

GM says Volt sales up in February

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120301/AUTO0103/203010417/1148/auto01/GM-says-Volt-sales-up-February

Big 3 can’t afford to rest on laurels

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120301/AUTO01/203010327/1148/auto01/Big-3-can-t-afford-rest-laurels

Small car sales surge as gas prices rise

http://www.freep.com/article/20120301/BUSINESS01/203010573/Small-car-sales-surge-gas-prices-escalate?odyssey=tab

**OEM/Vehicle News**

Peugeot heirs get ally in GM

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203753704577253544080643400.html?mod=WSJ_Autos_AutoIndustry3

Peugeot, GM target $2 billion in annual savings from alliance

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120229/COPY01/302299744/1193/peugeot-gm-target-2-billion-in-annual-savings-from-alliance

GM-Peugeot pact makes Opel workers rivals for survival at two plants

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-01/gm-peugeot-pact-makes-opel-workers-rivals-for-survival-at-two-plants-cars.html

Big banks courting Chrysler

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120301/AUTO0101/203010354/1148/auto01/Big-banks-courting-Chrysler

Ford retiring Finance Chief Booth says loss in Europe may hit $600 million

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-29/ford-retiring-cfo-booth-says-loss-in-europe-may-top-500-million.html

Five states sidestep Honda Civic class-action suit

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/03/five-states-opt-out-of-honda-civic-class-action-suit/1

Toyota ups U.S. transmission output

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120301/AUTO0104/203010418/1148/auto01/Toyota-ups-U-S-transmission-output

Nissan Leaf becomes first electric car available for order in all U.S. markets

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nissan-leaf-becomes-first-electric-car-available-for-order-in-all-us-markets-140902373.html

Nissan pulls sheet off teaser of redone 2013 Altima

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/03/nissan-pulls-sheet-off-teaser-of-redone-2013-altima/1

Hyundai adds power, style throughout 2013 Genesis Coupe

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120301/OPINION03/203010362/1148/auto01/Hyundai-adds-power-style-throughout-2013-Genesis-Coupe

Flying-car to debut at New York auto show

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/02/29/flying-car-to-debut-at-new-york-auto-show/

**Dealer/Industry News**

Interest in fuel-efficient cars quickly followed spike in gas prices in January

http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53477-autotrader-used-cpo-insights-report-fuel-efficient-cars-rising-gas-prices

Google’s driverless cars get boosts as California mimics Nevada

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-01/google-s-driverless-cars-get-boost-as-california-mimics-nevada.html

GOP queries White House on fuel rules

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120301/AUTO01/203010353/1148/auto01/GOP-queries-White-House-fuel-rules

Clinton: Obama’s biggest achievement is saving U.S. auto industry

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120301/AUTO01/203010416/1148/auto01/Clinton-Obama-s-biggest-achievement-saving-U-S-auto-industry

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

Chrysler launches Fiat ad with Charlie Sheen and supermodel

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120301/RETAIL03/120309991/1506/chrysler-launches-fiat-ad-with-sheen-and-supermodel

Lexus launches Facebook page

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/169073/lexus-launches-facebook-page.html?edition=44052

Lexus celebrates Leap Day via solo Pandora sponsorship

http://www.luxurydaily.com/lexus-celebrates-leap-day-via-solo-pandora-sponsorship/

Buick touts Verano tech, surprises

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/169058/buick-touts-verano-tech-surprises.html?edition=44052

Q&A: Jaguar’s Pryor says the brand is ‘Alive’

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/169055/qa-jaguars-pryor-says-the-brand-is-alive.html?edition=44052

Shock move: Penske switching from Dodge to Ford in 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/story/2012-03-01/penske-switch-from-dodge-to-ford/53316772/1

Longest serving auto PR man?: Honda’s Kurt Antonius retires

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/03/kurt-antonius-honda-pr-executive-retires/1

Facebook launches Timeline for brands

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/169098/facebook-launches-timeline-for-brands.html?edition=44035

Ten tips for a killer Facebook brand page

http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/31111.asp

Will Twitter’s mobile heritage trump Facebook’s size in advertising?

http://www.mobilemarketer.com/cms/news/social-networks/12242.html

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