The Hyundai Azera is redesigned for the current model year, and consumers are taking notice. Starting at about $32,000 for the base model, the Azera is well-appointed with features such as a 3.3L V6 engine, yet still manages to get in the upper 20s in highway mpg. For the upscale consumer in all of us, the Azera also packs standard leather seats and a standard seven-inch touchscreen with navigation…

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

**Top News**

Ford’s Mulally prospers, but Chrysler’s Marchionne paid $0

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/03/while-mulally-cleans-up-chryslers-marchionne-paid-0/1

Chrysler’s Marchionne declines salary, bonus for 2011

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120307/OEM02/120309879/1306/chryslers-marchionne-declines-salary-bonus-for-2011

GM to match Volt production to inventory, CEO Akerson says

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-08/gm-to-match-volt-production-to-inventory-ceo-akerson-says.html

Volvo offering world’s first pedestrian airbag

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2012/03/volvo-offering-world%e2%80%99s-first-pedestrian-airbag/

**OEM/Vehicle News**

Toyota recalls more than 680,000 Tacoma, Camry and Venza vehicles

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/03/07/toyota-recalls-more-than-680000-tacoma-camry-and-venza-vehicles/

Toyota recalls Camry, Venza and Tacoma; Chrysler recalls Liberty

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-toyota-camry-recall-20120307,0,1019930.story

BMW’s 2011 profit margin comes in second to Audi

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120308/COPY01/303089826/1401/bmws-2011-profit-margin-comes-in-second-to-audi

With Energy Department’s encouragement, Ford, GM and Ram unveil natural gas pickups

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/08/with-energy-departments-encouragement-ford-g-m-and-ram-unveil-natural-gas-pickups/

GM’s Akerson sees European losses continuing for 1-2 years

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120308/COPY01/303089825/1193/gms-akerson-sees-european-losses-continuing-for-1-2-years

Dodge Ram truck to get new V-6, 8-speed transmission

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120307/OEM04/120309876/1403/dodge-ram-truck-to-get-new-v-6-8-speed-transmission

EV maker Coda hires ex-Mitsubishi marketer Adams

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120307/OEM05/120309884/1186/ev-maker-coda-hires-ex-mitsubishi-marketer-adams

Azera taps into luxury

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120308/OPINION03/203080318/1148/auto01/Azera-taps-into-luxury

BMW posts record annual profit in 2011 on China

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-08/bmw-posts-record-annual-profit-in-2011-on-demand-for-its-x3-sports-vehicle.html

Ford plant gets ready to add workers

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120308/AUTO0102/203080347/1148/auto01/Ford-plant-gets-ready-add-workers

Ford to cut production at two German plants

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120307/OEM01/120309882/1193/ford-to-cut-production-at-two-german-plants

Japanese luxury brands reboot

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120308/OPINION03/203080319/1148/auto01/Japanese-luxury-brands-reboot

**Dealer/Industry News**

Obama vows to ‘cut red tape’ to speed alternative fuels

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/03/obama-vows-to-cut-red-tape-to-speed-alternative-fuels/1

Obama proposes higher tax credits for alternative-fuel vehicles

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120307/OEM05/303079749/1429/obama-proposes-higher-tax-credits-for-alternative-fuel-vehicles

UAW suit claims American Axle violated contracts for 100 union workers

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120307/OEM10/120309875/1424/uaw-suit-claims-american-axle-violated-contracts-for-100-union-workers

Manufacturers pay a bounty for skilled workers

http://www.cnbc.com/id/46658758

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

Chrysler scores big with social media

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2012/03/chrysler-scores-big-with-social-media/

Ford teams up with NBC and Emmy Award- winning reality producer for prime-time TV reality show ‘Escape Routes’

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ford-teams-up-with-nbc-and-emmy-award-winning-reality-producer-for-prime-time-tv-reality-show-escape-routes-141856423.html

2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas keys netted by NHL star George Parros

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2012-honda-civic-natural-gas-keys-netted-by-nhl-star-george-parros-141826123.html

Chevrolet name still big in Swiss town of La Chaux-de-Fonds

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120308/OPINION03/203080358/1148/auto01/Chevrolet-name-still-big-Swiss-town-La-Chaux-de-Fonds

Facebook Timeline for brands – What’s your strategy?

http://blogs.imediaconnection.com/blog/2012/03/07/facebook-timeline-for-brands-%e2%80%93-what%e2%80%99s-your-strategy/?ref=IMEDIANEWS

Twitter plots big changes to brand pages

http://adage.com/article/digital/twitter-plots-big-brand-pages/233156/

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