Kelley Blue Book Hot Car Report Analysis – January 12, 2012:

With the Detroit Auto Show underway, traffic share for several domestic cars are on the rise as consumer and industry interest peaks with automaker news and debuts. For instance, the 2013 Chevrolet Impala was recently caught testing in camouflage, which helped the model achieve a top spot on this week’s report. While consumers may be looking at the Dodge Charger on kbb.com, the Dodge Dart is set to spark excitement as a potential…

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 Analyst, Analytic Insights Division, Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com

**Top News**

BMW to expand S.C. plant with $900 million investment

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120112/OEM01/120119919/1246

Ford, not GM or Chrysler, got federal loans to retool plant

http://www.freep.com/article/20120112/BUSINESS0102/201120601/Ford-not-GM-Chrysler-got-federal-loans-retool-plants?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Auto%20news

Obama touts Ford’s job ‘insourcing’

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120112/AUTO01/201120359/1148/AUTO01/Obama-touts-Ford-s-job-insourcing-

Chrysler to begin natural-gas truck sales

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-11/chrysler-to-begin-selling-natural-gas-powered-pickups-to-fleets-this-year.html

Marchionne praises employees’ efforts to bring Chrysler back

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120111/OEM09/120119926/1425

**OEM/Vehicle News**

Chrysler boosted production 27 percent to almost 2 million in 2011

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-11/chrysler-boosted-production-27-to-almost-2-million-in-2011.html

Ford execs defend killing Ranger pickup in USA

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/01/ford-execs-defend-decision-to-kill-ranger-pickup-in-usa/1

Ford recalls 525,000 vehicles for fire, power loss problems

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120112/AUTO01/201120349/1148/AUTO01/Ford-recalls-525-000-vehicles-fire-power-loss-problems

Attention to detail is key for GM’s product chief

http://www.freep.com/article/20120112/BUSINESS0101/201120560/Attention-detail-key-GM-s-product-chief?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Auto%20news

Chevy’s 6^th-generation Corvette to go out in style with 427 convertible

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120112/OEM04/120119922/1261

GM isn’t give up on Volt

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2012/01/gm-isn%E2%80%99t-giving-up-on-volt/

Chrysler to boost Jeep Wrangler output in Ohio

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120111/OEM01/120119941/1252

Next-gen Hyundai Santa Fe will debut in Big Apple

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/12/next-gen-hyundai-santa-fe-will-debut-in-big-apple/

Chrysler to finish plans for factory in Russia by June

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120111/OEM01/120119927/1198

GM, German union in talks to restructure Opel

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120111/OEM01/120119936/1308

Porsche reveals stylish, all-new Boxster for 2013

http://www.leftlanenews.com/porsche-boxster-2013.html

Kia chooses Las Vegas, not Detroit, for E.V. debuts

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/12/kia-chooses-las-vegas-not-detroit-for-e-v-debuts/

Honda unveils 2013 Accord Coupe Concept

http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/honda/45742/

Tata unveils $20,000 battery car

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2012/01/tata-unveils-20000-battery-car/

The cheapest, and tiniest, Prius heading for Toyota showrooms

http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-autos-detroit-toyota-prius-c-20120111,0,6947986.story

Automakers look to the cloud

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204257504577154994166879230.html?mod=WSJ_auto_IndustryCollection

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

Toyota enlists Gracenote for music platform

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/165635/toyota-enlists-gracenote-for-music-platform.html?edition=42119

First shift: Ford’s Farley talks social media… and GM

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120112/VIDEO/301129856/1425

Ford’s Lincoln brand gets new life

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204257504577155033462163676.html?mod=WSJ_auto_LeadStoryCollection

Smart gets a tuneup

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204257504577152903352498404.html?mod=WSJ_auto_LeadStoryCollection

Facebook looks to rebrand news feed ads

http://adage.com/article/digital/facebook-rebrand-news-feed-ads/232027/?utm_source=daily_email&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=adage

Twitter redesign isn’t really helping advertisers

http://adage.com/article/digitalnext/twitter-s-redesign-leaves-advertisers-options/232028/

Infographic overload?

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/infographic-overload-137383

New technologies to manage social

http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/30795.asp

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