Various automotive segments were well shopped on kbb.com this week, with vehicles ranging from off-roading Jeeps to kid-toting minivans rising in week-over-week shopper activity. Topping the list this week was the Nissan Murano, which may be attributed to Nissan’s recent sales event with offers featuring low annual percentage rates (APRs) and cash on the hood…

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)

- Joe Lu, Market Intelligence Senior Web Analyst, Analytic Insights Division, Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com

**Top News**

Marchionne’s 2011 compensation from Fiat SpA totaled $19 million

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-15/marchionne-s-2011-compensation-from-fiat-spa-totaled-19-million.html

GM’s Akerson talks bailouts, Europe, Chevy Volt problems

http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2012/03/15/akerson/

Some of the ‘zoom-zoom’ may have gone out of Mazda

http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/15/10686684-some-of-the-zoom-zoom-may-have-gone-out-of-mazda

**OEM/Vehicle News**

Volkswagen boldly enters crossover SUV market

http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/15/10670498-volkswagen-boldly-enters-crossover-suv-market

Fiat: Strike caused output to drop by 20,000 units

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120315/AUTO0101/203150489/1148/auto01/Fiat-Strike-caused-output-drop-by-20-000-units

U.S. auto dealers who survived debacle see record sales

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120315/RETAIL07/120319931/1448/u-s-auto-dealers-who-survived-debacle-see-record-sales

GMC Terrain to offer new V-6 engine, Denali package for 2013

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120314/OEM04/120319936/1262/gmc-terrain-to-offer-new-v-6-engine-denali-package-for-2013

GM unveils Denali Terrain, should boost profit margins

http://www.freep.com/article/20120314/BUSINESS0101/120314025/1205/BUSINESS01/GM-unveils-Denali-Terrain-should-boost-profit-margins

Kia Motors posts largest gains in fuel economy and CO2 reduction among all automakers in the U.S. according to EPA fuel economy trends report

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kia-motors-posts-largest-gains-in-fuel-economy-and-co2-reduction-among-all-automakers-in-the-us-according-to-2011-epa-fuel-economy-trends-report-142751125.html

Ford creditors to extend automaker’s line of credit

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120315/AUTO0102/203150510/1148/auto01/Ford-creditors-extend-automaker-s-line-credit

Chrysler to build smaller version of Pentastar engine, two sources say

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120314/OEM04/120319939/1424/chrysler-to-build-smaller-version-of-pentastar-engine-2-sources-say

Chevy preparing civilian version of hot Caprice cop car?

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/03/chevy-preparing-civilian-version-of-chevy-caprice-cop-car/1

Subaru recalls 275,000 SUVs in U.S. over seat belts

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120315/OEM11/120319933/1143/subaru-recalls-275-000-suvs-in-u-s-over-seat-belts

**Dealer/Industry News**

FTC cracks down on ‘deceptive’ dealership advertising

http://www.autoremarketing.com/retail/ftc-cracks-down-%E2%80%98deceptive%E2%80%99-dealership-advertising

Auto bailout is looking better to the public

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/13/auto-bailout-is-looking-better-to-the-public/?ref=automobiles

UAW deal with Ford looked hopeless, and then…

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120315/AUTO0102/203150396/1148/auto01/UAW-deal-Ford-looked-hopeless-then-

With in-car connectivity, drive at own risk

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120315/OPINION03/203150323/1148/auto01/With-car-connectivity-drive-own-risk

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

Honda takes heat for alleged pay-to-blog deal

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/03/14/honda-takes-heat-for-alleged-pay-to-blog-deal/

Fiat’s new 500 hatchback spot plays off Super Bowl commercial

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120315/RETAIL03/120319930/1193/fiats-new-500-hatchback-spot-plays-off-super-bowl-commercial

Volvo not risk-averse when it comes to mobile
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/170165/volvo-not-risk-averse-when-it-comes-to-mobile.html?edition=44591

Brands, not cars, key contends Fiat/Chrysler Exec

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2012/03/brands-not-cars-key-contends-fiatchrysler-exec/

Google’s mobile search business becomes focus of FTC antitrust investigation

http://www.mobilemarketer.com/cms/news/search/12358.html

In age of Pinterest, Instagram, marketers need an image strategy

http://adage.com/article/digitalnext/age-pinterest-instagram-marketers-image-strategy/233270/

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