Kelley Blue Book Hot Car Report Analysis – February 16, 2012:

This week’s Hot Car Report clearly shows how automakers benefit from advertising in a major event like the Super Bowl.  Lexus advertised its newly redesigned GS, which helped give it a huge jolt in kbb.com visits week-over-week...

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**

Toyota leads J.D. Power Dependability study while Ford, GM gain

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-15/toyota-leads-j-d-power-dependability-study-while-ford-gm-gain.html

J.D. Power: Dependability reaches best-ever level; Japanese OEM dominates rankings

http://www.autoremarketing.com/trends/jd-power-dependability-reaches-best-ever-level-japanese-oem-dominates-rankings

Car and truck reliability hits record high

http://www.cnbc.com/id/46397659

Lexus reclaims U.S. dependability title as industry builds better vehicles

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120215/OEM01/120219918/1424

Chrysler quality haunted by its past in study, Toyota is a star

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=BUSINESS01

Lexus tops J.D. Power list; Cadillac is No. 3 as Ford’s Lincoln drops to No. 7

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120215/AUTO01/202150381/1148/auto01/Lexus-tops-J-D-Power-list-Cadillac-No-3-Ford-s-Lincoln-drops-No-7

**OEM/Vehicle News**

GM quarterly profit falls 7% on Europe; net for year is $7.6 billion

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120216/OEM/120219906/1424

GM reports profit of $7.6 billion for 2011

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120216/AUTO0103/202160413/1148/auto01/GM-reports-profit-7-6-billion-2011

GM posts record earnings for 2011

http://money.cnn.com/2012/02/16/news/companies/gm_earnings/index.htm

Porsche names new small ute the Macan

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2012/02/porsche-names-new-small-ute-the-macan/

Porsche Macan: For soccer moms who want a smaller SUV

http://jalopnik.com/5885611/porsche-macan-for-soccer-moms-who-want-a-smaller-suv

GM to phase out salaried pensions, shift workers to 401(k) plan

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120215/OEM/120219914/1424

GM to freeze pensions, tweak bonuses of white-collar workers

http://www.freep.com/article/20120216/BUSINESS01/202160453/1205/business01/GM-freeze-pensions-tweak-bonuses-white-collar-workers

Tesla’s fourth-quarter loss widens to $81.5 million

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120215/COPY01/302159670/1128

Tesla downplays earnings shortfall

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2012/02/tesla-downplays-earnings-shortfall/

Tesla will help develop new electric Mercedes-Benz

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-tesla-mercedes-20120215,0,2550206.story

Subaru recalls certain cars to fix airbags

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/02/15/subaru-recalls-certain-cars-to-fix-airbags/?mod=WSJBlog&mod=WSJ_Autos_Driversseat

Upgrades make you forget the 2012 Ford F-150 is still a truck

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120216/OPINION03/202160364/1148/auto01/Upgrades-make-you-forget-2012-Ford-F-150-still-truck

eAssist’s light electrification gives LaCrosse, Regal more power and better fuel economy

eAssist's light electrification gives LaCrosse, Regal more power and better fuel economy | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

Mazda CX-5 would help distracted urban drivers avoid low-speed collisions

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/15/mazda-cx-5-would-help-distracted-urban-drivers-avoid-low-speed-collisions/

How Cadillac really killed the electric car

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/02/killed-electric-car-cadillac-starter-unladylike-positions-short-range/1

**Dealer/Industry News**

Auto sales per dealership could hit record levels this year, say industry insiders

Auto sales per dealership could hit record levels this year, say industry insiders | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

Mitsubishi meets floods, blizzards, ice, sleet

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/167902/mitsubishi-meets-floods-blizzards-ice-sleet.html

Do affluents just want a Porsche?

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/167978/do-affluents-just-want-a-porsche.html

Street and Racing Technology (SRT®) Brand Launches Enhanced Consumer Website – driveSRT.com

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/street-and-racing-technology-srt-brand-launches-enhanced-consumer-website----drivesrtcom-139438333.html

Facebook to release timeline for brands this month

http://adage.com/article/digital/facebook-release-timeline-brands-month/232760/

Facebook timeline apps increase visits to Pinterest, Fab.com

http://www.clickz.com/clickz/news/2152856/facebook-timeline-apps-increase-visits-pinterest-fabcom

Six questions: Brian France

http://www.adweek.com/video/television/six-questions-brian-france-138323

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