Today's News - April 24, 2012

**KBB in the News**

Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com named Online Auto Shopping Brand of the Year in 2012 Harris Poll Equitrend Study

http://mediaroom.kbb.com/kelley-blue-book-named-online-auto-shopping-brand-2012-harris-poll-equitrend-study

New tool helps you pick best time to sell your car

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/new-tool-helps-you-pick-best-time-to-sell-your-car-2012-04-24-7000

Ford puts spotlight on Escape, gas sippers

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/173040/ford-puts-spotlight-on-escape-gas-sippers.html

KBB warns dealers to not ‘overpay’ for gas sippers in the lanes

http://www.autoremarketing.com/wholesale/kbb-warns-dealers-not-%E2%80%98overpay%E2%80%99-gas-sippers-lanes

U.S. auto sales 1Q speed past expectations

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/332109/20120423/u-s-auto-sales-q1-first-quarter.htm

Kelley Blue Book recognizes Ford Flex among Best Family Cars of 2012

http://pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1162589&Itemid=32

Lewis Automotive showcases first fully electric car in state

http://pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1162411&Itemid=32

**KBB Editorial**

2013 Acura ILX First Review: Bridge to Luxury

http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/2013-acura-ilx-first-review-bridge-to-luxury/

Lamborghini Crossover SUV Concept teased for 2012 Beijing Auto Show

http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/lamborghini-crossover-suv-concept-teased-for-2012-beijing-auto-show/

Audi RS Q3 Concept - big performance in a small package

http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/audi-rs-q3-concept-_-big-performance-in-a-small-package/

Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe previews new production model

http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/mercedes_benz-concept-style-coupe-previews-new-production-model/

**Top News**

Battle for luxury-car market heats up in China

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/04/24/battle-for-luxury-car-market-heats-up-in-china-video/

BMW goes full throttle in China

http://www.cnbc.com/id/47157347

VW makes a major new investment in China

http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/24/11355729-vw-makes-a-major-new-investment-in-china?lite

Ford examines creating indigenous China brand

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120423/COPY01/304239837/1131/ford-examines-creating-indigenous-china-brand

U.S. said to hire restructuring adviser to monitor Fisker

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-23/u-s-said-to-hire-restructuring-adviser-to-monitor-fisker-loan.html

Senators question U.S. loan to Fisker Automotive

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120423/OEM05/120429950/1424/senators-question-u-s-loan-to-fisker-automotive

**OEM/Vehicle News**

Nissan sees Yen as ‘1,000-pound gorilla’ curbing sales

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-24/nissan-ceo-likens-yen-to-1-000-pound-gorilla-hampering-sales.html

Auto start-up Coda to develop ‘entry-level’ electric vehicle for U.S. market

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120424/AUTO01/204240407/1148/AUTO01/Auto-start-up-Coda-develop-entry-level-electric-vehicle-U-S-market

Ford to reduce output at Fiesta plant in Germany

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120424/COPY01/304249876/1193/ford-to-reduce-output-at-fiesta-plant-in-germany

VW’s Bentley prepares to deliver $210,000 SUV, chief says

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-23/vw-s-bentley-prepares-to-deliver-210-000-suv-chief-says.html

Ford, Ford Credit raised to investment grade by Fitch

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120424/COPY01/304249853/1424/ford-ford-credit-raised-to-investment-grade-by-fitch

Honda begins production of all-new 2013 Acura ILX at Indiana plant

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/honda-begins-production-of-all-new-2013-acura-ilx-at-indiana-plant-148553275.html

Honda debuts two production-intent concepts

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120424/OEM04/120429937/1131/honda-debuts-two-production-intent-concepts

’14 Mazda6 will drop V-6 engine

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120423/OEM03/304239982/1117/14-mazda6-will-drop-v-6-engine

First SRT Viper hits the road

http://www.freep.com/article/20120424/BUSINESS0103/120424040/Chrysler-2013-SRT-Viper

New GM CEO should come from within, Akerson says

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120424/OEM02/120429941/1131/next-gm-ceo-should-come-from-within-akerson-says

GM taps former military officer to be first chief diversity officer

http://www.autoremarketing.com/retail/gm-taps-former-military-officer-be-first-chief-diversity-officer

Marchionne arrives late to China party with Fiat Viaggio

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-23/marchionne-arrives-late-to-china-party-with-fiat-viaggio.html

**Dealer/Industry News**

Automakers, suppliers propose strategy to replace key resin

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120423/OEM10/120429948/1424/automakers-suppliers-propose-strategy-to-replace-key-resin

Carmakers OK plan to speed resin substitute

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120424/AUTO01/204240355/1148/AUTO01/Carmakers-OK-plan-speed-resin-substitute

Institute calls for improved coordination of standards for E.V.’s

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/24/institute-calls-for-improved-coordination-of-standards-for-e-v-s/

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

Chrysler, USA Basketball to launch marketing partnership

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120423/RETAIL03/120429952/1252/chrysler-usa-basketball-to-launch-marketing-partnership

Victoria Beckham lends posh look to Range Rover Evoque

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/04/victoria-beckham-lends-posh-look-to-range-rover-evoque/1

Porsche revs up mobile presence with print-QR code combo

http://www.luxurydaily.com/porsche-revs-up-mobile-presence-with-print-qr-code-combo/

Exclusive: Ford’s marketing manager overviews new Fusion, hints at Fusion SHO possibility

http://www.egmcartech.com/2012/04/23/exclusive-fords-marketing-manager-overviews-new-fusion-hints-at-fusion-sho-possibility/

Click-through rates may matter even less than we already thought

http://adage.com/article/digital/click-rates-matter-thought/234330/

Facebook’s Q1 ad sales climb to $872 million

http://www.clickz.com/clickz/news/2169743/facebooks-q1-sales-climb-usd872-million

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