Today's News - February 22, 2012

**KBB in the News**

Flood of low-end luxury cars aim to batter BMW 3 series

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/02/new-entry-luxury-cars-small-price-mpg-low-end-fight-bmw-3-series/1

Ford Expedition clinches 2012 Total Cost of Ownership Award from Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com

http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120222120729

**Top News**

Mazda may raise $2.9 billion via record share sale, loan as losses mount

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-22/mazda-plans-record-2b-share-sale.html

Mazda eyes $2 billion share offering as strong yen bites

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120222/OEM/120229973/1117/mazda-eyes-2-billion-share-offering-as-strong-yen-bites

Peugeot is in talks with General Motors on possible alliance; shares surge

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-21/peugeot-says-it-s-in-talks-about-alliances-after-report-on-gm.html

Peugeot Citroen shares jump on news of talks with GM

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/story/2012-02-22/gm-peugeot/53201938/1

**OEM/Vehicle News**

Ford boosts pay for directors 25 percent, raises Edsel Ford II fees

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-21/ford-increases-pay-for-directors-25-edsel-ford-fees-also-rise.html

Ford to add $3.8B to pension plans this year

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120222/AUTO0102/202220417/1148/auto01/Ford-add-3-8B-pension-plans-year

Two key battery car start-ups race to prove critics wrong

http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/22/10469438-two-key-battery-car-start-ups-race-to-prove-critics-wrong

As GM blasts Newt Gingrich, a man makes a Volt gun rack

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/02/gm-shoots-back-at-newt-while-man-shows-his-volt-gun-rack/1

U.S. Honda boss reinstated to parent-company board

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120221/OEM02/120229992/1448/u-s-honda-boss-reinstated-to-parent-company-board

GM names Jon Lauckner new VP and chief technology officer

http://www.freep.com/article/20120222/BUSINESS0101/120222027/GM-names-Lauckner-new-VP-chief-technology-officer?odyssey=tab

Infiniti tells dealers to expect sales gains thanks to new CUV model

http://www.autoremarketing.com/retail/infiniti-tells-dealers-expect-sales-gains-thanks-new-cuv-model

Ford concept hints at design of next light-duty Transit van

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120221/OEM04/120229979/1254/ford-concept-hints-at-design-of-next-light-duty-transit-van

Bugatti Gran Sport Vitesse billed as most powerful roadster ever

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2012/02/bugatti-grand-sport-vitesse-billed-as-most-powerful-roadster-ever/

New Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG revealed

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120221/OEM04/120229980/1164/new-mercedes-benz-sl63-amg-revealed

GM head to donate $1M to Habitat

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120222/AUTO0103/202220323/1148/auto01/GM-head-donate-1M-Habitat

Honda recalls nearly 46,000 Odyssey minivans for rear door defect

http://www.freep.com/article/20120222/BUSINESS0104/120222030/Honda-recalls-nearly-46-000-Odyssey-minivans-rear-door-defect-?odyssey=tab

**Dealer/Industry News**

Small and fuel-efficient cars make big gains as gas prices increase

http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53476-autotrader-small-cars-make-big-gains-as-gas-prices-increase

Auto rally sways traders in most sales since at least ’08: Credit markets

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-21/auto-rally-sways-traders-in-most-sales-since-at-least-08-credit-markets.html

Senators to Obama: OK fuel rules

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120222/AUTO01/202220328/1148/auto01/Senators-Obama-OK-fuel-rules

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

Content isn’t branding: Why Chrysler’s ‘Halftime in America’ needs a second act

http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/chrysler-s-halftime-america-ad-a-act/232835/

Rivals gang up on Ford trucks as Ram joins battering

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120221/RETAIL03/120229988/1403/rivals-gang-up-on-ford-trucks-as-ram-joins-battering

Mazda teams up with Velocity for 2012 U.S. TV broadcasts

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mazda-teams-up-with-velocity-for-2012-us-tv-broadcasts-139920623.html

Chrysler’s Jeep faces hurdles to make comeback in China

http://adage.com/article/global-news/chrysler-s-jeep-faces-hurdles-make-comeback-china/232851/

Harley-Davidson follows the passion

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/168239/harley-davidson-follows-the-passion.html?edition=43706

Report: Facebook and Google sprint ahead in U.S. online display sales

http://adage.com/article/digital/report-facebook-google-sprint-ahead-u-s-online-display-sales/232861/

Five ad formats that will boost your brand

http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/31026.asp

Social data unleashes ad, marketing power

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/168009/social-data-unleashes-ad-marketing-power.html?edition=43708

Gen Y speeds up luxury goods spending

http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1008854&ecid=a6506033675d47f881651943c21c5ed4

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