Halo views and upcoming redesigns highlight this week’s gainers for the Hot Car Report. MINI recently announced that it will produce the Clubvan later this year, and that has drummed up interest in another ‘larger’ MINI model, the Countryman.

The Nissan Altima is slated for a redesign this year and Nissan debuted the model at the New York Auto Show. There is sure to be a battle among midsize sedans with four redesigned vehicles coming to the segment this year, and the initial Altima specs look promising…

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, Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com

**Top News**

Chrysler first-quarter profit up more than 300%

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/04/chrysler-first-quarter-profit-up-more-than-300/1

Chrysler reports strong results

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/27/business/chrysler-reports-strong-results.html?_r=1&ref=automobiles&gwh=E4254194F2BA343D144AECA14A165568

Chrysler profit quadruples to $473 million as U.S. sales rise

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120426/OEM/120429906/1424/chrysler-profit-quadruples-to-473-million-as-u-s-sales-rise

VW posts big profit as it drives to be world’s No. 1

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/04/vw-posts-big-profit-as-it-drives-to-be-worlds-no-1/1

Volkswagen Q1 operating profit rises 10% on higher demand at Audi

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120426/COPY01/304269856/1424

European crisis fails to slow VW earnings growth

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2012/04/european-crisis-fails-to-slow-vw-earnings-growth/

Hyundai quarterly profit jumps on strong U.S. sales

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120426/COPY01/304269865/1131

Toyota’s tiny Scion iQ boosts U.S. sales by 19 percent

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-25/toyota-s-tiny-scion-iq-boosts-u-s-sales-by-19-percent.html

**OEM/Vehicle News**

Ford Q1 profit may fall by almost half on overseas losses

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120426/OEM/304269857/1329

Fiat loss in Europe widens as region’s crisis zaps demand

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-26/fiat-1q-result-template.html

Toyota sees silver lining in Chinese clouds

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/04/26/toyota-sees-silver-lining-in-chinese-clouds/

EV startup Coda withdraws request for $334 million U.S. loan

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120425/OEM05/120429912/1186/ev-startup-coda-withdraws-request-for-334-million-u-s-loan

Chrysler to let Ally auto-financing pact expire

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-25/chrysler-to-let-ally-auto-financing-pact-expire.html

Jeep hopes to exploit China’s appetite for SUVs

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120425/GLOBAL03/120429915/1131/jeep-hopes-to-exploit-chinas-appetite-for-suvs

Ferrari will launch first hybrid in 2013

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120426/COPY01/304269766/1193/ferrari-will-launch-first-hybrid-in-2013

Does Buick Regal owe success to older models?

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/04/25/does-buick-regal-owe-success-to-older-models/

Trail of clues leading to Chevrolet SS nameplate

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120425/BLOG06/120429914/1499/trail-of-clues-leading-to-chevrolet-ss-nameplate

Bad labels force another recall of Nissan Titan, Armada

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/04/nissan-titan-armada-recalls-tire-wheel-labels-safety-hazard/1

**Dealer/Industry News**

How Chinese drivers will influence your next car

http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/26/11372666-how-chinese-drivers-will-influence-your-next-car?lite

In China, car grilles bloom

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304811304577365890179910560.html?mod=WSJ_Autos_LS_Autos_2

Greenest states to own an electric car

http://money.cnn.com/2012/04/26/autos/electric-cars-emissions/index.htm

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

Bentley offers virtual test drive in app update

http://www.luxurydaily.com/bentley-offers-virtual-test-drive-in-app-update/

Ford reveals photos of Focus electric NASCAR pace car

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/04/ford-reveals-photos-of-focus-electric-nascar-pace-car/1

‘Imported from Detroit’ T-shirt suit is settled

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120425/OEM/120429908/1018/imported-from-detroit-t-shirt-suit-is-settled

Google pitches self-driving cars

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120426/AUTO01/204260341/1148/AUTO01/Google-pitches-self-driving-cars

Ad revenues could take a big hit as tracking issues continue

http://www.mobilemarketer.com/cms/news/advertising/12669.html

Let’s get visual with social media

http://blogs.imediaconnection.com/blog/2012/04/24/lets-get-visual-with-social-media/?ref=IMEDIANEWS

Consumers turn to tablets to research purchase decisions

http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1009000&ecid=a6506033675d47f881651943c21c5ed4

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