Today's News - May 23, 2012

**KBB in the News**

Memorial Day sales events will drive auto industry to 14.2 million SAAR, according to Kelley Blue Book analysts

http://mediaroom.kbb.com/memorial-day-sales-events-drive-auto-industry-14-2-million-saar

Kbb.com’s 10 Best Road Trip Cars of 2012: Editors recommend best new convertibles for hitting the open road

http://mediaroom.kbb.com/kelley-blue-book-10-best-road-trip-cars-2012

May U.S. auto sales seen up 30%, Kelley Blue Book reports

http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automotive/chi-may-us-auto-sales-seen-up-30-kelley-predicts-20120523,0,561460.story

Monthly sales expected to rise 30 percent, research firms predict

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120523/RETAIL01/120529962/1448/monthly-sales-expected-to-rise-30-percent-research-firms-predict

The Top Cars for Graduates: Beyond the used Camry

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304019404577420110990378098.html

European financial crisis hits U.S. automakers

http://www.fi-magazine.com/Channel/Finance/News/Story/2012/05/European-Financial-Crisis-Hits-U-S-Automakers.aspx

Survey names KBB best site

http://www.usedcarnews.com/home/dealers/4228-survey-names-kbb-best-site

Kelley Blue Book tracks car values

http://www.usedcarnews.com/home/dealers/4192-kelley-tracks-car-values

2012 Honda Odyssey wins Kelley Blue Book award for Best Resale Value

http://pr-usa.net/index.php?id=1190119&Itemid=34&option=com_content&task=view

**Top News**

Ford gets its iconic ‘Blue Oval’ logo out of hock

http://money.cnn.com/2012/05/22/autos/ford-investment-grade/index.htm

Ford’s credit rating raised to investment grade by Moody’s

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120522/OEM/120529973/1424/fords-credit-rating-raised-to-investment-grade-by-moodys

Credit upgrade vindicates Ford

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120523/OPINION03/205230332/1148/auto01/Credit-upgrade-vindicates-Ford

Fiat to develop Alfa Romeo Duetto successor with Mazda

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-23/mazda-says-it-will-jointly-build-sports-car-with-italy-s-fiat.html

Italian Miata? Mazda, Alfa to collaborate on new roadster

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/05/23/italian-miata-mazda-alfa-to-collaborate-on-new-roadster/

Mazda and Fiat’s Alfa Romeo creating new sports car

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/05/mazda-mx-5-miata-chrysler-fiat-alfa-romeo/1

Late payment rate on auto loans now lowest in 13 years

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/05/late-auto-loans-rate-declines/1

**OEM/Vehicle News**

Chrysler promotion delays 1^st payment for 3 months

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120522/RETAIL01/120529977/1403/chrysler-promotion-delays-1st-payment-for-3-months

Tesla rises after setting delivery date for Model S sedan

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-22/tesla-rises-after-setting-delivery-date-for-model-s-sedan.html

Proposed J-V in China won’t help over-expanded Chery

http://adage.com/article/global-news/proposed-car-j-v-china-expanded-chery/234831/

Infiniti moves global HQ to Hong Kong from Japan

http://adage.com/article/global-news/infiniti-moves-global-hq-hong-kong-japan/234914/

2013 Acura ILX: New ‘entry-level’ model for $25,900

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/05/23/2013-acura-ilx-new-entry-level-model-for-25900/

Mini John Cooper Works gets Countryman, automatic

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/05/mini-john-cooper-works-line-gets-countryman-automatic/1

EcoBoost and latest update to MyFordTouch

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2012/05/ecoboost-and-the-latest-update-to-myfordtouch/

Toyota recalls ’13 GS 350 for steering software flaw

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120523/AUTO0104/205230390/1148/auto01/Toyota-recalls-13-GS-350-steering-software-flaw

**Dealer/Industry News**

Cadillac requires review of dealer ads to boost image

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/05/cadillac-tries-to-ax-low-brow-dealer-ads-before-xts-launch/1

Autoworkers pushed to limit as many plants max out

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/05/auto-plants-ford-gm-chrysler/1

Obama campaign criticizes Romney on bankrupt auto supplier

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120523/POLITICS01/205230403/1148/auto01/Obama-campaign-criticizes-Romney-bankrupt-auto-supplier

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

Honda, IndyCar, Mario Andretti… and you?

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/175347/honda-indycar-mario-andretti-and-you.html?edition=47189

Nissan Altima turning a corner

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/175277/nissan-altima-turning-a-corner.html?edition=47189

Honda grabs Super Mario for Indy push

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/175322/honda-grabs-super-mario-for-indy-push.html?edition=47189

Toyota serves up NASCAR Camry

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/175349/toyota-serves-up-nascar-camry.html?edition=47189

‘Mad Men’ pep talk and the power of automakers and their ad agencies

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120523/BLOG06/120529960/1503/mad-men-pep-talk-and-the-power-of-automakers-and-their-ad-agencies

Cars for Facebook billionaires (yes, they’re still rich)

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2012/autos/1205/gallery.facebook-cars/

OnStar launches mobile app for BlackBerry users

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120523/AUTO0103/205230399/1148/auto01/OnStar-launches-mobile-app-BlackBerry-users

TBS promoting Facebook ads as upfront package

http://adage.com/article/digital/tbs-promoting-facebook-ads-part-upfront-package/234925/

Brands flock to ‘Instagram for Video’ apps

http://adage.com/article/digital/brands-flock-instagram-video-apps/234920/

How to keep up with hyper-connected consumers

http://www.imediaconnection.com/summits/coverage/31789.asp?imcid=coverage

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