Today's News - February 24, 2012

**KBB in the News**

As gas prices rise, Kelley Blue Book recommends shoppers weigh options carefully before making vehicle purchase

http://mediaroom.kbb.com/as-gas-prices-rise-kelley-blue-book-recommends-shoppers-weigh-options-before-making-vehicle-purchase

Kelley Blue Book’s Alec Gutierrez featured on CBS Money Watch – ‘Ask the Experts: Gas Prices’

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7399711n

New-car sales climb in February, but pitfalls could challenge recovery

http://www.autoremarketing.com/trends/new-car-sales-climb-february-pitfalls-could-challenge-recovery

February auto sales portend good year

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/168444/february-auto-sales-portend-good-year.html?edition=43816

Kelley Blue Book expects auto sales number to increase in February

http://www.ocmetro.com/t-Kelley-Blue-Book-KBB-projects-increased-February-sales-2-24-12.aspx

Cheapest 2012 cars to own

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/local/120223-cheapest-2012-cars-to-own

South Hills Audi offers Pittsburgh drivers the best luxury brand according to Kelley Blue Book

http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/sbwire-128281.htm

High prices and limited range keep U.S. buyers away from electric cars

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/02/high-prices-and-limited-range-keep-us.html

KBB Motorcycle History Reports

http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/2012/kelley-blue-book-teams-with-cyclechex

**Top News**

Volkswagen posts record 2011 profit

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-24/volkswagen-profit-advances-to-record-on-demand-for-sport-utility-vehicles.html

Volkswagen more than doubles earnings in 2011

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120224/AUTO0104/202240397/1148/auto01/Volkswagen-more-than-doubles-earnings-2011

GM starts merging Chevy Volt into California carpool lanes

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/02/gm-starts-merging-chevy-volt-into-californias-hov-lanes/1

Chevy Volt cleared for California carpool lanes

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120223/OEM05/120229953/1448/chevy-volt-cleared-for-california-carpool-lanes

**OEM/Vehicle News**

Ford opens plant in China, increasing capacity by a third

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120224/COPY01/302249906/1131/ford-plays-catch-up-in-china-with-new-plan-dealerships

Fiat may close two Italian factories

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120224/AUTO0101/202240408/1148/auto01/Fiat-may-close-two-Italian-factories

Will Tesla’s ‘brick’ force new battery strategy?

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2012/02/will-tesla%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%9cbrick%e2%80%9d-force-new-battery-strategy/

Chrysler’s Chehab: Keep the Town & Country

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120223/RETAIL03/120229952/1251/chryslers-chehab-keep-the-town-country

Ford Fusion to offer interior lighting color options

http://www.freep.com/article/20120224/BUSINESS0102/202240370/Ford-Fusion-offer-interior-lighting-color-options?odyssey=tab

Ferrari 599 successor teased in Internet video

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120224/OEM04/120229940/1305/ferrari-599-successor-teased-in-internet-video

Hyundai makes a pitch for livery-limo niche

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120223/BLOG06/120229951/1499/hyundai-makes-a-pitch-for-livery-limo-niche

Honda recalls Pilot, MDX SUVS for fire risk

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/02/24/honda-recalls-pilot-mdx-suvs-for-fire-risk/

**Dealer/Industry News**

AutoTrader.com finds few consumers use Facebook for vehicle shopping, research

http://www.autoremarketing.com/technology/autotradercom-finds-few-consumers-use-facebook-vehicle-shopping-research

Are Obama, GOP hopefuls fibbing on auto bailout claims?

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/02/fact-check-on-gop-candidate-and-obama-auto-bailout-claims/1

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

Subaru launches FirstCarStory.com allowing car lovers to share their first car experiences through animated storytelling

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/subaru-launches-firstcarstorycom-allowing-car-lovers-to-share-their-first-car-experiences-through-animated-storytelling-140294103.html

Hyundai shines spotlight on all-new Azera as the exclusive automotive sponsor of the 84^th Academy Awards

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hyundai-shines-spotlight-on-all-new-azera-as-the-exclusive-automotive-sponsor-of-the-84th-academy-awards-140182393.html

A shining star emerges at this year’s Oscars: The new Mercedes-Benz 2013 SL 550

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-shining-star-emerges-at-this-years-oscars-the-new-mercedes-benz-2013-sl-550-140156003.html

Chevy-Ford rivalry heats up in Nascar

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/02/24/chevy-ford-rivalry-heats-up-in-nascar/

Does TV have time for two-minute ads?

http://adage.com/article/tuning-in/tv-time-minute-ads/232912/

Mobile use, apps soar, tablets gain traction

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/168496/mobile-use-apps-soar-tablets-gain-traction.html?edition=43818

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