With gas prices on a steady increase to nearly 50 cents nationwide in the past month alone, consumers are looking for ways to minimize their fuel consumption to cut costs, as evidenced by the various representations of fuel efficient cars in this week’s Hot Car Report.  The Scion iQ achieves high fuel-efficient ratings of 36 city/37 highway mpg by mixing a light-weight chassis with a fuel-sipping small displacement engine… 

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)

- Joe Lu, Market Intelligence Sr. Analyst, Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com

**Top News**

GM said to target up to 20% growth for Volt cars in 2013

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-27/gm-said-to-target-up-to-20-growth-for-volt-cars-in-2013.html

Drive On: GM boosting plug-in car output by 20%

http://www.usatoday.com/story/driveon/2013/02/28/chevrolet-volt-gm-cadillac-elr/1952987/

Chevy Volt changes messaging, sales go up

http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/46299.aspx#

**OEM/Vehicle News**

Why this Jeep should sell - whether you call it Cherokee or not

http://www.autonews.com/article/20130225/BLOG06/130229934/why-this-jeep-should-sell-whether-you-call-it-cherokee-or-not#axzz2MDNAnto0\

Jeep brand is expanding at both ends of the SUV spectrum

http://www.freep.com/article/20130228/BUSINESS01/302280105/Jeep-brand-expanding-both-ends-SUV-spectrum

GM guarantees German jobs in exchange for pay freeze

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-28/gm-guarantees-german-jobs-until-2016-in-pay-freeze-trade.html

Honda to open first new Japan plant in 49 years

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130227/GLOBAL/302279870/-honda-to-open-first-new-japan-plant-in-49-years#axzz2MDMlcBsw

Ford Motor Co. signs deal to sell cars and pickup trucks in Myanmar

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/ford-motor-co-to-sell-cars-trucks-in-myanmar/2013/02/28/86eb3d34-8193-11e2-a671-0307392de8de_story.html

Chrysler unveils plans to make transmissions in Tipton, Ind.

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130228/OEM01/130229889/chrysler-unveils-plans-to-make-transmissions-in-tipton-ind#axzz2MDLTUFdf

Inside the kerfuffle over GM CEO's pay package

http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2013/02/28/inside-the-kerfuffle-over-gm-ceos-pay-package/

Hyundai is nearing settlement on inflated fuel economy litigation

http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-hyundai-kia-fuel-lawsuit-20130227,0,3220476.story

**Dealer/Industry News**

Webb details impact of ‘thinner’ dealer margins on remarketing strategies

http://www.autoremarketing.com/wholesale/webb-details-impact-thinner-dealer-margins-remarketing-strategies

UAW meets with Nissan workers in Tenn. about organizing

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130227/OEM01/130229891/uaw-meets-with-nissan-workers-in-tenn-about-organizing#axzz2MDMdmlom

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

Ford launches chapter 2 of C-MAX campaign

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/194443/ford-launches-chapter-2-of-c-max-campaign.html?edition=57192#axzz2MDIiD54W

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