The prestigious Land Rover Range Rover is this week’s Hot Car Report biggest riser thanks to its recent redesign. The iconic utility vehicle starts in the low $80,000s, but the price point isn’t stopping consumers from taking notice of the latest Range Rover. The new generation shed a whopping 700 pounds from the previous model, and the latest iteration includes an all-new Terrain Response System for those consumers who love off-roading…

 

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**

 

Ford doubles dividend

http://money.cnn.com/2013/01/10/investing/ford-dividend/index.html

 

Ford doubles dividend to 10 cents on record margins

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-10/ford-doubles-quarterly-dividend-to-dime-on-record-margins.html

 

Ford doubles quarterly dividend as Europe downturn worries ease

http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-ford-raises-dividend-20130110,0,2067347.story

 

Union and Chrysler spar over automaker’s IPO

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324081704578231971070591446.html?mod=WSJ_Autos_AutoIndustry3

 

Chrysler sees UAW trust pushing for possible IPO

http://www.autonews.com/article/20130109/OEM/301099740/chrysler-sees-uaw-trust-pushing-for-possible-ipo

 

 

**OEM/Vehicle News**

 

GM expects 'modest' U.S. market share gains in 2013, Akerson says

http://www.autonews.com/article/20130109/RETAIL01/130109905/gm-expects-modest-u-s-market-share-gains-in-2013-akerson-says

 

BMW targets 2013 sales record after lead over Audi widens

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-10/bmw-targets-2013-sales-record-after-lead-over-audi-widens.html

 

GM, Peugeot pledge to deepen car alliance

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324081704578231774190498216.html?mod=WSJ_Autos_AutoIndustry3

 

Nissan begins building Leaf electric cars in U.S. plant

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2013/01/10/nissan-begins-building-leaf-electric-cars-in-u-s-plant/

 

Automakers are worried about driverless cars

http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2013/01/10/automakers-are-worried-about-driverless-cars/

 

VW offers to buy out MAN SE investors to push integration

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-09/vw-to-seek-man-se-domination-agreement-to-push-integration.html

 

Toyota freezing plant construction

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2013/01/toyota-freezing-plant-construction/

 

Honda plans $23M Ohio expansion to build Accord Hybrid

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130110/OEM05/130119994/honda-plans-23m-ohio-expansion-to-build-accord-hybrid

 

Drive On: Lexus shows first photos of new IS

http://www.usatoday.com/story/driveon/2013/01/10/lexus-is/1822467/

 

GM to open IT center near Atlanta, creating 1,000 jobs

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130110/AUTO0103/301100422/1148/AUTO01/GM-open-center-near-Atlanta-creating-1-000-jobs

 

Toyota wins dismissal of Prius brakes class-action claims

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-10/toyota-wins-dismissal-of-class-action-claims-over-prius-brakes.html

 

Toyota tries carbon fiber roof in family sedan

http://www.autonews.com/article/20130110/OEM01/130119993/toyota-tries-carbon-fiber-roof-in-family-sedan

 

 

**Dealer/Industry News**

 

US Bank data shows 2012 credit approvals jump by more than 25 percent from previous year

http://www.autoremarketing.com/financial-services/us-bank-data-shows-2012-credit-approvals-jump-more-25-percent-previous-year

 

Jack Teahen - friend, mentor, 'numbers nut,' curmudgeon, cornerstone of Automotive News - dies at 87

http://www.autonews.com/article/20130109/OEM02/130109900/jack-teahen-friend-mentor-numbers-nut-curmudgeon-cornerstone

 

Feds want to turn up the volume on battery cars

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/feds-want-turn-volume-battery-cars-1B7894114

 

 

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

 

Kia cements Georgia footprint with hall of fame

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/190668/kia-cements-georgia-footprint-with-hall-of-fame.html?edition=55275#axzz2HadUUemW

 

Kia Motors America launches three-part marketing campaign for significantly redesigned 2014 Sorento

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kia-motors-america-launches-three-part-marketing-campaign-for-significantly-redesigned-2014-sorento-186200872.html

 

Nissan GT Academy winners race Dubai 24

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/190719/nissan-gt-academy-winners-race-dubai-24.html?edition=55275#axzz2HadUUemW

Updated: Who’s buying what in Super Bowl 2013

http://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/buying-super-bowl-2013/238489/

 

Social media sites you should ditch in 2013

http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/46041.aspx

 

 

 

 

***Want even more news from Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com?  Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/kelleybluebook