The SRT Viper has been trending in recent automotive news as the media pitted the new coupe against the Corvette ZR1.  In addition to the SRT Viper being a completely redesigned icon of American performance, the Viper vs. Corvette rivalry helped drive shopper interest to the car on KBB.com.   Anticipation for the Viper also has ramped up as the vehicle is beginning to arrive at dealership lots…

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

**Top News**

Toyota offered incentives for Kentucky plant expansion

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-17/toyota-offered-incentives-for-kentucky-plant-expansion.html

Toyota to expand Kentucky factory to produce Lexus model

http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-toyota-expands-kentucky-factory-20130418,0,7845934.story

GM: Cruze diesel gets 46 mpg, best non-hybrid

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2013/04/18/chevrolet-diesel-cruze-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-mpg/2091633/

GM: Chevy Cruze diesel to deliver 46 mpg on highway

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130418/OEM06/130419903/gm-chevy-cruze-diesel-to-deliver-46-mpg-on-highway#axzz2QqCBM6cM

**OEM/Vehicle News**

With GLA, Mercedes aims for younger shopper

http://www.autonews.com/article/20130417/BLOG06/130419905/with-gla-mercedes-aims-for-younger-shopper#axzz2Qq9Cxdgo

BMW plans perks to win EV customers

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130418/COPY01/304189842/bmw-plans-perks-to-win-ev-customers#axzz2Qq9O4lBU

VW hires McNabb from Maserati to extend U.S. sales surge

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130418/OEM02/130419896/vw-hires-mcnabb-from-maserati-to-extend-u-s-sales-surge#axzz2Qq9fR01O

Subaru to unveil U.S. capacity expansion to increase inventories

http://www.autonews.com/article/20130418/OEM01/130419894/subaru-to-unveil-u-s-capacity-expansion-to-increase-inventories#axzz2QqCM31px

Toyota to discuss Kentucky expansion on Friday

http://www.freep.com/article/20130418/BUSINESS0104/304180138/toyota-kentucky-camry-avalon-venza

Ex-GM exec Lutz says fuel economy regulations will add 5K to cost of cars

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130418/AUTO01/304180447/1148/auto01/Ex-GM-exec-Lutz-says-fuel-economy-regulations-will-add-5K-cost-cars

**Dealer/Industry News**

AutoNation profits on housing-to-energy U.S. bright spots

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-18/autonation-profits-on-housing-to-energy-u-s-bright-spots.html

China's car market grows more slowly

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2013/04/17/chinas-car-market-grows-more-slowly/2092295/

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

Volvo:  Image-obsessed need not apply

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/198279/volvo-image-obsessed-need-not-apply.html?edition=58976#axzz2Qq2PsRV4

Weber Shandwick exec: More CEOs are using social media

http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/46555.aspx#

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