The games officially started, and KBB.com saw the benefits of the three automakers with prominent exposure during the Olympics. The ‘2013 Cadillac ATS vs. the World’ ad debuted during the Olympic Opening Ceremony, which drew interest among consumers to research the model on KBB.com. Also, as the official automotive partner of the 2012 Summer Olympics, BMW Group has been attracting buzz around the X1…

 

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

 

 

**KBB Editorial**
 

2013 Lexus LS Series revealed

http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/2013-lexus-ls-series-revealed/

 

2013 Volvo S60 First Review: More traction equals more action

http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/2013-volvo-s60-first-review-more-traction-equals-more-action/

 

2014 Kia Forte -- first photos

http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/2014-kia-forte-__-first-photos/

 

Study says devices fall short in preventing kids being left in cars

http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/study-says-devices-fall-short-in-preventing-kids-being-left-in-cars/

 

2013 Nissan Pathfinder previewed

http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/2013-nissan-pathfinder-previewed/

 

 

**July Sales News**

 

How February sales can cool off – in July

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120801/BLOG06/308019757/1448

 

Chrysler sales up 13%; best July since ‘07

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120801/RETAIL01/120809983/1448

 

Ford hurt by falling fleet sales

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120801/RETAIL01/120809982/1448

 

Asian makers: Nissan, Subaru sales rise 16% in July

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/08/nissan-sees-sales-rise-with-infiniti-leading-the-way/1

 

Honda continues strong 2012; CR-V leads the way

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120801/RETAIL01/120809988/1448

 

Altima launch lifts Nissan brand 12%

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120801/RETAIL01/120809989/1448

 

Toyota posts 26% gain, adds incentives to keep momentum

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120801/RETAIL01/120809981/1448

 

Hyundai sales up 4%; higher output imminent

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120801/RETAIL01/120809990/1448

 

Euro makers: Volkswagen has best July since 1973, BMW up

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/08/volkswagen-has-strongest-july-sales-since-1973/1

 

Mercedes lead over BMW narrows to 104 units in U.S. luxury fight

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120801/RETAIL01/120809980/1448

 

Audi sets all-time July sales record with 28% increase

http://www.audiusanews.com/newsrelease.do?&id=3082&allImage=1&teaser=audi-sets-all-time-u.s-july-sales-record&mid=1

 

BMW Group U.S. reports July 2012 sales

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bmw-group-us-reports-july-2012-sales-164605176.html

 

Chrysler Group LLC reports July 2012 U.S. sales increased 13 percent; best July sales in five years

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chrysler-group-llc-reports-july-2012-us-sales-increased-13-percent-best-july-sales-in-five-years-164566796.html

 

Ford Fusion achieves best-ever July sales, Explorer best July sales in six years, F-Series gains for 12^th straight month

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ford-fusion-achieves-best-ever-july-sales-explorer-best-july-sales-in-six-years-f-series-gains-for-12th-straight-month-164574496.html

 

GM U.S. sales down on lower rental volume

http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2012/Aug/gmsales.html

 

American Honda reports July auto sales: CR-V sets seventh consecutive monthly sales record; Acura RDX sales up more than 142 percent

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-honda-reports-july-auto-sales-cr-v-sets-seventh-consecutive-monthly-sales-record-acura-rdx-sales-up-more-than-142-percent-164619826.html

 

Hyundai registers record July sales

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hyundai-registers-record-july-sales-164590846.html

 

Infiniti sales increase 56.8 percent in July

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/infiniti-sales-increase-568-percent-in-july-164604486.html

 

Jaguar Land Rover reports U.S. sales for July 2012

http://www.interactivejaguar.com/jaguar/DisplayRelease.php?itemID=448

 

Kia Motor America begins second half of 2012 with best-ever July sales

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kia-motors-america-begins-second-half-of-2012-with-best-ever-july-sales-164602966.html

 

Mazda reports July sales

http://mazdausamedia.com/content/mazda-reports-july-sales-0

 

Mercedes-Benz posts July sales of 19,311

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mercedes-benz-posts-july-sales-of-19311-164629936.html

 

Mitsubishi Motors reports July sales

http://media.mitsubishicars.com/releases/c7e493fb-0add-44b9-9445-b095e9298eaf

 

Nissan North America sales increase 16.2 percent in July

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nissan-north-america-sales-increase-162-in-july-164602276.html

 

Porsche reports July sales

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/porsche-reports-july-sales-164603726.html

 

Subaru of America, Inc. July sales mark eight consecutive months of sales gains

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/subaru-of-america-inc-july-sales-mark-eight-consecutive-months-of-sales-gains-164599026.html

 

American Suzuki July 2012 sales

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-suzuki-july-2012-sales-164620356.html

 

Toyota Motor Sales reports rise in July 2012 sales

http://www.pressroom.toyota.com/releases/toyota+sales+increase+july+2012.htm

 

Volkswagen reports 27.3% sales increase in July

http://www.media.vw.com/pressrelease/1129/1/volkswagen-reports-27.3-sales-increase-july

 

Volvo announces July sales

https://www.media.volvocars.com/us/enhanced/en-us/Media/Preview.aspx?mediaid=45049

 

 

**Top News**

 

GM earns $1.5 billion in second quarter despite Europe loss

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/08/gm-profit-europe-big-loss-/1

 

General Motors profit slides as automaker piles up European losses

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-gm-second-quarter-earnings-20120802,0,5513084.story

 

GM earnings top forecasts despite Europe woes

http://money.cnn.com/2012/08/02/news/companies/gm-earnings/index.htm

 

Is GM glass half full or half empty?

http://www.cnbc.com/id/48463412

 

 

**OEM/Vehicle News**

 

Fiat Italy spending halt prompts government action calls

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-02/fiat-halts-new-spending-in-italy-with-sales-plunging.html

 

Production starts in Japan of new Mazda6

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/08/production-starts-in-japan-of-new-mazda6/1

 

2013 ILX is stylish, nimble and has lower Acura base price

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2013-ilx-is-stylish-nimble-and-has-lowest-acura-base-price/2012/08/01/gJQA1wEKPX_story.html

 

Toyota recalling 778,000 RAV4 SUVs for suspension problems

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/toyota-recalling-778000-rav4-suvs-for-suspension-problems/2012/08/01/gJQACzX3PX_story.html

 

Volkswagen recruits from McDonald’s for plant workers

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/08/volkswagen-recruits-from-mcdonalds-for-plant-workers/1

 

 

**Dealer/Industry News**

 

Government policy change helps drive car sales in Japan

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/08/01/government-policy-change-helps-drive-car-sales-in-japan/

 

Indian auto makers post higher sales

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/08/01/indian-auto-makers-post-higher-sales/

 

Give back your loaner car – or else!

http://www.cnbc.com/id/48445140

 

 

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

 

GM’s Batey on marketing strategy, agency, partners: ‘There is no change’

http://adage.com/article/news/gm-s-batey-marketing-strategy-change/236440/

 

Romney ad drags General Motors bailout into campaign

http://adage.com/article/campaign-trail/romney-ad-drags-general-motors-bailout-campaign/236436/

 

Mercedes-Benz celebrates summer with ‘Best Summer Campaign’

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mercedes-benz-celebrates-summer-with-best-summer-campaign-164730226.html

 

Facebook enhances content targeting for brands

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/180022/facebook-enhances-content-targeting-for-brands.html?edition=49656

 

How to calculate negative feedback on Facebook

http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/45294.aspx

 

The 4 best times to engage your followers

http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/32380.asp

 

U.S. advertising to lead to global mobile ad spend

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/180027/us-advertising-to-lead-global-mobile-ad-spend.html?edition=49653

 

 

 

 

 

 

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