Hot Car Report - June 7, 2012

First up on the top-movers list this week is the XTS, Cadillac’s new flagship sedan. Innovative features such as the Cadillac CUE telematics system, automatic braking and magnetic ride control all help to give the XTS an edge in a competitive segment that is characterized by a blend of luxury and performance…

 

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, Senior Analyst, Market Intelligence, Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com

 

 

**Top News**

 

’13 Volt’s electric range extended to 38 miles on charge

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120607/AUTO0103/206070422/1148/auto01/-13-Volt-s-electric-range-extended-38-miles-charge

 

Chevrolet Volt getting 10% more range for 2013

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2012/06/chevrolet-volt-getting-10-more-range-for-2013/

 

Snakeskin trim on heated seats driving U.S. pickup sales

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-07/snakeskin-trim-on-heated-seats-driving-u-s-pickup-sales.html

 

 

**OEM/Vehicle News**

 

Tesla sees 20,000 sales in 2013

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120606/OEM05/120609897/1424/tesla-sees-20-000-sales-in-2013

 

Automakers struggle to solve ‘car obesity’ problem

http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/07/12090069-automakers-struggle-to-solve-car-obesity-problem?lite

 

Hyundai prices Veloster Turbo at $22,725

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/06/hyundai-prices-veloster-turbo-at-22725/

 

Honda Fit EV: Performance leader among electric cars?

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/06/06/honda-fit-ev-performance-leader-among-electric-cars/

 

Fiat workers will be paid to stay home, saving $1.25 million

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120607/COPY01/306079977/1193/fiat-workers-will-be-paid-to-stay-home-saving-1-25-million

 

Imported to Detroit: 3 years on, Marchionne proves doubters wrong

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120607/AUTO0101/206070328/1148/auto01/Imported-Detroit-3-years-Marchionne-proves-doubters-wrong

 

Levin: Don’t ‘dump’ GM stock

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120607/AUTO0103/206070340/1148/auto01/Levin-Don-t-dump-GM-stock

 

Is Jeep design going more mainstream?

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/06/06/is-jeep-design-going-more-mainstream/

 

All redone Nissans to get new tire alert-fill system

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/06/all-redone-nissans-to-get-new-tire-alert-fill-system/1

 

MX-5 Spyder fuels speculation

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120607/AUTO03/206070359/1148/auto01/MX-5-Spyder-fuels-speculation

 

In Audi E-tron program, pure electrics surrender some charge to plug-in hybrids

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/07/in-audi-e-tron-program-pure-electrics-surrender-some-charge-to-plug-in-hybrids/

 

F-Type, Range Rover loom large at Jaguar Land Rover

http://www.washingtonpost.com/cars/f-type-range-rover-loom-large-at-jaguar-land-rover/2012/06/06/gJQA6urAJV_story.html

 

Audi rolls out Q3 compact crossover in India

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/06/06/audi-rolls-out-q3-compact-crossover-in-india/

 

Suzuki is building few gas-powered cars in India

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/06/07/suzuki-building-fewer-gas-powered-cars-in-india/

 

 

**Dealer/Industry News**

 

Gasoline prices are falling – where is the tipping point for car sales?

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120606/RETAIL01/120609898/1135/gasoline-prices-are-falling-where-is-the-tipping-point-for-car

 

Carmakers aggravate China glut as dealers struggle

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-06/carmakers-aggravate-china-glut-as-dealers-struggle.html

 

Dealers sue India’s Mahindra over pickup truck fiasco

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/06/dealers-sue-indias-mahindra-over-pickup-truck-fiasco/1

 

LaHood: Fed grants to aid in efforts to end distracted driving

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120607/AUTO01/206070437/1148/auto01/LaHood-Fed-grants-aid-efforts-end-distracted-driving

 

Motorists don’t want Facebook, Twitter in their cars

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/06/gartner-study-twitter-facebook-in-the-car/1

 

Race car driving school fulfills need for speed

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120607/AUTO03/206070358/1148/auto01/Race-car-driving-school-fulfills-need-speed

 

 

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

 

Ford joins top brands in push for plant-based plastics

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/06/ford-joins-top-brands-in-push-for-plant-based-plastics/1

 

Ford partners with New York Yankees on 360-degree mobile campaign

http://www.mobilemarketer.com/cms/news/content/13021.html

 

Hyundai unifies creative in global brand campaign

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120604/RETAIL03/306049946/1018/hyundai-unifies-creative-in-global-brand-campaign

 

Kia raises a Guinness for Optima Hybrid

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/176242/kia-raises-a-guinness-for-optima-hybrid.html?edition=47686

 

Infiniti releases first touch-screen ad for XJ

http://www.luxurydaily.com/infiniti-releases-first-touch-screen-ad-for-xj/

 

Porsche pushes Boxster via road tour, digital campaign

http://www.luxurydaily.com/porsche-pushes-boxster-via-road-tour-digital-campaign/

 

Little-known electric i remains a low-key EV

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120604/RETAIL03/306049973/1018/little-known-electric-i-remains-a-low-key-ev

 

Will ‘Mad Men’ stardom boost vintage Jaguars?

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/06/07/will-mad-men-stardom-boost-vintage-jaguars-slideshow/

 

Pandora reveals latest automotive partner

http://www.autoremarketing.com/technology/pandora-reveals-latest-automotive-partner

 

Icon, builder of custom 4X4s, kicks up dust after perceived snub of Hot Wheels

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/06/icon-builder-of-custom-4x4s-kicks-up-dust-after-perceived-snub-by-hot-wheels/

 

Twitter rebrands, modifies logo

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/twitter-rebrands-modifies-logo-140956

 

Google takes mobile ads to 1 million more advertisers

http://adage.com/article/digital/google-takes-mobile-ads-1-million-advertisers/235211/

 

Common misconceptions about social listening

http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/31981.asp

 

 

 

 

 

 

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