Gas prices are back on the rise in certain parts of the country, and as a result, two hybrid models increased in KBB.com traffic this week. Interestingly, the Toyota Prius, which is synonymous with the word ‘hybrid’ to many car shoppers, was not one of the risers. Rather, the Ford C-Max and Honda Insight made big leaps in KBB.com share. Is Toyota finally set to face some extremely stiff competition from other manufacturers or is this just a blip on the radar for the hybrid champion? Time will tell…
 

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**

 

GM bets big on lucky 13 for Chevrolet’s lineup next year

http://www.usatoday.com/story/driveon/2012/10/11/chevrolet-impala-spark-impala/1626359/

 

‘Big year’ ahead for Chevrolet

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121011/AUTO0103/210110352/1148/auto01/-Big-year-ahead-Chevrolet

 

Largest-ever Toyota recall is a new black eye

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2012/10/10/toyota-recall-door-locks-image/1624503/

 

Toyota officials say latest recall shows company acted quickly, learning from U.S. mistake

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/toyota-officials-say-latest-recall-shows-company-acted-quickly-learning-from-us-mistake/2012/10/11/cd6c408e-1382-11e2-9a39-1f5a7f6fe945_story.html

 

Toyota recall: Will it hurt consideration?

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/184875/toyota-recall-will-it-hurt-consideration.html?edition=52251

 

 

**OEM/Vehicle News**

 

Cadillac’s global success uncertain

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121011/OPINION03/210110342/1148/auto01/Cadillac-s-global-success-uncertain

 

Fiat’s weak sales, credit downgrade complicate plan to increase Chrysler stake

http://www.freep.com/article/20121011/BUSINESS01/310110138/Fiat-s-weak-sales-credit-downgrade-complicate-plan-to-increase-Chrysler-stake

 

Ford directors said to deliberate on successor for CEO Mulally

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-11/ford-directors-said-to-deliberate-on-successor-for-ceo-mulally.html

 

Mercedes falters in bid to retake global premium crown

http://www.autonews.com/article/20121010/COPY01/310109739/mercedes-falters-in-bid-to-retake-global-premium-crown

 

Ford posts record China sales amid Beijing-Tokyo dispute

http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/10/news/companies/ford-china-sales/index.html

 

U.S. car makers benefit from fuel-efficient fleet

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/10/10/u-s-car-makers-benefit-from-fuel-efficient-fleet/

 

Acura to drop ZDX crossover after 2013 model year

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121010/OEM04/121019986/acura-to-drop-zdx-crossover-after-2013-model-year

 

Bentley, Lamborghini may delay SUVs, sources say

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121011/COPY01/310119852/bentley-lamborghini-may-delay-suvs-sources-say

 

Ford will build on EcoBoost success

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121011/AUTO0102/210110355/1148/auto01/Ford-will-build-EcoBoost-success

 

Ford touts 2013 C-Max Energi as most fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid

http://www.freep.com/article/20121011/BUSINESS0102/121011032/C-Max-Energi-plug-in-hybrid-mileage

 

In California, high gas prices and incentives for fuel-efficient cars go hand in hand

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/10/in-california-high-gas-prices-and-incentives-for-fuel-efficient-cars-go-hand-in-hand/

 

Aston Martin, Lotus recall sports cars for safety flaws

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/10/11/aston-martin-lotus-recall-sports-cars-for-safety-flaws/

 

 

**Dealer/Industry News**

 

Toyota supplier Tokai Rika’s stock falls almost 10% following recall

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121011/OEM11/121019964/toyota-supplier-tokai-rikas-stock-falls-almost-10-following-recall

 

Consumers likely to pay cost of replacing counterfeit airbags, dealers say

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121010/OEM11/121019984/consumers-likely-to-pay-cost-of-replacing-counterfeit-airbags

 

Sirius hikes forecast for 2012 subscriber growth on auto sales

http://www.autonews.com/article/20121010/OEM10/121019983/sirius-hikes-forecast-for-2012-subscriber-growth-on-auto-sales

 

White, silver top list of most popular car colors again, PPG says

http://www.autonews.com/article/20121010/OEM10/121019985/white-silver-top-list-of-most-popular-car-colors-again-ppg-says

 

 

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

 

Chrysler taps Eminem’s 8 Mile for ‘buzz’

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-10/chrysler-taps-eminem-s-8-mile-for-buzz-cars.html

 

How customer loyalty has changed

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/184565/how-customer-loyalty-has-changed.html?edition=52251

 

23 tips for using LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter for business

http://www.marketingprofs.com/articles/2012/9106/23-tips-for-using-linkedin-facebook-and-twitter-for-business?adref=nlt101112

 

Infographic: Portrait of a LinkedIn user

http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/45645.aspx

 

 

 

 

 

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