With oil refineries ablaze on the West Coast and pipeline malfunctions in the Midwest, the U.S. experienced a rash of gas price increases. KBB.com shoppers immediately adapted to the situation by escaping heavy-duty vehicles and quickly turning their attention to compact cars. The beneficiaries of this trend are the Nissan Versa, Dodge Dart, Hyundai Veloster and Volkswagen Jetta, respectively…

 

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)

 

- Arthur Henry, Market Intelligence Manager and Market Analyst, Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com

 

 

**Top News**

 

Ford boosts investment for battery-powered cars

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-15/ford-boosts-investment-for-battery-powered-cars.html

 

Ford ramps up electric-car development

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/08/15/ford-ramps-up-electric-car-development/

 

Ford envisions electric future with $135M investment

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120816/AUTO0102/208160356/1148/AUTO01/Ford-envisions-electric-future-135M-investment

 

General Motors is headed to bankruptcy – again

http://www.forbes.com/sites/louiswoodhill/2012/08/15/general-motors-is-headed-for-bankruptcy-again/2/

 

The trials of GM’s Dan Akerson

http://money.cnn.com/2012/08/16/autos/gm-dan-akerson.fortune/index.html

 

Akerson’s ride at the top turns bumpy

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120816/OPINION03/208160348/1148/AUTO01/Akerson-s-ride-top-turns-bumpy

 

 

**OEM/Vehicle News**

 

BMW may have padded U.S. July sales to edge Mercedes, report says

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120815/RETAIL01/120819900/1448/bmw-may-have-padded-u-s-july-sales-to-edge-mercedes-report-says

 

Ford’s sales in Europe down 12.3% in July

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120816/AUTO0102/208160432/1148/AUTO01/Ford-s-sales-Europe-down-12-3-July

 

Tesla’s Musk gets option for 5.27 million shares as incentive

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120816/OEM02/120819893/1424/tesla-s-musk-gets-option-for-5-27-million-shares-as-incentive

 

Revamped Camry attracts younger buyers to Toyota

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/08/revamped-camry-attracts-younger-buyers-to-toyota/1

 

Toyota hints it will make sexy Lexus hybrid sports car

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/08/toyota-hints-it-will-make-sexy-lexus-hybrid-sports-car/1

 

Honda to unveil new Accord sedan next week; promises more athletic look

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/honda-to-unveil-new-accord-sedan-next-week-promises-more-athletic-look/2012/08/15/17f12436-e6eb-11e1-9739-eef99c5fb285_story.html

 

Toyota’s $26,000 Scion FR-S flutters like hummingbird

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-16/toyota-s-26-000-scion-fr-s-flutters-like-hummingbird.html

 

Volt sales target is red meat for the bashers

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120816/BLOG06/120819888/1503/volt-sales-target-is-red-meat-for-the-bashers

 

BMW’s Phantom sales in Germany show debt-crisis contagion

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-16/bmw-s-phantom-sales-in-germany-show-debt-crisis-contagion.html

 

Jaguar revival cuts Tata bond risk more than Ford: India credit

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-15/jaguar-revival-cuts-tata-bond-risk-more-than-ford-india-credit.html

 

Battery maker A123 to get initial $25 million from Chinese supplier

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120816/OEM05/120819890/1131/battery-maker-a123-to-get-initial-25-million-from-chinese-supplier

 

Chrysler recalls some ’13 Durangos for air bag problem

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120816/AUTO0101/208160425/1148/AUTO01/Chrysler-recalls-some-13-Durangos-air-bag-problem

 

 

**Dealer/Industry News**

 

Obama delays U.S. fuel-economy ruling past self-imposed deadline

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120815/OEM11/308159801/1186/obama-delays-u-s-fuel-economy-rule-past-self-imposed-deadline

 

Number of dealerships on the rise

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/08/number-of-dealerships-on-the-rise/1

 

U.S. Treasury taps former Chrysler exec to save Ally Financial

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2012/08/us-treasury-taps-former-chrysler-exec-in-bid-to-save-ally-financial/

 

Used-car scams: It’s easier to get burned on the Internet

http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/basics/story/2012-08-15/your-money-used-car-scams/57079486/1

 

Chinese cars recalled in Australia for asbestos

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/08/16/chinese-cars-recalled-in-australia-for-asbestos/

 

 

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

 

Roger Federer touts Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/180876/roger-federer-touts-mercedes-benz-gl-class.html?edition=50112

 

Nissan and Second City Communications bring fans 12 hours of live musical improv to introduce the all-new 2013 Pathfinder

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nissan-and-second-city-communications-bring-fans-12-hours-of-live-musical-improv-to-introduce-the-all-new-2013-pathfinder-166394126.html

 

Ram truck goes retro for poster-art campaign

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/180877/ram-truck-goes-retro-for-poster-art-campaign.html?edition=50112

 

Ford equips employees with iPad devices to bolster foot traffic, engagement

http://www.mobilemarketer.com/cms/news/content/13556.html

 

Lexus sticks with competitor comparisons in model-specific ES app

http://www.luxurydaily.com/lexus-sticks-with-competitor-comparisons-in-model-specific-es-app/

 

Jaguar targets New Yorkers with gargantuan weekend event

http://www.luxurydaily.com/jaguar-targets-new-yorkers-with-disruptive-weekend-event/

 

Ferrari seeks wealthy buyers for F12 at Pebble Beach

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/08/16/ferrari-seeks-wealthy-buyers-for-f12-at-pebble-beach/

 

Ouch! Facebook shares selling for less than GM

http://www.freep.com/article/20120816/BUSINESS0101/120816031/facebook-general-motors

 

Facebook tests news-feed ads that lack social content

http://adage.com/article/digital/facebook-tests-news-feeds-ads-lack-social-context/236695/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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