The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) refined its frontal crash test rating system methodology, and the Volvo S60 was one of only two cars to receive a top rating. Volvo has a longstanding reputation built on safety, and it appears to be continuing that tradition with the S60. The IIHS also named the Volvo S60 a Top Safety Pick in 2011, along with many other Volvo models: C30, S80, XC60 and XC90…

 

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**

 

David Champion, director of automotive testing for Consumer Reports, joins Nissan

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/22/david-champion-director-of-automotive-testing-for-consumer-reports-joins-nissan/

 

Consumer Reports car-test boss David Champion joins Nissan

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/08/22/consumer-reports-car-test-boss-david-champion-joins-nissan/

 

Nissan hires influential Consumer Reports car test director

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-nissan-nabs-champion-20120822,0,3906962.story

 

Many makers battle for bigger slice of midsize sedan segment

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/08/23/many-makers-battle-for-bigger-slice-of-midsize-sedan-market/

 

 

**OEM/Vehicle News**

 

Big management shake-up on the horizon at GM

http://bottomline.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/22/13415730-big-management-shake-up-on-the-horizon-at-gm?lite&__utma=238145375.1887361562.1345477618.1345650084.1345737315.4&__utmb=238145375.1.10.1345737315&__utmc=238145375&__utmx=-&__utmz=238145375.1345477618.1.1.utmcsr=(direct)|utmccn=(direct)|utmcmd=(none)&__utmv=238145375.|8=Earned%20By=msnbc%7Cbusiness%7Cautos=1^12=Landing%20Content=Mixed=1^13=Landing%20Hostname=www.msnbc.msn.com=1^30=Visit%20Type%20to%20Content=Earned%20to%20Mixed=1&__utmk=161514239

 

VW brand sales climb 12% in July as China offsets Europe slump

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-22/vw-brand-sales-climb-12-in-july-as-china-offsets-europe-slump.html

 

Demand for Audi, Mercedes, BMW down in Europe, China

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120823/AUTO0104/208230341/1148/AUTO01/Demand-Audi-Mercedes-BMW-down-Europe-China

 

Daimler mulls building compact Mercedes cars with Renault-Nissan, report says

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120823/COPY01/308239907/1198/daimler-mulls-building-compact-mercedes-cars-with-renault-nissan

 

Nissan may expand Datsun brand revival to Africa

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120822/RETAIL03/120829964/1018/nissan-may-expand-datsun-brand-revival-to-africa

 

Ford tops U.S. rivals in turbocharged engines

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120823/AUTO0102/208230334/1148/AUTO01/Ford-tops-U-S-rivals-turbocharged-engines

 

Former Audi chief de Nysschen sets out to reshape Infiniti

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2012/08/former-audi-chief-de-nysschen-sets-out-to-reshape-infiniti/

 

BMW is plugged in – but not charged up – about battery cars

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2012/08/bmw-is-plugged-in-but-not-charged-up-about-battery-cars/

 

Next-gen Cruze planned for Lordstown, source says

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120823/OEM01/120829957/1261/next-gen-cruze-planned-for-lordstown-source-says

 

Nissan recalls new Infiniti JX crossover for fuel system problem

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/08/22/nissan-recalls-new-infiniti-jx-crossovers-for-fuel-system-problem/

 

 

**Dealer/Industry News**

 

Fledging auto supplier Detroit Manufacturing Systems expects surge

http://www.freep.com/article/20120823/BUSINESS01/308230156/Fledgling-auto-supplier-expects-surge

 

U.S. auto efficiency rules coming soon, feds say

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120823/OEM11/308239881/1422/u-s-auto-efficiency-rules-coming-soon-feds-say

 

U.S. auto loan delinquency rate hits 13-year low

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-autos-loan-delinquencies-20120823,0,5719002.story

 

China’s auto joint ventures failing to build local brands

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-22/china-s-auto-joint-ventures-failing-to-build-local-brands.html

 

Sirius XM Radio tops 50 million factory vehicle installations

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120822/OEM06/120829963/1182/sirius-xm-radio-tops-50-million-factory-vehicle-installations

 

Charge your electric car at McDonald’s – in Prague

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/08/22/charge-your-electric-car-at-mcdonalds-in-prague/

 

 

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

 

With multimedia show, Ford looks to give Fusion an edge

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/with-multimedia-show-ford-looks-to-give-fusion-an-edge/

 

Auto seats moving up in the world

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/181353/auto-seats-moving-up-in-the-world.html?edition=50355

 

The future of the virtual showroom is at hand – Nissan revs up the dealership experience with Microsoft’s Kinect for Windows

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-future-of-the-virtual-showroom-is-at-hand----nissan-revs-up-the-dealership-experience-with-microsofts-kinect-for-windows-167054975.html?utm_expid=43414375-18&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prnewswire.com%2Fnews-releases%2Fautomotive-transportation-latest-news%2Fautomotive-list%2F%3Fpage%3D2

 

Ally’s Gupta to fill vacant marketing spot at Allstate

http://www.foxbusiness.com/news/2012/08/22/ally-gupta-to-fill-vacant-marketing-spot-at-allstate/

 

Social media users’ age, gender impact site choices

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/181368/social-media-users-age-gender-impact-site-choice.html?edition=50352

 

A brand’s step-by-step guide to using Instagram

http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/45410.aspx

 

Do we need new metrics for social? Yes, and here’s why

http://adage.com/article/digitalnext/metrics-social/236810/

 

Forbes names Most Powerful Women in Media

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/forbes-names-most-powerful-women-media-143048

 

Facebook rolls out studio edge for agencies

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/facebook-rolls-out-studio-edge-agencies-143038

 

 

 

 

 

 

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