The Buick Verano is proving that celebrity endorsements drive consumer interest. Following a recent ad for the Dodge Dart featuring Tom Brady, Buick released a series of commercials last week featuring celebrities including Shaquille O’Neal, Peyton Manning, Marisa Miller and Ving Rhames. Several of these spots debuted during ESPN’s popular ESPY Awards show, and now consumers are once again researching Buick’s entry-level luxury Verano, which also has been a past Hot Car Report top gainer…

 

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**

 

Hyundai Motor logs record-high quarterly profit on higher oversea sales

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/hyundai-motor-logs-10-percent-rise-in-2q-profit-on-higher-overseas-sales/2012/07/26/gJQAoDeTAX_story.html

 

Hyundai Motor cuts forecast for global automobile demand

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-26/hyundai-motor-cuts-forecast-for-global-automobile-demand.html

 

Nissan reports profit in April-June down 15 percent, hurt by strong yen

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/nissan-reports-profit-in-april-june-down-15-percent-hurt-by-strong-yen/2012/07/26/gJQAtVjhAX_story.html

 

Nissan Q2 profit down 19.7% on strong yen

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120726/COPY01/307269862/1279/nissan-q2-profit-down-19-7-on-strong-yen

 

Ford profit falls as European losses offset strong U.S. results

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-ford-earnings-20120725,0,2228273.story

 

Ford’s profit falls on weak performance overseas

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/07/25/fords-profit-falls-on-weak-performance-overseas/

 

Ford’s vague plan for Europe

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fords-vague-plan-for-europe-2012-07-25

 

Toyota extends global sales lead over GM, VW after first half

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120725/RETAIL01/120729936/1401/toyota-extends-global-sales-lead-over-gm-vw-after-first-half

 

Toyota all but locks sales crown for 2012, dumping GM

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/07/toyota-all-but-locks-sales-crown-for-2012-dumping-gm/1

 

VW profit rises as Audi gains offset European slump

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-26/vw-profit-rises-as-audi-gains-offset-european-slump.html

 

 

**OEM/Vehicle News**

 

Hyundai Motor profit rises 10% on Tucson sales in Europe

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-26/hyundai-motor-profit-rises-10-helped-by-tucson-sales-in-europe.html

 

Tesla losses grow as it transitions to Model S production

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-tesla-losses-grow-20120725,0,5655744.story

 

GM revamps vehicle line operations to streamline product development

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120725/OEM02/120729939/1144/gm-revamps-vehicle-line-operations-to-streamline-product-development

 

Mazda beefs up 2014 Mazda6 with more dynamic ‘soul of motion’

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120725/OEM04/120729944/1117/mazda-beefs-up-2014-mazda6-with-more-dynamic-soul-of-motion

 

Lincoln prices 2013 MKZ from $36,800

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120724/OEM04/120729956/1256/lincoln-prices-2013-mkz-from-36-800

 

Get ready for the Cadillac ZTS?

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120725/BLOG06/120729933/1499/get-ready-for-the-cadillac-zts

 

Mazda appoints Eric Booth as senior manager of public relations

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mazda-appoints-eric-booth-as-senior-manager-of-public-relations-163709566.html

 

Daimler faces uphill battle to meet target

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/07/25/daimler-faces-uphill-battle-to-meet-target/

 

Peugeot rating cut by Moody’s as losses risk downgrades

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-26/peugeot-rating-cut-by-moody-s-as-losses-risk-downgrades.html

 

Wireless detection system could save pedestrians

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2012/07/wireless-detection-system-could-save-pedestrians/

 

 

**Ad/Media/Marketing News**

 

Volkswagen goes under water to sponsor ‘Shark Week’

http://adage.com/article/media/volkswagen-water-sponsor-shark-week/236310/

 

Cadillac ATS ad to debut during Olympic Opening Ceremony

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/07/25/cadillac-ats-ad-to-debut-during-olympic-opening-ceremony-video/

 

NASCAR, Toyota and Sprint launch ‘Contenders Live’

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/179534/nascar-toyota-and-sprint-launch-contenders-live.html?edition=49442

 

AOL reports global ad revs, earning uptick

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/179553/aol-reports-global-ad-revs-earnings-uptick.html?edition=49443

 

Social media revs to reach nearly $17 billion

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/179609/social-media-revs-to-reach-nearly-17-billion.html?edition=49443

 

Microsoft in unique position to raise app prices

http://www.mobilemarketer.com/cms/news/software-technology/13388.html

 

Your brand is missing the mark on social monitoring for negative feedback

http://blogs.imediaconnection.com/blog/2012/07/25/your-brand-is-missing-the-mark-on-social-monitoring-for-negative-feedback/?ref=IMEDIANEWS

 

 

 

 

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