(January 27, 2012) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — More than 40 percent of new-vehicle buyers who avoided a particular model due to quality or reliability concerns say they based their opinions on conventional wisdom or common knowledge rather than personal experience, reviews, ratings or recommendations, according to the newest J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Avoider Study.
RALEIGH, N.C. — Traditionalist SUV buyers, those who prefer their vehicle to look like a box, have found comfort behind the wheel of the mid-size Honda Pilot since its remake in 2009. Not only does it meet their idea of design but like most Honda fans they are looking for traditional Honda reliability and resale value. This appeal was pointed up by 2011 sales figures. More than 116,000 copies of the Pilot were sold, a 14,000 unit gain over 2010.
GOLDSBORO, N.C. — When speaking of the excellent new crop of compact cars already in American showrooms or on the way later this year, seldom is the Subaru Impreza part of the discussion. That may be changing in the coming months with the introduction of an all-new, stylish and more fuel efficient Impreza. The redesigned 2012 Subaru is better looking, has more interior space and is more fuel efficient than its predecessor.
AUSTIN, Texas — The mid-sized sedan segment has probably never been more competitive than it will become during 2012 as a number of all-new models hit the market. Perhaps for that reason Chevrolet decided to get its completely redone 2013 Malibu into the hands of consumers six months ahead of the original schedule. The new Malibu will go on sale in mid-February with just one drivetrain, a mild hybrid system that General Motors calls eAssist.
Some pundits had a good time mocking the name when Chevrolet announced last year that it was calling its all-new sub-compact car the Sonic. In with the Sonic, out with the Aveo; sort of. The Sonic name is exclusive to North America while other markets will still have the Aveo name attached to the vehicle.
Good name, bad name? GM says Sonic “is a youthful, energetic name that helps convey what this vehicle is about.” Sonic does seems to fit the car, but so many other products already wear the name including a fast food chain and one of the largest automotive dealership chains in the country.
(January 27, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — An estimated 866,655 new cars will be sold in January, for a projected Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) of 13.4 million units, forecasts Edmunds.com. This sales pace is relatively flat from the 13.5 million SAAR recorded last month, but up from the 12.6 million SAAR from January 2011.
(January 26, 2012) Never mind that the stylish Land Rover Range Rover Evoque has won more than 50 awards around the world, the last being the North American "Truck of the Year" announced at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this month. In recent testing, the Evoque failed to gain "recommended" status by Consumer Reports magazine.
And Consumer Reports says the equally new BMW X3, a finalist for North American Truck of the Year, handily outpointed its European rivals in a head-to-head match up.
(January 26, 2012) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — New-vehicle retail sales performance in January is abating fears of any reversal from the strong close to 2011, according to a monthly sales forecast developed by J.D. Power and Associates Power Information Network (PIN) and LMC Automotive.
(January 27, 2012) BREA, Calif. — Suzuki has released its 2012 Super Bowl commercial — "Sled" — on the automaker's Facebook and YouTube pages.
The commercial that highlights the all-wheel-drive version of the Suzuki Kizashi Sport. This is the second consecutive winter-themed Super Bowl commercial for Suzuki. Last year, the Kizashi battled "wicked weather" snowmen inspired by the comic strip "Calvin and Hobbes."
(January 27, 2012) GAYDON, England — Aston Martin will debut the first production V12 Zagato at the Kuwait Concours d’ Elegance Feb. 15-18.
The Kuwait Concours d’Elegance, in its third successive year, is the only event of its type in the Middle East and plays host to some of the world’s finest automotive art from over 19 countries. Having gone from strength to strength in the past two years, this event has become the earliest of its type in what is considered by car connoisseurs as "the season."
(January 26, 2012) HOUSTON — The Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) on Wednesday presented Ford truck team members with the prestigious Truck of Texas trophy at an awards luncheon inside Reliant Center — home of the 2012 Houston Auto Show. TAWA named the 2012 Ford F-150 Truck of Texas after the annual Truck Rodeo in October.
(January 27, 2012) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — More than 40 percent of new-vehicle buyers who avoided a particular model due to quality or reliability concerns say they based their opinions on conventional wisdom or common knowledge rather than personal experience, reviews, ratings or recommendations, according to the newest J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Avoider Study.
(January 27, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — An estimated 866,655 new cars will be sold in January, for a projected Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) of 13.4 million units, forecasts Edmunds.com. This sales pace is relatively flat from the 13.5 million SAAR recorded last month, but up from the 12.6 million SAAR from January 2011.
(January 26, 2012) Never mind that the stylish Land Rover Range Rover Evoque has won more than 50 awards around the world, the last being the North American "Truck of the Year" announced at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this month. In recent testing, the Evoque failed to gain "recommended" status by Consumer Reports magazine.
(January 27, 2012) BREA, Calif. — Suzuki has released its 2012 Super Bowl commercial — "Sled" — on the automaker's Facebook and YouTube pages. 
(January 27, 2012) GAYDON, England — Aston Martin will debut the first production V12 Zagato at the Kuwait Concours d’ Elegance Feb. 15-18.
(January 26, 2012) HOUSTON — The Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) on Wednesday presented Ford truck team members with the prestigious Truck of Texas trophy at an awards luncheon inside Reliant Center — home of the 2012 Houston Auto Show. TAWA named the 2012 Ford F-150 Truck of Texas after the annual Truck Rodeo in October. 
