(December 3, 2012) Honda, BMW, Volkswagen, Toyota and Chrysler set the pace as automakers reported higher November sales in what was another strong month for the industry.

Industry sales climbed 15 percent last month to more than 1.14 million units — topping forecasts. U.S. light-vehicle sales were expected to rise 12 percent in November to 1.11 million units, based on the average estimate from 10 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

(December 3, 2012) DETROIT — When the 2013 Buick Encore luxury small crossover arrives in early 2013, it will feature the same quiet, comfortable, refined characteristics that define larger Buicks — the result of advanced acoustic technology and attention to detail.

(December 3, 2012) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler today reported U.S. sales of 122,565 units, a 14 percent increase compared with sales in November 2011, and the group’s best November sales since 2007.

The Chrysler, Dodge, Ram Truck and Fiat brands each posted year-over-year sales gains in November compared with the same month last year. The Fiat brand’s 123 percent increase was the largest sales gain of any Chrysler Group brand for the month. November marked Chrysler Group’s 32nd-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains.

(December 3, 2012) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford says November was its best hybrid sales month ever with more than 6,000 units sold. Ford has captured an all-time-high 11 percent share of the electrified vehicle market, an increase of more than fivefold this year alone.

November marks the first full month the all-new C-Max Hybrid, all-new C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid and all-new Fusion Hybrid are available on dealer lots.

(December 3, 2012) Porsche held the world premiere of the new Cayman at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show last week. The third generation of the Cayman has been completely new developed. It is lower and longer, lighter and faster, more efficient and more powerful than ever.

(December 3, 2012) LONDON — The Dark Knight has risen — in a special one-off Nissan Juke Nismo in Europe. To celebrate Nissan’s partnership with Warner Bros and the release of the third film in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy on DVD and Blu-Ray this week, Nissan has produced a unique car.

(December 3, 2012) SHANGHAI — SAIC-GM-Wuling announced last week that it will build a third manufacturing plant in Chongqing Municipality to keep pace with the rising demand for its vehicles. The joint venture between GM China, SAIC and Wuling Motors will begin construction of its new facility early next year, pending relevant government approvals.

(December 3, 2012) DETROIT — Cadillac’s new XTS lets drivers decide the design and theme for the luxury sedan’s gauge cluster, an industry-exclusive feature that allows the choice of four layouts from simplistic and minimal to ultra-informative.

The experience is powered by CUE, Cadillac’s in-vehicle experience for connectivity and control and is available on XTS models with the Premium or Platinum trim level.

(December 2, 2012)  LOS ANGELES — Kia unveiled a significantly redesigned version of its popular Sorento CUV at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. Just three years after U.S. production of the CUV began in West Point, Ga., the 2014 Sorento comes to market  as no mere refresh or facelift, boasting instead an all-new chassis, a new Gasoline Direct Injected (GDI) V6 engine, a substantially redesigned interior and a next-generation infotainment system. 

(December 1, 2012) Volvo Cars has decided to lower its December production volumes in the Torslanda plant in Sweden and the Ghent plant in Belgium because of the slowing European car market. This reduction will be realized through a number of production-free days and the removal of a number of work shifts.