Inside the Industry

The interesting world of abandoned cars

(June 4, 2012) We are adding new, original art to our Abandoned Cars page every week and we invite you to check it out on the Abandoned Car site.

Ford introduces updated 2013 F-150 in Texas

(June 4, 2012) BRUCEVILLE, Texas — Ford today introduced the 2013 Ford F-150, the best-selling pickup in America, to members of the Future Farmers of America (FFA), who will become the agricultural leaders of tomorrow.
 
“Like our hardworking customers, Ford is committed to getting the job done right with our industry-leading trucks,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. “The 2013 F-150 demonstrates our commitment to continuously improving our trucks with new features and capabilities, allowing F-Series owners to be increasingly productive.”

100 customers dine on the Rolls-Royce manufacturing line

(June 3, 2012) Rolls-Royce Motor Cars welcomed more than 100 discerning customers to "dine on the line" last week at the Goodwood plant in England. The unique event, the first held in the history of the company, transformed the assembly hall into an exquisite dining room, with guests entertained in the very place where every Rolls-Royce motor car in the world is hand-built to individual customer commission.

Impreza leads strong May sales for Subaru

(June 2, 2012) CHERRY HILL, N.J. — Subaru on Friday reported record sales for May 2012 of 29,724 vehicles, a 48 percent gain over May 2011. The company also reported year-to-date sales of 136,602, a 22 percent gain over prior year.

The all-new Impreza continues to achieve triple-digit sales gains. May Impreza sales are up more than 235 percent over May 2011; year-to-date sales represent a 170 percent gain over 2011.

Toyota, Honda have strong showings, but new vehicle sales pace slows in May

(June 2, 2012) DETROIT — While light vehicle sales in the U.S. did well in May compared to a weak May 2011, the seasonally adjusted sales rate fell to 13.8 million, the lowest pace in 2012. Overall sales came in under expectations. But sales were still higher than any month during 2011.
May sales were aided by strong showings by Toyota and Honda as well as healthy gains at Chrysler.

Toyota sales increase nearly 90 percent compared to May 2011

(June 1, 2012) TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota today reported sales of 202,973 units, an increase of 72.9 percent compared to May 2011 on a daily selling rate basis.  Unadjusted for 26 selling days in May 2012 versus 24 selling days in May 2011, sales were up 87.3 percent over the year-ago month on a raw volume basis.
 

GM reports highest monthly sales since August 2009

(June 1, 2012) DETROIT – General Motors today reported May sales of 245,256 vehicles in the United States, up 11 percent year over year and the highest monthly total since August 2009 when dealers delivered 246,479 units.  GM retail sales were up 14 percent year-over-year and the retail mix was 70 percent.

CR-V, Civic lead Honda sales resurgence in May

(June 1, 2012) TORRANCE, Calif. — Led by record CR-V crossover sales, American Honda today reported May 2012 U.S. sales of 133,997 units, an increase of 47.6 percent compared to May 2011 (an increase of 36.3 percent based on the daily selling rate).

Infiniti expands into Dominican Republic

(June 1, 2012) FRANKLIN, Tenn. — The global expansion of Infiniti into new luxury markets continues on pace with the recent opening of the first Infiniti retailer in the Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo Motors Company unveiled its newly constructed world-class Infiniti Center in the capital city of Santo Domingo in late March, marking the beginning of modern automotive luxury in the region.

100,000th Passat rolls off Chattanooga assembly line

(June 1, 2012) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Volkswagen Chattanooga has achieved another significant production milestone — the completion of its 100,000th Passat, just nine months after the car went on sale in the U.S. The milestone Passat was handed over to its new owner in a ceremony held today with hundreds of Volkswagen employees at the Chattanooga factory.