March 2012

Chrysler — The second half

By Olivier Francois
Chief Marketing Officer, Chrysler Group

(March 31, 2012) During Super Bowl XLVI, Chrysler Group LLC debuted “It's Halftime in America,” an ad that was created to capture the fighting spirit this country is known for and to serve as a reminder that we all have the ability to come together to make a difference.

Study finds customers satisfied with tires ususally satisfied with the vehicle

(March 31, 2012) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — When customers are highly satisfied with their vehicle's original tires, they are more likely to be loyal to the vehicle brand at the time of their next purchase, according to the 2012 J.D. Power and Associates U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study.

The story of how Alan Mulally saved Ford

A book review
By Al Vinikour
MotorwayAmerica.com

(March 31, 2012) Heroes come in many forms: someone who saves a child from a burning building or pulls a pregnant woman from a crashed vehicle that’s ready to explode or even a foster parent who takes in a house full of handicapped children and gives them a better life.

But there’s another kind of hero that normally wouldn’t be recognized in that capacity and in his new book, American Icon, Bryce G. Hoffman highlights arguably the latest and most visible corporate hero in the world, Ford Motor Company CEO Alan Mulally.

Loosening credit, gas prices spark 'March' back to car dealerships

(March 30, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Loosening credit and a shift to more fuel-efficient small cars continues to drive automotive sales, according to the March sales forecast from Edmunds.com. Edmunds.com estimates that 1,451,956 new cars will be sold in March, for a projected Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) of 14.9 million units.

Car auction tricks and strategies exposed

(March 28, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Car auctions are not for the faint of heart, and average consumers would easily find themselves overwhelmed and dizzied by the process if they were to go car-shopping at one, advises Edmunds.com. While many in the public have illusions of finding a sweet deal at a car auction, they may want to think twice before jumping in.

TrueCar predicts March sales to be highest since August 2007

(March 27, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — TrueCar.com today released its March sales and incentives forecast predicting the highest unit sales since August 2007. TrueCar says the Seasonally Adjusted Annualized Rate (SAAR) will be 14.5 million.

Study finds teen girls twice as likely as boys to use cell phones while driving

(March 26, 2012) AURORA, Ill. — Teen girls are twice as likely as teen boys to use cell phones and other electronic devices while driving, according to a new in-car video study released today by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Electronic devices were the most commonly observed distracted driving activity for new teen drivers of both genders, although video captured many other serious distractions as well.

Kia Rio tops Hyundai Accent and Chevrolet Sonic in Consumer Reports' tests

(March 22, 2012) YONKERS, N.Y. — With its nimble handling and well-equipped cabin, the Kia Rio EX outpointed the Hyundai Accent and Chevrolet Sonic as the top rated subcompact sedan in Consumer Reports' latest tests.

The Rio's hatchback version scored lower, but sits firmly in third place behind the previously tested and higher-rated Honda Fit and Nissan Versa SL among the subcompact hatchbacks tested with automatic transmissions. 

Nissan's Ghosn answers questions about return of Datsun brand

(March 22, 2012) Nissan announced earlier this week that it was bringing back the Datsun name three decades after shelving the brand that helped build its U.S. business. This time, Nissan hopes the name synonymous with affordable and reliable small cars will power its growth in emerging markets.

Kelley Blue Book predicts March sales to reach highest level since 2007

(March 22, 2012) IRVINE, Calif. — Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com projects new-vehicle sales to reach 1,425,000 units, or 14.6 million seasonally adjusted sales rate (SAAR), in March.  This is a 24 percent gain from last month and a 14 percent gain from March 2011.

At more than 1.4 million units, sales will be the highest for any March since 2007, when industry sales topped 1.5 million units overall.  March traditionally is a strong month as consumers cash-in their tax returns and head to dealerships for the latest model-year vehicles.