May 2012

Toyota sales up 11.6 percent compared to April 2011

(May 2, 2012) TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota is has reported sales of 178,044 units in April, an increase of 25.5 percent compared to April 2011 on a daily selling rate (DSR) basis. Unadjusted for 24 selling days in April 2012 versus 27 selling days in April 2011, TMS sales were up 11.6 percent over the year-ago month on a raw volume basis.
 

Smart eball game wins gold ADC award

(May 2, 2012) NEW YORK — The smart won gold in the category of “Interactive/ Physical Innovations” in the annual international Art Directors Club (ADC) Awards with its interactive eball game. The 91st ADC Awards ceremony will be held in New York on May 8.

Nissan GT-R named Car of Texas at annual event

(May 2, 2012) FORT WORTH, Texas — The Nissan GT-R sports car was named 2012 Car of Texas and the Chrysler Town & Country minivan was named Family Car of Texas at the Texas Auto Writers Spring Challenge here Monday.

New luxury Kia goes on sale in Korea; export sales expected later this year

(May 2, 2012) Kia’s all-new luxury flagship sedan, the K9, has gone on sale in Korea, introducing Kia to into the luxury sedan segment in the global automotive market. The striking new rear-wheel drive will be launched in a number of key overseas markets starting in the fourth quarter of 2012. The new luxury sedan is expected to be sold in the U.S., but there has been no official word. If it is offered in North America it will probably get a new name.

Nissan, Infiniti open new dealerships in downtown San Francisco

(May 1, 2012) Expanding into a key sales market that is known for a strong interest in leading-edge technology and environmentally smart products, Nissan and Infiniti have appointed a new Nissan dealer and a new Infiniti dealer in the heart of downtown San Francisco.

The new dealerships are located on Van Ness Ave., one of the Bay Area's most famous and well-traveled automotive retail corridors. Both dealerships are owned and operated by one of the largest automotive retailers in the world — Penske Automotive Group.

Ford Fusion, Edge achieve best-ever April sales

(May 1, 2012) DEARBORN, Mich. — U.S. sales of some of Ford's most fuel-efficient vehicles grew again in April, with the Ford Fusion and Edge setting all-time April records, Explorer reporting its best April sales since 2005 and F-Series sales reaching its best April sales since 2007.

Opel produces 500,000th Insignia since its 2008 debut

(May 1, 2012) RUSSELSHEIM, Germany — Opel this week produced the 500,000th Opel Insignia — a white Insignia Sports Tourer station wagon — on the assembly line of the Russelsheim plant.

“Right from the start we knew that the Insignia was a true winner,” said Plant Director Axel Scheiben.  

Hyundai's Alabama plant adding third shift to meet demand

(May 1, 2012) MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) today announced plans to add a third shift of production at its Montgomery facility. The plant will add 877 positions to support the addition of the third shift bringing the number of jobs created at the plant to more than 3,000. Production capacity will increase by approximately 20,000 units.