April 2013

New data show Ford Focus world's best-selling car

(April 9, 2013) DEARBORN, Mich. — With final 2012 Polk global market registration data just reporting, Ford Focus is officially the world’s best-selling passenger car, with the Ford F-Series pickup coming in third and Ford Fiesta coming in as the best-selling subcompact.

Ford of Europe puts Transit van through torture tests

(April 8, 2013) LOMMEL, Belgium — Ford’s Transit engineers are well-known for their passion for commercial vehicles. In the case of the all-new Ford Transit Custom van it was more like tough love. More than 150 professional test drivers, plus customer fleet drivers and Ford engineers, put the Ford Transit Custom through a punishing regime, covering the equivalent of three million miles.

Nissan GT-R breaks speed record on ice

(April 8, 2013) LAKE BAIKAL, Russia — The Nissan GT-R supercar goes big, goes cold and goes to Russia to break the speed record on natural ice. Nissan has been touting the performance of the sports car in unusual places this year including snow-packed mountains. Now it's on to a frozen lake in Russia.

Nissan in the UK breaks sales record set in March 2012

(April 7, 2013) Nissan's March sales broke the monthly record set last year in the United Kingdom, the company has reported. During March, 23,576 new Nissans were delivered giving the company a market share of 5.4%, representing a 6.4% increase over the same month in 2012.

Ford Kuga small crossover production increased in Europe

BRENTWOOD, England — Ford Kuga production is set to increase by 10 per cent this year to cope with an increasing demand throughout Europe. As a result, production of Ford’s latest smart utility vehicle is expected to reach 100,000 units annually for the first time.

Technology-laden Juke n-tec joins Nissan's crossover range in the UK

(April 6, 2013) Nissan has added to the appeal of its sector-busting Juke crossover in the United Kingdom, with the arrival of a gadget-laden, design-focused new model. On sale now priced from £16,295 ($24,900), the Juke n-tec delivers even more style, higher equipment levels and an enhanced Nissan Connect infotainment system featuring remote connectivity as standard.

Mercedes-Benz sets worldwide sales record in March

 (April 6, 2013) Mercedes-Benz delivered 139,920 vehicles to customers in March making it the top sales month in history for the Germany company. First-quarter sales were 3.5% higher than in the same period compared to 2012 with 324,898 units sold.

Despite the difficult start of the European automotive market into 2013 that remained below expectations, Mercedes-Benz was able to keep the previous years’ level and to gain market shares in Western Europe. This was due to the success of the new compact cars. In the same period, Mercedes posted strong months in Russia and Ja
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Peyton Manning returns in Buick ad, and he's not 'blindsided'

(April 6, 2013) DETROIT — Football star Peyton Manning returns to TV screens across the country during this weekend’s NCAA men’s basketball Final Four. The spot, called “Blindsided,” is Manning’s second contribution to the “Experience Buick” campaign. It focuses on safety features of the 2013 Verano compact luxury sedan.

'Eleanor' from Nicholas Cage remake of 'Gone in 60 Seconds' on block

(April 5, 2013) WALWORTH, Wis. — A true movie star will make its way down Mecum’s signature red carpet this May in Indianapolis. Known by most simply as “Eleanor,” the modified 1967 Ford Mustang from Touchstone Pictures’ Nicholas Cage remake of “Gone in 60 Seconds” will cross the block as Lot S135 at Dana Mecum’s 26th Original Spring Classic auction this May 14-19.

Ford invests $550,000 in teen driving program in Texas

(April 5, 2013) DALLAS — Ford Motor Company Fund today is announcing an investment of $550,000 in North Texas community programs and nonprofits during the next 12 months as part of a new partnership with area Ford dealers. This brings Ford’s North Texas donations during the past decade to more than $5 million and more than $20 million statewide.