February 2016

Jeep brand enters one of world's largest auto markets — India

(February 4, 2016) NEW DELHI, India — The growing international presence of the Jeep brand marked another milestone today when the brand was introduced to India at the 2016 Auto Expo in New Delhi. With a line-up of three SUVs: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Jeep Grand Cherokee and the high-performance Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, Jeep brand sales in India will start in mid-2016, a year that also marks the brand’s 75th anniversary.

Toyota pulls the plug on youth-oriented Scion brand

(February 3, 2016) TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota is pulling the plug on Scion, the youth-oriented upstart brand it launched in 2002 to appeal to the finicky younger buyers it was struggling to connect with on its own. The reason, according to Toyota is that it is no longer struggling to connect with those buyers.

Toyota officials said Scion achieved its goals of developing unique products and processes, and bringing in new, younger customers to Toyota. With more than a million cars sold, 70 percent of Scions were purchased by customers new to Toyota and 50 percent were under 35 years old.
 

All-new Civic leads Honda Division to new January sales record

(February 3, 2016) TORRANCE, Calif. — American Honda has reported January sales of 100,497 Honda and Acura vehicles, a decrease of 1.7 percent in an unusual month as the industry endured winter weather on both coasts along with two fewer selling days and one less weekend than January 2015.

But the Honda Division set a new January record with 90,247 units sold; Honda car sales reached 50,812 while truck sales totaled 39,435 for the month. Acura sales totaled 10,250 with sedan sales of 3,570 and trucks reaching 6,680 units in January.

Christopher Walken adds 'Pizzazz' to Kia Super Bowl commercial

(February 3, 2016) IRVINE, Calif. — There’s no one quite like Christopher Walken – he is an original.     

And in Kia Motors America’s 2016 Super Bowl commercial, the Academy Award-winner employs a colorfully stylish sock to demonstrate how the next generation Optima stands out in the midsize sedan segment filled with entries that look and drive the same.

Toyota issues safety recall for a variety of vehicles

(February 3, 2016) TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota today announced that it is conducting a safety recall of approximately 320,000 model year 2003-2006 Land Cruiser; 2004-2006 4Runner; 2005-2006 Tundra and Sequoia; 2003-2006 LX 470; and 2004-2006 GX 470 vehicles.

GM inaugurates new performance and racing center

(February 3, 2016) PONTIAC, Mich. — General Motors this week opened the doors to the all-new GM Powertrain Performance and Racing Center – a state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance the development processes for the company’s diverse racing engine programs.

Ford brand SUVs post strongest start since 2004

(February 2, 2016) DEARBORN, Mich., — Coming off strong results last January, Ford’s total U.S. sales of 173,723 vehicles declined 3 percent last month versus a year ago. Bright spots for January include industry-leading transaction price increases for the month, the best start since 2004 for Ford brand SUV sales and an 8-percent gain in sales for Lincoln.

Chevrolet continues as industry's fastest growing brand

(February 2, 2016) DETROIT — General Motors’ Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac dealers in the United States delivered 203,745 vehicles in January, the company’s best January sales performance in eight years. GM’s retail sales were up sharply, climbing 9 percent year over year on the strength of a 12 percent increase at Chevrolet and a 45 percent increase at Buick. Total sales were up 0.5 percent.

FCA reports 7 percent increase in sales over last January

(February 2, 2016) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles today reported U.S. sales of 155,037 units, a 7 percent increase compared with sales in January 2015, and the group’s best January sales in nine years.

The Jeep, Dodge and Ram Truck brands each posted year-over-year sales gains in January compared with the same month a year ago. The Dodge brand’s 19 percent increase was the largest sales gain of any FCA US brand during the month. The group extended its streak of year-over-year sales gains to 70-consecutive months.
 

Mazda implements recall and stop sale of all 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles

(February 2, 2016) WASHINGTON — Mazda Motor Corporation has filed a safety defect report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to address a concern with 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles.

On all 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles, the fuel filler pipe could rupture during a rear collision, and could potentially cause fuel leakage. There are no reports of accidents or injuries occurring in the subject vehicles as a result of this condition.