Inside the Industry

Acura launches social marketing campaign for TSX Sport Wagon

(January 18, 2011) TORRANCE, Calif. — Acura announced today that it will launch a social marketing campaign to help promote the all-new 2011 TSX Sport Wagon.

The "Compete Like a Pro" campaign, hosted on Acura's Facebook page, aims to engage action sports athletes to compete by activating their social networks for top votes to win a TSX Sport Wagon.

A new Chevy sold every 7.4 seconds in 2010

(January 18, 2011) DETROIT — Chevrolet sold 4.26 million vehicles globally in 2010, an average of one every 7.4 seconds. As a result, Chevrolet’s share of global vehicle industry sales grew by 0.35 points as the brand accounted for about 5.8 percent of all vehicles sold worldwide in 2010.

Of the top five global vehicle brands, only Chevrolet grew its total market share last year.

UAW head pushes to unionize Asian auto plants in U.S.

(January 18, 2011) WASHINGTON —  If United Auto Workers President Bob King reaches his goal, at least one Japanese or South Korean auto plant in the U.S. will become a union plant before the end of the year.

King has announced his goal of unionizing the totally union-free foreign assembly plants throughout the United States and especially in the South.

Overall attendance down, but RV visits to national parks up in 2010

(January 17, 2010) What will $4 gas do to RV travel? We might find out this summer if a barrel of oil hits and goes over $100.

But apparently prices hovering between $2.75 and $3 did not phase motorhome vacationeers in 2010 even as the overall number of national park users declined.

Detroit auto show attendance up

(January 17, 2011) DETROIT — The 2011 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) continued to exceed attendance figures for the second consecutive day over the 2010 show.

Attendance was up nearly six percent for the first two public show days.

Chevy Volt equipped for winter driving

(January 17, 2011) DETROIT —  When the first Chevrolet Volts purchased by retail customers rolled off the delivery trucks in New Jersey recently, they were met with the season’s first major blast of winter weather. The new owners quickly found out the world’s first extended-range electric vehicle came fully winterized.

One of the goals in developing the Volt was to create a plug-in electric vehicle suitable for everyday use regardless of weather. 

Dodge has performance running shoes on again in 2011

(January 16, 2011) The Dodge brand announced it is keeping its performance running shoes on in 2011, continuing its partnership with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series as the “Official Automotive Partner” and “Official Vehicle” of this year’s races.

European Ford sales down about 1 percent in 2010

(January 15, 2011) COLOGNE — Ford remained a strong sales leader in Europe in 2010, despite a volume and market share decrease compared to the previous year.

Maintaining its position as the No.2 passenger car brand in Europe for the third successive year, Ford's market share in its main 19 European markets was 8.4 per cent, a decrease of 0.7 percentage points from 2009.

Buy a Corvette, get free tuition to driving school

(January 15, 2011) DETROIT — Chevrolet announced this week that U.S. customers who purchase any model of a new Corvette through February 28 can receive free tuition at either of the two official Corvette driving schools.

This unique benefit marks the upcoming Corvette racing season in the American LeMans Series, and adds to an unmatched set of experiences available to Corvette owners.

GM expands recall of 2011 trucks to replace rear axle cross pin

(January 15, 2011) DETROIT — General Motors is expanding a recall of certain 2011 model year trucks to include additional full-size trucks and midsize pickup trucks to replace the rear axle cross pin that may have been improperly heat-treated and could fracture, causing the axle to lock while driving.