Inside the Industry

Toyota offers 5,000 miles of free gas with purchase in UK

(June 2, 2011) Toyota is offering an estimated six months of free fill-ups (5,000 miles maximum) for the purchase of a new Aygo, Yaris, Auris and Verso in the UK. That's a deal that might move a view vehicles off the lots in the United States as well.

Each new car will be sold with a pre-loaded Visa card covering the cost of 5,000 miles of motoring – about the distance covered on average in six months of driving.

Chrysler outshines GM, Ford in May with 10 percent gain

(June 2, 2011) The Chrysler Group showed surprising strength in what turned out to be a lackluster May for its U.S. rivals, General Motors and Ford. Chrysler reported sales of 115,363, a 10 percent increase over May 2010 and moved into third place in market share ahead of Toyota.

Chrysler's success can be attributed to a large number of all-new or significantly-refreshed 2011 models and the resurgence of the Jeep brand, which showed a 55 percent gain over May 2010.

Japanese brands struggle in May; sales at GM, Ford sluggish

(June 1, 2011) May light vehicle sales in the U.S. were mixed with more losers than winners. As expected Honda and Toyota saw their sales falter because of low inventory created by parts shortages following the March earthquake in Japan.

Toyota sold 108,387 units, a decrease of 33 percent compared to the same period last year. Honda was down 23 percent compared to May 2010 with sales of 90,773. Year-to-date, Toyota is down 1 percent and Honda is up 7 percent.

Kia posts record sales for third straight month

(June 1, 2011) IRVINE, Calif. — Kia Motors America's unprecedented growth trend continued in May with the brand posting its best-ever monthly sales of 48,212 units — a 53.4-percent increase from May 2010, and a 2.4-percent increase over the previous record set last month. 

Toyota recalling first-generation Prius over steering issue

(June 1, 2011) TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota today announced that it will conduct a voluntary safety recall involving approximately 52,000 first-generation 2001 through 2003 Prius vehicles sold in the U.S. to replace the electric power steering pinion shaft attachment nuts.

The announcement is for U.S. vehicles included in Toyota’s global recall of 106,000 vehicles.

Now there's an application for guidance after an accident

(June 1, 2011) ORLANDO, Fla. (PRNewswire-USNewswire) — AAA recently launched the latest addition to its suite of free mobile applications with the release of the AAA Insurance app for iPhone and iPad. The AAA Insurance app walks drivers through the post-traffic crash process of collecting information, photos and even requesting a tow truck.

GM to invest $88 million in Grand River plant

(May 31, 2011) LANSING, Mich. – General Motors will invest $88 million for a future product at the Lansing Grand River assembly plant, home of the Cadillac CTS models.

The investment will be used for equipment and tooling for a new model.

As month ends sales continue to show weakness

(May 31, 2011) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. -- The return of some incentive programs has not been enough to drive more consumers into showrooms, as May new-vehicle retail sales continue to exhibit weakness through the third week of the month, according to J.D. Power and Associates, which gathers real-time transaction data from more than 8,900 retail franchisees throughout the United States.

Honda Civic plant to add 1,000 workers

(May 31, 2011) Honda reported today that it will add 1,000 jobs at its Greenburg, Ind., plant by the end of the year by adding a second shift.

The plant makes the  Honda Civic sedan and the Honda Civic GX natural gas vehicle. Civics are also made at plants in Ohio and Ontario. Demand has been rising for the Civic and other small cars as gasoline prices hit $4 a gallon in the U.S.

Auto insurance rates continue slow climb

(May 31, 2011) LOS ANGELES (PRNewswire) -- Policy prices continued their slow ascent, two states signed "no pay, no play" proposals into law, the Kansas government banned crash taxes statewide, Allstate finalized plans for a $1 billion acquisition and a report indicated that 37 million quotes were generated through online auto coverage sites in 2010.