January 2011

Kia wins most improved customer loyalty award

(January 13, 2011) DETROIT /PRNewswire/ — Kia Motors America (KMA) was honored by Polk as the "most improved" automotive brand in customer loyalty in 2010 during the 15th Annual Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards ceremony held at the Automotive News World Congress during the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Lexus clings to best-selling luxury brand title

(January 13, 2011) Lexus faced a stiff challenge to hold on to its best-selling luxury brand title in 2010, but managed to edge out rivals BMW and Mercedes to retain the sales crown for the 11th straight year.

Third-generation Mercedes SLK features transparent roof

(January 13, 2011) The all-new SLK-Class, one of the first of the modern retractable hard-top convertibles when it was introduced in 1996, has been completely redesigned for the 2012 model year.

The third-generation roadster will go on sale this summer.

Honda issues recall of 2,277 2010 Accord, CR-V models

(January 12, 2011) TORRANCE, Calif. — Honda will recall 2,277 model year 2010 Accord 4-cylinder and CR-V vehicles in the U.S. to replace an electrical wire harness coupler in the engine compartment.

2012 Audi A6 wins design award in Detroit

(January 12, 2011) DETROIT — For the fourth time in the past three years, an Audi model has won a prestigious EyesOn Design Award recognizing the best of automotive design displayed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

This year the panel of judges recognized the redesigned Audi A6 as the “Best Production Vehicle” design displayed at the Detroit show, which ranks among the world’s premier automotive exhibitions.

Nissan leads sales growth in China among Japanese automakers

(January 12, 2011) Nissan (China) Investment Co. today announced it had sales of 1,023,638 units in the China market in 2010, a 35.5 percent sales growth compared to 2009. The Infiniti division sales doubled with 11,513 units sold.

In 2009 and 2010 Nissan led sales growth in China among Japanese automakers. With infrastructure expansion and more new models being introduced Nissan is expecting to achieve 1.15 million units target in 2011.

Audi has best year ever with 1,092,400 sales worldwide

(January 12, 2011) Audi sold around 1,092,400 cars in 2010, recording its best ever year in terms of sales. In China, Audi sold a record 227,938 units; in the United States, the brand achieved sales surpassing the 100,000 mark for the first time.

Mercedes delivers green vehicles to the Palm Springs International Film Festival

(January 11, 2011) PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — As the official vehicle of the 22nd Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival, Mercedes-Benz provided environmentally friendly luxury vehicles for Hollywood's elite.

The Festival, which runs from Jan. 6-17, 2011, starts the winter awards season with a spectacular program of films and a celebrity filled red-carpet gala.

Kia Sportage wins International Truck of Year award

(January 11, 2011) DETROIT — The 2011 Kia Sportage compact CUV has been honored with the "International Truck of the Year" (ICOTY) award by Road & Travel Magazine. The award was presented at the Detroit Auto Show today.

Hyundai shows off 2012 Veloster, a three-door coupe

(January 11, 2011) DETROIT, Mich. — Hyundai on Monday introduced the Veloster, a three-door coupe, in a world debut at the North American International Auto Show.

The Veloster, which will be introduced as a 2012 production model, delivers innovation to the compact coupe segment with a unique third door for easy rear-seat access, Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics system, Pandora internet radio with seven-inch touch-screen display, and a new 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine mated to Hyundai’s first dual-clutch transmission.