September 2013

Mercedes-Benz hits eighth record-breaking month in 2013

(September 5, 2013) MONTVALE, N.J. — Mercedes-Benz USA has reported August sales of 27,144 units, an increase of 15.8% from the 23,439 vehicles sold in August 2012 including Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter and smart models. Retail volumes for the Mercedes-Benz brand alone reached 24,761 for the month, up 20.5% from the previous year, while year-to-date sales climbed 13.0% to hit a record 190,359 units. 

Volvo Truck president plays the role of stuntman

(September 5, 2013) GOTHENBURG, Sweden — Claes Nilsson is president of Volvo Trucks and yet he does not hesitate to stand on a truck dangling more than 70 feet up in the air as he stars in a film in which Volvo’s new construction truck is put to the test.

Toyota, Honda and Nissan all post big August gains

(September 4, 2013) The three biggest Japanese automobile manufacturers in North America all showed substantial sales gains in August. Toyota reported sales of 231,537 units, an 18.4 percent gain over August 2012; Honda set a new August record with U.S. sales of 166,432 units, up 26.7 percent compared with a year ago; and Nissan's U.S. sales totaled 120,498 to set an August record, an increase of 22.3 percent over last year's total of 98,515. 

Kia Cadenza premium sedan tops 1,500 sales for second straight month

(September 4, 2013) Kia today reported best-ever August sales of 52,025 units, a 4-percent increase over the same period in 2012. Sales of the all-new 2014 Cadenza continued to climb, exceeding the 1,500 unit mark for the second month in a row, while the U.S.-built Optima logged its 21st straight month as Kia's top seller with 15,199 units sold.

GM’s retail sales increase 22 percent in August

(September 4, 2013) DETROIT — General Motors dealers delivered 275,847 vehicles in the United States in August, up 15 percent compared with a year ago. Retail sales increased 22 percent while fleet sales were down 8 percent.

Porsche adds Panamera plug-in hybrid to model line for 2014

(September 4, 2013) ATLANTA — Porsche Cars North America today announced that the expanded Porsche Panamera model line is now available in dealer showrooms across the United States. The sports sedan lineup expands with the addition of three new variants: the Panamera S E-Hybrid, the first plug-in hybrid from Porsche; and two luxurious Executive versions.

Chrysler reports best August sales since 2007

(September 4, 2013) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler today reported U.S. sales of 165,552 units, a 12 percent increase compared with sales in August 2012 (148,472 units), and the group’s best August sales since 2007.

Ford August retail sales surge to highest levels since 2006

(September 4, 2013) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford’s August U.S. retail sales grew 20 percent — with total sales up 12 percent — for the best monthly retail performance since 2006. With inventories remaining tight in several key segments, retail sales gains were broad-based.

Lexus to reveal compact crossover concept at Frankfurt show

(September 4, 2013) FRANKFURT, Germany — A new Lexus compact crossover concept, the LF-NX, will make its world premiere at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show next week. The concept explores the potential for a compact crossover within the Lexus model range. Reinforcing Lexus’ leading position in full hybrid drive technology, the LF-NX concept is powered by a new variant of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system tuned for SUV performance.

Audi to show Sport quattro hybrid concept at Frankfurt

(September 4, 2013) Quattro is Audi and Audi is quattro— the brand and the technology are indelibly linked. In celebration of the 30th birthday of the Sport quattro, Audi will present its legitimate successor at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The Audi Sport quattro concept show car continues the grand quattro tradition, with a stunning coupe design and plug-in hybrid drive with a system output of 700 horsepower.