News archive

July 2014

Mercedes-Benz achieves best-ever first-half sales in U.S.

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(July 2, 2014) MONTVALE, N.J. — Mercedes-Benz USA has reported its best-ever June sales volumes of 29,380 across the Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter and smart model lines, up 8.2% from the 27,162 vehicles sold the same month last year.

Monthly retails for the Mercedes-Benz brand alone increased 8.6% to 26,506, bringing year-to-date volumes to a milestone 151,624 units. Adding year-to-date sales of 11,483 for Sprinter Vans and 4,647 units at smart, MBUSA delivered the best first-half sales total in its history at 167,754 units.

Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota lead June sales in U.S.

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(July 2, 2014) Led by Chrysler, Nissan and Toyota, U.S. vehicle sales rose 1 percent in June compared to June 2013 as the auto industry ended the first half of the year on an upswing. Most experts expected June sales to be down slightly after a strong showing in May.

Strong demand for Jeep helped Chrysler to its 51st consecutive monthly sales gain, rising 9 percent over June 2013. Jeep brand climbed 28 percent and the Ram truck brand was up 14 percent. Other highlights included Dodge Durango, up 9 percent; and Chrysler minivans up 20 percent.

Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat most powerful muscle car ever — 707 hp

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(July 2, 2014) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The all-new 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT, with its supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI Hellcat engine, produces an unprecedented 707 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque, making it the most powerful Challenger ever, Dodge's most powerful V-8 ever and the most powerful muscle car ever. Dodge released the numbers on Tuesday.

The Challenger's new 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat engine is also the first factory supercharged HEMI, as well as Dodge and SRT's first application of V-8 supercharger technology.

General Motors posts best June sales since 2007

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(July 1, 2014) DETROIT — Despite the spate of recalls, General Motors dealers delivered 267,461 vehicles in the United States in June. Total sales were up 1 percent compared to a year ago. Retail sales were up 1 percent and fleet sales were up 2 percent.

There were two fewer selling days in June compared with a year ago. On a selling- day adjusted basis, GM’s total sales were up 9 percent. Retail deliveries were up 9 percent and fleet sales were up 10 percent.

Chrysler reports June sales increase 9 percent over 2013

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(July 1, 2014) Auburn Hills, Mich. — Chrysler Group today reported U.S. sales of 171,086 units, a 9 percent increase compared with sales in June 2013 (156,686 units), and the group’s best June sales since 2007.

The Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck and Fiat brands each posted year-over-year sales gains in June compared with the same month a year ago. The Jeep brand’s 28 percent increase was the largest sales gain of any Chrysler Group brand during June and its best ever sales in the month of June. Chrysler Group extended its streak of year-over-year sales gains to 51-consecutive months.

New Mini 5-door hatch rolls off the lines at Oxford

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(July 1, 2014) OXFORD, England — Plant Oxford today sees a production first as the new Mini 5-door Hatch comes off the production line. The new 5-door is a first for Mini production at the Oxford plant and marks another phase in the roll-out of a £750 million investment program across BMW Group UK’s production facilities from 2011 to 2015.

The car comes hot on the heels of the new Mini Hatch, which was launched in November. The new 5-door, which will go on sale in the fall, is an exciting addition to the family of Minis made in Oxford and opens up a whole new market segment.

Grenoble becomes 'Smart City' launching electric car-sharing program

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(July 1, 2014) GRENOBLE, France — You hear a lot about future mobility, smart cities, and other innovations designed to make cities and urban transport more pleasant and manageable in years to come. Concrete examples, however, are still few and far between. When the back-to-school season begins after this summer, this dream will become a reality in Grenoble and the outlying area, making the French Alps city a pioneer in future mobility.