Automotive Digest » Manufacturers http://automotivedigest.com Smarter News for AutoDealers Wed, 22 May 2013 07:00:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 ASI New Vehicle Ranking – April 2013 http://automotivedigest.com/2013/05/asi-new-vehicle-ranking-april-2013/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/05/asi-new-vehicle-ranking-april-2013/#comments Fri, 10 May 2013 05:32:55 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=157030
  • ASI index ticked up 0.14% in March, Dataium forecasted SAAR in April to be 12.3M retail units
  • Fierce competition between Honda and Toyota continued for 2nd consecutive month
  • Both makes ran nationwide sales events through March featuring strong consumer incentives

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/05/asi-new-vehicle-ranking-april-2013/feed/ 0 New Vehicle Incentives – March 2013 http://automotivedigest.com/2013/05/new-vehicle-incentives-march-2013/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/05/new-vehicle-incentives-march-2013/#comments Thu, 02 May 2013 21:22:53 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=156168
  • Incentives were up again during March from February, and fairly flat with one year earlier
  • Minus the drop in January, new vehicle incentives have been climbing since late 2012
  • Analysts have some concerns that new vehicle incentives could become inflated and impact used vehicle values

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/05/new-vehicle-incentives-march-2013/feed/ 0 Toyota Passes 5 Million Mark in Prius Sales http://automotivedigest.com/2013/04/toyota-passes-5-million-mark-in-prius-sales/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/04/toyota-passes-5-million-mark-in-prius-sales/#comments Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:39:10 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=154690 Toyota’s global sales of gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles have surpassed five million in a milestone for a technology that was initially greeted with skepticism. Toyota’s hybrid vehicles now account for 14% of its global sales and 40% of its sales in Japan. Toyota Motor Corp. sells 19 hybrid passenger car models and one plug-in hybrid, and [...]

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/04/toyota-passes-5-million-mark-in-prius-sales/feed/ 0 ASI Index and US Retail SAAR – March 2013 http://automotivedigest.com/2013/04/asi-index-and-us-retail-saar-march-2013/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/04/asi-index-and-us-retail-saar-march-2013/#comments Tue, 16 Apr 2013 22:29:45 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=154497
  • Automotive shopping intensity tracked on Dataium’s ASI index showed SUVs at a 12-month high in March
  • Rising significantly while most other segments show losses in consumer activity
  • Honda CR-V topped both ASI top ten rankings and SUV segment with impressive gains in shopper interest for these all-purpose family vehicles

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/04/asi-index-and-us-retail-saar-march-2013/feed/ 0 Sen. Stabenow Looking to Resume Federal Auto Loans http://automotivedigest.com/2013/04/sen-stabenow-looking-to-resume-federal-auto-loans/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/04/sen-stabenow-looking-to-resume-federal-auto-loans/#comments Thu, 11 Apr 2013 07:38:57 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=153911 Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, anticipates that a new chief at the Energy Department can boost the struggling $25 billion auto loan program, which has been stagnant for more than two years. The Energy Department revealed that it doesn’t plan to grant any more loans from the $25 billion Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing loan program created [...]

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/04/sen-stabenow-looking-to-resume-federal-auto-loans/feed/ 0 President’s Budget Plan may Benefit Automakers http://automotivedigest.com/2013/04/presidents-budget-plan-may-benefit-automakers-2/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/04/presidents-budget-plan-may-benefit-automakers-2/#comments Thu, 11 Apr 2013 07:35:08 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=153907 Embedded in President Obama’s $3.7 trillion budget plan are changes that may bolster the auto industry in Detroit and elsewhere. The proposal gives tax credits for vehicles that run on alternative fuels that are not commonly used and exceed the miles-per-gallon of gasoline equivalent by at least 25%. The credit would go up to $10,000, [...]

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/04/presidents-budget-plan-may-benefit-automakers-2/feed/ 0 US Light Vehicle Sales – March 2013 http://automotivedigest.com/2013/04/us-light-vehicle-sales-march-2013/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/04/us-light-vehicle-sales-march-2013/#comments Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:59:01 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=153588
  • March sales were strong compared to last year, up especially for GM, Ford, and Chrysler
  • Some automakers posted their best sales numbers since December 2007
  • Buyers have been drawn in by wide selection of new vehicles on market, low interest rates, and replacing their old vehicles

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/04/us-light-vehicle-sales-march-2013/feed/ 0 Large Cars as Share of US Light Vehicle Market http://automotivedigest.com/2013/04/large-cars-as-share-of-us-light-vehicle-market/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/04/large-cars-as-share-of-us-light-vehicle-market/#comments Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:55:00 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=152832
  • Large cars like Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, Ford Taurus, and Chevrolet Impala continue to lose favor
  • Combined share of US market dropped from 5.8% in 2008 to just 3.5% in 2012, and number of models dropped during that time from 14 to seven
  • Midsize and smaller vehicles have taken share of sales

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/04/large-cars-as-share-of-us-light-vehicle-market/feed/ 0 Automakers Facing Threat of Hackers Turning Cars into Weapons of Mass Destruction http://automotivedigest.com/2013/03/automakers-facing-threat-of-hackers-turning-cars-into-weapons-of-mass-destruction/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/03/automakers-facing-threat-of-hackers-turning-cars-into-weapons-of-mass-destruction/#comments Sun, 31 Mar 2013 00:35:21 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=152587 By Jon LeSage, contributing editor, Dealer Digest Daily SITUATION: • A driver participating in a test sees that his speedometer has dropped from 60 miles per hour to zero, right as the horn honks endlessly. The engine has been killed and the driver is locked in his car! • University researchers are testing out cyber security hacker attacks that will scare the daylights out of drivers. • Guess what? There are hackers out there losing interest in taking over Department of Defense computer networks with the prospect of making vehicles weapons of mass destruction. • Vehicle electronics systems and onboard computers have become remarkably sophisticated in recent years, and connected car technologies up the ante. • A study by University of California San Diego and University of Washington is showing that hackers are gaining more power over public safety. SIGNIFICANCE: • Connected cars are rapidly expanding in popularity and offerings – such as Toyota’s Touch, Ford’s Sync, and Chrysler’s Uconnect systems. • Hacker attacks are not a pressing issue today, but “in the next years, we will have to discuss the issues that could come up,” said Dirk Hoheisel, a board member at Bosch. • Safety is the top issue cited by Google, government agencies, and law enforcement in the autonomous, driverless test runs being tried out in Nevada and California. The harsh irony is that hackers could reverse the good fortune achieved through these amazing cars. • Carmakers have begun probing their vehicles for cyber security issues. One major global automaker has set up an in-house team that focuses entirely on vehicle IT security, and outsources external audits to test its vehicles for vulnerability to hackers. Source: Financial Times FT press cutting service:  

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/03/automakers-facing-threat-of-hackers-turning-cars-into-weapons-of-mass-destruction/feed/ 0 Incentives – Feb. 2012 to Feb. 2013 http://automotivedigest.com/2013/03/incentives-feb-2012-to-feb-2013/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/03/incentives-feb-2012-to-feb-2013/#comments Thu, 28 Mar 2013 20:16:46 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=152508
  • New vehicle manufacturer incentives seem to be coming back up – hit about $2,500 on average in February 2013
  • December 2012 was even – over $2,550 during very strong month when incentives and end-of-year tax-related transactions drove new vehicle sales numbers up
  • There’s always pressure to not get carried away with incentives and how it can affect sales profit and used vehicle values

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/03/incentives-feb-2012-to-feb-2013/feed/ 0 S&P/Experian: Auto Loan Default Index http://automotivedigest.com/2013/03/spexperian-auto-loan-default-index/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/03/spexperian-auto-loan-default-index/#comments Tue, 05 Mar 2013 23:38:03 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=149946
  • Auto loan portion of S&P/Experian Consumer Credit Default Indices showed levels still better than year ago
  • Looking at top 5 metropolitan areas, 3 of the 5 cities analysts cover showed decreases in their default rates in January
  • Goal is to track default experience of consumer balances in 4 key loan categories: auto, bankcard, first mortgage lien, and second mortgage lien

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/03/spexperian-auto-loan-default-index/feed/ 0 New Car Incentives – Jan. 2012 to Jan. 2013 http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/new-car-incentives-jan-2012-to-jan-2013/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/new-car-incentives-jan-2012-to-jan-2013/#comments Fri, 01 Mar 2013 05:04:38 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=149487
  • Incentive spending reached $2,343 in January, down 4.8% relative to last year
  • Spending actually increased by double-digits for Jaguar, Lincoln, and Cadillac
  • At opposite end of spectrum, Honda, Subaru, and Hyundai each spent average of about $1,100 on incentives last month

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/new-car-incentives-jan-2012-to-jan-2013/feed/ 0 Winners of the 2013 Consumer Reports Best Car Models http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/winners-of-the-2013-consumer-reports-best-car-models/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/winners-of-the-2013-consumer-reports-best-car-models/#comments Thu, 28 Feb 2013 01:30:41 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=149315 Consumer Reports has named its Top 10 picks for car of the year by vehicle class. To make the top ranking, winners have to meet three criteria – must rank at or near top in overall score in road testing; average or better predicted reliability rating; and adequate performance in crash or rollover tests conducted by the government or insurance industry. And the 2013 model year winners are:......

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/winners-of-the-2013-consumer-reports-best-car-models/feed/ 0 North American Production Plans for Cars & Light-Duty Trucks http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/north-american-production-plans-for-cars-light-duty-trucks/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/north-american-production-plans-for-cars-light-duty-trucks/#comments Wed, 27 Feb 2013 02:15:34 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=149166
  • A production-demand imbalance would necessitate need for increased incentive spending, putting downward pressure on used vehicle prices
  • It appears automakers will remain prudent in their approach to production – 1.5% increase this year in North America estimated
  • Reasonable given that new sales are predicted to grow between 3.4% to 6.2% this year

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/north-american-production-plans-for-cars-light-duty-trucks/feed/ 0 Ford Begins Plans to Add 4-Cylinder Engine Output to Ohio Factory http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/ford-begins-plans-to-add-4-cylinder-engine-output-to-ohio-factory/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/ford-begins-plans-to-add-4-cylinder-engine-output-to-ohio-factory/#comments Thu, 21 Feb 2013 02:19:06 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=148558 Ford has begun to move forward with a plan to add a 4-cylinder engine plant in Ohio. Manufacturing the engines in Brook Park, Ohio is projected to bring 750 jobs to the area. This move is part of Ford Motor Co.’s efforts to combat the trend of outsourcing manufacturing.

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/ford-begins-plans-to-add-4-cylinder-engine-output-to-ohio-factory/feed/ 0 New and Used Price Gap Continues to Shrink Especially with 1-Year-Old Units http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/new-and-used-car-prices-continue-to-shrink-especially-with-1-year-old-units/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/new-and-used-car-prices-continue-to-shrink-especially-with-1-year-old-units/#comments Wed, 20 Feb 2013 05:14:00 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=148394 The gap between new and used car prices continues to shrink. Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price data shows shoppers can purchase a new compact car for $339 per month with a five-year loan, which is only $30 per month more expensive than a comparable one-year-old used version. The difference in price between new vehicles [...]

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/new-and-used-car-prices-continue-to-shrink-especially-with-1-year-old-units/feed/ 0 CarGurus IDs Least and Most Expensive Car Shopping Markets http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/cargurus-ids-least-and-most-expensive-car-shopping-markets/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/cargurus-ids-least-and-most-expensive-car-shopping-markets/#comments Wed, 20 Feb 2013 05:09:42 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=148390 Car shopping site CarGurus analyzed about three million cars in large metro areas to see how prices varied. Miami topped the list of “most affordable” markets, followed by Cleveland; Rochester; and Detroit. The most expensive cities are Jackson, Miss.; Seattle; Montgomery, Ala.; and Little Rock, Ark. The analysis found that the less-expensive markets tend to [...]

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/cargurus-ids-least-and-most-expensive-car-shopping-markets/feed/ 0 What Experts Had to Say About Market Trends During NADA 2013 http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/what-experts-had-to-say-about-market-trends-during-nada-2013/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/what-experts-had-to-say-about-market-trends-during-nada-2013/#comments Wed, 20 Feb 2013 02:20:46 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=148381 Here’s a few highlights from panelist sessions at NADA 2013 that impact remarketing trends. Special thanks to Automotive Digest editor Jim Thompson for the recap… Market: • U.S. market will be over 15M due to pent up demand, an aging car park and the increased number of vehicle introductions. • Lenders have learned consumers will [...]

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/what-experts-had-to-say-about-market-trends-during-nada-2013/feed/ 0 Share of Market Interest on KBB.com – 2012 http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/share-of-market-interest-on-kbb-com-2012/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/share-of-market-interest-on-kbb-com-2012/#comments Thu, 14 Feb 2013 21:15:18 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=147931
  • Toyota retained No. 1 spot and brand’s market share increased 1 percent on KBB.com in 2012
  • This year, Honda moved up one position to 2nd most-researched brand on KBB.com, increasing 0.5% from 2011
  • Ford moved down to No. 3 on list, while Chevrolet and Hyundai maintained same positions when compared to 2011

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/share-of-market-interest-on-kbb-com-2012/feed/ 0 Intended Length of Ownership for Next Vehicle Purchase http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/intended-length-of-ownership-for-next-vehicle-purchase/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/intended-length-of-ownership-for-next-vehicle-purchase/#comments Tue, 12 Feb 2013 15:08:04 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=147502
  • Intention to keep next purchased vehicle has been increasing – average was 6 years in 2010 and went up to 7.5 years in 2012
  • Pickup truck owners intend to keep vehicles longer – average of nine years of ownership
  • Recent KBB.com home page poll showed third of respondents intend to keep next vehicle purchase for 10 years or more

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/02/intended-length-of-ownership-for-next-vehicle-purchase/feed/ 0 Brand Loyalty by Model – Q3 2012 http://automotivedigest.com/2013/01/brand-loyalty-by-model-q3-2012/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/01/brand-loyalty-by-model-q3-2012/#comments Fri, 01 Feb 2013 02:32:00 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=146335
  • Ford Fusion and Ford Flex took top 2spots for brand loyalty at model level during Q3 2012
  • Surpassing Q2 2012 model loyalty leader Chevrolet Sonic in Experian Automotive’s Q3 Loyalty and Market Trends report
  • Study found 56.4% of Ford Fusion owners returning to market purchased or leased another Ford vehicle

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/01/brand-loyalty-by-model-q3-2012/feed/ 0 Xtime’s ServiceCRM Making it to 600+ Volkswagen Dealers http://automotivedigest.com/2013/01/xtimes-servicecrm-making-it-to-600-volkswagen-dealers/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/01/xtimes-servicecrm-making-it-to-600-volkswagen-dealers/#comments Wed, 30 Jan 2013 06:50:53 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=146035 Xtime, and its cloud-based CRM and scheduling platform, entered into an enterprise-wide agreement with Volkswagen of America, Inc. VWoA is deploying Xtime’s ServiceCRM to all 600+ dealers in its US network. ServiceCRM provides a potent source of new customers and a meaningful lift in appointment show rate and customer satisfaction.

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/01/xtimes-servicecrm-making-it-to-600-volkswagen-dealers/feed/ 0 TrueCar’s 2012 Performance Scorecard Grades and Determining Factors http://automotivedigest.com/2013/01/truecars-2012-performance-scorecard-grades-and-determining-factors/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/01/truecars-2012-performance-scorecard-grades-and-determining-factors/#comments Mon, 28 Jan 2013 04:11:45 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=145683 TrueCar recently released its 2012 Performance Scorecard grades for automakers based on pricing, sales, incentives, customer loyalty, market share and days in inventory. Here are a few highlights from the announcement… The overall top manufacturers were Subaru, Toyota, and Jaguar Land Rover. Near the bottom of the list were… With strong incentives and days in inventory ratings being important used car market factors, there were five automakers recognized… Suzuki, Saab, and Volvo were brands receiving the lowest grades. As for five brands taking the highest grades… Click here to read the rest of the coverage of these categories and their highest and lowest performers…

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/01/truecars-2012-performance-scorecard-grades-and-determining-factors/feed/ 0 Average MPG for Major Automakers — 2012 vs. 2011 http://automotivedigest.com/2013/01/average-mpg-for-major-automakers-2012-vs-2011/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/01/average-mpg-for-major-automakers-2012-vs-2011/#comments Wed, 23 Jan 2013 05:37:20 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=145165
  • TrueCar provided what it determined as actual economy numbers from new car sales
  • Indicating “TrueMPG” increased to 23.1 mpg in 2012 compared to 22.3 mpg in 2011
  • In December 2012, light vehicle auto sales increased to 23.0 mpg from 22.6 mpg in December 2011, and decreased from November 2012 at 23.2 mpg

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/01/average-mpg-for-major-automakers-2012-vs-2011/feed/ 0 US Light Vehicle Sales – 2012 http://automotivedigest.com/2013/01/us-light-vehicle-sales-2012/ http://automotivedigest.com/2013/01/us-light-vehicle-sales-2012/#comments Thu, 17 Jan 2013 23:57:59 +0000 Jon LeSage http://automotivedigest.com/?p=144647
  • US light-vehicle market didn’t end 2012 w/ as much of a bang as expected, but volume for entire year reached 5-year high
  • Were some increases to incentives at month’s end, as auto makers looked to clean out excess inventory and shore up market share
  • But added spiffs did not appear to have major impact on December’s results

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]]> http://automotivedigest.com/2013/01/us-light-vehicle-sales-2012/feed/ 0