William Maley

Audi achieves 43rd consecutive record month of U.S. sales in July - Sales for the most recent month rose 11.9% to 14,616 vehicles - Demand for the all-new Audi A3 Sedan remained strong deep into its launch year - Due to lean inventories, Audi pulled its 2015 model launch ahead HERNDON, Va., August 1, 2014 – Audi reported that its July 2014 sales increased 11.9% to 14,616 vehicles, a total that stands as the 43rd consecutive month of record monthly U.S. sales for the brand. Audi U.S. sales year-to-date increased 13.3% to 98,965 vehicles. Audi has maintained steady momentum throughout 2014, with the best-ever July results following record sales for the first half of the year. The previous July record was set in 2013 with sales of 13,064 vehicles. To date, 2014 has produced four of the six best U.S. sales months for the premium car brand. “Due to the sustained high demand for our Premium cars, we needed to move our 2015 model year release ahead of schedule as supply became available early July,” said Mark Del Rosso, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Audi of America. “That gives us tremendous confidence heading into the second half of the year with the new Audi A3 Cabriolet, A3 Sedan TDI and the S3 performance model reaching showrooms within weeks, and the new Q3 crossover arriving later this fall.” By the end of July, Audi and its U.S. dealers had a lean 47 days’ supply of unsold cars and 29 days of unsold SUVs in inventory. After its April U.S. sales debut, the 2015 Audi A3 Sedan has maintained a strong and consistent sales pace. July 2014 brought 2,164 A3 sales to solidify the model’s standing among the top three of the brand’s best sellers. July totals for the top-of-the-range Audi models kept pace, constituting nearly one-third of all Audi sales. Audi A8 demand increased 11.3% for the month as customers responded well to the updated 2015 model line. Audi Q7 YTD sales increased by 8.9%. July is the 12th consecutive month of record sales for Audi Certified pre-owned. It also marks the second highest monthly total of all-time with an increase of 26.6%, to a total of 4,116 CPO vehicles sold; CPO sales year-to-date increased 15.6 %. Highlights: - The all-new 2015 Audi A3 sedan models officially went on sale this spring, with 9,899 cars sold since launch. - Sales of Audi premium category vehicles (Audi A6, Audi A7, Audi A8, and Audi Q7) increased 13% year-to-date, representing 32.2% of total Audi sales year-to-date and 32% of the Audi year-to-date sales gain. - Sales mix for Audi S performance variants finished the month at 18.5% for the S4 sedan; 32% for the S5/ RS 5; 5.5% for the S6; 22.4% for the S7 / RS 7; 15.1% for the S8; 34.7% for the TTS and TTS Roadster, and 7.7% for the SQ5 crossover. - Sales of Audi A8 increased 11.3% compared to July 2013 - Sales of the Audi Q5 increased 0.4% compared to July 2013 due mostly to tight supplies; YTD sales grew 7.6% compared to previous period. - Sales of the Audi Q7 increased 8.9% compared to July 2013; YTD sales grew 24.9% compared to previous period. - July sales mix for Audi TDI models: Audi A6 TDI at 18.8%; Audi A7 TDI at 14.7%; A8 TDI at 10.7%; Audi Q5 TDI at 14.2%, Audi Q7 TDI at 24.1%, with an overall mix of 13.3% on 1,298 total TDI sales for July. - Audi Certified pre-owned sales increased 26.6% to 4,116 vehicles in July; YTD CPO sales rose 15.6% to 25,943 vehicles sold. - Audi holds the longest running monthly record sales streak in the premium car market according to a competitive sales report from MotorIntelligence.com.

GM’s Truck and Crossover Sales Surge Past 1 million Units in 2014 GM total vehicle sales up 9 percent in July – Best July since 2007 Crossovers up 26 percent, SUVs up 32 percent, vans up 65 percent Commercial sales grow for ninth consecutive month DETROIT – General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) dealers delivered 256,160 vehicles in the United States in July, for the company’s highest July sales since 2007. Total sales were up 9 percent compared with a year ago. Retail sales – those to individual customers – were up 4 percent. Commercial deliveries were up 69 percent and all other fleet deliveries were up 21 percent. Sales of crossovers and trucks, which include pickups, vans and SUVs, surged by double-digits, pushing combined sales to 1,048,114 through July. GM was the first automaker to pass the million-unit milestone in both 2014 and 2013. “Sales of utility vehicles soared in July because American families feel better about the economy than they have in a long time, and they are finding an incredible variety of redesigned and all-new models in our showrooms,” said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of Sales Operations. “Small, compact, medium, large – sales were strong across the board.” During July, GM sold 100,122 crossovers and SUVs, bringing the calendar-year-to-date total to 587,250 units – the best month for utility vehicle sales since August 2007. Compared with 2013, crossover deliveries increased 26 percent in July and they are up 5 percent year to date. Large non-luxury SUVs were up 25 percent in July, and they are up 15 percent year to date. Including the Cadillac Escalade, SUV sales are up 32 percent. The Buick Encore, one of the industry’s first small crossovers, saw a 28 percent sales increase compared with July 2013. GM’s medium-sized Chevrolet, GMC and Buick crossovers, which were redesigned for the 2014 model year, were up 14 percent compared with last July, led by a 25 percent increase in Chevrolet Traverse deliveries. Combined sales of Chevrolet and GMC large SUVs, which are all new for the 2015 model year, were up 25 percent compared with a year ago. GM’s estimated share of the large SUV segment is 77 percent on a retail basis. Cadillac Escalade deliveries nearly doubled and Cadillac’s estimated share of the large luxury SUV segment is now about 37 percent on a retail basis. “GM and the U.S. economy left July carrying good momentum,” McNeil said. “The economy has bounced back strongly from the harsh winter, consumer confidence has reached a post-recession high, energy prices remain moderate and job growth continues. The stage is set for strong sales through the balance of the year. “In particular, there is a lot of pent-up demand for our new large SUVs and we expect pickup deliveries to be strong, as they usually are in the second half of the year.” July Sales Highlights (vs. 2013 except as noted) The seasonally adjusted annual selling rate (SAAR) for light vehicles in July was an estimated 16.7 million units, topping 16 million units for the fifth consecutive month. Total Chevrolet deliveries were up 8 percent, on the strength of trucks, crossovers and a 4 percent increase in retail car sales. This year marked Chevrolet’s best July sales since 2007. Chevrolet Corvette deliveries more than tripled for its best July since 2004, and the Camaro was up 25 percent, for its best July since 1995. In addition, the Volt was up 13 percent, the Malibu was up 9 percent and Sonic was up 6 percent. Silverado sales were equal to a year ago. Buick had its best July since 2006, with sales up 8 percent. Every GMC nameplate posted a sales increase, including the new Sierra, driving sales 22 percent higher. GMC had its best July since 2006. GM’s average transaction prices (ATPs) in July were in line with June 2014, and they are up more than $2,000 per unit versus a year ago, according to J.D. Power PIN estimates. GM’s large pickup ATPs were equal to June. Incentive spending as a percentage of ATP was 11.2 percent, the lowest of all domestic automakers, according to PIN. GM was up 0.2 points month over month and the industry was up 0.3 points. On a year-over-year basis, GM was up 0.1 points and the industry average was up 0.5 points. GM’s gains in the commercial segment were driven by pickup and van sales, which were both up 78 percent. Sales to rental customers increased 22 percent due to timing. Year to date, rental sales are essentially equal to a year ago. Sales to government customers were up 8 percent. GM’s fleet mix in July was about 23 percent, which is below the company’s typical mix of about 26 percent.

AUG 1, 2014 | DEARBORN, MICH. FUSION, EXPLORER, ESCAPE LEAD FORD’S BEST JULY RESULTS IN EIGHT YEARS; F-SERIES AND LINCOLN ALSO POST GAINS Ford Motor Company U.S. July sales increased 10 percent with 212,236 vehicles sold for best July performance in eight years Ford Fusion posted a record July sales month with 23,942 cars sold, up 17 percent Ford Explorer sales increased 32 percent; Ford Escape posted best July with a 19 percent sales increase Ford F-Series again topped 60,000-vehicle mark, up 5 percent Lincoln sales increased 14 percent on building MKC stock Ford Motor Company U.S. sales of 212,236 vehicles increased 10 percent over a year ago for the best July in eight years. Retail sales of 162,028 vehicles are up 7 percent. “July proved to be a very good month for Ford and Lincoln with positive gains across the board in all the major segments,” said John Felice, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Escape and Fusion were big contributors to our sales increases, with both setting July sales records. F-Series again topped the 60,000-vehicle sales mark and we’re seeing great initial demand for our launch vehicles, such as the Transit Connect, Transit Connect Wagon and the Lincoln MKC as availability builds.” Ford Fusion set an all-time monthly sales record in July with 23,942 cars sold, a gain of 17 percent. The West region of the United States continues to drive Fusion sales higher, with a 24 percent retail increase relative to a 22 percent increase nationally. Ford Explorer sales are up 32 percent with 16,797 vehicles sold, for the vehicle’s best July since 2005. Ford Escape sales are up 19 percent, setting an all-time performance record for July. Ford F-Series sales are up 5 percent with 63,240 trucks sold, a number achieved with the lowest incentives of the three largest pickup truck manufacturers. Lincoln sales of 7,863 vehicles are up 14 percent, giving the brand its best July result in six years. Stock for Lincoln MKC is expanding and momentum is building, with 1,534 vehicles sold in July.

Chrysler Group LLC Reports July 2014 U.S. Sales Increased 20 Percent; Best July Sales Since 2005 52nd-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram Truck, and FIAT brands each post sales gains in July compared with same month a year ago Jeep brand sales up 41 percent; best July sales ever Ram pickup truck sales up 14 percent; best July sales since 2005 Seven Chrysler Group vehicles set sales records in July August 1, 2014 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Chrysler Group LLC today reported U.S. sales of 167,667 units, a 20 percent increase compared with sales in July 2013 (140,102 units), and the group’s best July sales since 2005. The Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram Truck and FIAT brands each posted year-over-year sales gains in July compared with the same month a year ago. The Jeep brand’s 41 percent increase was the largest sales gain of any Chrysler Group brand during July and its best ever July sales. Chrysler Group extended its streak of year-over-year sales gains to 52-consecutive months in July. “Chrysler Group had a solid July as each brand recorded sales gains on our way to a 20 percent year-over-year increase, our strongest July sales in nine years,” said Reid Bigland, Head of U.S. Sales. “Sales of the all-new Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan continued to increase while our Jeep and Ram Truck brands each turned in double-digit sales gains, helping to lead Chrysler Group to its 52nd-consecutive month of year-over-year sales growth.” Seven Chrysler Group vehicles set sales records in July. The Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Compass, Dodge Dart, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Journey, and Ram Cargo Van each recorded their best July sales ever. The Fiat 500L set a new all-time monthly sales record in July. Dart sales were up 23 percent in July, the third-consecutive month that the compact car has set a sales record. Wrangler sales were up 14 percent, while the 500L recorded a 49 percent year-over-year increase. The Fiat 500L’s 49 percent increase was the largest year-over-year sales gain of any Chrysler Group vehicle in July, while Ram pickup truck sales were up 14 percent compared with the same month a year ago. The Jeep and Ram Truck brands logged the largest percentage sales gains of any Chrysler Group brands during the month. Chrysler Group finished the month of July with a 78 days supply of inventory (504,240 units). U.S. industry sales figures for July are internally projected at an estimated 16.8 million units Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR). Jeep® Brand Jeep brand sales were up 41percent, the brand’s best ever sales in the month of July. The brand’s 41 percent increase was the largest percentage sales gain of any Chrysler Group brand for the month. The Jeep brand has set a sales record in each month this year, including the all-time sales record in May. The Jeep Wrangler, with its 14 percent year-over-year increase, had its best ever sales in the month of July. Sales of the all-new Jeep Cherokee were up 11 percent compared with sales in the previous month of June. Ram Truck Brand The Ram pickup truck had its best July sales since 2005. Sales of the Ram pickup – Motor Trend “Truck of the Year” in 2014 and 2013 – were up 14 percent in July, its 51st-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. Ram Light Duty sales increased 15 percent in July, while Ram Heavy Duty pickups were up 18 percent. Ram Truck brand sales, which include the Ram ProMaster van and Ram Cargo Van, were up 18 percent in July, the brand’s best July sales since 2006. Chrysler Brand Chrysler brand sales were up 17 percent in July compared with the same month a year ago, driven by strong sales of the Chrysler Town & Country minivan and the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan. It was the brand’s best July sales since 2007. Town & Country sales were up 41 percent in July, the minivan’s best July sales since 2006 and its 12th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. Sales of the new 200 continue to build. New 200 sales were up 32 percent compared with the previous month of June. Dodge Brand Dodge brand sales were up 3 percent in July, the brand’s best July sales since 2005. Sales of the Dodge Dart increased 23 percent, the compact car’s best ever sales in the month of July. The Dart’s increase was the largest percentage sales gain of any Dodge brand model in the month. The Dart has set a sales record in each of the past three months, including its best sales month ever in May. Sales of the Dodge Journey were up 10 percent, the mid-size crossover’s best sales in the month of July. The Journey has set a sales record in each of the past six months, including an all-time monthly sales record in March. Sales of the Dodge Challenger muscle car were up 1 percent, its best sales ever in the month of July. The Dodge Grand Caravan minivan and Dodge Charger each logged year-over-year sales increases in the month of July. The Dodge brand introduced the all-new 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT in July. 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, the brand’s most powerful V-8 ever, and the most powerful muscle car ever. FIAT Brand FIAT brand sales were up 1 percent, the brand’s best ever sales in the month of July and its eighth-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. The Fiat 500L, with its 49 percent increase, recorded its best monthly sales since it was launched in June 2013. The FIAT brand introduced a Fiat 500L-Vans design concept in July during the Vans US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, Calif. Details from Vans original hi-top shoe are echoed throughout the vehicle, including vintage palm-patterned canvas, Vans logo stickers on the instrument panel and Vans Waffle Sole on the pedals and in storage bins. On the exterior, the roof displays the iconic Vans Checkerboard pattern, while the step pad, cladding and grille texture are accented with the Waffle Sole design. Other unique features include a two-tone body color paint scheme, 18-inch matte black wheels and a roof rack with a basket and a double-decker surfboard carrier.

Exchange Rates would be my best guess

With the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon heading into showrooms in a few months, we've haven't heard anything from Nissan or Toyota about what they have in store for their next-generation midsize trucks. But that has changed for one automaker. The Truth About Cars has heard some information about what's in store for the next-generation Frontier. A supplier source has told them that Nissan will be using the new Navara truck as the base for the next-generation truck. Previously, Nissan was going to use bones of the first-generation Frontier (D22 platform) for their next-generation truck. The reason for this is that the company saw a possible chance for the affordable, fuel-efficient compact truck to make a return. However, Nissan's engineers weren't able to bring the truck to modern safety standards and the costs to make it modern were too much. Using the Navara as a base will give Nissan a truck that can meet modern safety standards and be able to come with a range of different engines, including a diesel of some sort. The downside of using the Navara platform is that it's too expensive for what Nissan is looking for, so a number of features and content will be removed for the U.S. market. Nissan Mexico will be in charge of working on this new truck and will go on sale in 2018. Source: The Truth About Cars, 2 William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

Other news stories state the trucks and Yukon will get the 8sp first and then Cadillac will get it a few month behind them. It might have been automotive news that stated it or one of the other auto mags. That is what I read and how I interpret it.I would think they would move them all at the same time. It was Automobile Magazine since I referenced them in my report a while back.. The Escalades are out now and selling at dealers. My guess is that the eight-speed will comes to the Escalade in the 2016 model year.

Fisker, the automaker that doesn't seem to die is back in the news. This past week, the Wanxiang Group, Fisker's new owner, went on tour of the U.S. to met with officials and politicians in several states about plans. At one of the stops, Chairman Lu Guanqiu and President of the U.S. unit, Pin Ni spoke to reporters. Ni explained that company is planning on starting production of the Karma in the near future. But before then, the company needs to fix 250 “bugs” in the Karma and have a 'reliable supply of high-quality components'. "At Fisker, the biggest issue is to solve the problems. There are about 250 bugs in this we need to de-bug. I often say that Wanxiang can afford to make cars, but Wanxiang cannot afford to make bad cars,” Ni told reporters. “Our goal is to fix all the issues and get the car back on the road, but this car has to be a good cart. It cannot be a car with problems … We want to make this car in the United States. This too is determined. But in terms of a detailed plan, we are still evaluating.” But Wanxiang has bigger ambitions for Fisker. Chairman Lu Guanqiu said the company is working on a new Fisker model that will be launched in 2017. Guanqiu didn't go into specifics about the new model or where it will be built. Source: Automotive News Europe (Subscription Required) William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

Scion has a very questionable future in the U.S. as some of their lineup continues to get older and sales continue to slump. New products are desperately needed and according to Automotive News, new products are coming. The changes to Scion's lineup begin later this year as the slow-selling iQ city car will say goodbye. Through June, Scion has only moved 1,227 iQs, down 47 percent when compared to last year. Then in the spring of 2015, the long-running xB will sent to the great cardboard-box in sky and in its place will be Toyota Auris. The Golf-sized hatchback uses the same platform as the current Corolla. Following the Auris in the fall will be the xD replacement, a sedan variant of the next-generation Mazda2. In 2016, the tC coupe will get a redesign. Before then, Scion will be doing a few special edition models for the model. Wrapping up the changes for the Scion lineup is the next-generation FR-S coupe in 2017. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

General Motors has put a rush on the next-generation Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra to counter Ford's F-150. According to Reuters, GM has pushed up the launch date of their next-generation pickups, codenamed T1XX, by nine months to the fall of 2018. The new trucks will undergo a diet much like the new F-150. Full-size SUVs will follow a year after. While this will trail the next F-150 by four years, supplier sources says GM has a lot in store for its next-generation trucks, including a ten-speed automatic being jointly developed with Ford, direct-injection, turbocharging, and auto stop/start technologies. In the meantime, some of GM's current trucks and SUVs will get an eight-speed automatic. Source: Reuters William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

Ford dealers are beginning to take orders for the 2015 F-150 this week and some pricing information has come out. The 2015 model will start at $26,615 with destination for the base XL, only $395 more than the current model. The F-150 XL will come equipped with a 3.5L V6 making 283 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque. Optional will be the 2.7 EcoBoost V6 with 325 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque for only $495, and the 3.5 EcoBoost which costs $1,995. Next up is the F-150 XLT which now starts at $31,925, up $395 from the previous XLT. Then there is the Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum F-150 models. Those models begin at $39,730 for the Lariat, $49,690 for the King Ranch, and $52,950 for the Platinum. A spokesperson tells Automobile Magazine that certain F-150 models such as the STX, FX2, FX4, and Limited will disappear with the next-generation, there will be packages available that will fill those needs. We'll have more on pricing and model lineup in the coming weeks. Source: Automobile Magazine, Reuters William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

I hope so as well, but that is unknown at this moment.

Dodge upped the ante in the muscle car wars with the introduction of the Hellcat V8 for the Challenger. The Supercharged 6.2L V8 makes 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, which means you'll have no trouble with burning the rear tires. But what if you want all of that power in a four-door sedan? It seems Dodge has some plans for that. Road & Track looked at the SAE J1349 certification filing for the Hellcat V8 and noted that alongside the Challenger, there is a mention of the Charger with the same engine. Road & Track reckons that the Hellcat V8 will be introduced sometime later or early next year as Dodge is finishing up work on the Charger SRT. Stay tuned. Source: Road & Track William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

Chevrolet appears to have some big changes in store for the next Malibu as shown by some spy shots. A huge change is with the greenhouse as the mule gets a sleek roofline that slopes downward dramatically to a shorten rear end. The speculation is that Chevrolet is taking some ideas from Chrysler 200 and Ford Fusion to inject some European design into the next model. We can't tell much about the front aside from the fascia appearing to stay the same. There are mechanical changes in store as well. Chevrolet could drop the 2.5L four-cylinder for a smaller four-cylinder with a turbocharger to increase fuel economy. Source: Automobile Magazine William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

Dinner Bill

Earlier this month, the FBI searched Ford Motor Company's world headquarters after starting an investigation into a former employee who is accused of industrial espionage. The Detroit News got their hands on the court records and search warrants which show on July 11th, the FBI had permission to search the entire building and seize digital and electronic recording devices, emails, and and other records involving Sharon Leech, a former Ford engineer who is at the center of this investigation. Leech, an engineer who worked at Ford for seventeen years, was fired recently after Ford's security team discovered recording devices planted in the automaker’s meeting rooms. Ford's security team believes that Leach was stealing trade secrets from the hidden audio recorders. However, Leech's lawyer argues that those devices were used to help her transcribe meetings. “It didn’t involve anything of a spying nature. She wanted to record conversations of meetings she attended but didn’t know how to do it. She was insecure about her note-taking," said Marshall Tauber, the lawyer representing Leech. One surprise is that the FBI got search warrants and not a subpoena for this. There is a reason for this. In cases of industrial espionage, the recording devices could be erased before getting to the FBI. The search warrants eliminate this. Leech declined to comment when reached by the The Detroit News. Source: The Detroit News View full article