sciguy_0504

The new Sante Fe couldn't get here any sooner.

Underwhelmed, I guess. This is the dash the Aura should have gotten.

So the Azera is the highest-rated car based on, what, 500 responses?

Only the V8 model is getting the 6-speed. Better than nothing, IMO. How come the SRX gets real wood but the Escalade doesn't? Because the Escalade can sell itself without it?

MONTVALE, N.J. - Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported its highest May on record with sales of 21,621 new vehicles, an increase of 21.4 percent over last May, bringing year-to-date sales to 94,133 new vehicles, a 17.1 percent increase compared to the first five months of 2005. Passenger car sales of 15,282 units showed an increase of 6.4 percent over May 2005. The strongest increase for the month (and for the year-to-date) was the flagship 2007 S-Class with sales of 2,526 units, an increase of 84.5 percent over last May. Other strong performers include the SL-Class and SLK-Class roadsters with combined sales of 2,283, a 37.1 percent increase over May 2005 and E-Class sedan and wagon sales of 4,070, a 14 percent increase over May 2005. Sales for Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the luxury light truck segment -- M-Class, R-Class, GL-Class and G-Class -- continue to gain momentum as a group with an 84 percent increase over May 2005 and a 105.3 percent increase over year-to-date 2005 (23,257 v. 11,328). In this group, the all-new 2007 GL-Class, the first European full-sized luxury SUV, recorded sales of 2,545 for its first full month on the market. Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned program, MBUSA sold 4,150 vehicles in May, bringing annual sales for the year to a total of 18,656 units, an increase of 7.8 percent over May 2005. In 2005, MBUSA achieved its twelfth consecutive year of sales growth by setting the highest sales volume in its history with 224,421 new vehicle sales. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., MBUSA is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at www.mbusa.com. http://www.mbusa.com/cda/aboutus/jsp/index.jsp?page=news

Those numbers are slightly surprising. I guess the Sentra finally lost steam.

June 1, 2006 -- CYPRESS, Calif. -- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) today reported May sales of 11,821 units, an increase of 3.9% compared to May 2005 sales of 11,380. The increase follows a 17.5% year-over-year increase in April. "We are very pleased to put together two consecutive months of very strong sales," said President & CEO Hiroshi Harunari. "This gives us tremendous momentum entering the summer selling season, with our exciting new Eclipse Spyder convertible just beginning to make an impact." - May sales volume closed at 11,821, up 9.0% from last month's volume and 3.9% up from last May's volume. This was the best month since March 2005. - Galant was the volume leader at 3,071, up 8.9% up from last May's volume. - Eclipse Spyder closed with 895 sales, up 85.7% from last years May sales. - Eclipse closed at 2,606, up 64.5% from May 2005 volume. CYTD volume of 11,002 is up 92.9% from last year CYTD. - Endeavor closed at 1,681, up 35.5% from last month's (April 2006) volume. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations of the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in the United States. Mitsubishi Motors sells coupes, convertibles, sedans, sport utility vehicles, and light trucks through a network of approximately 540 dealers. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com. http://media.mitsubishicars.com/detail?mid...143045&mime=ASC

June 1, 2006 – Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported overall best-ever monthly sales of 235,708 vehicles, an increase of 12.3 percent over May 2005. It marks the third consecutive month and seventh time Toyota has recorded at least 200,000 sales in a single month. Calendar-year-to-date (CYTD) sales total 1,000,524 units, up 8.8 percent over the same period last year. "The pinch at the pump has made small cars part of the big picture, right along with hybrids," said TMS Group Vice President and Toyota Division General Manager Jim Lentz, whose promotion to executive vice president of TMS is subject to the approval of Toyota Motor Corporation on June 23. "The market is healthy, though shifting." The Toyota Division reported all-time best-ever monthly sales of 205,709, up 12.8 percent. The Lexus Division recorded best-ever May sales with 29,999 units sold, an increase of 8.9 percent. Toyota Division Toyota Division passenger cars posted all-time best-ever monthly sales of 144,875 units, up 19.6 percent over the same period last year. Making its U.S. debut in mid March, the Yaris subcompact posted robust sales of 8,065 units. The Corolla enjoyed all-time best-ever sales of 41,550 units in May, up 28 percent. The completely redesigned 2007 Camry, which went on sale in March, recorded May sales of 43,112 units, an increase of 3.6 percent. Arriving in showrooms in late April, the all-new Camry Hybrid had early sales of 3,032 units. Demand for the Prius gas-electric hybrid continues to outweigh supply, with sales totaling 8,103 units for the month. Toyota Division light truck sales reported a best-ever May totaling 79,127 units, an increase of 6.4 percent. Sales of RAV4 reached all-time best-ever sales of 14,013 units, up 97 percent over the same period last year. The all-new FJ Cruiser, which debuted in late March, posted strong sales of 6,670 units. Highlander Hybrid enjoyed May sales of 3,755 units. Scion reported all-time best-ever sales with 18,103 units sold. The tC sports coupe reported best-ever May sales of 7,413 units, up 10.6 over last year. The popular xB subcompact recorded its all-time best-ever month with 6,763 units sold, an increase of 41.4. The xA subcompact also posted all-time best-ever monthly sales of 3,927 units, up 71.3 percent over the same period last year. Lexus Division Lexus passenger cars posted all-time best-ever sales with 18,293 units, an increase of 38.9 percent. The all-new ES 350 luxury sedan, which went on sale in late April, led the way with an all-time best-ever sales month of 9,554 units, and increase of 52.2 percent. The IS luxury sport sedans reported best-ever May sales of 4,605 units, a 928.1 percent increase over last May. The IS 250 reported sales of 3,400, with the IS 350 recording 1,205 units. The RX 400h luxury hybrid SUV continued its steady sales performance with a total of 2,006 units in May. Sales of North American-built vehicles accounted for 52.4 percent of total May sales. There were 25 selling days this sales month compared to 24 last May. http://pressroom.toyota.com/Releases/View?...YT2006060141005

Jaguar needs that $2 billion infusion to produce results immediately. An increase in XK sales is not going to cut it. The new C70 from Volvo is needed now more than ever; does anyone know when the new one is going to be released? The new Expedition is needed, too. Ford also needs a sub-economy car, IMO.

I know exactly what you're getting at.

9-2x....LOL. Mark needs to understand that volume will never be where it was in the past because of a reduction in fleet sales and outrageous incentives. GM is going to have to make some truely, unbelievably great cars to reach those levels and I highly doubt it will reach them even with great cars because those levels were artificially inflated, kind of like a woman stuffing her bra.

I was blown away by the shots and information that was posted a few months ago. Mitsubishi has done its homework. Now it just has to advertise the hell of the car and the rest of the lineup.

Tell them to wait for the Enclave. They'll ask, "SRX what?"

Three words: New York Times. It is all you need to know. CARBIZ, as it has been pointed out many a time, please count how many SUVs and trucks GM has versus Toyota or any other car manufacturer. You have to admit, GM sucked that cow dry during the 1990's.

I know, isn't it great!!!!!

I think it comes down to this: if anyone buys any car without air conditioning, a radio and/or power something/everything, they are morons, idiots, assinine, stupid, etc. If they want to waste their money on such a limited content car, let them. This has nothing to do with news or some big media conspiracy against GM. It's about stupid people.

I fail to see, especially in comparison to the FJ, how the Xterra is even remotely unique.

LOL. I wonder how many people would be happy if "Asia Inc." pulled its factories out of North America. Sure, people like FOG would applaud the move but the ones with the jobs and the towns with the plants would not. It's funny that there is no mention of the increasing production of parts and cars by U.S. automakers in other countries. Essentially, they are just like "Asia Inc."

8 2 1

I kind of prefer the look of the STS over that of the CTS. The rear is really the only turnoff and it's a slight turnoff. It's just a shame the interior is not completely up to par.

Great, great news. It may sacrifice volume a little bit, especially in the beginning, but this is what is needed for perception and perception is an ingredient in the big stew called "what is needed to sell cars." BTW, if you want a FWD car or a real SUV, please see other GM divisions.

Toyota us expanding way too fast at the expense of quality/reliability and it will bite them in the ass eventually. Clam up, Toyota. It is not worth rushing to #1 in the first place let alone being #1 if it means quality/reliability will suffer. You go up just to come down.

The rear end is horrible as it looks like BMW was inspired by the new Civic. The front is alright, it looks mean and somewhat bad ass, but it does not look masculine. More like a stereotypical gay guy with a bitch attitude. The sides look good, though. I think I would take a current X5.

Yes, that definately is a plus.