Drew Dowdell

Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) today reported June 2012 sales, including 1,461 sales of the Outlander Sport CUV. This marks a 13 percent increase compared to June of 2011. Year-to-date sales of Outlander Sport are up 2.6 percent. "We're pleased that U.S. consumers are confirming our strategy of focusing on fuel-efficient models like this stylish crossover," said MMNA President & CEO Yoichi Yokozawa. "We'll begin U.S. production of this popular model this month in Normal, Illinois." Mitsubishi had good news on the high-performance front, as well. Sales of the Lancer Evolution continue to grow, with an increase of more than 31 percent in June. Lancer Evolution sales are up more than 35 percent year to date. Sales of the Galant sedan were up 116 percent for the month and are up 3.1 percent year to date. "Our overall sales volume will continue to be impacted by our models that have not been in production since summer 2011," Yokozawa added. Total Mitsubishi June sales were 34 percent below the level of sales in June 2011, but sales of models currently in production were up 10.2 percent. View full article

Retail sales up 18% for the month Atlanta - July 3, 2012 - Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), importer and distributor of Porsche sports cars, Cayenne SUVs and the Panamera four-door sports sedan line-up in the United States, today announced June 2012 sales of 3,002 vehicles. This compares to 2,546 vehicles sold last June, for an increase of 18 percent. For the year, Porsche has sold 16,450 cars in the U.S., a six percent increase over last year's sales of 15,542. "June was an exciting month for sports car fans as the all-new Boxster models arrived in Porsche dealerships right at the end of the month and joined the showroom next to the all-new 911 coupe and cabriolet models," said PCNA's President and CEO, Detlev von Platen. Porsche sold 464 Boxster models in June (458 of which were the all-new 2013 Boxster) - a 117 percent increase over June 2011. In addition, Porsche sold 861 new 911 models, a 44 percent increase over June 2011. Porsche's Approved Certified Pre-Owned vehicle sales were 835 for June 2012. Year-to-date, Porsche has sold 4,856 CPO models, a 12 percent increase versus 2011(4,232). View full article

JAGUAR LAND ROVER REPORTS U.S. SALES FOR JUNE 2012 • Jaguar Land Rover North America sales increase 2 percent for June; up 16 percent year-to-date. • Land Rover sales increase 14 percent for June on continued strength of Range Rover Evoque; Brand up 21 percent year-to-date • Jaguar XF up 3 percent for June, 2012; Jaguar sales up 1 percent year-to-date JULY 3, 2012 (MAHWAH, NJ) – Jaguar Land Rover North America today reported June 2012 sales: Land Rover sales for the month were 3,602 up 14 percent from 3,152 in 2011; Jaguar sales for the month were 1,030 down 26 percent from 1,389 in 2011; Jaguar Land Rover North America sales for the month were 4,632 up 2 percent from 4,541 units in 2011. For the first half of 2012, Jaguar Land Rover North America is up 16 percent. "Jaguar Land Rover’s June U.S. sales this year were up two percent as we begin transition into a very important MY13 for both brands," said Andy Goss, President, Jaguar Land Rover North America. “We are pleased to complete the first half of the year with sales growth from both Jaguar and Land Rover brands in the United States.” U.S. BRAND HIGHLIGHTS Land Rover For the month of June, 2012, Land Rover sales were up 14 percent continuing the momentum established over the last two years. The volume leader for June, 2012 was the Range Rover Sport with 1,235 units sold, on par with 1,233 in 2011. For the year, Range Rover Sport is up 3 percent. The all-new Range Rover Evoque, winner of the 2012 North American Truck of the Year, hit 663 units sold in June, 2012. For the first half of 2012 Land Rover in the United States reached 20,991 units up 21 percent. Land Rover's 2012 Model Year line-up features four models: The 230-hp 3.2 liter I6 powered LR2; the LR4 powered by the 375-hp 5.0 liter V8; the Range Rover Sport and Range Rover, both available with the Naturally-aspirated 375-hp V8 and 510-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8 powertrains. The Model Year 12 Range Rover Evoque luxury compact SUV went on sale in October. The 2012 Range Rover Evoque has a starting price of $43,995* for the five-door, and $44,995* for the coupe and achieves 28 MPG** EPA highway and 18 MPG** EPA city. Jaguar Jaguar's U.S. sales for June, 2012 were down 26 percent to 1,030 units, from 1,389 in 2011. For the first half of the year of 2012, Jaguar U.S. sales are 6,506 units up 1 percent from 6,410 in 2011. The volume leader for the month of June was the Jaguar XF with 489 sales, up 3 percent from 476 in 2012. Year-to-date, Jaguar sales are led by the Jaguar XF sports sedan, up 24 percent for the year versus 2011. For the 2013 model year, Jaguar will offer new engine options and eight-speed automatic transmissions in the XF and XJ sedan lineups. New engine options include a powerful and fuel efficient 240 horsepower turbocharged 2-liter four cylinder engine for the Jaguar XF, and a 340 horsepower supercharged 3-liter V6 engine to both the Jaguar XJ and XF. Jaguar has launched a new global brand direction and marketing campaign, themed "ALIVE,” which introduces the famed British brand to luxury consumers in a new modern context. The brand direction is driven by the belief that Jaguar makes the world's most instinctively rewarding performance cars. The campaign, created with Spark 44, the international communications agency that's part-owned by Jaguar Land Rover, will feature print, TV, digital advertising and a new look that contemporizes the aesthetics of the brand at every customer touch point. The Jaguar brand will have new corporate identification and a new font, created exclusively for the brand. The dramatic alteration, including significant changes to the brand symbols of the “leaper” and “growler,” is the most extensive change Jaguar has made to its visual identification in 40 years. Jaguar's 2012 Model Year line-up features three models: The Jaguar XJ luxury sedan, powered by either the naturally-aspirated 385-hp V8, the 470-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8 or the 510-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8; the Jaguar XF sports sedan powered by either the naturally-aspirated 385-hp V8, the 470-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8 or, in the XFR, the 510-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8 powertrains; and the XK coupe and convertible sports cars powered by either the naturally-aspirated 385-hp V8, or for the XKR, the 510-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8 powertrains. For 2012, Jaguar has added its highest performance model ever, the 2012 Jaguar XKR-S coupe and convertible with a 550-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8 powertrain. The Jaguar F-TYPE will join the lineup in 2013. View full article

VOLVO ANNOUNCES JUNE SALES ROCKLEIGH, N.J. (July 3, 2012) - Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, (VCNA) reported U.S. sales of 7,107 units, a 0.1 percent increase from June 2011. Year-to-date sales are down 4.6 percent over the first half of 2011. The top seller for the month was the award-winning S60 sports sedan with 2,649 units sold, followed by the XC60 with 1,626 units sold, a 20.5 percent increase from June 2011. New Volvo buyers benefit from Volvo's Safe + Secure Coverage Plan. A complimentary program, Safe + Secure wraps a comprehensive list of benefits into one package. Specifically, it provides: 5 years/50,000 miles of New Car Warranty 5 years/50,000 miles of Complimentary Factory Scheduled Maintenance 5 years/50,000 miles of Wear and Tear Coverage 5 years/Unlimited miles of Volvo On Call Roadside Assistance. View full article

MBUSA POSTS RECORD SALES ACROSS ALL THREE BRANDS IN JUNE “Best Ever” Months for Mercedes-Benz at 22,231, smart at 1,017, Sprinter at 2,140 MONTVALE, N.J. – Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported combined sales of 25,388 with “Best Ever” months for its Mercedes-Benz, smart and Sprinter model lines. The 12.5% increase for the month brings the year-to-date total to 142,619, up 20.8 % and making this MBUSA’s highest first-half on record. Mercedes-Benz models posted June sales of 22,231, a 7.6 % improvement over June 2011, delivering a year-to-date total of 128,595 new vehicles to customers, up 15.9%. “This marks a historic milestone for Mercedes-Benz in the U.S. market. Not only did we post all-time record sales across all three business units in June, we achieved our highest half-year sales in our 47-year history,” said Steve Cannon President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA today. Sales for the month of June were led by the C-, E- and M-Class model lines. The sporty C-Class – the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand on the car side for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers – took the lead with sales of 6,506. The 9th generation E-Class followed with sales of 5,589 and MBUSA’s top-selling SUV, the M-Class, rounded out the top three with sales of 2,891. At the high end, the all-new iconic sixth generation 2013 SL roadster - debuting in showrooms last month - posted sales of 346 yielding an increase of 217.4% and the SLS AMG supercar retailed 86 for the month, up 377.8% over the same period last year. On a year-to-date basis, top performers again were the C-Class with 37,686, the E-Class with 30,366 and the M-Class with 20,626.Monthly sales of the high-performance AMG models were 515, up 75.2% versus June 2011 (385) and up 62.4% year to date.Sales of the company’s BlueTEC diesel models were also up 50.3% for the year at 8,945 compared to the 5,953 diesels sold over the same time last year. On the one-year anniversary of the smart brand coming under the MBUSA umbrella, sales of the model line achieved the highest reported volume since August of 2009. June sales of 1,017 vehicles represent a 208% jump for the month (compared to the 330 vehicles sold in June 2011), bringing the year-to-date volume to 4,748, up 86%. On the van side, sales of Sprinter vans also saw best-ever sales in June with 2,140 – up 12% over last year and up 30.7% on a year-to-date basis. Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) program, MBUSA sold 6,593 vehicles in June; an increase of 2.9% when compared to June 2011 (sales of 6,410 vehicles). On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 39,419 vehicles, a decrease of 1.1% over the comparable period (with sales of 39,855 vehicles). View full article

BMW Group U.S. Reports June 2012 Sales BMW brand up 11.3 percent year-to-date MINI brand up 7.5 percent, new year-to-date record Woodcliff Lake, NJ – July 3, 2012… The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported June sales of 27,720 vehicles, an increase of 3.2 percent from the 26,865 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, BMW Group is up 10.5 percent on sales of 158,563 in the first six months of 2012 compared to 143,521 in the same period in 2011. “The June numbers continue the solid, consistent growth we predicted but, most important, the first six months of the year are setting the stage for even better results ahead,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America, LLC. “Demand is strong though we’ve been constrained by new model ramp up but supply will soon catch up in the second half of the year.” BMW Brand Sales Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 0.4 percent in June for a total of 21,725 compared to 21,637 vehicles sold in June, 2011. Year-to-date, the BMW brand is up 11.3 percent on sales of 126,504 compared to 113,705 sold in the first six months of 2011. In June, best performing vehicles included the 5 Series, up 23.1 percent to 5,374 units; and the 6 Series, up 105.8 percent to 642 units; and the Sports Activity Vehicle segment (X3, X5 and X6), up 21.5 percent to 7,489 units. BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles In June, sales of BMW used vehicles (including certified pre-owned and pre-owned) increased 5.4 percent to 13,489 vehicles from the 12,801 vehicles sold in June 2011. January through June, BMW used vehicle sales are up 3.5 percent on volume of 82,281 compared to 79,511 in the same period of 2011. MINI Brand Sales MINI USA reported sales of 5,995 automobiles in June, an increase of 14.7 percent from the 5,228 sold in June 2011. Year-to-date, MINI sales in the U.S. are up 7.5 percent on volume of 32,059 compared to 29,816 in the first six months of 2011. “Here we are at the midpoint of 2012 with MINI achieving record sales in June and in the first half of the year,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President, MINI USA. “Tomorrow we launch the nationwide MINI Takes the States – 16 states, 13 cities – the greatest rally in our fabled history. It’s a wonderful time to be MINI.” View full article

VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS 34.2% SALES INCREASE IN JUNE - Brand ends first half of 2012 with 208,725 and 35.4 percent increase - • First half 2012 up 35.4 percent with 208,725 units sold and 38,170 for the month, marking the best June and best first half since 1973 • Passat sales reach over 10,000 units for the fourth consecutive month, with 10,252 sold • Best June sales for Tiguan with 2,885 units sold • Beetle sales of 2,914 marked the best June since 2002 • High-mileage, clean diesel TDI models account for 19.2 percent of sales in June, up 21.5 percent versus the prior year Herndon, VA - Volkswagen of America, Inc. (VWoA) today reported 38,170 units sold in June, a 34.2 percent increase over prior year sales, 35.4 percent increase year-to-date and the best June and best first half since 1973. “Selling over 200,000 vehicles in the first half of the year is a significant accomplishment for Volkswagen and a strong sign that our broad range of high-quality vehicles are continuing to gain acceptance by pundits and consumers,” said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “As we prepare for the second half of the year, we are confident that the foundations we’ve put in place will continue to bear fruit.” The 2012 Motor Trend Car of the Year, the Volkswagen Passat sold 10,252 units, marking four months of sales over 10,000 units. The Passat TDI was recently named the winner of Edmunds.com’s 40 MPG challenge beating out 6 other sedans tested; the Passat averaged 43 mpg in city driving and 51.7 mpg on the highway portion of the test route. In addition to receiving numerous product awards for vehicle quality, value and performance, the Volkswagen brand received a number of accolades this year, including Strategic Vision’s #1 Brand for Total Value Index; the CLIO Award for Global Advertiser of the Year and Rutgers University’s Gold Edison Green Award. Jetta sedan, including the enthusiast GLI model, remains the volume leader for Volkswagen with sales totaling 11,598, while Jetta SportWagen totaled 2,006. The Beetle continues to gain momentum with 2,914 units sold, while Golf sales totaled 4,092 units. This also marks the best June ever for Tiguan, selling 2,885 units. The Volkswagen Touareg sold 794 units. View full article

AMERICAN SUZUKI JUNE 2012 SALES UP 1 PERCENT American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) today reported June 2012 sales of 2,299 units, up 1 percent from last year. This is the second consecutive month of year over year sales growth fueled by a competitive 0% APR program on all models, which will continue into July. June’s sales increase was led by a 5 percent sales increase of the multipurpose SX4 Crossover and spirited Sedan. Grand Vitara sales remained steady with a 2 percent increase over June 2011. Note: No sales chart was made available at the time of this posting. View full article

KIA MOTORS AMERICA COMPLETES BEST FIRST HALF SALES IN COMPANY HISTORY WITH RECORD JUNE PERFORMANCE Fastest-Growing Car Company in the U.S.1 Breaks 150,000 Quarterly Sales Mark for First Time in Q2 and Achieves 22nd Consecutive Monthly Sales Record IRVINE, Calif., July 3, 2012 - Kia Motors America's (KMA) unprecedented momentum and growth reached new heights last month with best-ever June sales of 51,326 units, a 13.9-percent increase over the same period last year, contributing to the brand's best quarter ever of 150,647 units – topping more than 150,000 units in a three month period for the first time. Kia's streak of consecutive monthly sales records extended to 22 months, and the brand's historic second quarter performance capped off the best first half in company history with year-to-date sales up 17.8 percent. The record-setting June sales were highlighted by continued healthy demand for the brand's two U.S.-built* products – the Optima midsize sedan and Sorento CUV built at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) – with Optima surpassing the 70,000 unit mark. Consumers also continued to turn to Kia for fuel efficient vehicle choices such as the Soul urban passenger vehicle, which was honored as a segment winner in the 2012 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS) in June. In total, Kia vehicles that achieve more than 30 mpg on the highway2 accounted for 78 percent of June sales. "Kia has been setting one sales record after another for nearly two years, and the ongoing popularity of our two U.S.-built products as well as the Soul have attracted new customers to our showrooms and dramatically raised awareness, perception and consideration for the brand in a very short period of time," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and KMMG. "Kia offers discerning shoppers a standout combination of world-class design and quality, outstanding fuel efficiency, advanced technologies and tremendous value, and with more new products arriving in the next year, we will continue to draw new customers into our showrooms to look at Kia for the first time." Kia's Unprecedented Growth Kia Motors is one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking . Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds two of the company's best-selling vehicles in the U.S. – the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan*. Kia's valueand technology-laden lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan. View full article

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA REPORTS JUNE AND MID-YEAR SALES Beats all-time sales record for the first half of the year Best June ever Equus has best month ever COSTA MESA, Calif., July 3, 2012 – Hyundai Motor America, the most fuel-efficient automaker in the U.S., today announced an all-time June sales record of 63,813 units, up eight percent over last year’s all-time June record. Retail-only sales were up nine percent. For the first half of the year, sales are up 10 percent to a record 356,669 units, with retail sales up 13 percent. “Despite a slight softening in May and June from the surprisingly strong industry retail sales pace for the first four months of the year, the Hyundai brand continues to build retail sales momentum and consistently achieve all-time monthly volume records,” said Dave Zuchowski, executive vice president of sales. “We expect continued sales growth during the robust summer selling season, with help from three recent and extremely exciting new additions to our line-up of industry-leading fuel-efficient vehicles: our all-new Veloster Turbo, the Elantra GT and Elantra Coupe.” The all-new Azera, recently named an IIHS’ Top Safety Pick, continued its strong sales pace resulting in a 350 percent gain over last June. Accent and Sonata saw sales gains of 57 percent and 12 percent respectively, over the same period a year ago. Elantra sales declined 12 percent purely as a function of very low inventory levels, with just 8,160 Elantra sedans in dealer stock nationally at month-end. Hyundai’s family of premium products, Genesis and Equus, continue to deliver outstanding sales results finishing the month up 11 percent. Contrary to industry trends this month, Hyundai fleet sales and mix were once again down from last year, to an 11 percent mix for the month and a nine percent mix year-to-date, among the lowest in the industry. In keeping with its industry-leading fuel efficiency status, Hyundai achieved a corporate average fuel economy level of 37.0 MPG (28.5 MPG label value) in June, while selling 24,140 vehicles (38 percent of total sales) with 40 MPG window label highway fuel economy ratings. “June was another month for us to salute the dedicated Hyundai manufacturing teams for their efforts to keep up with consumer demand, and our hard-working dealers for their efforts matching consumers with light on-ground and inbound inventory,” said John Krafcik president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. “With retail inventories of just 28 days, we’re doing our best to meet demand and appreciate the patience of Hyundai shoppers looking to put a new Hyundai in their driveway.” View full article

IRVINE, Calif. (July 3, 2012) - Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported June U.S. sales of 19,911 vehicles, representing an increase of 3.1 percent versus last year. Year-to-date sales through June are up 17.5 percent (16.0 percent DSR) versus last year, with 143,797 vehicles sold. Key June sales notes: In response to global demand far outstripping expectations for Mazda's SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY,Mazda Motor Corporation has announced it will double production capacity of the state-of-the-art powertrain at its engine plant in Hiroshima, Japan. In the U.S., Mazda's total SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY vehicle sales for June (comprised of CX-5 and certain models of Mazda3) account for 55 percent of the company's total sales for the month. Mazda3 had its best June since 2008 with 8,835 vehicles sold. In particular, the SKYACTIV-equipped model represented 73.6 percent of Mazda3 vehicles sold for the month. The all-new 2013 Mazda CX-5 is proving to be a popular choice as the award-winning compact crossover SUV remains one of the fastest-turning vehicles in the industry, with many dealers reporting more customers than inventory. In its fourth full month of sales, 4,551 CX-5s were sold in June, representing a 15.0 percent increase from last month. As summer heats up, the Mazda MX-5 had its best June since 2008 with 659 vehicles sold. Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported June sales of 2,084 vehicles, up 5.0 percent versus June of last year. View full article

American Honda Reports June Auto Sales: 48-Percent Surge Nets Best June Sales Since 2008; Honda CR-V and Acura RDX Set Best-Ever June Records Honda division sales up 45 percent, Acura sales up 76 percent 07/03/2012 - TORRANCE, Calif. American Honda today reported June 2012 U.S. sales of 124,808 units, an increase of 48.8 percent compared with June 2011 (an increase of 43.3 percent based on the daily selling rate*). The Honda Division posted June 2012 sales of 109,438 units, an increase of 45.6 percent compared with June 2011. Acura's U.S. June sales of 15,370 units increased 76.5 percent compared with June 2011. Honda - CR-V sets sixth-consecutive monthly sales record with a new June record (23,282 units), up more than 50 percent from June 2011 - Accord sales top 28,000 units, up more than 80 percent from June 2011 - Exceptional month for core Honda products (Accord, Civic, CR-V) with sales up more than 50 percent from last June for each model "With robust inventories and great customer demand, it feels good to be back in the race," said John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president of sales. "The strong performance of our core models, including another record-breaking month for the CR-V, demonstrates the fundamental competitiveness of Honda products." Acura - Total Acura sales of 15,370 units were up 76.5 percent over June 2011, the best June sales since 2007 - The new RDX continued its sales success with another record sales month (3,090 units), up 189.3 percent. In May, the RDX was the best-selling compact luxury SUV and is expected to retain that position for June - Acura light trucks posted a best-ever June result of 8,278 units, up 82.1 percent from last year - Both the TL and TSX enjoyed substantial sales increases over June 2011, up 47.1 percent and 43.9 percent respectively. With national advertising just starting in June, the all-new ILX has begun to build both inventory and awareness, posting June sales of 1,081 units "The weather may be too hot in many parts of the country, but Acura sales are continuing to heat up," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. "With our light trucks setting records and our volume sedans showing major increases, it's going to be a great summer for Acura." *The daily selling rate (DSR) is calculated with 27 days for June 2012 and 26 days for June 2011. Year-to-date, the DSR is calculated with 154 days for 2012 and 152 days for 2011. All other percentages in release are unadjusted; see table for adjusted DSR figures. View full article

.... yet actual useful vehicles like the Avalanche get canceled.....