Drew Dowdell

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.....

Subaru of America, Inc. Breaks June Sales Record -- June marks seventh consecutive month of sales gains for the brand -- June sales increase 40 percent over prior month -- Subaru year-to-date sales are up 24 percent CHERRY HILL, N.J., July 3, 2012 -- Subaru of America, Inc. today reported record sales for June 2012 of 27,702 vehicles, a 40 percent gain over June 2011. The company also reported year-to-date sales of 164,304 – a 24 percent gain over prior year. June sales for the all-new 2012 Impreza continue to climb. Sales for the 36 MPG all-wheel drive Impreza are up 146 percent over June 2011. Outback and Legacy models also enjoyed 17 and 12 percent month-over-month gains, respectively. "Subaru is celebrating the half-year mark with another month of consecutive sales gains," said Thomas J. Doll, executive vice president and COO, Subaru of America, Inc. "Our brand is poised for a record-breaking summer and another record-breaking year." "Consumers value reliability, safety, fuel efficiency and performance; car shoppers are turning to Subaru because we deliver on those values," said Bill Cyphers, senior vice president of sales, Subaru of America, Inc. "A seventh consecutive month of sales gains clearly indicates that our line-up of sedans and crossover vehicles – and our new BRZ sports car – are hitting the sweet spot for consumers." View full article

Toyota Sales Increase More Than 60 Percent in June 2012 TORRANCE, Calif. (July 3, 2012) – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported June 2012 sales results of 177,795 units, an increase of 54.3 percent compared to the same period last year on a daily selling rate (DSR) basis. On a raw volume basis, unadjusted for 27 selling days in June 2012 compared to 26 selling days in June 2011, TMS sales were up 60.3 percent from the year-ago month. The Toyota Division posted June total sales of 157,773 units, an increase of 51.7 percent on a DSR basis from June 2011. On a raw volume basis, Toyota Division sales were up 57.5 percent from the year-ago month. For the first half of the year, TMS reported sales of 1,046,096 units. With 154 selling days in the first half of 2012, compared to 152 selling days during the first half of 2011, sales were up 27.0 percent on a DSR basis from the same period last year. On a raw volume basis, unadjusted for two extra selling days in 2012, sales were up 28.7 percent during the first half of the year. “June and first-half year sales were driven by consumer interest in our new models including the Prius c, the newest member of the Prius family, and the Camry, the best-selling car in America," said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. "We expect to see continued stability in the automotive market during the second half of 2012 thanks to pent-up demand, low interest rates and a continued influx of new products." The Lexus Division reported total sales of 20,022 units in June 2012, up 79.0 percent from June 2011 on a DSR basis. Volume-wise, Lexus Division sales were up 85.9 percent compared to the same period last year. Toyota Division Toyota Division passenger cars recorded combined monthly sales of 90,079 units, up 68.1 percent from June 2011. Passenger car sales were led by Camry and Camry Hybrid with combined sales of 32,107 units, and Corolla reported combined June sales of 26,647 units. The Prius family of vehicles posted June sales of 19,150 units. Toyota Division light trucks recorded June sales of 67,694 units, an increase of 34.3 percent compared to the same month last year. Light truck sales were led by the RAV4 compact SUV and Tacoma mid-size pickup truck, with monthly sales of 15,129 and 11,864 respectively. Highlander and Highlander Hybrid reported combined sales of 10,379 units, and the Tundra full-size pickup reported sales of 8,693 unit. Scion posted June sales of 8,400 units, up of 134.1 percent over June 2011. The newly launched FR-S sports car led the way with sales of 2,684. The tC sports coupe reported sales of 2,128 units, flat year-over-year. The XD five-door urban subcompact posted sales of 1,017 units, and the xB urban utility vehicle posted June sales of 1,869 units. The all-new iQ premium micro-subcompact posted monthly sales of 702 units. Lexus Division Lexus reported passenger car sales of 10,247 units, up 99.7 percent from June 2011. The ES 350 entry luxury sedan led Lexus passenger car sales with sales of 3,780 units, while the IS luxury sports sedan reported sales of 2,572 units. The CT 200h premium hybrid compact posted 1,387 units. Lexus luxury utility vehicles recorded sales of 9,775 units, up 61.4 percent over June 2011. Lexus light truck sales were led by the RX and RX Hybrid luxury utility vehicle, which posted combined June sales of 8,641 units. The GX 460 mid-size luxury utility vehicle reported sales of 808 units, while the LX luxury utility vehicle recorded sales of 326 units. TMS Hybrids TMS posted June sales of 25,776 hybrid vehicles, an increase of 335.2 percent compared to the same period last year. Toyota Division posted June sales of 23,105 hybrids, while Lexus Division reported sales of 2,671 hybrids for the month. View full article

Infiniti U.S. Sales Up 66% in June- Luxury automaker reports best June sales since 2007 - FRANKIN, Tenn. - Infiniti today reported U.S. sales of 10,436 units for the month of June, an increase of 66.1 percent versus 6,282 units a year earlier. Calendar year-to-date Infiniti sales of 54,377 vehicles are up 15 percent compared to the 47,268 units sold during the same period last year. Highlights of Infiniti's sales performance for June include: Sales of the Infiniti G Sedan for the month were up 48.5 percent to 3,923 units, which was the model's best June since 2007. Infiniti M Line sales of 815 units represented a 24.8 percent increase, while the Infiniti QX full-size luxury SUV was up 24.4 percent to 1,044 units, its best performance in five years. The all-new Infiniti JX 7-passenger luxury crossover, introduced this March, continued its strong launch with 2,428 units sold in June. Overall, this was Infiniti's best June sales performance since 2007. "June was a great month for Infiniti, with increased sales of practically every one of our lines and the Infiniti JX 7-passenger luxury crossover adding incremental volume," said Ben Poore, vice president of Infiniti Americas. "We expect our sales growth to continue in July, as retailers continue to build inventory of the Infiniti JX, and we begin our Limited Engagement Summer Event." View full article

Nissan North America Sales Increase 28.2% in June - Nissan Division achieves record June sales - FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today reported June U.S. sales of 92,237 units versus 71,940 units a year earlier, up 28.2 percent. Nissan Division sales increased 24.6 percent for the month at 81,801 units. Sales of Infiniti vehicles were up 66.1 percent over the prior year, to 10,436 units. NISSAN HIGHLIGHTS Nissan Division posted 81,801 sales, a June record and up 24.6 percent from last June's 65,659 units. Nissan Juke sales of 3,101 units represented an increase of 52.7 percent from the prior year, a June record. Nissan Rogue also achieved best-ever June sales, with 10,999 units marking a 46.8 percent increase over June 2011. Nissan Altima sales of 21,812 increased 11.7 percent from year-ago. All vehicles in Nissan's truck, SUV and crossover lineup posted sales increases, with trucks collectively posting a 38 percent rise in June from a year ago. "Nissan's sales increase of almost 25 percent in June was driven by double-digit gains for the majority of models across our lineup," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division. "We expect our momentum to continue into July, the first full month of sales for our all-new 2013 Nissan Altima, which is our most innovative mid-size sedan ever." View full article

I'm interested in noise. How loud/quiet is it on the highway. Tire hum, tire slap, engine buzz.... and the like.

"Lane Departure Warning Systems" are really "You forgot to signal, asshole!" buzzers. It took me all of a day to learn to ignore it in the two test vehicles I've driven equipped with such a nanny. Adaptive headlights have already saved me from and accident at least twice. They allowed me to see around a corner and avoid hitting a deer both times.

Here's a slightly smaller Acer. Great ratings, less expensive, all business and nothing fancy. Acer V223W EJBD 22-Inch Wide LCD Displayhttp://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cheeandgear-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003D59FEQ" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

clearing out the lots.

Any flat panel monitor will do as long as it has a VGA connection. Though I will say to avoid the Westinghouse branded ones that Target sell. This looks like a good one, I've had good luck with Viewsonic. Viewsonic's VA2448M-LED 24-Inch Widescreen LED Monitor - Black edit: it's also an LED screen instead of a standard LCD.... it uses 50% less power than a normal LCD and is slimmer and lighter.

I'm surprised the A6 isn't doing better.

Magnetic ride control is ex-pens-ive. The typical Malibu owner is not going to want to spend $300 a shock when it comes time to replace.

Update: Volt is now 8,817 YTD v. Corvette 7,022

Want a solar powered, steam wankel with a sterling engine waste heat collector? The Volt could, theoretically, use such a contraption and still operate as an every day car. My wish for the Volt's next step is this: A very small displacement, turbo charged HCCI gas generator. HCCI can get 15% better fuel economy than a direct injected gas engine of the same displacement, but they don't like to rev. 3,000 RPM is about the limit for HCCI operation and then they have to switch over to spark ignition. This setup could potentially put the Volt into the 70mpg - 80mpg range