Drew Dowdell

Lincoln (the entire line) outsold the discontinued Ranger by 78 units.

Ford Motor Company U.S. Sales Increase 7 Percent in January; Focus, Escape, Explorer Drive Growth Ford Motor Company U.S. sales in January totaled 136,710 vehicles, a 7 percent gain compared with January 2011; retail sales increased 8 percent Focus contributed to 30 percent of Ford Motor Company sales growth in January, more than any other vehicle in the Ford product lineup. Focus sales were 14,400 vehicles, up 60 percent – the best January Focus sales performance since 2003 F-Series sales of 38,493 vehicles, up 8 percent. Ford has more than 75 percent share of the retail V6 full-size pickup market and most fuel-efficient full line of pickups on the market DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 1, 2012 – Ford Motor Company U.S. sales totaled 136,710 vehicles in January, a 7 percent increase versus year-old levels. The Ford brand totaled 131,589 vehicles in January, making it the best January sales month for the Ford brand since 2008. “January started off with solid sales versus year-ago levels,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Ford saw the same solid month, with smaller vehicles in higher demand. Escape continued its record-setting run, and Focus set the pace for car sales in California, Texas and the Southeast.” Ford brand grew small car, utility and truck sales in January versus a year ago. Focus small car and Escape utility combined provided 49 percent of Ford Motor Company volume growth in January. With 17,259 Escape vehicles sold, it was another best-ever January for Escape, topping last January by 24 percent. Sales of the Ford Explorer totaled 9,966, a 36 percent gain versus strong year-ago results. The Ford F-Series, America’s top-selling vehicle for the past 30 years posted January sales of 38,493 vehicles, representing an 8 percent increase. EcoBoost-equipped F-150s represented 42 percent of retail sales in January, providing Ford a retail F-150 V6 engine mix (EcoBoost V6 and Ford’s 3.7-liter V6) of 54 percent for the month. January 2012 Ford Sales Data View full article

seems like a light show this year

Referring to the HSR in California, saying it isn't convenient is the same as saying the Pennsylvania Turnpike wasn't convenient in the 1940s because it only ran from Collegeville pa to irwin pa and didn't connect directly to Philly or Pittsburgh. The HSR segment in CA is just the starting point of a much larger network that will connect to the big cities eventually. Half of the cost overruns it is experiencing now are from people expecting a winning lottery ticket for their land by asking quadruple or quintuple the regular market value. The Volt isn't about saving money. It is the iPhone of cars. Leading edge technology in the transforming automotive market. That it doesn't make financial sense to the end user right now is entirely besides the point. Neither do iPhones and neither do 3-series.

<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(212, 212, 212); " width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 2012 Chicago Auto Show Media Preview Schedule - Wednesday, Feb. 8</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Time</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Event</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Location</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 8 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> MAMA Breakfast—Volvo</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> McCormick Place – Grand Ballroom</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 9:15 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> GMC</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> GMC Display – North Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 9:50 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Hyundai</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Hyundai Display – North Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 10:25 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Kia</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Kia Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 11 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Ford</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Ford Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 12 p.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Economic Club of Chicago—Toyota</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> McCormick Place – Grand Ballroom</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 1:30 p.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Nissan</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Nissan Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 2 p.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Chrysler</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Chrysler Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 2:30 p.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> BP</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> BP Lounge – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 3 p.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> MotorWeek Awards</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Grand Concourse Stage</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 3:30 p.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Continental</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Continental Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> </td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> </td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 2012 Chicago Auto Show Media Preview Schedule - Thursday, Feb. 9</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> </td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> </td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Social Media Programs. All times are approximate at this point, but a more accurate listing will be posted as we are informed. Please check in the Continental Media Center, www.ChicagoAutoShow.com, or manufacturer websites for updates.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Time</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Event</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Location</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 8:30 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Chrysler – Fiat Breakfast & Program</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Chrysler Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 9:15 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Nissan – Social & Product</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Nissan Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 9:45 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Ford</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Ford Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 10:15 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Toyota</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Toyota Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 10:45 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Hyundai </td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Hyundai Display – North Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 11:45 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> General Motors</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Chevrolet Display – North Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Ongoing</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Volkswagen</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Volkswagen Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Ongoing</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> BMW</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> BMW Display – North Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Ongoing</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Subaru</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Subaru Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Ongoing</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Suzuki</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Suzuki Display – South Hall</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

True they have an automotive program, but in this case, if the dealerships are not wanting to sell the cars, then sell them direct via Costco at a set price and then you just pay for the shipment cost of having the car delivered via truck to your home. GM could and Costco make a fortune this way. Unfortunately most states have franchise laws that require vehicle sales through licensed dealers. Remember what happened when Chrysler opened the corporate dealer in Los Angeles? No, I actually don't know that story.

It is NOT the same level as the Cruze or Civic or Elantra. It has better feeling, gobs of torque in city driving. It feels more powerful even if the 0-60 or 1/4 mile times end up being similar. In Regeneration mode it quieter than the Cruze which is already pretty damn quiet. It is positively Buick quiet next to the buzz bomb Elantra. In electric only mode, few others can even come close to the quiet of the Volt. Road noise from the tires is equal to the Cruze, better than the Civic and Elantra Handling is excellent. The battery balanced out the front drive weight bias substantially. Interior materials are (mostly) well above the Civic, Cruze, and Elantra. The headliner is the same as the one from my old CTS as opposed the the felt you get in the Elantra. There were a few items that were a little too carry over from the Cruze, but nothing major. Capacitive touch Stabilitrack, Bluetooth, heated mirrors all standard And it is 4 hours to charge the Volt on your home dryer outlet, not 8. In your and my area, the terrain is actually an advantage. Driving out to the airport and back yielded 70+ mpg on a mostly drained battery due to the regeneration on the hills.

a Wave is geography?

Cordoba Alpina

Pretty much nothing they can do from a short term perspective if they are at capacity.

oh look, that rhymes!

Here you go smk!

Queue Smoky and the Bandit remake in 5...4....3... It would probably be a box office hit... Surprised there hasn't been a remake...but who could play the Bandit? It will probably end up being Jake Gyllenhaal

Bring back the Dogs Love Trucks ad campaign

Ha, I wish. While it's perfectly legal to fly over any of the Michigan proving grounds at the minimum safe altitude (500 ft.), you would probably run into trouble once you started snapping/using photos. Anyone can fly over private property, but you can't interfere with its' use. Normally, that would just be a noise issue, but with the massive, well-financed legal teams the OEMs have, I'm sure they would have no problem trying to argue in court that someone flying 500 ft over the grounds with a long camera lens was interfering. the borders of the property go straight up right? Maybe it is just some good angle that you need rather than being right over?

But GM claimed to have met or surpassed BMW in the past, Lexus claimed the same, ditto for Audi. Yet none of them are BMW, the 3-series and 5-series whoop on the IS, GS, A4 and A6. I want to wait to see reviews on the ATS, especially from European testers, they will be most critical. Car and Driver loves BMW, if the ATS can win them over, then Cadillac is getting somewhere. Did you say EXITEMENT!!!! That should be reserved for Pontiac, Buick can't handle it. BMW can't even beat old BMW in terms of handling and driving feel.

moar dieasels!!

oh... and California.... I want a pony.

Well, I don't think Sonoma, Monte Carlo and Bel Air count. Those are cities. Looking for physical geography.

Queue Smoky and the Bandit remake in 5...4....3...

How many vehicles named after geography can you think of? I'll start. Sierra

Mandating that people purchase a certain number of a certain type of vehicle is dumb.

oh.. and good riddance to the 5-cylinder