Drew Dowdell

So PM me applications.

Well I traded a few emails with Robyn at Cadillac today and everything we already knew was confirmed. Also, unspoken but naturally, the Aisen 6-Speed auto is gone along with the turbo. I took a drive up to the dealer where I bought my '04 CTS to take an SRX 3.0 out for a spin, so my impressions of that will be included in the review. I also got a little bit of insider information on upcoming engines that I just want to confirm.

really..... interesting..... go on..... and before you get upset at anyone for harassing you... I want to point out: You did give us permission.

BMW Group U.S. Reports December 2010 Sales BMW brand sales up 12% in 2010 MINI achieves its best December since the US launch in 2002 Woodcliff Lake, NJ – January 4, 2011… The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported December sales of 27,600 vehicles, an increase of 16.9 percent from the 23,617 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. For 2010, the BMW Group in the U.S. reported total sales of 265,757 vehicles, up 9.9 percent compared to the 241,727 vehicles sold in 2009. “As we’ve seen throughout the last six months of 2010, consumers in December clearly felt more confident about the future and showed it in their purchases.” said Jim O’Donnell, President and CEO of BMW of North America, LLC. “We really like the momentum we’re getting as a result of this and along with our continual aggressive new model launches from BMW and MINI in 2011 we have real optimism we will continue growing our business with profitable sales in the new year.” BMW Brand Sales Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 15.7 percent in December for a total of 23,280 compared to 20,128 vehicles sold in December, 2009. For the year, BMW brand sales were up 12.0 percent to 220,113 vehicles compared to 196,502 vehicles sold in 2009. In December, best performing vehicles included the 5 Series, up 28.9 percent to 5,045 units; the 3 Series, up 12.3 percent to 10,067 units; the X5, up 12.1 percent to 3,939 units and the X6 up 52.8 percent to 859 units. Overall, the BMW SAV segment (X3, X5, X6) continued to show significant growth with sales up 26.9 percent for the year to 48,108 units compared to 37,925 in 2009. BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles In December, sales of BMW used vehicles (including certified pre-owned and pre-owned) decreased 2.0 percent to 15,714 vehicles from the 16,031 vehicles sold in December 2009. For 2010, total BMW used vehicle sales were up 4.3 percent to 168,762 from the 161,794 units sold in 2009. MINI Brand Sales MINI USA reported sales of 4,320 automobiles in December, an increase of 23.8 percent from the 3,489 in December 2009, making it the most successful December ever for MINI in the USA. For the year 2010, MINI reported sales of 45,644, an increase of 0.9 percent from the 45,225 sold in 2009. Table: Sales BMW of North America, LLC – December 2010 <table width="618" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> <td> Dec. 2010 </td> <td> Dec. 2009 </td> <td> % </td> <td> YTD 2010 </td> <td> YTD 2009 </td> <td> % </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="149"> BMW brand </td> <td width="57"> 23,280 </td> <td width="65"> 20,128 </td> <td width="58"> 15.7 </td> <td width="75"> 220,113 </td> <td width="74"> 196,502 </td> <td width="74"> 12.0 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> BMW passenger cars </td> <td> 17,663 </td> <td> 15,534 </td> <td style="text-align: center;">13.5</td> <td> 172,005 </td> <td> 158,577 </td> <td style="text-align: center;">8.5</td> </tr> <tr> <td> BMW light trucks (SAVs) </td> <td style="text-align: center;">5,647</td> <td style="text-align: center;">4,594</td> <td style="text-align: center;">22.0</td> <td style="text-align: center;">48,108</td> <td style="text-align: center;">37,925</td> <td> 26.9 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> MINI brand </td> <td> 4,320 </td> <td> 3,489 </td> <td> 23.8 </td> <td> 45,644 </td> <td> 45,225 </td> <td> 0.9 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> TOTAL Group </td> <td> 27,600 </td> <td> 23,617 </td> <td> 16.9 </td> <td> 265,757 </td> <td> 241,727 </td> <td> 9.9 </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> BMW Group In America BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group’s global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 and X3 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 138 BMW motorcycle retailers, 103 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Audi shatters all-time U.S. sales record in 2010; brand expects momentum to continue into 2011 - December 2010 marks the best fourth quarter in Audi of America history, leading to all-time U.S. sales record topping 100,000 vehicles for the first time - Historic 2010 sales propelled by demand for TDI clean diesel vehicles, as the Audi Q7 TDI and Audi A3 TDI account for over 43% and 53% of sales mix, respectively - Company sustains forward-looking product and technology investment strategies Audi today announced all-time record U.S. sales of 101,629 vehicles sold in 2010, surpassing the prior record of 93,506 vehicles sold in 2007. Due to strong and continued consumer demand for Audi premium vehicles, 2010 marked the best year Audi has ever enjoyed in the U.S. market. The new Audi record resulted from record performances in all three U.S. regions. In December 2010, Audi reported sales of 10,546 vehicles, a 16.8% increase over the 9,030 vehicles sold in December 2009. For the full year of 2010, Audi new sales rose nearly 23% versus its prior full-year total of 82,716 vehicles sold in 2009. Last year marked the expansion of the Audi lineup to more than 10 models and nearly 20 variants. It was also distinguished by the strong sales debut of the redesigned 2011 Audi A8 flagship model – the most technologically advanced vehicle Audi has ever produced. Audi A8 sales (since the vehicle’s release in November 2010) totaled 812 units in 2010, comprising over 53% of CY 2010 A8 sales. One of Audi’s hottest selling models included the Audi Q5 crossover, with sales jumping 44% in December 2010 when compared to December 2009, and 70.5% for the full year of 2010 when compared to 2009. Additionally, clean diesel sales continued to reflect the surging demand for fuel-efficient models as the Audi A3 TDI accounted for nearly 53% of vehicles sold in the Audi A3 line. “For Audi, 2010 was a groundbreaking year,” said Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen. “Audi is one of the best performing franchises in the business today. Consumers respond favorably to superior engineering, efficient performance, and differentiated styling, and that’s what they see in Audi.” The setting of an all-time U.S. sales record in 2010 clearly signals that Audi’s powerful brand momentum will build throughout 2011. The strength of the Audi portfolio will continue to be on display with its fourth consecutive commercial appearance in next month’s Super Bowl XLV game. Over the next few years, Audi will sustain its long-term investment strategy. AUDI AG plans to invest more than $15 billion by 2015 in fixed assets for sustained and profitable growth. With the recent launch of the new Audi A8 in November 2010 and the expected unveiling of the all-new Audi A7 in Spring 2011, Audi is poised to have the newest, most technologically advanced offerings at the top of the luxury car market. Audi 2010 sales highlights - Sales of 101,629 best in AoA history, beating previous record by nearly 10% and creating YoY growth of 23%. - Four consecutive months of record-setting achievements; eight total months of record-breaking news. - Audi reports a string of bests: best first-quarter sales, best first-half results, and best-ever third and fourth quarters since Audi began marketing cars in the U.S. - Sales of the 2010 Green Car of the Year Audi A3 TDI added incremental mix volume to the A3 results in 2010: A3 sales increased 69% YoY; A3 TDI sales accounted for 53% of sales mix. - Top five Audi U.S. markets gaining sales in 2010, each with more than 35% YoY growth: Washington, Orange County, Miami, Dallas and Seattle. Audi sales highlights – December 2010 - Second-best December on record for Audi of America with 10,546 vehicles sold, behind December 2006 with 11,897 Audi vehicles sold. - All three AoA regions set annual records, contributing to AoA’s best year ever with 22.9% YOY growth. - Continued high demand for Audi cars and SUVs results in only 34 days supply of in-stock vehicles. Audi Q5, Audi Q7 and A3 December sales and news notes - Audi Q5 crossover sales in December second only to A4; up 44% YoY for December. - Audi Q7 sales up 50% YoY for December. - Audi A3 TDI is over 45% of the mix. Audi Certified Pre-Owned sales and news notes - December 2010 CPO sales of 2,877 units represents best month since May 2008; achieving 49% YoY growth, second-best December. - 2010 total year CPO sales of 28,519 units represented Audi’s second-best CPO year ever despite smaller volumes of lease maturities. 2010 slightly eclipsed 2009 by 1%. ABOUT AUDI Audi of America, Inc. and its 276 U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. During 2009 Audi outsold all other luxury brands in Europe, while in the U.S. market Audi posted the largest market share gain of any luxury automotive brand. Over the next few years, AUDI AG expects to spend nearly $2 billion annually on new products and technology. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues. <table border="1" width="379"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="font-weight: bold;">AUDI US SNAPSHOT</td> <td style="font-weight: bold;"> </td> <td style="font-weight: bold;"> </td> <td style="font-weight: bold;"> </td> <td style="font-weight: bold;" colspan="3">--YTD--</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-weight: bold;">Model Line</td> <td style="font-weight: bold;">Dec '10 Actual</td> <td style="font-weight: bold;">Dec '09 Actual</td> <td style="font-weight: bold;">Yr/Yr % change</td> <td style="font-weight: bold;">Dec '10 YTD Actual</td> <td style="font-weight: bold;">Dec '09 YTD Actual</td> <td style="font-weight: bold;">Yr/Yr % change</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-weight: bold;">A3</td> <td>578</td> <td>572</td> <td>1.0%</td> <td>6,558</td> <td>3,874</td> <td>69.3%</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-weight: bold;">A4</td> <td>3,513</td> <td>3,555</td> <td>-1.2%</td> <td>34,672</td> <td>37,070</td> <td>-6.5%</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-weight: bold;">A5</td> <td>1,455</td> <td>1,382</td> <td>5.3%</td> <td>16,379</td> <td>9,800</td> <td>67.1%</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-weight: bold;">A6</td> <td>828</td> <td>796</td> <td>4.0%</td> <td>8,675</td> <td>6,786</td> <td>27.8%</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-weight: bold;">A8</td> <td>502</td> <td>105</td> <td>378.1%</td> <td>1,521</td> <td>1,463</td> <td>4.0%</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-weight: bold;">Audi Q5</td> <td>2,473</td> <td>1,717</td> <td>44.0%</td> <td>23,518</td> <td>13,790</td> <td>70.5%</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-weight: bold;">Audi Q7</td> <td>1,014</td> <td>676</td> <td>50.0%</td> <td>7,976</td> <td>7,299</td> <td>9.3%</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-weight: bold;">R8</td> <td>119</td> <td>52</td> <td>128.8%</td> <td>799</td> <td>699</td> <td>14.3%</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-weight: bold;">TT</td> <td>64</td> <td>175</td> <td>-63.4%</td> <td>1,531</td> <td>1,935</td> <td>-20.9%</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-weight: bold;">Total Audi Sales</td> <td style="font-weight: bold;">10,546</td> <td style="font-weight: bold;">9,030</td> <td style="font-weight: bold;">16.8%</td> <td style="font-weight: bold;">101,629</td> <td style="font-weight: bold;">82,717</td> <td style="font-weight: bold;">22.9%</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> NOTES: - 2010 A4 numbers include Audi A4 sedan, Avant, and S4 models. 2009 A4 numbers include A4 cabriolet, which has been discontinued. - 2010 A5 numbers include Audi A5 cabriolet and coupe’ and S5 cabriolet and coupe’ models. 2009 A5 numbers do not include the cabriolet models. - A6 includes Audi A6 sedan, S6 sedan and A6 Avant models. - A8 includes Audi A8 sedan, A8L sedan, and S8 sedan models. - TT includes Audi TT coupe’ and TT roadster models.

Porsche Reports Significant Sales Increase for 2010 Strong Results Buoyed by Healthy Demand for New Cayenne and Panamera ATLANTA, January 4, 2011—Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), importer and distributor of Porsche sports cars, Cayenne SUVs and the Panamera Gran Turismo line-up in the United States, today announced December sales of 2,567, a 21 percent increase compared to the same period last year when it sold 2,118. December’s results signify Porsche’s best closing month since 2008 and represent the German car company’s seventh straight month in which it recorded double or triple digit monthly sales increases over the previous year. With December’s strong finish, Porsche ended 2010 with total sales of 25,320—an increase of 29 percent ahead of 2009 when it sold 19,696 new cars in the U.S. "2010 represents a very positive step forward for Porsche, and demonstrates the brand’s regained vitality in its biggest car market in the world," said Detlev von Platen, PCNA’s President and CEO. "We are confident to be able to build on this momentum moving forward into the new year.” Indeed, much of Porsche’s 2010 sales success can be attributed to the continuing market momentum of its Panamera Gran Turismo. In December, the company sold 700 Panameras for the month, compared to 521 the year prior—an increase of 34 percent. With 2010 being its first full year of availability, the Panamera achieved annual sales in the U.S. of 7,741. Another highlight for Porsche in 2010 has been the successful debut of its all-new Cayenne. Since its initial market launch last summer, Porsche’s next generation SUV has enjoyed increasingly steady customer demand. This past month, the company sold 1,109 Cayennes compared to last year when sales were 707, an increase of 57 percent. From a historical standpoint, the introduction of the new Cayenne line-up included the German automaker’s first hybrid-powered production vehicle, the 2011 Cayenne S Hybrid--which went on sale last November. While the overall sports car sector continued to be challenging throughout 2010, Porsche maintained its relative market share strength. Porsche’s Boxster sales in December were 137, compared to 138 in 2009. For the year, Boxster sales were 2,177, up 14 percent from 1,909 a year earlier. The company’s Cayman model recorded December sales of 112 versus last year’s mark of 208. For the year, Cayman sales were 1,322 compared to 1,966 a year prior. As for Porsche’s iconic 911 sports car, sales last month were 509 versus 544 during the same period in 2009. For 2010 overall 911 sales were 5,735 compared to 6,839 in 2009. Also in December, Porsche’s Approved Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) cars enjoyed sales of 665 versus 553 during the same period in 2009. For the year, CPO total sales for 2010 were 7,519 compared to 6,658 in 2009. ###