Drew Dowdell

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA SETS SEPTEMBER SALES RECORD WITH 48 PERCENT INCREASE • Sonata up 161 percent over 2009 • Genesis sets an all-time sales record of 3,230 FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 10/01/2010 Hyundai Motor America today announced all-time record September sales of 46,556, up 48 percent versus 2009. Retail sales were up 73 percent. For the year, Hyundai has reported total cumulative sales of 410,047, up 20 percent versus the same period in 2009, with retail sales up 26 percent. Fleet mix for the month was 14 percent. “We are enthused to be actually building momentum as we exit the traditionally strong third quarter selling season and enter the fourth quarter under a full head of steam,” said Dave Zuchowski, executive vice president of sales, Hyundai Motor America. “September’s growth was led by a 161 percent sales increase by our game-changing 2011 Sonata and an all-time volume record for Genesis. In the fourth quarter, we expect continued growth as our 2011 Georgia-built Santa Fe reaches dealerships along with our all-new Alabama-built Sonata turbo producing 274 horsepower (more power than any V6 in the segment), while retaining 4-cylinder fuel-economy of 33 miles per gallon.” Comparing calendar year-to-date results for 2010 with 2009, Elantra, Sonata, Tucson and Genesis sales increased 22 percent, 59 percent, 131 percent, and 34 percent, respectively. Genesis sales of 3,230 represent an all-time sales record, and mark the 15th consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases.

AMERICAN SUZUKI SEPTEMBER 2010 SALES 2010 Suzuki Auto Product Line Suzuki Auto's versatile line of vehicles includes the spirited four-door SX4 Sport, all-wheel-drive five-door SX4 Crossover, SX4 SportBack hot-hatch, refined Grand Vitara compact SUV, award-winning Equator pickup truck and performance-oriented Kizashi. Every vehicle in the line provides Suzuki's standout virtues of durability, leading-edge style and high-end features at very competitive prices. All 2010 Suzuki automobiles are backed by America's #1 Warranty: a 100,000-mile/seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.

KIA MOTORS AMERICA ANNOUNCES ALL-TIME QUARTERLY SALES RECORD 2011 Sorento Eclipses 10,000 Unit Mark for First Time; Year-To-Date Sales Up 12.3 Percent IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 1, 2010 – Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced sales of 30,071 vehicles in September, a 39-percent increase over the same period last year and an all-time sales record for the month of September. Kia's sales were led for the ninth consecutive month by the 2011 Sorento CUV, which posted sales of more than 10,000 units for the first time since its debut. The monthly sales record is Kia's second in the past three months – and sixth overall in 2010 – and helped the brand achieve its best quarterly sales total in company history at 97,955 units. KMA's year-to-date sales of 268,024 units are up 12.3-percent over 2009 and the company is on pace to achieve its 16th consecutive year of market share growth. Kia's growing stable of new vehicles resulting from the brand's design-led transformation – the 2010 Soul, Forte and Forte Koup; and the 2011 Sorento and the all-new 2011 Sportage – accounted for 76.7-percent of sales in September. "Our record sales, including Sorento's best performance ever with more than 10,000 units sold, are a result of the brand's complete design and product transformation that continues to drive more style-conscious consumers to Kia retail showrooms," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). "The most aggressive new vehicle launch cycle in the auto industry will continue with the arrivals of the functional Forte 5-door later this month and the highly anticipated all-new 2011 Optima midsize sedan in November." About Kia Motors America Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 700 dealers throughout the United States. For 2009, KMA recorded its 15th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise."

Porsche Reports September Sales in U.S. Up 25 Percent ATLANTA, October 1, 2010—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 September sales in the U.S. of 1,971 units compared to the same period last year when it sold 1,581, up 25 percent. Again leading the way were the results for the new-generation 2011 Cayenne. In September, Porsche sold 808 Cayennes compared to last year when sales were 535, an increase of 51 percent. This was the second-best month so far in 2010 for Porsche’s SUV, and comes on the heels of the V6-powered Cayenne being added to the lineup. Next month, Porsche will introduce the highly-anticipated 2011 Cayenne S Hybrid. Also noteworthy for September was the continuing strong performance of Porsche’s four-door Panamera Gran Turismo with sales of 624 for the month. So far in 2010, Porsche has sold 5,565 Panameras in the U.S. Overall, year-to-date, Porsche’s sales in 2010 are 17,690, versus the same period last year when they were 14,310, representing an increase of 24 percent. For the month, Porsche’s Approved Certified Pre-Owned vehicle sales were up significantly for the month at 620, compared to 519 in 2009.

Audi reports best-ever third quarter in U.S. sales history; brand continues strong arc toward setting all-time sales record in 2010 - September marks sixth record-breaking month of year - September 2010 sales of 8,151 vehicles rose 13.1% above September 2009, topping previous September record set in 2007 with 8,020 Audi vehicles sold - Third quarter 2010 sales of 25,150 vehicles marks all-time third quarter record for Audi U.S. sales, topping previous third quarter record set in 2007 with 22,767 Audi today sustained its 2010 momentum with record-setting September U.S. sales, which surpassed the prior September record set in 2007 by more than 100 vehicles. September 2010 sales of Audi cars and SUVs not only marked the sixth record month of 2010, but also represented the best third quarter ever in Audi U.S. sales history. The September results keep the German luxury automaker on track to set a vehicle sales record in the U.S. by year end. The existing annual sales record for Audi in the U.S. is 93,506 vehicles sold in 2007. Overall, Audi sold 8,151 luxury cars and SUVs in September 2010, topping the previous September record set in 2007 with 8,020 vehicles sold. The September 2010 results were buoyed by the continued extraordinary consumer response by year-over-year sales increases for the Audi Q5 crossover and Audi A3. For the month, Audi sold 2,277 Q5 vehicles, a 105.9% increase over the 1,106 vehicles sold in September 2009. For September 2010, Audi reported A3 sales of 558, a 54.1% increase above the 362 vehicles sold a year earlier. Throughout much of the third quarter this year, Audi has enjoyed significant sales growth. September 2010 marks back-to-back record-setting months as August U.S. sales topped 9,182 vehicles sold. "There is no denying Audi's strong position in the luxury vehicle market as we continue to post strong U.S. sales," said Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen. "All indications continue to point toward 2010 winding up as the best year Audi has ever enjoyed in the U.S. market." Audi sales highlights – September 2010 - September 2010 ranks as the best September in Audi of America history. - Audi sales continue on track to set a U.S. record in 2010; third quarter 2010 sales of 25,150 topped the record of 22,767 set in 2007. - Audi Q5 and Audi Q7 September sales and news notes - Audi Q5 sales in September second only to A4. - Audi Q5 sales up 105.9% for September and 78.4% CYTD. Audi A3, A5 and A6 September sales and news notes - Audi A3 sales rose 54.1% in September; up 72% CYTD. - Audi A5 sales increased 18.7% in September; up 102% CYTD. - The Audi A6 luxury sedan continued sales resurgence: up 26.3% in September; up 29.6% CYTD. Audi Certified Pre-Owned sales and news notes - September 2010 CPO sales experienced 21.9% uptick to 2,275 vehicles from 1,867 a year earlier. - September 2010 was the best September for Audi CPO in the last six years, since 2004.

Volkswagen Of America Announces 14.9% Increase for September sales Jetta Leads the Way with Strong Month and First Sales of All-New 2011 Model HERNDON, Va. — Volkswagen of America, Inc. today reported September sales of 19,943 total units, for an increase of 14.9 percent over September 2009. Year-to-date sales for the entire line of Volkswagen vehicles were up 20.6 percent over 2009. Jetta led the way with sales of 10,769 vehicles, marking a 12.6 percent increase over last year and the best sales month for Jetta since August 2009. Consumers began purchasing the all-new 2011 Jetta that arrived in showrooms late in the month. Volkswagen’s line of industry-leading clean diesel TDI models also showed particular strength in September with the second highest TDI mix ever at 27 percent of all Volkswagen vehicles sold during the month, indicating a growing importance of clean diesel TDI vehicles to consumers. Vehicles across the Volkswagen line showed strength in September. Combined Golf and GTI sales were up 252 percent; Tiguan sales were up 49.7 percent; Routan sales were up 33.9 percent; and Passat sedan sales showed a 10.6 percent increase for the month. “Sales of Volkswagen's full line of products continued to grow in September,” said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “The Jetta, which is core to our growth plans in North America, showed a strong month with the very first sales of the all-new 2011 Jetta. Our clean diesel TDI vehicles also showed strength, indicating consumers are increasingly seeking the performance and benefits of Volkswagen’s TDI technology.”

BMW Group U.S. Reports September 2010 Sales WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Oct. 1 -- The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported September sales of 23,112 vehicles, an increase of 20.5 percent from the 19,175 vehicles sold in September 2009. Year-to-date, the BMW Group also reported a sales volume of 192,052 vehicles, up 7.2 percent from the 179,219 units sold through September 2009. "It's still a tough market but the September numbers show that good results are possible," said Jim O'Donnell, President of BMW of North America LLC. "We have been building momentum and narrowing the gap with our competitors and the October addition of the all-wheel-drive 5 Series to our model lineup will help us keep that momentum through the end of the year." BMW Brand Sales Sales of BMW brand vehicles in September increased 21.1 percent for a total of 18,228 vehicles from the 15,047 units sold in September of last year. Year-to-date, BMW sales were up 9.2 percent to 157,464 vehicles from the 144,223 units sold in the same period of 2009. In September, best performing vehicles included the 3 Series, up 37.1 percent to 8,945 units. The X5 and X6 continue to perform very well with an increase of 160.7 percent and 122.3 percent, respectively.BMW Pre-Owned VehiclesSales of BMW's used vehicles (including certified pre-owned and pre-owned) increased 14 percent to 13,540 vehicles from the 11,873 units sold in September last year. Year-to-date, used vehicle sales were up 6.4 percent to 126,601 vehicles from the 119,010 units sold in the same period of 2009. MINI Brand Sales MINI USA reported sales of 4,884 automobiles, an increase of 18.3 percent from the 4,128 cars sold last year. Year-to-date, MINI USA also reported sales of 34,588 automobiles, a decrease of 1.2 percent from the 30,868 units sold last year.

Budget at least 4 hours or more....

Because when I loaded it up with basic stuff like fog lights and 16" alloys, I end up at $26,768.

Mercedes Benz Museum - Stuttgart Germany Here is the gallery of pictures from my trip to the Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart last month. Enjoy! Some Highlights: