VW Brand's Global Sales Break the 5 Million Barrier for the First Time Ever in 2011

A couple of days ago, Volkswagen announced that in 2011, it sold 324,402 vehicles in the U.S., which amounts to a 26.3 percent increase compared to 2010 recording the brand’s best result since 2002.

On Friday, the German brand issued another press release revealing that it delivered 5.1 million vehicles worldwide, exceeding 5 million annual sales for the first time in its history and recording an impressive 13.1 percent increase over 2010 when it sold 4.5 million units.

“The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand made major gains last year thanks to a fresh, innovative and environmentally-friendly model range”, said VW Group board member for sales, Christian Klingler.

“Our new vehicles such as the Passat, Jetta and Beetle, as well as the Up!, have made an excellent start in difficult market conditions – conditions that will remain challenging in 2012 – and significantly strengthened Volkswagen’s competitive position," Klingler added.

Apart from the U.S., the VW brand also increased its sales in China by 13.8 percent, to 1.72 million units, South America (+2.2 percent) and even Europe, where it recorded an 11.2 percent increase, exceeding 1.72 million sales.

The brand’s best result percentage-wise, was in Russia: in 2011, VW sold 118,000 vehicles or more than double (+100.4 percent) than the 58,900 units it delivered in 2010.

 

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Porsche's U.S. Sales up 15 Percent in 2011

While Porsche may be facing multi-billion lawsuits over its failed takeover bid of Volkswagen AG in 2008, the company future is looking bright on the sales front.

Today, Porsche Cars North America [PCNA] announced 2011 year-to-date sales of 29,023 vehicles, an increase of 15 percent over 2010 when it delivered 25,320 units in the States.

"2011 represents a very positive step forward for Porsche and demonstrates the brand's continued strength in the United States market," said Detlev von Platen, PCNA's President and CEO.

"We are confident we will build on this momentum moving forward into the new year with the launch of the 7th generation 911, a new Boxster and several other new products," he added.

Much of Porsche's sales momentum is attributed to the Cayenne SUV, of which 12,978 units were sold in 2011 compared to 8,343 examples in 2010, recording a 56 percent increase.

Even though the 911 will be replace by an all-new model this February, Porsche delivered 6,016 units of its classic sports car compared to 5,735 in 2010, representing an increase of 5 percent.

Porsche also saw total sales of its Approved Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles total rise from 7,298 units in 2010 to 8,323 last year.

On the other hand, the Panamera sports saloon and the soon-to-be replaced Boxster roadster and Cayman coupe duo saw their sales drop 11.1 percent and 10 percent respectively.

 

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China to Withdraw Support for Foreign Investments in the Auto Industry in 2012

The new year will bring some significant changes for carmakers that had plans to invest in China as the world's most populous country will stop encouraging foreign investment in the auto industry putting an end to seven years of benefits that included reduced tariffs on imported equipment.

China's National Reform and Development Commission (NRDC) and the Ministry of Commerce made a joint announcement on the move that is due to come into effect on January 30, 2012.

According to Xinhua, which is the official press agency of the government of the People's Republic of China, the decision was made "because of the need of the healthy development of domestic auto making".

Recently, China also slapped new duties on U.S.-made cars that are imported into the country.

While the full implications of China's decision remain to be elucidated, Jenny Gu, a senior market analyst at LMC Automotive in Shanghai told Bloomberg news "it might be more difficult for [foreign] carmakers to get approval for new plants in the future unless they have an investment in new-energy vehicles".

In the first 11 months of 2011, vehicle sales in China grew 2.6 percent over the same period in 2010, with passenger car sales increasing by 5.3 percent to 13.1 million units, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

However, even though China is lifting its support to foreign investments in the auto industry, according to Xinhua, the government will "open more sectors to foreign investors and encourage investment into energy-saving and environmentally-friendly technologies, new-generation information technology, biotechnology, high-end equipment manufacturing, alternative energy, advanced materials, and alternative-fuel cars."

 

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Second-Generation C-MAX Doubles Ford's Share in the European Mid-Size MPV Segment

Ford’s pair of mid-size minivans, the five-seater C-MAX and its seven-seater sibling, the Grand C-MAX, have proved to be a hit in the European market, doubling the Blue Oval’s sales in their segment.

Since its launch in late 2010, Ford has sold more than 135,000 C-MAX and Grand C-MAX MPVs in Europe, more than double the number its predecessor achieved in 2010. This was partly to be expected though, as the previous C-MAX, despite a facelift in 2007, was essentially a seven-year old model.

What’s interesting is that, according to Ford, the second generation of its European minivan has also doubled its share in its segment, from 6.7 to 12.7 percent, thanks in part to the addition of the seven-seat version, which accounts for one-third of total sales.

Ford of Europe must also be quite satisfied with the fact that 60 percent of the cars delivered are “conquest” sales, i.e. customers moving to Ford from another manufacturer.

“The C-MAX proves that even in an extremely competitive market and a difficult economy, customer will respond to great new products”, said Roelant de Waard, Ford of Europe vice president of Marketing, Sales and Service.

“The only way to double sales and segment share in one year is win over new customers from the competition, and that’s what C-MAX is doing,” he added.

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Porsche Sets New Delivery and Order Records Worldwide

Demand for its models may have dropped significantly in Northern European countries such as Spain and Greece due to the financial crisis, yet Porsche is still set to achieve its best-ever year in terms of sales.

From January until November, the Stuttgart-based carmaker has delivered 109,709 units of the 911, Boxster/Cayman, Cayenne and Panamera models, a 24.6 percent increase over the same period in 2010.

“We have already set new customer delivery and order book records”, said Porsche Board member for sales and marketing Bernhard Maier.

“The results prove how highly attractive our brand is and the intense fascination our products enjoy. In the next few weeks, the new Porsche 911 Carrera will provide an additional impetus," he added.

The U.S. remains Porsche’s biggest single market, with 27,189 deliveries so far, representing a rise of 19.5 percent. China, with 22,473 units and an impressive 68.8 percent increase in sales compared to last year, is in second place, while Germany’s 13,857 deliveries correspond to a 13.8 percent increase.

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New Acura ILX will Likely Replace the TSX

Honda is planning a major overhaul for its Acura brand, which hasn't been performing well lately. Total U.S. sales for Acura in November were 9,909 units, down 11.2 percent, while year-to-date sales totaled 110,170 vehicles, a 7.1 percent drop from the same period last year.

At a recent media briefing in Las Vegas, Acura told reporters that with the exception of the next generation of the NSX, which will be shown in concept form at the Detroit auto show, the company will focus on offering "mid-level premium vehicles that favor fuel economy over performance".

The company's plans include the introduction of a new RL, a mid-life facelift for the RDX crossover and the brand-new ILX compact sedan that is scheduled to reach dealerships next spring.

On its article about the 2013 RL, Car&Driver reported that Honda wants to reduce its sedan lineup to three models, which means that one of the TL or TSX may eventually receive the axe.

A report from Autonews confirms the news adding that the Honda Civic-based ILX will effectively replace the TSX, which is derived from the European market Honda Accord.

Talking to reporters at the Las Vegas event, Vicki Poponi, American Honda assistant vice president for product planning, said the brand's TSX, TL and RL sedan were cannibalizing sales because they were too close in exterior dimensions and interior space. "Our sedans haven't been doing the job for the brand," she said.

Poponi added while sharing major components, the ILX will bear no resemblance to the ninth-generation Civic or the Canadian-market Acura CSX.

"All the suspension settings will be tuned to be Acura," she said. "Consider it as different as the TL is from the Accord or the MDX is from the Pilot."

We also learn that the ILX will be offered with a choice of three powerplants including a 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder unit matched to an automatic transmission, a 2.4-liter engine with a six-speed manual transmission or a 1.5-liter hybrid powertrain.

The report goes on to say that a facelifted version of the TL sedan and a new MDX crossover are scheduled to be introduced in 2013.

Story References: Autonews

 

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Senior car buyers prefer old favorites

Oscar Wilde once said that “to get again to my younger generation I would do anything on the planet except take training, get up beginning, or be respectable”.

Sadly, the 19-century author and poet is do not among us to disclose if purchasing a car to point out to him of his younger generation, no issue how far behind the rivalry it is, would be one of the forfeit he would or examine be willing to create.

A research by TrueCar.com explains that vehicles purchased by individuals old 65 and above in the Declares fit mostly to every day manufacturers they keep in mind from their younger generation, such as Rolls royce, Lincoln subsequently and Buick.

The research protects a two-year interval of time and reveals that the Top 10 is covered with those manufacturers with only two exceptions: the Cars Azera, which is desired due to its low cost and is in 6 location, and the Toyota Avalon that comes to an end off the Top 10.

Here is the listing along with the amount of each car that is purchased by person clients. As you can see, the top five have such a higher pace among person citizens that they would be vanished if not for those who lovingly keep in mind the vehicles of their younger generation.

1. Lincoln Town Car: 90 percent

2. Buick Lucerne: 87 percent

3. Cadillac DTS: 85 percent

4. Cadillac CTS: 74 percent

5. Cadillac STS: 71 percent

6. Hyundai Azera: 25 percent

7. Chevrolet Impala: 51 percent

8. Buick LaCrosse: 59 percent

9. Lincoln MKZ: 54 percent

10. Toyota Avalon: 54 percent

Story References: Detnews

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New Toyota Prius V Minivan Hybrid

Toyota is growing its family of Prius designs with the display of the all-new Prius V minivan that will become a member of the present, third-generation Prius as well as the honest Prius Plug-in Cross Car (PHV), beginning from later summer time 2011.

The Prius V gives the same program and hybrid drivetrain as the common, five-door style, however, Toyota statements the minivan will element over 50-percent more internal products room than the present Prius.

According to the Western car maker, the new style "has been developed from the earth up, with a appearance that developed from Prius rather than being an pointed edition."

Inside, the Prius V presents sitting for five with enhanced headspace and awareness, as well as 34.3 cubic ft of products room. The 60/40 divided, foldable raise chairs allow for four different hold plans, while a fold-flat front-passenger hold allows for longer products.

In a first for a Toyota vehicle, the Prius V will supply an available light and portable material celestial satellite top with sinkable sunshades, offering a 40-percent lowering in weight when compared to to standard cup homes of the same measurements.

Furthermore, the hybrid minivan will also be the first vehicle to supply Toyota's all new, Entune multi-media process that first showed the other day at this year's Client Technology Display in Las Nevada. The new process helps cell phone programs, such as Ask, OpenTable, and movietickets.com, as well as enabling use of travel-related services, such as stay conditions, visitors, energy information (location and price), securities, information and activities.

As talked about, the Prius V functions the same hybrid drivetrain as the common Prius mats a 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle energy website with an website unit.

Toyota said the Prius V will produce approximated EPA gas mileage reviews of 42 mpg area, 38 mpg road and 40 mpg bundled.

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