June 5, 2008
Toyota and Lexus Garner Key Awards In J.D. Power Quality Study
Torrance, CA -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., and Toyota Engineering and Manufacturing, North America (TEMA) today garnered key awards in the 2008 J. D. Power and Associates Initial Quality StudySM, announced at a press conference in Detroit.
Toyota improved by eight problems per 100 (PP100) and two ranking positions over last year. Tied for fourth place among all industry nameplates, Toyota was the best-performing full-line nameplate and best- performing non-premium nameplate in the 2008 IQS.
Continue reading"Toyota and Lexus Garner Key Awards In J.D. Power Quality Study"
Posted by Frank at 6:54 AM
| Filed under Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Car Tech
| Lexus
| Toyota
Report: Initial Auto Quality Improves Considerably
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. -- Initial quality in the automotive industry has improved significantly in 2008, with substantial gains demonstrated by nearly three-fourths of the 36 ranked nameplates, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Initial Quality Study (IQS) released today.
Overall quality improves to 118 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in 2008, down from 125 PP100 in 2007.
Continue reading"Report: Initial Auto Quality Improves Considerably"
Posted by Frank at 6:11 AM
| Filed under Audi
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Car Tech
| Dodge
| Ford
| GM
| Honda
| Infiniti
| Lexus
| Lincoln
| Mazda
| Mercedes-Benz
| Pontiac
| Porsche
| Toyota
Report: Mercedes Plant Receives Award for Top Quality
LONDON -- The Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen, Germany, plant receives the Platinum Plant Quality Award, while two other German plants also receive awards, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 U.S. Initial Quality Study(SM) (IQS) released today.
The Mercedes-Benz assembly plant in Sindelfingen, Germany, receives the Platinum Plant Quality Award for producing vehicles yielding the fewest defects and malfunctions.
Continue reading"Report: Mercedes Plant Receives Award for Top Quality"
Posted by Frank at 3:11 AM
| Filed under Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Car Tech
| Lexus
| Mercedes-Benz
| Porsche
| Toyota
June 4, 2008
Top Selling Crossovers in the United States for May 2008
With total SUV sales down 19.5% in May, not even the crossover segment was able to escape unscathed -- the smaller ute/station wagon category was also down 5%, as consumers decided they didn't even want mini-SUVs over more fuel efficient cars.
Besides the usual suspects a couple vehicles did well in consumers' quest for smaller wagons, including the Dodge Journey, Nissan Rogue and Subaru Forester. Also of note is that GM placed both the GMC Acadia and Saturn Vue in the top 15, which is good news for that new platform, and for the parent company that suffered a big blow for the month.
After the jump, the top 15 best selling crossovers for May 2008:
Continue reading"Top Selling Crossovers in the United States for May 2008"
Posted by Frank at 12:56 PM
| Filed under Auto News
| Chevrolet
| Dodge
| Ford
| GM
| GMC
| Honda
| Hyundai
| Industry Statistics
| Lexus
| Nissan
| Saturn
| Subaru
| Toyota
June 3, 2008
Toyota Reports May Sales Down 7.9%
TORRANCE, Calif. -- Toyota today reported May sales of 257,404 vehicles, a decrease of 7.9 percent from last May, on a daily selling rate basis.
"The all-new Corolla really found its stride this month," said TMS President Jim Lentz. "Launched amid soaring fuel prices and economic uncertainty, Corolla strikes a sweet spot for buyers seeking refinement in addition to fuel efficiency and affordability."
Continue reading"Toyota Reports May Sales Down 7.9%"
Posted by Frank at 1:58 PM
| Filed under Auto News
| Industry Statistics
| Lexus
| Scion
| Toyota
May 29, 2008
Cadillac Tops 2008 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards
TUSTIN, Calif. -- A study released today by noted automotive consulting firm AutoPacific, Inc. summarizes the results of its 2008 model year vehicle satisfaction research. AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Award (VSA) is an industry benchmark for objectively measuring how satisfied an owner is with their new passenger car or light truck.
In a year that promises to be the toughest in a decade, owner-based awards like AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Award will help customers make their purchase decisions.
Continue reading"Cadillac Tops 2008 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards"
Posted by Frank at 6:20 AM
| Filed under Acura
| Audi
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| BMW
| Buick
| Cadillac
| Car Tech
| Chevrolet
| Ford
| GM
| GMC
| Honda
| Hummer
| Hyundai
| Kia
| Lexus
| Mercedes-Benz
| Mercury
| Mitsubishi
| Nissan
| Saturn
| Scion
| Suzuki
| Toyota
| Volkswagen
May 27, 2008
Toyota to issue own credit card
Toyota has announced plans to introduce a Toyota-branded credit card in the fall of 2009. The card will have a bonus plan, that lets consumers accrue points through purchases, which can in turn be swapped for discounts on car purchases or for parts and maintenance.
Related: Lexus Visa Card -- Everywhere You Want to Drive Your Lexus
Posted by Frank at 7:11 AM
| Filed under Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Finance
| Lexus
| Toyota
May 24, 2008
Lexus Hybrid joins Hotelier for Eco-Chic Promotions
Washington, DC -- Eco-savvy travelers can now enjoy luxury, style and a commitment to sustainability when they visit two premier hotels.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Lexus have partnered to unveil two "Lexus Hybrid Living Suites" geared for eco-conscious visitors, with the first launched at The Fairmont San Francisco in April 2008, and now in the nation's capital at The Fairmont Washington, D.C.
Continue reading"Lexus Hybrid joins Hotelier for Eco-Chic Promotions"
Posted by Frank at 5:26 AM
| Filed under 5th Wheel
| Alternative Fuels
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Environment
| Hybrid
| Lexus
May 12, 2008
2008 Fuel Economy Guide Available for Download
The EPA has issued a comprehensive PDF guide to fuel economy of all 2008 vehicles, which you can download by right-clicking here.
In today's gas market, buyers are more sensitive than ever about buying cars that get good mileage, and more important, they want the government ratings to be as accurate as possible -- nobody wants to buy a vehicle that gets 10% worse mileage in the real world than the sticker rating.
To address this situation, the EPA has started using an updated test to assign more accurate MPG ratings to new vehicles, and you can learn about that by watching the video in this post.
Posted by Frank at 3:04 PM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| 5th Wheel
| Acura
| Alternative Fuels
| Aston Martin
| Audi
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| BMW
| Bentley
| Buick
| Cadillac
| Car Tech
| Chevrolet
| Chrysler
| Diesel
| Dodge
| Electric
| Environment
| Ethanol
| Ferrari
| Finance
| Ford
| GM
| GMC
| Honda
| Hummer
| Hybrid
| Hydrogen
| Hyundai
| Infiniti
| Isuzu
| Jaguar
| Jeep
| Kia
| Lamborghini
| Land Rover
| Lexus
| Lincoln
| MINI
| Maserati
| Maybach
| Mazda
| Mercedes-Benz
| Mercury
| Mitsubishi
| Nissan
| Pontiac
| Porsche
| Rolls-Royce
| Saab
| Saturn
| Scion
| Smart
| Subaru
| Suzuki
| Toyota
| Volkswagen
| Volvo
May 8, 2008
Lexus announces price increase for 2008 LX 570 SUV
TORRANCE, Calif. -- Lexus has announced new manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the 2008 LX 570 SUV, effective mid- to late May 2008.
The LX 570 luxury utility vehicle will increase 1.2 percent, or $900, carrying an MSRP of $74,700.
Lexus MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $765.
Posted by Frank at 6:08 AM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Finance
| Lexus
Lexus announces price increase for 2008 GX 470 SUV
TORRANCE, Calif. -- Lexus has announced new manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the 2008 GX 470 SUV, effective mid- to late May 2008.
The GX 470 luxury utility vehicle will carry an MSRP of $47,315, an increase of 1.1 percent, or $500.
Lexus MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $765.
Posted by Frank at 6:07 AM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Finance
| Lexus
Lexus announces price increase for 2008 RX SUVs
TORRANCE, Calif. -- Lexus has announced new manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) for 2008 RX SUVs, effective mid- to late May 2008.
The RX 400h hybrid luxury utility vehicle MSRP will increase 0.7 percent overall, or $300, to $41,580 for the RX 400h front-wheel drive model, and $42,980 for the all-wheel-drive model. The 2009 RX 350 luxury utility vehicle MSRP will increase 0.5 percent, or $200. The front-wheel-drive RX 350 will have an MSRP of $37,700, while the RX 350 all-wheel drive will carry a base price of $39,100.
Lexus MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $765.
Posted by Frank at 6:06 AM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Finance
| Lexus
Lexus announces price increase for 2008 SC 430 convertible
TORRANCE, Calif. -- Lexus has announced new manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the 2008 SC 430 convertible, effective mid- to late May 2008.
The SC 430 luxury hardtop convertible will increase 1.4 percent, or $900, to $66,355.
Lexus MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $765.
Posted by Frank at 6:05 AM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Finance
| Lexus
Lexus announces price increase for 2008 LS 460 sedans
TORRANCE, Calif. -- Lexus has announced new manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the 2008 LS 460 sedans, effective mid- to late May 2008.
The MSRP for the LS 460 flagship luxury sedan will increase 1.4 percent, or $900, to $62,900 for the LS 460 and $72,900 for the LS 460 L. The MSRP for the LS 600h L hybrid will increase 0.9 percent, or $900, to $104,900.
Lexus MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $765.
Posted by Frank at 6:04 AM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Finance
| Lexus
Lexus announces price increase for 2008 GS sedans
TORRANCE, Calif. -- Lexus has announced new manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the 2008 GS sedans, effective mid- to late May 2008.
The GS 350 and GS 460 luxury sport sedans will increase 0.9 percent overall, or $400. The GS 350 rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models will carry MSRPs of $44,550 and $46,500, respectively. The GS 460 will carry a base price of $53,020. The GS 450h hybrid model will increase 1.6 percent, or $900, to $55,800.
Lexus MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $765.
Posted by Frank at 6:03 AM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Finance
| Lexus