Detroit

With my name, I’ve been asked if I drive a Buick for as long as I remember,” said Buick, a distant relative of brand founder David Dunbar Buick. “But the cars were never right for me. The Verano, though, is truly perfect in every way that I ask of a car. It honestly feels like it was made just for me, so it’s amusing that I get to step over my name embossed in the sill plate every time I get into my car.

Buick’s new Black Onyx Verano replaces a Subaru Outback and offers what he says is just the right combination of size and content. “I need some creature comforts, but I’m not interested in a larger, more expensive car. My Verano has a high quality level for the price. Small things like the heated steering wheel make a big difference.

Verano is Buick’s first compact luxury sedan, offering a standard seven-inch Color Touch radio and other features at a starting price of $23,470 including destination. ”A lot of people want small, high-quality cars,” Buick continued. “It’s a little narrow-minded to equate luxury with size. I’m pleased, and proud, to see American carmakers stepping in that direction.

The LaCrosse luxury sedan, which comes standard with Buick’s innovative eAssist light electrification powertrain, also reported a retail sales increase in January of 7.7 percent versus the same period in 2011. LaCrosse’s 4,013 sales topped the Lexus ES350 by approximately 1,400 units.

Overall, Buick retail sales were down 18.5 percent for the month, amid the phasing out of the Lucerne sedan. Despite the decrease, Buick outsold key competitors including Acura, Audi, Infiniti and Lincoln.

Source: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us

Detroit

That ends Sunday during Super Bowl XLVI when “Sonic Anthem” chronicles what the subcompact has been up to while posting month-to-month sales increases and rising to the upper echelon of subcompact sales leaders.

Sonic, the only subcompact made in America, more than doubled the sales in January of the January 2011 sales for the vehicle it replaced.

The Sonic is a great new addition to the Chevrolet line-up and we are encouraged by the steady increase in sales that we are seeing each month,” said Alan Batey, vice president, Chevrolet Sales and Service. “In addition to the early sales momentum of the Sonic, the rest of the Chevrolet passenger cars are building on the tremendous sales success of last year posting stronger than expected numbers in the first month of the New Year.

The first phase of Sonic marketing focused on reaching younger consumers through jaw-dropping stunts like the Sonic sky dive, and the skateboard-style kick flip – a 360-degree rotation in mid-air – successfully executed by MTV-reality and action sports-star Rob Dyrdek.

Digital efforts like The Game of Firsts where Chevrolet challenges the public to do something first, post it to letsdothis.com, and get people to love it, for a chance to win a new Sonic. Sonic has nearly 300,000 “likes” on its Facebook fan page, more than any other vehicle in the segment.

The launch of the Sonic is allowing the Chevrolet brand to engage with consumers on a more personal level,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet Marketing and Strategy. “Focusing our early efforts on the digital space gave us the freedom to attempt some of our own firsts and establish a solid presence for the new Sonic nameplate.

Source: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/

Detroit

In particular, Hagerty applauded Buick’s decision to offer a performance sedan with a manual transmission, noting that “at a time when allegedly more sporting makes don’t offer real three-pedal manual transmissions, Buick is doing it with the Regal GS.

The Regal GS is a unique and thrilling vehicle for the Buick brand,” said General Motors North America President Mark Reuss. “As someone who drove a classic Skylark to prom and owned other incredible Buicks like an ‘87 GNX, I can say it deserves to be viewed among the best Buick has built.

As a projected future classic, the Regal GS will join memorable Buicks that have proved their collectability. Following the announcement of the 2012 Hot List, Hagerty experts collaborated with Buick to list the Top 10 most-collectible Buicks, some of which hold values of well over $100,000.

In order to be included on the annual Hagerty Hot List, the vehicle must be geared toward the driving enthusiast beyond just being a form of transportation,” said Hagerty.” Like the other Buick classics listed here, the 2012 Regal GS will be remembered more than most of its peers for many years down the road.

Source: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/

Operating income decreased by ¥4.8 billion (5.1%) to ¥87.7 billion year-on-year. Although there were factors of income decrease such as decreased sales and impact of the exchange rate, the Group was able to limit the fall in operating income at this level as a result of taking various measures such as cost reduction and decrease of expenses.

Net income decreased by ¥2.0 billion (4.7%) to ¥40.6 billion year-on-year. Although there were factors of income decrease such as a provision for disaster in the amount of ¥17.5 billion in addition to decreased ordinary income, the Group was able to limit the fall in net income at this level, owing to factors of income increase such as gain on sale of investment securities by ¥9.2 billion from sales of the stock of the company related to General Motors, decrease of minority interests in income by ¥7.0 billion, and other factors of income increase.

In the motorcycle business, although sales in Europe decreased, due to the increase of wholesales in North America, sales increased by ¥2.5 billion (1.3%) to ¥188.8 billion year-on-year. Operating income improved by ¥4.2 billion year-on-year, but due to the impact of the yen appreciation and the floods in Thailand, there was operating loss of ¥2.8 billion.

In the automobile business, the Japanese domestic market sales decreased year-on-year. The Group had great sales of the Solio and had been attempting to expand its sales by strengthening the lineup with the launching of new models such as the Wagon R with Engine Auto Stop Start System and the Alto Eco, but was unable to recover from the decrease due to the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake. As for the overseas, sales in areas such as Asia, Europe, and North America decreased year-on-year due to the impact of the yen appreciation and sales decrease at Maruti Suzuki Ltd. in India.

Sales of the marine and power products, etc. business increased by ¥1.5 billion (4.6%) to ¥35.0 billion year-on-year, but the operating income decreased by ¥0.4 billion (8.1%) to ¥4.7 billion year-on-year.
As for the operating results by geographical areas, North America returned to profitability from its operating loss of ¥2.5 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year to operating income of ¥0.3 billion in this period.

Source: http://www.globalsuzuki.com/globalnews/2012/0206.html

This vehicle has come farther, faster than any other vehicle we’ve developed, and is the first to wear the new design face of Lexus,” said Brian Smith, Lexus vice president of marketing. “With the GS, we’re redefining our place in the industry, as well as in drivers’ minds. Our marketing campaign has to do the same, and it’s supported by one of the largest media buys in the history of the company.

Two spots titled, “Resistance,” highlight the cutting-edge technology features available in the new GS. On a moonlit night, objects from technology’s past, including a telephone booth, turntable, and typewriter, begin to slide along a desolate road, as if pulled by a mysterious force. The GS begins to get pulled back as well, but the car fights the force and breaks free, taking off in the other direction. As the car gains momentum, it skillfully swerves around the oncoming objects. One spot introduces us to the next generation Enform® app suite, where apps allow drivers to perform local searches, make restaurant reservations, purchase movie tickets and more.

A third spot, “Beast,” is a derivative of the brand’s Super Bowl commercial and showcases performance features of the vehicle, including the four driving modes (ECO, Normal, Sport and Sport S+) and Lexus Dynamic Handling system. In a futuristic lab, there are several loud thuds, and a large metal containment box bursts open with a dramatic explosion as the all-new GS races out of the box. As the GS F Sport aggressively maneuvers through a tunnel in the science facility, the voiceover announces that “the next generation of Lexus will not be contained.

Source: http://www.lexus.com/about/news/index.html#/view-0/model-0/page-1/article-Lexus_

There were several star performers across the range with Mazda3, Australia’s best-selling car in 2011, picking up where it left off with 4,045 sales to again top the sales charts. This is now the third time in the past year that the Mazda3 has found more than 4,000 buyers in a single month. In the light segment, Mazda2 kept its lead position with 1,624 January sales and its third strongest month ever. This is a 19% increase over the same month last year.

Mazda6 started the new year in style. Recently upgraded with leather upholstery and parking sensors across the range, Mazda6 record 663 sales, its strongest month in over a year. Also vying for the limelight was CX-7 which secured its best ever result with 1,167 sales to claim second place in the hotly contested Medium SUV segment. And with the All-New CX-5 about to hit Australian shores, Mazda is optimistic about achieving further SUV sales success.

Mazda Australia managing director, Doug Dickson said, “We are both delighted and humbled by customer acceptance of our whole range during January. While we are quietly confident of a strong year, particularly with the imminent launch of our all-new CX-5, our primary focus will remain on looking after our customers.

Source: http://www.mazda.com.au/community/news/2012/2/mazda-posts-record-sales-and-market-share

Victorian-based siblings, Brendan Reeves and Rhianon Smyth will be piloting Mazda’s turbo rotary RX-8 SP. In three previous championships, the siblings have been successful drivers of the Mazda3 MPS, but now step up to the more powerful RX-8 SP for the first time, a move which demonstrates Mazda’s faith in Reeves.

The dynamic brother and sister duo have competed together for Mazda in seven rallies and in their Mazda3 MPS have secured five first places.Reeves, who tested the RX-8 SP around Wakefield Park last month, was most enthusiastic about its performance, saying, “I am really excited to be driving the RX-8 SP at Targa Wrest Point. Although I have loved driving the Mazda3 MPS in previous rallies, it’s great to be able to step up to another challenge and get behind the wheel of the RX-8, a car which has the potential to take it to the main challengers in the Modern category.

Mazda Motorsport Manager, Allan Horsley, is confident that Reeves driving the RX-8 SP will do him proud. The RX-8 SP had some mixed fortunes in Targa’s last rally in the Targa High Country, but Horsley and his team have been working on it to refine and improve any limitations the rotary previously had. “We are cautiously optimistic that the RX-8 is in for a good run at this year’s Wrest Point, especially after seeing it come second outright at last year’s Wrest Point rally. I believe it should be on the pace again,” said Horsley.

Reeves will be competing in the Modern Category and will be amongst Jason White in his Lamborghini Gallardo, Jim Richards, driving his Porsche GT2 RS, and Tony Quinn in his new Nissan GT-R. Another Australian Motorsport power couple, Simon and Sue Evans, will be driving the Mazda3 MPS. Their carefully honed driving-navigation skills took out the Showroom category in the Targa High Country 2011 rally and they are now equal leaders in the Australian Tarmac Championship.

Source: http://www.mazda.com.au/community/news/2012/1/mazdas-tenacious-two-back-to-tackle-tassie

NASA Spec Z will offer a comprehensive contingency prize program that will reward both Regional and National Championship competitors. Nissan Motorsports will provide significant support for the series, and their contingency prize program provides cash rewards up to $850 for the top three finishers at each regional competition weekend. Additionally, Nissan Motorsports will provide $6,500 in cash support to the top Spec Z finishers at the 2012 NASA Championships.

We are very excited about Spec Z,” said Jeremy Croiset, NASA Sponsorship Manager. “We have been working closely with Nissan Motorsports on the creation of Spec Z, and it will be an excellent series for anyone looking to step into a spec vehicle that’s fast and relatively inexpensive to build, maintain and race. With the fantastic contingency prize programs that are being provided for Spec Z, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more rewarding spec series to race in.

Ron Stukenberg, Senior Manager, Motorsports Marketing Communications, Nissan North America agrees, and adds, “NASA has a proven track record of growing classes from the ground up, so we are excited to be working with NASA on the new Spec Z series. We have a number of competitors already expressing interest in the series, so the potential for this series is very strong indeed.

Source: http://www.nissannews.com/pressrelease/3235//nissan-partners-national-auto-sport-association-create-new

The Veloster achieves the maximum 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Complete with a comprehensive suite of active safety technologies, Veloster comes standard with Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Anti-skid Braking Systemn (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) & Brake Assist System (BAS). Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) is standard on DCT models.

The Veloster’s commanding exterior is echoed with a powerful and poised interior environment. Inside, the centre stack fascia and controls resemble a sport bike fuel tank with air vents inspired by motorcycle tailpipes and a floor console mirroring the seat of a bike. The interior is finished with modern metallic-look accents around the centre console, door handles, air vents and gear stick.

The Hyundai Veloster will be available in two trim levels (Veloster and Veloster +) and powered by an efficient 1.6-litre four-cylinder GDI petrol engine, generating 103kW. The Veloster is available with the option of a six-speed manual gearbox or Hyundai’s first double clutch transmission both achieving an estimated combined fuel economy of just 6.4 litres per 100km.

Source: http://www.hyundai.com.au/About-Hyundai/news/Articles/Introducing-the-All-new-Hyundai-Veloster-Cool-Coupe-or-Smart-Hatch

As per the previously announced forecast, the quarterly dividend for the fiscal third quarter will be 15 yen per share of common stock with the record date of December 31, 2011. Despite the negative impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the flooding in Thailand, and the appreciation of the Japanese yen, the total annual dividend per share of common stock to be paid for this fiscal year (ending March 31, 2012) is also expected to remain 60 yen as per the previously announced forecast.

With companywide efforts to minimize the negative impacts of the decline in worldwide automobile production because of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the flooding in Thailand, and the historic appreciation of the Japanese yen, Honda made a revision to the forecasts for the consolidated financial results for this fiscal year as follows with:

Net sales and other operating revenue: 7,850 billion yen
Operating income: 200 billion yen
Income before income taxes: 250 billion yen
Net income*1: 215 billion yen

These forecasts are based on the assumption of worldwide automobile sales of 3.15 million units and the average currency exchange rates of 77 yen = USD 1 and 97 yen = Euro 1 for the fiscal fourth quarter and 78 yen = USD 1 and 106 yen = Euro1 for the fiscal year.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2012/c120131Financial-Summary/index.html

IRVINE, Calif

The MX-5 Miata is the world’s best-selling two-seat roadster with more than 900,000 produced, and made its global debut at the Chicago Auto Show in 1989. The MX-5 Special Edition continues the sports car’s history of being a dynamically-engineered, enthusiast-approved roadster whose price doesn’t discriminate and whose luxuries are not stripped.

Available with either the six-speed manual transmission with short-throw shifter or six-speed Sport automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, the Special Edition model is based off the Grand Touring model. Both Premium and Suspension packages will be standard on the MX-5 Special Edition.

Turbo2 – Unveiled at the SEMA Show held in Las Vegas this past November, this concept is the brainchild of The Autobarn, which owns two Mazda dealerships in the Greater Chicago area. Here, a “Zoom-Zoom Concentrated” Mazda2 is outfitted with an extra-strength component in the form of a MAZDASPEED3 MZR 2.3-liter Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) turbo engine. Consider the Turbo2 a subcompact cat that doesn’t purr – it growls.

Star Mazda Championship Open-Wheel Race Car – The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear is a major part of the Mazda Road to Indy. Rising motorsports stars from around the world compete for prizes valued at $1.5 million, including a scholarship to move up and compete in the 2013 Firestone Indy Lights series.

Source: http://www.mazdausamedia.com/content/2012-mazda-mx-5-miata-special-edition-makes-north-american-debut-chicago

The introduction of the second generation in 2006 ushered in a new era for this economical coach. Since then, exactly 5,000 of these best-selling vehicles have been delivered. The milestone vehicle, a Tourismo M, formally left the Mannheim plant on 2 February 2012. At a press conference held to mark the event, Roman Biondi, brand spokesman for Mercedes-Benz buses and coaches at EvoBus GmbH, presented the symbolic key to the Keller family.

This vehicle makes it clear why the Tourismo design is so successful”, said Roman Biondi at the presentation. “It gains top marks with its attractive price-performance ratio without looking like an anonymous mass-produced vehicle. Thanks to the wide range of equipment options available, it remains genuinely individual and full of character.

The Tourismo owes its success to a consistent focus on producing a particularly economical and safe coach. Its contemporary styling, typical of the brand, and especially the Mercedes-Benz quality is appreciated by customers such as Hauser-Reisen. For Hauser, the Tourismo fully reflects the typical Mercedes-Benz brand values.

We can fit out the Tourismo to suit our individual requirements and operating needs. Whether it’s as an all-round coach for excursions and short trips or as a luxuriously equipped 5-star coach for demanding long-distance travel, our Tourismo is always professionally and smartly turned out. Drivers, tour guides and passengers are all of the same opinion”, said Hans Keller, touching on Hauser’s own concept for the interior equipment of its Tourismo fleet.

Source: http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-657300-1-1458918-1-0-0-0-0-0-11700-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html