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Autoblog Podcast #225: Best interiors, Subaru XV, Jaguar SUV, a million Prius sales

Filed under: Podcasts, Ford, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Subaru, Volvo, Shanghai Motor Show

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Autoblog Podcast #225 features Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman, Chris Paukert and Dan Roth. We start with Ward’s Auto‘s ten best interiors for 2011, speculate about the Subaru XV concept and a Jaguar SUV before contemplating what one million U.S. Prius sales means. Your feedback in our Q&A module winds us up, and we’ve embedded that in the post below, as well. Thanks for listening, we’ll see you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #225: Best interiors, Subaru XV, Jaguar SUV, a million Prius sales

Ward’s picks the best interiors
Subaru XV
Jaguar SUV rumor
One million US Prius sales

In the Autoblog Garage:

2011 Nissan Juke SV AWD
2011 Volvo S60 T6
2011 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG
2011 Ford F-150 Harley Davidson

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman, Chris Paukert

Runtime: 01:20:38

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Autoblog Podcast #225: Best interiors, Subaru XV, Jaguar SUV, a million Prius sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Tata to double Nano production amidst sales uptick

Filed under: Budget, Plants/Manufacturing, Earnings/Financials, Tata

2011 Tata Nano CX

2011 Tata Nano CX – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Tata Nano has enjoyed an increase in sales in the last couple of months, reportedly sparking Tata Motors to double production of its budget-minded microcar this fiscal year. In March, the Indian automaker moved 8,707 examples, pulling to within spitting distance of its 9,000-unit sales record for July, 2010.

After a summer selling record numbers, the Nano’s sales plummeted to just 589 in November, following numerous reports that alleged that the cars were mysteriously bursting into flames. After the mysterious fires, Tata offered free extended warranties on the cars, up to 90 percent financing on easy terms, and a comprehensive maintenance plan at just 99 rupees a month (about $2.25 U.S.).

The incentives seem to have struck a chord with buyers, and the Nano is right back where it was a year ago. Currently, Tata is building 9,000-10,000 cars a month at its Sanand, India plant, and had planned to increase that rate to 15,000 this fiscal year. In light of the sales spike, though, that number was bumped to 18,000 to 20,000 units a month.

Gallery: 2011 Tata Nano CX: Quick Spin

[Source: The Hindu Business Line]

Report: Tata to double Nano production amidst sales uptick originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breaking: Ford beats GM in March sales

Filed under: Car Buying, Ford, GM

Ford Fiesta

2011 Ford Fiesta SES – Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors posted its seventh consecutive sales gain for the month of March, with 206,621 total sales. A good month, no doubt, but Ford had a better month for just the second time since 1998. Ford last bested GM in February, 2010. The Blue Oval posted sales of 212,295, thanks in part to a 21-percent jump in truck sales.

That’s a victory of 5,674 units for the Dearborn, MI-based automaker, but the real drubbing came in the ongoing battle of Ford Vs. Chevrolet. The Bowtie brand moved 148,197 units, compared to 203,794 for Team Ford. That’s a 28-percent sales jump for the Blue Oval, which admittedly amped up fleet sales for the month, but retail sales were also up 14 percent.

Ford had plenty of hot products moving off dealer lots, with 53,272 F-Series trucks sold, a record 9,787 Fiestas and record March sales for the Escape and Fusion. One factor holding back GM sales was a $700 per vehicle cutback in incentive spending, though that will probably help the automaker’s bottom line more than a few extra Malibu sedans rolling off the line.

While Ford was victorious in March, GM is still up for the year by 97,000 units. Stay tuned to Autoblog for our monthly By the Numbers update, which will lay out sales totals for all of the major automakers selling in the U.S.

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Breaking: Ford beats GM in March sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lincoln MKZ Hybrid sales exceeding Ford’s expectations

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Sedan, Lincoln, Luxury

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

Given that the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is little more than a gussied-up Ford Fusion Hybrid, it’s not surprising that the gas-electric MKZ achieves the same 41 miles per gallon city and 36 mpg highway rating. Admittedly, we were a bit shocked when Lincoln announced that the MKZ Hybrid starts at $35,180 (including destination and delivery) – the same price as a gas-only front-wheel-drive 3.5-liter V6 model. Perhaps that’s why buyers are snatching up the MKZ Hybrid at a rate that even Ford didn’t expect.

Initially, Ford targeted the hybrid version to account for approximately 15 percent of total MKZ sales. However, the numbers show that the MKZ Hybrid’s take rate has averaged between 22 and 23 percent since January of 2011. Ford says that March’s numbers look similar. Through the end of February, Lincoln sold a total of 3,343 MKZ sedans, 762 of which were hybrids. With no premium price tag and gas prices soaring, perhaps nobody should be surprised by the MKZ Hybrid’s take rate. Perhaps the better question would be, is the hybrid model profitable?

Gallery: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid: First Drive

[Source: Ford]

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Lincoln MKZ Hybrid sales exceeding Ford’s expectations originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Hyundai may be piling on the sales, but dealers aren’t piling on the profits

Filed under: Car Buying, Hyundai, Earnings/Financials

2011 hyundai sonata 2.0t

2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T – Click above for high-res image gallery

Hyundai is holding a hot hand with its current lineup. Sales are climbing and perception of the brand is swinging strongly in the right direction. Not everyone is singing just yet, however, because Hyundai dealers are apparently lagging behind the competition in one very important area: profits.

In 2010, the industry-wide average dealer profit was 2.1 percent of total sales. Hyundai has seen its average dealer profit rise over the last few years, but according to Automotive News, it’s still below industry average; last year, Hyundai dealers earned 1.9 percent. On the flip-side, Honda dealers enjoy an average profit of nearly three percent of total sales.

One area where dealers see hefty profits is from the service bays and parts sales. Ford and Chevrolet dealerships might see 85 percent of their overhead costs taken care of by the service department. A typical Hyundai dealer may earn enough to handle 40 percent.

Hyundai dealers also have to contend with shortages of their popular models and weak used-car sales. Yet as more folks buy Hyundai vehicles, the dealers will increase the speed at which they catch up with the competition. More vehicles on the road will lead to a rise in trips to the service bay and parts sold. More used current-generation vehicles will help turn around used-car sales. Hyundai dealers know this, and 85 percent of the nearly 800-strong network is operating in the black.

Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T: First Drive

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Report: Hyundai may be piling on the sales, but dealers aren’t piling on the profits originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Profit Proliferation: Porsche riding high on Cayenne, Panamera sales

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, SUV, Europe, Porsche, Earnings/Financials, Luxury

2011 Porsche Panamera

Porsche Panamera – Click above for high-res image gallery

Porsche tripled its profits in 2010, thanks largely to profits from the Cayenne and Panamera. The Stuttgart-based automaker reported $960 million in profits before taxes and interest in 2010, up from $227 million the year before.

More impressive is the fact that those numbers represent a shortened fiscal year in 2010, meaning these things are moving like the proverbial hot cakes. Porsche’s five-month revenue total increased 59 per cent to 3.87 billion Euros.

Porsche is hoping to expand its global sales to 200,000 by 2018, or roughly double the number of dreamboats it moves now. With sales climbing this quickly, that goal doesn’t seem too far off.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Porsche Panamera

[Source: BusinessWeek]

Profit Proliferation: Porsche riding high on Cayenne, Panamera sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Russian investor Antonov believes Saab will miss 2011 sales target

Filed under: Saab, Earnings/Financials

Saab logo

Russian investor Vladimir Antonov says that Saab will miss its sales target of 80,000 vehicles this year. According to Reuters, Antonov helped Spyker buy Saab last February, and is looking at taking over Spyker’s sports car operations. Antonov also said that missing the sales goal would mean capital problems for Saab.

Victor Muller, CEO of Saab-parent Spyker Cars, dismissed Antonov’s statements as bogus. According to Reuters, Muller called Antonov’s comments “complete nonsense,” and said that Spyker was staying with its sales goals for Saab.

Spyker is in hot water, too, operating at a loss last year and looking for investors, including Antonov.

Antonov told the Swedish press that he sees Saab moving closer to 65,000 cars for 2011. Saab brass say the company is on target to make its sales goal, but are more concerned with sticking to its new business plan than meeting a specific sales target. According to Reuters, Saab moved 31,696 cars in 2010, after cutting its sales goal from 45,000 to 30,000.

[Source: Reuters | Image: Chris Paukert/AOL]

Report: Russian investor Antonov believes Saab will miss 2011 sales target originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Corvette sales enjoying modest uptick after years of ‘freefall’

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Performance, Chevrolet

2010 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Grand Sport

2010 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Grand Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to Automotive News, General Motors has seen Corvette sales increase slightly after months of decline. The General’s sports car saw sales jump by 13 percent in both January and February compared to the same months one year ago. All told, Chevrolet saw 955 Corvette models slip off of dealer lots in the first two months of 2011. That’s good news for General Motors. Well, maybe good is too strong of a word.

See, Corvette sales haven’t exactly been breaking any records as of late. Automotive News reports that, since 2006, the vehicle’s sales have been in a steady state of freefall. In fact, back then Corvette models were selling at a rate of roughly 3,000 units per month for a total of 36,518 vehicles. Last year, that figure was just 12,624.

So, why the slump? It’s no secret that C6 Corvette is growing long in the tooth. The latest generation of the baddest Bow Tie was introduced in 2006, and muscle cars like the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang are now flexing similar power figures for significantly less cash. While it’s true that neither of those offerings can deliver the kind of handling that the still-wicked Corvette serves up, the majority of the population simply doesn’t care.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Report: Corvette sales enjoying modest uptick after years of ‘freefall’ originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buick sales beating up on Lexus, may be this year’s most popular luxury brand

Filed under: Car Buying, Buick, Earnings/Financials, Luxury

There are a number of simple, reliable truths in the world. The Earth is round. A compass points north. Nobody but the Chinese buy Buicks and Lexus is the best-selling luxury brand in the United States. Well, hold on to your horses. Lowly old Buick, long seen as the doorstop of the luxury segment, has outsold Lexus two months straight and shows no signs of slowing down.

Our friends at Kicking Tires ground through the sales figures and found that Buick also sold more luxury cars in February than Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Acura. In fact, the only luxury brand that sold more cars in the States in February was BMW, and even then only by 800 units.

What makes Buick’s meteoric rise to the top of its segment even more impressive is the fact that it has done so with just four nameplates: Enclave, LaCrosse, Lucerne and Regal. By way of comparison, Lexus offers nine models in the States.

And lest you think that buyers are choosing Buicks solely because of a value proposition, Kicking Tires notes that average Buick transaction prices have increased by $11,113 since 2003, according to Buick spokesman Nick Richards. Sounds like Buick deserves some real kudos, no?

We suggest you scan over the whole article from Kicking Tires, it’s a very interesting read.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Buick sales beating up on Lexus, may be this year’s most popular luxury brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Piech says Alfa Romeo sales could increase fourfold under VW ownership

Filed under: Etc., Earnings/Financials, Alfa Romeo, Fiat

Alfa Romeo builds some really good-looking rides, but that apparently hasn’t translated into profits for Fiat. In a recent interview with Forbes, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne reportedly called the Italian brand a “money loser,” and sales of the marque have consistently underwhelmed. But while Fiat has worked hard to rehab Alfa Romeo to no apparent avail, Volkswagen Chairman Ferdinand Piech feels his people can do better.

Reuters reports that Piech declared at the Geneva Motor Show that VW could raise Alfa sales from about 100,000 units per year to 400,000 or more in a scant five years. The boasting by Piech may seem more than a bit cocky, but that confidence jibes well with VW’s bold proclamations that it will become the largest automaker on earth by 2018.

So what prompted Piech to announce to the world that VW could sell more Alfas than Fiat? We have no idea, and Marchionne has shown little public interest in selling the brand in the past. VW is obviously interested in buying Italy’s sweetheart, though, and the German automaker likely has the cash and can take a liability off Fiat’s books.

[Source: Reuters | Image: Nigel Treblin/AFP/Getty]

Report: Piech says Alfa Romeo sales could increase fourfold under VW ownership originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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