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GM Reports 909,094 Deliveries in Q1, 349,867 Deliveries in March 2007
2007-04-04 16:54:00
Q1Retail Sales Up 0.5 Percent - Mid-Cars Up 14.5 Percent; Full-Size Pickups up 12.2 PercentSaturn and GMC Post Substantial Gains Led By Saturn Aura Mid-Size Sedan and Crossovers Saturn Outlook and GMC AcadiaChevrolet Impala and Chevrolet Aveo Post Quarterly Record SalesDaily Rental Sales Down 32 Percent; Non-Rental Fleet Sales Up 3 PercentMarch Sales Down 7.7 Percent vs. Year AgoGMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook Fuel 235 Percent Retail Increase in Mid-Utility Crossover SalesRecord March Cadillac Escalade Sales Drive 17.6 Percent Retail Increase in Large Luxury UtilitiesChevrolet Impala, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura Contribute To Retail Sales Increase For Mid-Car SegmentDaily Rental Sales Down 35 PercentDETROIT, 2007-04-03 - GM dealers in the United States delivered 349,867 vehicles in March, a reduction of 7.7 percent on a sales day-adjusted basis (down 4.2 percent non-adjusted), compared with 365,375 total sales a year ago. Fleet sales were down 11.8 percent due to continuing reductions i...
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SEAT Chairman Erich Schmitt Opens the VIII Spanish-German Automobile Congre
2007-04-04 16:53:00
200 Professionals of the Auto motive Industry Discuss the Challenges for the European Automotive ManufacturersMartorell, 04-04-2007 -- Erich Schmitt, Chairman of SEAT, held the opening speech at the 8th Spanish-German Automobile Congress (29.-30.3.2007) in Barcelona. In presence of Josep Huguet, Catalan Minister of Innovation, Universities and Enterprises, and 200 professionals of the industry, Mr. Schmitt described the challenges manufacturers are facing in Spain and named the strategy of SEAT for the future.Mr. Schmitt pointed out the importance of product innovation in order to increase competitiveness. Furthermore, he mentioned as key factors the orientation towards service and quality, environment-friendliness of products and economic sustainability.Mr. Schmitt reminded that SEAT is the only brand among the Spanish manufacturers with the capacity to design, develop and produce its own vehicles."This closeness to the customer is our greatest chance when facing competitors from Ea...
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SEAT Management and Trade Unions Reach an Agreement on the Business Activit
2007-04-04 16:52:00
Martorell, 04-04-2007 - After one month of negotiations, the management of SEAT and the representatives of Spain?s most important trade unions (UGT and CCOO) yesterday reached an agreement on the launch of the new layoff program for the three years to come (2007 to 2009), which, in combination with other measures encompassed in SEAT?s business activity improvement plan, will help guarantee the future of the company. The third trade union CGT has asked for some days of reflection before joining the agreement.The most important issues agreed between the company and the trade union representatives were the following:* Early retirement, which affects employees who are older than 58 years; the retirement will become effective once they turn 60.* Permanent leaves (only applicable to employees who have been working with the company for a minimum of two years).* Leaves of absence (for a maximum of five years)* Sabbatical leavesThe goals of these employee related measures are a reduction of ...
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Nissan North America Environmental Update
2007-04-04 16:52:00
April 3, 2007 -- The Nissan Green Program 2010 is Nissan?s vision of its commitments to all aspects of environmental management ? addressing immediate challenges as well as creating the foundation for a long-term, sustainable business model.With a specific focus on the reduction of CO2 emissions, Nissan has embraced a multi-pronged philosophy of product development, which aims to deliver in a sustainable way the right technology, at the right time, in the right market, and at the right value to the customer.Below is a snapshot of Nissan?s current and future efforts in applying our environmental philosophy in the U.S.EVOLUTION OF ENGINE TECHNOLOGYo Nissan at the New York Auto Show in April will introduce an engine that incorporates the variable valve event and lift (VEL) system, capable of reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 10%. The first vehicle to have this technology in North America will be an Infiniti.DIESEL ENGINESo Nissan will develop new, clean diesel engines for North A...
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BMW Group Reports 3.9 Percent Increase in First Quarter 2007 U.S. Sales
2007-04-04 16:50:00
The BMW Group (BMW and MINI brands combined) reported year-to-date sales of 75,433 vehicles, a 3.9 percent increase over the 72,588 sold in the first quarter of 2006. The BMW Group also reported an increase of 2.2 percent in March sales, for 28,980 vehicles over the 28,352 vehicles reported in March 2006.BMW Brand Report s Sales Year-to-date, sales of BMW brand vehicles were up 6.7 percent, as the company reported sales of 67,360 vehicles compared to 63,103 vehicles sold in first quarter of 2006.March sales increased 3.4 percent for a total of 25,325 vehicles compared to 24,501 reported last March.BMW Automobile SalesBMW's automobile first quarter sales were up 3.5 percent, to 51,617 automobiles compared to 49,884 in the first three months of 2006. In March automobile sales declined slightly 1.2 percent, to 18,746 versus 18,966 in the same month a year ago.BMW Sports Activity Vehicle SalesYear-to-date, sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles are up 19.1 percent, to 15,743 vehicles comp...
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Chrysler Group Reports March 2007 US Sales
2007-04-04 16:48:00
Dodge Ram light duty pick-up truck up 15 percentJeep brand up 4 percent in March and up 5 percent for the first quarterJeep Wrangler sales of 13,397 units mark the vehicles' best month everVehicle inventory significantly reduced year-over-year by approximately 107,000 units or 18 percentChrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan with no-extra- charge DVD system in April - Minivan Month follows successful 'National Truck Month'AUBURN HILLS,Mich., April 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chrysler Group reported sales for March 2007 of 206,435 units; down 5 percent compared to a very strong March 2006. All sales figures are reported unadjusted."In a flat to slightly down industry, our sales decline of 5 percent compares to a March 2006 that was our best month of March in four years," said Steven Landry, Vice President, Sale s and Field Operations. "With strong monthly sales of the Dodge Ram light duty pick-up truck, the Dodge Avenger and Nitro along with Jeep(R) brand sales up ...
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Toyota Reports March 2007 US Sales
2007-04-04 16:46:00
TORRANCE, Calif., April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Boosted by record hybrid sales, Toy ota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported all-time best-ever monthly sales of 242,675 vehicles, an increase of 7.7 percent over March 2006."This month marks a milestone eight years in the making," said Jim Lentz, TMS executive vice president. "Record U.S. sales of Toyota and Lexus hybrids have now topped the half-million mark." The Toyota Division posted best-ever March sales of 213,820, up 8.7 percent. The Lexus Division reported best-ever March sales of 28,855 units.Toyota DivisionToyota Division passenger cars recorded best-ever March sales of 121,881, up 13.6 percent over the same period last year. Passenger car sales were led by Toyota Camry, which posted March sales of 42,254, up 4.5 percent over the same period last year. Toyota Camry Hybrid reported sales of 5,144 units in March. The Toyota Prius hybrid gas-electric mid-size sedan posted all-time best-ever monthly sales for the second cons...
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Hyundai Sets Record March with 41,984 U.S. Sales
2007-04-04 16:46:00
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America today reported its best March ever with sales of 41,984 vehicles, up 22 percent over February. The all-new Hyundai Santa Fe and Hyundai Accent were up 109 percent and 57 percent over March 2006 respectively."Once again we are pleased to see such a strong March given the continued challenging sales conditions across the country," said Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai's vice president of National Sale s . "We are excited to finish off the first quarter with such momentum and feel poised for continued sales growth in the second quarter with the launch of our new midsize crossover Hyundai Veracruz and continued strong performance from one of the freshest product lineups in the industry."All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by The Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty. Hyundai buyers are protected by a 10- year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, and a 7-year/unli...
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Mercedes-Benz USA Reports Best March and Highest First Quarter U.S. Sales E
2007-04-04 16:44:00
Mercedes-Benz USA Reports Best March and Highest First Quarter Sales Ever in 2007MONTVALE, N.J., April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported its highest March on record with sales of 21,612 new vehicles, an increase of 0.9 percent over last March, bringing year-to-date sales to 55,985 new vehicles, a 9.3 percent increase compared to the first quarter of 2006 and the highest first quarter on record for MBUSA.The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was the volume leader for the month with sales of 4,486, closely trailed by the Mercedes-Benz E-Class with sales of 4,019. The new flagship Coupe, the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class which starts at $100,675, continued to be in high demand with sales of 295.Luxury light truck models -- M-, GL-, R- and G-Classes -- had a significant 33 percent increase over March 2006.Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned program, MBUSA sold 5,181 vehicles in March, bringing first quarter sales to 12,700, a 21.5 percent increase over the sa...
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Mitsubishi Reports 22 Percent U.S. Sales Increase in March 2007
2007-04-04 16:43:00
CYPRESS, Calif., April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) today reported March sales of 12,536 units, up 22.3% from last March's total of 10,250.* Year-to-date, Mitsubishi sales are up 23.2%, compared to the January-March period in 2006."Customers are responding to the distinctive styling of our products and the great value that they provide," said MMNA CEO Hiroshi Harunari. "We are building on the momentum provided by the launch of our all-new Mitsubishi Outlander crossover SUV. And in March, we started to see the effects of the roll-out of our all-new fuel-efficient Mitsubishi Lancer sedan. We are looking forward to a tremendous full month of sales for this vehicle in April."Mitsubishi Lancer sales for the month were 1,895, up 40.2% compared to last March.Other March sales highlights:- Mitsubishi Outlander closed at 2,364 units up 20.9% from last month's volume and up 146.3% from last year's volume. It was the best month for Mitsubishi Outlander in ...
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Mazda Announces Best-Ever March Sales for North America
2007-04-04 16:38:00
- U.S. sales up 47.9 percent; Canada sales up 16.0 percent; Mexico sales up 182.5 percentIRVINE, Calif., April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North America n Operations (MNAO), including the U.S., Canada and Mexico, today reported best-ever March sales of 47,206 vehicles, beating its previous March record of 45,892 set back in 1994. The U.S. celebrated its best March since 1994 with sales of 37,742 while Mazda Canada, Inc. reported its best-ever March with sales of 8,108 units. Not to be outdone by Mazda Motor de Mexico, which reported its best- ever month with sales of 1,356 units."The automotive business is a marathon not a sprint and right now we're hitting our stride as we head into the crucial spring selling season," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO. "Our record-breaking sales month for North America proves that we're offering the right vehicles at the right price, driving customers into our showrooms in the U.S., Canada and Mexico."Mazda's U.S. sales were led in volume...
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Kia Motors America Sets First Quarter US Sales Record
2007-04-04 16:36:00
IRVINE, Calif., April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motor s America (KMA) today announced a new first quarter sales record of 73,603 units, a 13.5-percent increase over the same period last year, boosted by the company's best March sales ever of 27,567 units, a 6.0-percent increase over the same month in 2006.The Kia Spectra compact sedan and five-door was the leading seller in March with 5,675 units, a 23.3-percent increase over the same month last year, while the successful launch of the all-new Rondo continued with 1,514 units sold."The expanded Kia lineup is bringing more customers to our showrooms than ever before, as evidenced by our record-setting quarter and the best March sales in company history," said Len Hunt, executive vice president and COO of KMA. "The strong reception the all-new Kia Rondo has received since its launch earlier this year is an indicator of the momentum that is driving the brand to another successful sales year in the U.S."Kia Motors America -- the sales, mark...
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