July 13, 2010

2010 Automotive News All-Stars
In the past year, the industry has endured bankruptcies, the death of brands, massive recalls by Toyota Motor Corp., and a still-shaky sales recovery. According to Automotive News, through it all, some individuals didn't just survive; they thrived. The publication recently unveiled its annual Automotive News All-Stars, leaders who set the pace in tough times. The list recognizes Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally as Industry Leader of the Year for 2010. The list of notables also includes Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik, who had the right mix of humility, chutzpah, and hustle to steer his company through the crash of 2009, closing the year up eight percent in sales and with more than a point of added market share. Dealer and AIADA member Tammy Darvish of Darcars Automotive Group in Silver Spring, Md. also made the list. According to Automotive News, never has a female dealer exercised such influence, having co-led the Committee to Restore Dealer Rights in lobbying for a law mandating arbitration for terminated Chrysler and GM dealers. Ernst Lieb, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA was recognized for his leadership of the luxury automaker. Sales were up 26 percent through June, outpacing the industry as Lieb pushes to instill a customer-oriented culture at Mercedes-Benz. Want to see more? Click here to check out Automotive News' complete list of 2010's All-Stars.

UAW Begins Picketing Toyota Dealerships
UAW President Bob King said Monday that the UAW has begun protesting at Toyota dealerships to pressure the automaker to allow the unionization of its U.S. plants and to protest Toyota's closing this year of the NUMMI plant in Fremont, Calif. The Detroit Free Press reports that King described the demonstrations as "bannering" rather than "picketing. During a news conference held Monday to announce a new campaign for manufacturing jobs and economic justice, King said, "The bannering at the dealerships is ongoing . . . California is probably the largest place, but I was in New York three weeks ago, and I stopped by where a local union was bannering." In June, King said the UAW would renew its efforts to organize workers at U.S. plants operated by Asian automakers. Click here to read AIADA's response to King's inflammatory remarks calling for protests at local Toyota dealerships. King, along with the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and other political and religious leaders gathered Monday at the union's headquarters in Detroit to announce the new campaign, as well as a political march to be held in Detroit on Aug. 28. Click here for the latest on the UAW's efforts at forced Toyota employee unionization.

America's Top Models: 10 Sales Leaders that should be on Your Shopping List
Auto sales are on the rise in 2010, and that's a good thing, especially since the last two years were such a complete disaster for the industry. But which models are the cream of the showroom crop? What makes them rise to the top of the heap? And why should they be on your short list when purchasing a new car, truck, or SUV this year? To answer these questions, MSN Autos compiled a list of America's top sellers according to Automotive News data, and examined each machine's strengths and weaknesses. Hopefully its evaluation will provide insight into what makes each model a winner, and why they appeal to more consumers than any other rides on the road today. Notables on the list include some tried and true consumer favorites like the Toyota Corolla, which it characterizes as a leader in the low-cost, low maintenance, and high fuel economy categories. The list also mentions the Honda Civic, whose hybrid model is a "must-test" in the compact segment. In the mid-size sedan categories, the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima each received a shout-out on MSN's list. Click here to read more on America's best-selling cars.

GOP Senators' Support Assures Passage of Financial Reform Bill
Two key senators' support Monday for the sweeping overhaul of financial regulations gave Democratic leaders the votes they need for final approval this week, paving the way for President Obama to sign the landmark legislation into law. According to the Los Angeles Times, Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts and Olympia J. Snowe of Maine, among a handful of Republicans who voted for the Senate's version of the legislation, said they would vote for the bill. They had balked last month at revisions made by a joint House-Senate conference committee to fund the bill's $19-billion cost over the next 10 years. But the conference committee reconvened late last month to make changes to satisfy him. Their backing gives supporters the 60 votes needed to avoid a Republican-led filibuster. Democratic leaders were in the same position in May when they scraped together the needed votes to stem a filibuster and approve the Senate version of the bill. Late Monday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said the Senate would hold a vote this week on the financial reform bill, the top legislative priority of President Obama and congressional Democratic leaders. Click here to read more from the Los Angeles Times on the latest on financial reform legislation.

BMW Raises Outlook as Demand Picks Up
The Wall Street Journal reports that German luxury car maker BMW AG said Tuesday its profit in 2010 is set to rise more sharply than previously anticipated because vehicle sales are expected to be better than hoped and its financial-services division is experiencing a recovery. "Improved business conditions on the international automobile markets mean that the BMW Group now expects to report much better second-quarter and full-year earnings than previously forecast," the Munich-based firm said in a statement. The luxury car market was hit hard by the financial crisis and resulting economic downturn, with sales and earnings turning anemic in 2009. However, there has been a faster-than-expected rebound in the segment in recent months, driven by soaring demand in China and a recovering U.S. market. BMW now expects vehicle sales this year to rise by about 10 percent to more than 1.4 million cars, after previously forecasting a rise in the single-digit percentage range to more than 1.3 million cars. In the first six months, a total of 696,026 BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce cars were delivered to customers, up 13 percent from a year earlier. BMW expects the full-year margin on earnings before interest and tax to exceed 5 percent in its core automobiles segment this year. Click here for the latest on BMW's expected 2010 sales success.

Carfax Database Surpasses Eight Billion Records
AIADA Affinity Partner Carfax announced this week that its online database of vehicle history information now exceeds eight billion records. For nearly 25 years, Carfax has been collecting information that helps people buy and sell used cars with more confidence. Thousands of dealers use Carfax to sell cars faster and 30 manufacturer Certified programs have made Carfax Vehicle History Reports a requirement in their certification processes. "Every day we add millions of pieces of new information to our database. It's this information that helps dealers buy the right cars at the right price and build trust with their customers to sell more cars faster," said Larry Gamache, communications director at Carfax. The Carfax database is located in Columbia, Mo., where the company was founded in 1986. Through partnerships with leading online marketplaces, Carfax Vehicle History Reports purchased by Carfax-subscribing dealers are automatically linked to their vehicle listings. To become a CARFAX Dealer Subscriber, click here or call (800) 444-0145.

Around the Web
Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz S-Class [Motor Authority]
Open Spot Finds Free Parking Spaces [Lifehacker]
Let's Go Road Trippin' [Motor Trend Blog]
2011 Honda Odyssey Fuel Economy Could Crush Rival Minivans [DriveOn]