New MINI 5 Door Shown, New MINI 4 Door World Debut Next Week

The MINI 5 door, with an overall length that's 6.3 inches longer than the new standard MINI, provides the three back seats with 2.8 inches more foot space and legroom. The MINI 5 door models with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology will be the MINI Cooper One 5 door with a 102 horsepower 3-cylinder gas engine or the MINI One D 5 door with a 95 horsepower 3-cylinder diesel engine, the MINI Cooper 5 door with a 136 horsepower 3-cylinder gas engine or the D 5 door with a 116 horsepower 3-cylinder diesel engine, the MINI Cooper S 5 door with a 192 horsepower 4-cylinder gas engine or the MINI Cooper D 5 door with a 116 horsepower 3-cylinder diesel engine, and the MINI Cooper SD 5 door with 170 horsepower 4-cylinder diesel engine. All are mated to a 6-speed manual transmission with an available optional 6-speed Steptronic transmission except for the MINI One D 5 door and there's a 6-speed Steptronic Sport transmission for the MINI Cooper S 5 door and the MINI Cooper SD 5 door. Not sure how many variants will be offered in the U.S.

Driver assistance systems include: MINI Head-Up-Display, Parking Assistant, rear view camera and Driving Assistant including camera-based active cruise control, collision and pedestrian warning with initial brake function, high beam assistant and road sign detection.

MINI Hardtop 4 door Debuts Next Week
The MINI Hardtop 4 door with its World Premiere in Paris next week, has a wheelbase that has been extended by 2.9 inches making the luggage compartment around 30 percent larger than the 3-door model, with a volume of 13.1 cubic feet. The new MINI Hardtop 4 door will have two new generation engines at the U.S. market launch, with three or four cylinders using MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology and power ranging from 134 to 189 horsepower.

The MINI Superleggera Vision roadster concept is a collaborative hand crafted electric-powered vehicle from British MINI and Italian design and body manufacturing specialist Touring Superleggera.

Infiniti Q80 Inspiration Concept To Debut In Paris Next Week

Infiniti Q80 Inspiration, a top-of-the-line, four-seat fastback concept with a high-performance and efficient hybrid-electric powertrain, measures 198.9 inches on a long wheelbase of 122.2 inches framed by custom 22-inch five-dual-spoke lightweight alloys will be shown at the Paris Auto Show next week. Notice there are no side-door mirrors.

Cadillac To Become Separate GM Unit Headquartered In New York

General Motors Cadillac brand, with operations in more than 40 countries, will become a separate business unit with a new global headquarters opening next year in the heart of New York at a multipurpose brand and event space with modern loft offices. The majority of functions with oversight and responsibility for both global and U.S. operations will be located at the new global headquarters, while there will be no change to technical product development teams located in Michigan or manufacturing and assembly operations. Cadillac management is reviewing options for which specific staffs will be based in New York and which will remain in current locations. Cadillac had 28 percent global growth last year and an increase of about 10 percent so far this year with China sales up 75 percent year to date.

Cadillac's new President Johan de Nysschen, who took over in August, will be responsible for the brand’s overall operational performance. de Nysschen came to Cadillac from Infiniti global headquarters in Hong Kong, where he ran Nissan's luxury brand, and prior to that was President of Audi of America.

2015 Volkswagen Beetle Classic Starting At $21,015 This Week

The limited-edition Volkswagen Beetle Classic model, with the 170 horsepower 1.8-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, goes on sale this week, starting at $21,015, (including the $820 Destination and Handling charge) for the 1.8T Coupe. The Beetle 1.8T Coupe has an EPA estimated highway fuel economy rating of 33 mpg. The Classic trim features 17-inch “Heritage” aluminum-alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, a leather-wrapped shifter knob and handbrake lever, Sirius XM® Satellite Radio, an RNS® 315 navigation system, a multifunction steering wheel, two-tone brown “Sioux” leatherette and checked cloth seating surfaces, comfort front seats with driver’s side lumbar support. The Beetle Convertible Classic will go on sale early in 2015, starting at $26,815 and gets 32 mpg.

2015 CR-V Goes On Sale October 1st

The 2015 CR-V goes on sale October 1, but complete information on the newest version of the best-selling SUV in America won't be available until September 30th. Through the end of August Honda CR-V sales are 217,293, up 4.6% over 2013. 

Volvo XC90 R-Design With Up To 400 Horsepower

The all-new Volvo XC90 R-Design version, with a choice of Drive-E powertrains offering up to 400 horsepower, joins the Momentum and Inscription trim levels for sale in the U.S. Volvo says the focus is on a sporty and dynamic aura with a different grille, lower front spoiler, window in silk metal, and a R-Design dual tailpipe surround, integrated bright roof rails and mirror covers in matte silver. There are 20-inch or optional 22-inch R-Design alloy wheels. The R-Design gets a tablet-like center console touch screen and a 12.3-inch fully graphical driver display along with all-new in-car control that is virtually button free to access a range of Internet and cloud based products and services.

Driverless Audi A7 Hits California After Nevada, Florida Testing

Look ma, no driver. It's the Audi A7 Traffic Jam Pilot prototype that will hit the streets of California after the state put into place a range of new regulations that govern the testing of automated driving. Audi will be the first company to receive a newly established autonomous driving permit issued by California. Audi has conducted research over tens of thousands of miles in Europe. Audi was the first automotive OEM to receive one of the red autonomous vehicle license plates issues by the State of Nevada and also the first automaker to demonstrate the capability of its automated driving technologies on a Tampa expressway designated as an autonomous and connected car test bed.

Audi, its Electronics Research Lab and Stanford University engineers collaborated on the development of the Autonomous Audi TTS Pikes Peak car, which successfully completed the challenging 12.42-mile route of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race in Colorado in 27 minutes without a human in the car. The research is aimed at preparing a highly automated Piloted driving system for freeway traffic conditions that Audi envisions could be ready for consumer introduction within five years.

2015 Ford Mustang With Three Engine Choices

The new 2015 Ford Mustang, which debuted last December on its own at an awkward time just a few weeks after the Los Angeles Auto Show, offers a choice of a 300-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine, 435-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine, or an all-new 310-horsepower 2.3-liter EcoBoost® engine that uses direct injection, variable cam timing and turbocharging. A reworked automatic transmission has new steering wheel-mounted shift paddles. The all-new Mustang has a lower, wider stance with a reduction in roof height, wider rear fenders and track, more steeply sloped windshield and rear glass, and, three-dimensional tri-bar taillamps with sequential turn signals. Tech features include Intelligent Access with push-button start to SYNC® and MyKey® plus standard Track Apps™, MyColor® gauges and a new Shaker Pro Audio System. An all-new inflatable airbag restraint design provides the front seat passenger with knee airbag protection.
 

Mercedes-Benz S550 PLUG-IN HYBRID

The new Mercedes-Benz S550 PLUG-IN HYBRID, based on the Mercedes-Benz parallel hybrid modular system, joins the new S-Class with 436 horsepower coming from an engine combination of a V6 biturbo and intelligent hybrid drive that goes from 0 to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds and drives electrically for up to 20 miles. The hybrid transmission is based on the 7-speed automatic transmission with an additional clutch integrated between combustion engine and electric motor. The S550 PLUG-IN HYBRID decouples the combustion engine during purely electric operation and, if the combustion engine is employed, it affords the possibility to move off drawing on the performance of a wet start-up clutch. The clutch then substitutes for the torque converter and requires no additional space owing to its complete integration in the torque converter housing. The high-voltage battery can be charged via external electricity mains using a 3.6 kW on-board charger.

2015 Dodge Viper Starts At $84,995 In 2015 First Quarter

The 2015 Dodge Viper (SRT above) powered by a 645 horsepower8.4-liter V-10 engine mated to a Tremec six-speed manual transmission delivering up to 20 miles per gallon on the highway will have a starting MSRP of $84,995 (all prices exclude tax, title, license, destination and gas guzzler tax). The new starting price is $15,000 less than the 2014 model it replaces. Vipers will start arriving in more than 2,300 Dodge dealerships in the first quarter of 2015. Effective immediately, all existing 2014 model year Vipers in dealer inventory will also be re-invoiced and receive the $15,000 price reduction.

New packages and new colors, include: the SRT with new accent stitching on the seats and instrument panel, Alcantara accents on the doors and instrument panel and ‘Viper’ badged aluminum sill plates, the GT, a new model with Nappa leather seats with Alcantara inserts, Alcantara accents on the doors and IP, ‘Viper’ badged aluminum sill plates, two-mode suspension, five-mode ESC, ‘GTS’ hood and two-piece StopTech slotted rotors, the GTS Ceramic Blue Special Edition with an exclusive Ceramic Blue exterior color and Black stripes, the TA 2.0 Special Edition with high-performance Aero Package, and the High-impact Y’Orange, Stryker Orange and Stryker Purple exterior colors.

2015 Soul EV Starts At $33,700 Before Rebate

The 2015 Soul EV will be $33,700 (not including federal tax rebate of $7,500 and excluding destination and handling, taxes, title, license fees, options and retailer charges) for the Base and $35,700 for the Plus model (not including federal tax rebate of $7,500). With an expected introductory lease price of $249 per month. The Soul EV has an EPA-estimated range of 93 miles and MPGe of 92 miles on the highway and 120 miles in the city (105 miles combined).

The 2015 Soul EV will be equipped with navigation, Rear Camera Display, Bluetooth® hands free operation, 6.6kW on-board charger and an exclusive HVAC system designed to extend driving range by minimizing energy draw.  Also, every Soul EV comes standard with UVO EV Services, which provide real-time battery-level status, distance to empty, and the ability to search for nearby charging stations. From the UVO EV smartphone app, owners can preset charging time and charging level ratios, as well as precondition the vehicle cabin with remote control of the HVAC presets.

2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S Coming In Spring 2015

The new 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT two-seater sports car, the second developed entirely in-house by Mercedes-AMG, has a 456 horsepower AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine and, the GT S model with 503 horsepower, and are mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission in a rear transaxle configuration. Various modes are available: "C" (Controlled Efficiency), "S" (Sport), "S+" (Sport Plus) and "I" (Individual). The manual "RACE" drive program, reserved exclusively for the GT S, optimally adjusts the shift strategy of the dual clutch transmission to the needs of racetrack usage. 0 - 60 mph is under 4 seconds for both variants and top speed around 190 mph. The U.S. will first launch the 2016 AMG GT S in the spring of 2015 and the AMG GT will launch in the following year.

BMW 2 Series Convertible Early Next Year Starting At $38,850

The new BMW 2 Series Convertible follows the 2 Series Coupe that arrived in earlier this year and is more than 30 percent more efficient than its 128i predecessor. It's coming to the U.S. as the 228i with a 240 horsepower 2.0 liter four-cylinder twin-scroll turbocharged engine mated to an 8-speed sport automatic transmission accelerating from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds for an MSRP of $38,850 (including $950 destination and handling). The 228i xDrive with the all-wheel drive system will cost $40,650. The M235i convertible, a near 20 percent improvement over its 135i Coupe predecessor, with a 320 horsepower 3.0 liter TwinPower Turbo inline six engine mated to either an 8-speed sport automatic or six-speed manual transmission and a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds will be offered at an MSRP of $48,650. The all new 2015 BMW 2 Series Convertible will arrive in U.S. showrooms in early 2015.

2015 Lincoln Navigator Starting At $62,475 Coming Soon

The 2015 Lincoln Navigator full-size luxury SUV gets a new twin-turbocharged, direct-injected 380 horsepower 3.5-liter EcoBoost® engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that includes Lincoln SelectShift®, which allows the driver to manually control gears. The 2015 Lincoln Navigator will also have a refreshed exterior design and enhanced interior appointments when it goes on sale this year for an MSRP starting at $62,475 (including destination and delivery charges). The 2015 Navigator continues to be available in two wheelbase lengths, standard (119.0 inches) and extended (131.0 inches) versions and can tow 9,000 pounds with maximum payload of 1,570 pounds. The standard-wheelbase 4x2 Navigator gets an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined. SYNC with MyLincoln Touch is standard.

2015 Lexus RC 350 Coupe Coming This Fall

The 2015 Lexus RC 350 powered by a 306 horsepower 3.5-liter Lexus V6 engine teamed to an eight-speed Sports Program Direct Shift transmission for rear-wheel drive models and a six-speed automatic transmission for the all-wheel drive system. There's also an F SPORT version. Lexus crafted a new platform for the RC, borrowing only select parts from the IS and GS models. The RC 350 rides on a 107.5-inch wheelbase, is 184.8 inches in total length and measures 72.4 inches wide. The RC 350 arrives this Fall.

2015 Jaguar XE Coming Next Year

The 2015 Jaguar XE sits below the XF and XJ models in the Jaguar four-door sedan lineup. The Jaguar XE S top-of-the-line model has a  twin-Vortex supercharged 340 horsepower 3.0-liter V6 engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shift controls that takes the XE from 0 - 60 mph in 4.9 seconds to an electronically-limited maximum speed of 155 mph. The new XE is powered by a range of four- and six-cylinder all-aluminum gas and diesel engines will full details of the entire XE range to be announced at the Paris Auto Show in October. The Jaguar XE goes on sale next year.

2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport Starts At $38,920 Early Next Year

The 2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport seven-passenger compact SUV with a 240 horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive will cost $38,920 (including $925 destination and delivery fee) when it goes on sale early next year alongside the existing seven-seat Land Rover LR4. It's the same turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine as the Range Rover Evoque. Discovery Sport is built on a 107.9-inch wheelbase with a 180.7-inch overall length.

The standard infotainment system uses an 8-inch touchscreen display with access to audio, climate, telephone and navigation functions, while users can swipe to an additional two screens for WiFi hotspots, 4x4i and off-road displays, Eco Data and ambient lighting control. Satellite navigation is standard and features advanced 3D city models and landmarks. Voice commands can be used for satellite navigation and to select radio stations, dial phone numbers or to access stored contacts from the phonebook.

Features include: Terrain Response® for off-road and slippery-condition driving, Hill Descent Control® for negotiating steep inclines off-road, Gradient Release Control® progressively releases the brakes when moving away on an incline for maximum control, Roll Stability Control designed to detect the onset of a rollover and applies the brakes to the outer wheels to bring the vehicle under control.

All-New Fourth Generation Mazda MX-5 Unveiled

The all-new fourth generation Mazda MX-5 was unveiled in Japan, USA and Spain and will be rolled out to global markets starting in 2015. As of July 2014, total production volume of the Mazda MX-5 exceeded 940,000.

August 2014 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors dealers delivered 272,423 vehicles in the United States in August, down 1.2 percent compared with last August, which was GM’s best sales month of 2013. Retail deliveries, which are sales to individual consumers, declined 4 percent. Fleet deliveries were up 9 percent compared with a year ago. Year-to-date total sales were 1,984,451, a 2.8 percent increase over last year.

Ford Motor Company U.S. sales totaled 222,174 vehicles in August, up 0.4 percent from a year ago and the best August sales in eight years. Retail sales of 178,800 vehicles increased 2 percent, while fleet sales of 43,374 vehicles declined 6 percent. Year-to-date sales of 1,704,442 is an 0.2 percent drop from a year ago.

Toyota, Scion and Lexus reported total August 2014 sales results of 246,100, an increase of 6.3 percent from year-ago month. Year-to-date Toyota, Scion and Lexus sales are 1,627,509, a 6.1 percent increase over 2013.

Chrysler Group reported U.S. sales of 198,379, a 20 percent increase compared with sales in August 2013 and the group’s best August sales since 2002. Year-to-date sales of 1,386,169, is a 14 percent increase over last year.

American Honda reported August 2014 Honda and Acura vehicle sales of 167,038, an increase of 0.4 percent versus August of last year. Honda division had sales of 151,551 vehicles in August while Acura posted sales of 15,487 in the same period. Year-to-date American Honda sales reached 1,042,382, down 1.1 percent from last year.

Nissan Group announced total U.S. sales for August 2014 of 134,388, an increase of 11.5 percent over the prior year and an August record. Year-to-date sales of 960,317 is a 12.4 percent increase over 2013.

Hyundai Motor America announced an all-time August sales record of 70,003, up 5.9 percent versus the same record-setting period in 2013 and only the second time ever the company has topped the 70,000 mark. Year-to-date sales of 501,448 is a 1.7 percent increase over 2013.

Kia Motors America announced record August sales of 54,667, a 5.1-percent increase over the same period last year.  Kia’s year-to-date sales are 404,389, up 6.9 percent.

Subaru of America reported 50,246 vehicle sales for August 2014, a 22 percent increase over August 2013. August marks the best-ever sales month in company history, breaking the previous record set in July 2014 (45,714). Year-to-date Subaru sales total 333,968, a 19 percent increase over the same period in 2013.

Volkswagen of America reported 35,181 vehicles delivered in August, a drop of 12.8 percent from August 2013. Year-to-date sales of 244,878 is a 13.4 percent decline from 2013. Separately, Audi achieved its best month ever in August on sales of 17,101 vehicles, a 22.1 percent increase over last year. Audi U.S. sales year-to-date of 116,066 is an increase of 14.5 percent over last year.

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported August sales of 32,220 vehicles, an increase of 5.5 percent from the 30,546 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, the BMW Group (BMW and MINI combined) is up 5.4 percent on sales of 245,974 in the first eight months of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.  

Mazda North American Operations reported August U.S. sales of 31,305 vehicles, representing an increase of 11.4 percent versus last year. Year-to-date sales through August are up 9.6 percent versus last year, with 216,973 vehicles sold.

Mercedes-Benz reported record-breaking August sales of 27,078, a 9.4 percent gain from the same month last year. Sprinter Vans August sales of 1,880, up 35.3 percent and smart sales of 1,334, up 34.3 percent bring total August sales for Mercedes-Benz USA to a record 30,292, increasing 11.6 percent from August 2013. Year-to-date, Mercedes-Benz sales total 205,894, up 8.2 percent while volumes of 15,577 at Sprinter and 7,332 at smart propelled MBUSA to a grand total of 228,803.

Mitsubishi Motors North America August sales total was 6,786, a 28.5 percent increase over the sales total from August 2013. Year-to-date sales of 52,807, is a 29.3 percent rise over last year.

Jaguar Land Rover North America reported August 2014 U.S. sales: Land Rover sales reached 4,489, down 9 percent from a U.S. brand record for the month in August 2013; Jaguar sales were 1,184, down 31 percent from in August 2013. Jaguar Land Rover North America August U.S. sales for both brands hit 5,673, a 15 percent decrease from August 2013, and are up 7 percent for the year.

Volvo Cars of North America reported U.S. August sales of 4,960, down 10.1 percent from a year ago. Year-to-date sales are 39,184, down 11 percent versus the first eight months of 2013.  

Porsche Cars North America announced August 2014 sales of 4,540 vehicles, up 36.5 percent over last year. During the first eight months of 2014, PCNA has delivered 31,759 vehicles in the U.S., an increase of 11.6 percent over last year.

2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan - Redesigned Starting At $29,485 This Month

The redesigned 2015 Toyota Sienna minivan with a standard 266 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine paired to an electronically controlled six-speed transmission has a starting base MSRP of $29,485 (including $885 delivery, processing and handling fees) for the Sienna L grade up to $46,150 for the Sienna Limited Premium all-wheel-drive when it begins arriving in dealerships later this month. The expected EPA-estimated mileage ratings are 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway (16 mpg city/22 mpg highway on AWD models). The Sienna will be available with four different EntuneTM audio systems, all of which come standard with either a 6.1 or 7-inch touchscreen display, USB 2.0 port with iPod® connectivity and Bluetooth® wireless technology. Sienna Limited and Limited Premium grades come with Entune Premium JBL® Audio with Navigation and App Suite that features 10 speakers including a subwoofer. Certain Sienna grades are available with a tow package that features a 3,500-pound towing capacity. The new Sienna is also available with Pre-Collision System with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management and Hill Start Assist Control. Available Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert helps drivers change lanes and back out of a parking space.

All-New Volvo XC90 Starts At $48,900, First Edition For $65,900

The all-new Volvo XC90 7-seat SUV with a 316 horsepower 2 liter turbocharged and supercharged AWD engine mated to an 8-speed transmission comes well-equipped as a XC90 T6 AWD with a starting price of $48,900. Standard features include Navigation, 19” wheels, a power laminated panoramic sunroof, state-of-the-art car connectivity and with expected best-in-class power and fuel efficiency. The top of the line 400 horsepower XC90 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid which combines a two-liter, four-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged gas engine with an electric motor.

Safety technologies includes a run-off road protection package that detects what is happening and tightens the front safety belts to keep the occupants in position and auto brake at intersection capability. As for sound, the XC90 features an available Bowers & Wilkins 1,400 Watt Class D amplifier and 19 Bowers & Wilkins speakers with air-ventilated subwoofers integrated into the car body, so it turns the whole interior space into a giant subwoofer.

The Urban Luxury package combines a color coordinated body kit with polished stainless steel details, such as front deco frames, front and rear skid plates and side scuff plates and 21-inch exclusive polished wheels. The Rugged Luxury kit enhances the ruggedness of the XC90 SUV with tech matte black exterior trim, stainless steel skid plates, running boards with illumination and integrated exhaust pipes coming with 22-inch wheels.

First Edition
A limited First Edition of the all-new Volvo XC90 will have 1,927 individually numbered cars only be available for order via digital commerce at www.volvocars.com/us starting on September 3rd at 10:00 am ET for $65,900 for a fully-equipped XC90 T6 AWD First Edition.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Starts At $78,995

The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, offered in 1LZ, 2LZ and 3LZ trims, with a 650 horsepower supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine will be offered at a suggested retail price of $78,995, and the convertible model will start at $83,995 (excluding tax, title, license, optional equipment and dealer fees). Available packages include the $2,995 Carbon Fiber Ground Effects package with a functional carbon fiber front splitter, carbon fiber rocker panels and a larger rear spoiler. The Z07 Performance Package for $7,995, adds Brembo carbon ceramic-matrix brake rotors along with adjustable front and rear aerodynamic components to the Carbon Fiber Ground Effects package.

2015 Volkswagen Jetta Starts At $16,215 In 3rd Quarter

The latest redesigned 2015 Volkswagen Jetta with new front, rear and interior styling, and an all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged TDI® Clean Diesel engine with an EPA-estimated highway fuel economy rating of 46 mpg with the manual transmission hits showrooms in the third quarter. 2015 Jetta engines offered are a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine, 1.8-liter and 2.0-liter versions of the turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® engine, a 1.4-liter turbocharged hybrid unit and the all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged EA288 TDI® Clean Diesel engine.

The entry-level 2.0L trim starts at $16,215 (excluding transportation, taxes, title, options, and dealer charges), with a standard five-speed manual transmission. The S model starts at $18,425 with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the entry-level 1.8T model, the SE, is priced from $18,995 with a five-speed manual transmission. The TDI Clean Diesel model starts at $21,640 for the S trim. In total, the 2015 Jetta is offered in four trim levels, Base, S, SE, and SEL, with a total of 12 equipment levels. A limited-edition Jetta Sport, based on the 1.8T SE with Connectivity, adds a sport suspension, front sport seats, RNS® 315 navigation with rearview camera, rear spoiler, and unique interior decor. When paired with a five-speed manual transmission, the Sport starts at $20,895 and costs $21,995 with a six-speed automatic transmission.

2015 Volkswagen e-Golf Starts At $36,265 In November

The 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf, fully electric vehicle for the U.S. market will start at $36,265 (including $820 destination and delivery) for the SEL Premium model when it hits showrooms in November. The eGolf, powered by a 115 horsepower compact electric motor and lithium-ion battery, has an average range between 70 and 90 miles, depending on driving style and charging behavior. Amenities include a 5.8-inch touchscreen navigation system and infotainment center, Bluetooth® technology, SiriusXM® Satellite Radio, heated front seats and rearview camera and front and rear Park Distance Control.

Chrysler's Bigland Heads Up Alfa Romeo, Hegbloom Leads Ram Truck

Chrysler Group announced that effective immediately, Reid Bigland (left) is appointed Head of Alfa Romeo Brand for the NAFTA region.  Bigland continues as Head of U.S. Sales and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Chrysler Canada.  He will also continue as a member of the NAFTA Leadership Team and the Fiat Chrysler Group Executive Council. Robert Hegbloom (right), who joined Chrysler in 1986, is appointed Head of Ram Truck Brand after previously serving as the Director of Ram Truck Brand.  In his new role, Hegbloom will become a member of the NAFTA Leadership Team.

Toyota FT-1 Sports Car Concept, For Gamers For Now

The Toyota FT-1 sports car concept that debuted in January has a new look intended to have more sophisticated feel with a new saddle-colored leather interior styling and exterior color developed by Calty Design Research in Newport Beach, California. Next month two new versions of the FT-1 will be available for download virtually inside PlayStation®3 Gran Turismo 6, the latest iteration of the best-selling racing franchise. Its a concept that the press release calls the "spiritual pace car for the new direction of Toyota Global Design". For now, game on, as we wait for reality to hit showrooms.

2014 BMW i8 Concours d’Elegance Edition Auctioned For $825,000

 A one-of-a-kind 2014 BMW i8 Concours d’Elegance Edition sold for $825,000 with Frozen Grey metallic exterior paint, Dalbergia Brown leather upholstery accented with stitching in BMW i Blue, and the Pure Impulse Tera World interior trim accented in BMW i Blue, including the seat belts, as well as having “BMW i8” embossed into the front headrests. The words “Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Edition” are laser etched into the door sills. The plug-in hybrid all-wheel drive powertrain combines an electric motor to drive the front wheels and 1.5-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder gasoline engine driving the rear wheels. The BMW i8 is capable of driving on pure electric power at speeds up to 75 mph for approximately 20 miles, producing zero tailpipe emissions. When the gasoline engine joins forces with the electric motor, together they are capacity of propelling the i8 for 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds and to a top speed of 155 miles per hour. The MSRP for the BMW i8 when it goes on sale is $137,500.

2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Gets 707HP Engine Next Year

The new 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat will feature the 707 horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® Hellcat V-8 engine mated to a new TorqueFlite 8HP90 eight-speed automatic transmission making it the quickest, fastest, most powerful production sedan in the world with an NHRA-certified quarter mile elapsed time of 11.0 seconds on street tires and a top speed of 204 miles per hour. There are five all-new Drive Modes controlling horsepower, transmission shift speeds, paddle shifters, traction and suspension. Drive Modes are pre-configured for Sport, Track and Default settings, while the Custom setting lets the driver customize the drive experience to their favorite settings. Production begins in the first quarter of 2015.

2015 Chevrolet City Express Cargo Van Gets 24 City MPG

The 2015 Chevrolet City Express cargo van with a 2.0L dual-overhead cam inline-four-cylinder engine matched to a continuously variable transmission will offer an EPA-estimated 24 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, resulting in 25 mpg combined. The 2015 Chevrolet City Express LS starts at $22,950, MSRP excluding tax, title, license, optional equipment and dealer fees. Chevrolet’s first entry into the small van segment with 122.7 cubic feet of customizable cargo space and an estimated payload capacity of 1,500 pounds will arrive in dealerships in the fourth quarter.

All-New Volvo XC90 To Be Revealed In Two Weeks

The all-new Volvo XC90 seven-seat SUV, which will be revealed in two weeks in Stockholm, will offer a 316 horsepower T6 supercharged and turbocharged gasoline engine and a T8 twin engine plug-in hybrid at around 400 horsepower that combines a two-liter, four-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged engine with an electric motor, both available for the U.S. market.

The XC90 will be the first car in its range to be built on the Scalable Product Architecture modular chassis technology developed in-house, part of Volvo's ongoing 11 billion dollar transformation plan, allowing a wide range of cars, powertrains, electrical systems and technologies, all of differing complexity, to be fitted on the same architecture, generating significant economies of scale. The drum roll for the Chinese-owned, Swedish-designed car company's future has begun.

2015 Range Rover Sport SVR Starts At $111,400

The 2015 Range Rover Sport SVR, with an all-aluminum 550horsepower 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with a starting price of $111,400 (including $925 destination and delivery fee), will be the first Land Rover vehicle to wear the new high-performance SVR badge, capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds with an electronically limited top track speed of 162 mph.

2015 Chevrolet Colorado Extended-Cab Starts At $20,995 This Fall

The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado extended-cab pickup with a a 200-horsepower 2.5L four-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection mated to a a 6-speed manual transmission will start at $20,995 (including an $895 dealer freight charge) when it hits showrooms in the Fall. There's a choice of extended-cab models with a 6-foot box and crew-cab with 5- or 6-foot boxes. The Colorado LT crew cab with 2WD and the 5-foot box has a starting price of $27,985 and the Colorado Z71 crew cab 4x4 with the 5-foot box starts at $34,990 (pictured above).

Available options will include a 305-horsepower 3.6L V-6, also with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing mated to a a 6-speed automatic transmission, 4G LTE with a built-in WiFi hotspot, Forward Collision Alert and Land Departure Warning and the GearOn™ accessory system.

2015 GMC Canyon Starts At $21,880 This Fall

The all-new 2015 GMC Canyon mid-size pickup with a 200 horsepower 2.5L I-4 Direct Injected engine will start at $21,880 (including a $925 dealer freight charge) when it arrives in dealerships this Fall. Available options include the 3.6L V-6 engine with direct injection and variable valve timing, a six-speed automatic transmission, Bose premium seven-speaker audio system, and the GearOn™ accessory system.

The SLE trim level starts at $27,520 (2WD extended cab) and a 4WD Canyon SLT crew cab short box model starts at $37,875, and includes the 305 horsepower 3.6L V-6 engine, leather-appointed seating, automatic climate control, 18-inch polished cast-aluminum wheels, remote start and an automatic locking rear differential.

July 2014 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors dealers delivered 256,160 vehicles in the United States in July, for the company’s highest July sales since 2007. Total sales were up 9.4 percent compared with a year ago. Retail sales were up 4.2 percent. Year-to-date total sales of 1,712,028 is 3.5 percent higher than a year ago. Retail sales are up 3.1 percent over 2013.

Toyota, Scion and Lexus reported July 2014 sales results of 215,802, an increase of 11.6 percent from year-ago month. Toyota division posted July 2014 sales of 188,469, up 10.6 percent over July 2013. Lexus reported July sales of 27,333, up 18.7 percent. Year-to-date Totoya sales are 1,381,409, a 6.1 percent gain over 2013.

Ford Motor Company U.S. sales of 212,236 vehicles increased 10 percent over a year ago for the best July in eight years. Retail sales of 162,028 vehicles are up 7 percent.  Year-to-date sales of 1,482,268 is 0.3 percent lower than last year.

Chrysler Group reported U.S. sales of 167,667, a 20 percent increase compared with sales in July 2013 and the group’s best July sales since 2005. Year-to-date sales of 1,187,790 is 13 percent higher than last year.

American Honda Motor reported July 2014 Honda and Acura vehicle sales of 135,908, down 3.9 percent. The Honda division posted sales of 123,428 in July while Acura sold 12,480 in the same period. Year-to-date American Honda sales reached 875,344, down 1.3 percent from last year.

Nissan Group announced total U.S. sales for July 2014 of 121,452, an increase of 11.4 percent over the prior year and a July record. Year-to-date sales of 825,929 is a 12.6 percent increase from 2013.

Volkswagen of America reported 30,553 vehicles delivered in July, a drop of 14.6 percent from July 2013. Year-to-date sales of 209,697 is a 13.6 percent slide from last year. Separately, Audi reported that its July 2014 sales increased 11.9 percent to 14,616 vehicles, a total that stands as the 43rd consecutive month of record monthly U.S. sales for the brand. Audi U.S. sales year-to-date increased 13.3 percent to 98,965 vehicles.

Hyundai Motor America posted its best July sales ever of 67,011, up 1.5 percent compared with the same period in 2013.  Year-to-date sales of 431,445 is a 1 percent gain over last year.

Kia Motors America announced record July sales of 52,309, a 6.7 percent increase over the same period last year. Kia's year-to-date sales of 349,722 are up 7.2 percent.

Subaru of America reported 45,714 vehicle sales for July 2014, a 27 percent increase over July 2013 sales of 35,994. July marks the best-ever sales month in company history, breaking the previous record set in March 2014. Year-to-date Subaru sales totaled 283,722 – an 18 percent increase over the same period in 2013. The company has now seen 32 consecutive months of year-over-year growth and is already on its way to its sixth successive annual sales record.

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported July sales of 32,220 vehicles, an increase of 7.4 percent from the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, the BMW Group (BMW and MINI combined) is up 5.4 percent on sales of 213,754 in the first seven months of 2014 compared to 202,780 in the same period in 2013.  

Mercedes-Benz USA reported the highest July retail volumes in its history with 30,757 units sold across the Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter and smart model lines, representing a 16.4 percent increase from the same month last year. July sales for the Mercedes-Benz brand alone totaled 27,192, up 15 percent, bringing year-to-date volumes to a record 178,816. Adding year-to-date sales of 13,697 for Sprinter Vans and 5,998 at smart, MBUSA delivered a best-ever year-to-date grand total of 198,511.

Mazda North American Operations reported July U.S. sales of 29,238 vehicles, representing an increase of 17.1 percent versus last year. Year-to-date sales through July are up 9.3 percent versus last year, with 185,669 vehicles sold.

Mitsubishi Motors North America had sales of 6,349, a 21.4 percent increase over the sales total from July 2013.

Volvo U.S. July sales of 4,897 is a 17.1 percent decline from a year ago and year-to-date sales of 34,228 is 11.1 percent lower than 2013.

Porsche Cars North America announced July 2014 sales of 4,300 vehicles. During the first seven months of 2014, PCNA has delivered 27,219 vehicles in the U.S., an increase of 8.3 percent over last year.

Sales will be updated as manufacturers report.

2015 Audi Q3 Arrives This Fall Starting At $33,425

The 2015 Audi Q3 compact premium crossover has a 200 horsepower 2.0 liter TFSI® engine with a six-speed Tiptronic® transmission and will go on sale this Fall. The Audi Q3 Premium Plus FWD will start at $33,425 (including transportation charge of $925), Audi Q3 Premium Plus quattro $35,525, Audi Q3 Prestige FWD $37,325 and Audi Q3 Prestige quattro $39,425. There's an optional Sport package which includes sport seats, shift paddles and Audi drive select adds to the dynamic character of the Q3.

The available MMI® Navigation plus with voice control utilizes a 7.0 inch display and adds a color display to the driver information system located in the instrument cluster. The MMI Navigation Plus features the Audi connect® infotainment system (included in Prestige model), which includes in-vehicle Wi-Fi connectivity for up to eight wireless devices for passengers. Audi connect also provides Google Earth™ maps for a true aerial view of roads and the surrounding area. A 14-speaker, 465 watt Bose Surround Sound System is also part of the Prestige model.

2015 C300 Sedan Starts At $38,400, 2015 GLA250 Starts At $33,300

The all-new 2015 C-Class sedan will start at an MSRP of $38,400 for the four-cylinder C300, and $48,590 for the C400 4MATIC sedan. The new C-Class has such features as COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, a radar-based system which can brake autonomously to avoid collisions or minimize their effects in combination with PRE-SAFE which prepares the vehicle if a collision is imminent.

 The all-new GLA starts at $31,300 for the two-wheel drive 2015 GLA250 hitting showrooms in the first quarter of next year, $33,300 for the 2015 GLA250 4MATIC arriving in September along with the $48,300 2015 GLA45 AMG, a 355 horsepower all-wheel drive vehicle.

2015 Lexus GX 460 Luxury SUV

The 2015 Lexus GX 460 has a 301-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 engine, body-on-frame construction, full-time 4-wheel drive and 6,500-lb. trailer capacity. Other features include Crawl Control to navigate through sand, mud or snow, Downhill Assist Control, Hill-start Assist Control, Active Traction Control, Vehicle Stability Control and a TORSEN® torque-sensing limited slip center differential distributes power 40:60 under most driving conditions. iPhone® users (iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 models forward) can use the newly standard Siri® Eyes Free Mode. Music choices are expanded in the 2015 GX 460 courtesy of the Lexus Enform App Suite which upgrades to include iHeartRadio 4.0 and Slacker.

2015 Lexus IS C Retractable Hardtop

The 2015 Lexus IS C retractable hardtop has 13 electric motors and 33 sensors that control the three-panel aluminum roof, which, at the push of a button, lowers in 20 seconds converting the coupe to a convertible. The IS 250 has a 204 horsepower 2.5-liter V6 engine, the IS 250 F SPORT adds track-tuned handling upgrades, the IS 350 has a 306 horsepower 3.5-liter V6, and there's the IS 350 F SPORT. All come standard with a six-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS400 and CLS550 Coming This Fall

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS400 houses a new 329 horsepower 3.0L V6 bi-turbo engine and the CLS550 has a 402 horsepower 4.6L bi-turbo V8 engine mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission with hydrodynamic torque converter. The US market will launch the CLS400, CLS400 4MATIC, CLS550, CLS550 4MATIC and CLS63 AMG S-Model 4MATIC this Fall.

2015 S65 AMG Coupe Coming At Year End

The 2015 S65 AMG Coupe, with the new 621 horsepower 6.0- liter V12 biturbo engine mated to the AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC transmission, joins the S65 AMG sedan and SL 65 AMG roadster, as the third AMG high-performance car with a V12 engine to come to the United States market. Standard equipment includes 360° camera, Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC, Burmester® high-end 3D surround sound system, Driving Assistance package Plus, including DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist, PRE-SAFE® Brake, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and PRE-SAFE® PLUS. Orders can be placed for the S65 AMG Coupe in the coming weeks, and the United States market launch at Mercedes-Benz sales outlets and authorized dealerships is planned for the end of 2014.

2015 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster Coming Later This Year

The 2015 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster, a two-seat, two-door soft-cover convertible is equipped with the 565 horsepower 6.0-liter V12 engine capable of reaching 201 mph mated to a Sportshift™III auto-shift manual transmission and arrives in markets around the world later this year. Gas mileage is 12 mpg city, 18 mpg highway for a combined 14 mpg.

2015 Ford Expedition With EcoBoost® V6 Coming Later This Year

The new 2015 Ford Expedition full-size utility vehicle with three rows of seats comes with a 365 horsepower 3.5-liter EcoBoost® V6 engine mated to a SelectShift® six-speed transmission goes on sale later this year with a refreshed new look. It sits on a 119-inch wheelbase, making it a little more than 6 inches longer than Ford Explorer, with up to 108.3 cubic feet of cargo space and there's an avaialble 131 inch wheelbase version with cargo space of 130.8 cubic feet. Also available towing of up to 9,200 pounds when properly equipped. Fuel economy has not yet been rated by the EPA.

All-New 2016 Mazda2 Coming This Fall

The all-new 2016 Mazda2 was unveiled in Japan and begin rolling out to global markets starting this Fall. First introduced in 1996, the Mazda2 was not available in the U.S. market until the third generation as a 2011 model. This all-new fourth-generation vehicle is outfitted with the full suite of SKYACTIV® technologies, MAZDA CONNECT™ and i-ACTIVSENSE. The 2016 Mazda2 will be available with a SKYACTIV-G 1.3-liter gasoline engine and a SKYACTIV-D 1.5-liter clean diesel engine in Japan. More on U.S. specs closer to launch.

Johan de Nysschen From Infiniti - And Beyond - To Cadillac

Johan de Nysschen is leaving his post as President of Nissan's Infiniti brand after two years at it's new Hong Kong headquarters and is moving to lead General Motor's Cadillac division to be closer to his family in the U.S.. Prior to Infiniti, de Nysschen was President of Audi of America.

de Nysschen, 54, as President of Cadillac, joins the GM executive leadership team as an executive vice president of the company beginning August 1st and reports to GM President Dan Ammann. de Nysschen will be responsible for all aspects of Cadillac globally including sales, pricing and network development, strategic brand development and marketing and product portfolio planning, including critical input for product engineering and design.

All-New 2015 Lexus NX Compact SUV

The all-new 2015 Lexus NX debuts in the NX 200t with a 235-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to an all-new sequential six-speed automatic transmission and the NX 300h hybrid with a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine a new automatic transmission with a kick-down switch to ensure maximum power is delivered when required.

Both models offer their own version of pro-active all-weather drive (AWD). The 2015 NX has a Lexus-first Wireless Charging Tray for compatible phones and devices, the new Lexus Remote Touch Interface with a touch pad and a comprehensive Multi-information Display that features a Lexus-first G-Force meter and boost gauge. The standard Display Audio includes HD Radio™, Bluetooth® audio, automatic phone book transfer, a vehicle information display and complimentary traffic and weather data provided via HD Radio. If a favorite song comes on the radio while you’re busy with something else, like waiting at a bank drive-through, use the cache radio feature to pause it for up to 15-minutes and then listen later.

June 2014 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors dealers delivered 267,461 vehicles in the United States in June, up 1 percent compared to a year ago. Retail sales were up 1 percent and fleet sales were up 2 percent. Year-to-date sales of 1,455,868 is a 2.5 percent increase of the first six months of 2013.

Ford Motor Company June 2014 U.S. sales of 222,064 vehicles declined 5.8 percent from a year ago. Retail sales of 145,989 vehicles declined 5 percent, while fleet sales of 76,075 vehicles declined 7 percent. Year-to-date sales of 1,270,032 is a 1.8 percent decline from last year.

Toyota, Scion and Lexus reported total June 2014 sales results of 201,714, an increase of 3.3 percent from the year-ago month.

Chrysler Group reported U.S. sales of 171,086, a 9 percent increase compared with sales in June 2013, and the group’s best June sales since 2007. Year-to-date sales of 1,020,123 is 12 percent jump over 2013.

American Honda reported June 2014 Honda and Acura vehicle sales of 129,023, a 5.8 percent drop from a year ago. The Honda division posted sales of 117,817 in June while Acura sold 11,206 in the same period. Year-to-date American Honda sales reached 739,436, a decline of 0.8 percent.

Nissan Group announced total U.S. sales for June 2014 of 109,643, an increase of 5.3 percent over the prior year and a June record. Year-to-date sales are 704,477, a 12.8 percent increase. 

Hyundai Motor America posted sales of 67,407, up four percent versus the same period a year agofor its best June ever and the best opening six month period in its 28-year history. Year-to-date sales of 364,434 is up one percent over last year’s record performance for the first six months of the year.

Kia Motors America announced June sales of 50,644, contributing to the company’s best-ever first-half performance with 297,413 vehicles sold thus far in 2014, up 7.2 percent over 2013.

Volkswagen of America reported 28,827 units delivered in June, a 22 percent drop from June last year. Year-to-date sales of 179,144 is a 13.4 percent decline from the first half of last year. Separately, Audi of America Audi reported June 2014 sales of 16,867, a 23.1 percent improvement for the 42nd consecutive month of record monthly sales. Audi sales year-to-date increased 13.6 percent to 84,349 vehicles sold, the best first-half sales in Audi U.S. history.

Mercedes-Benz USA reported best-ever June sales volumes of 29,380 across the Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter and smart model lines, up 8.2 percent from the same month last year. Monthly retails for the Mercedes-Benz brand alone increased 8.6 percent to 26,506, bringing year-to-date volumes to 151,624. Adding year-to-date sales of 11,483 for Sprinter Vans and 4,647 units at smart, MBUSA delivered the best first-half sales total in its history at 167,754.

Subaru of America reported 41,367 vehicle sales for June 2014, a 5 percent increase over June 2013 and it’s best-ever June sales. Year-to-date sales total 238,008, a 16.3 percent increase over the same period in 2013 making 31 consecutive months of year-over-year growth heading for its sixth successive annual sales record.

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported June sales of 35,577 vehicles, an increase of 5.7 percent from the 33,645 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, the BMW Group (BMW and MINI combined) is up 5.1 percent on sales of 181,534 in the first half of 2014 compared to 172,787 in the same period in 2013.   

Mazda North American Operations reported June U.S. sales of 26,208, an increase of 16.5 percent versus last year. Year-to-date sales through June are up 7.9 percent versus last year, with 156,431 vehicles sold.

Mitsubishi Motors North America June sales of 6,021 was a 13.7 percent increase over the sales total from June 2013.

Volvo Cars of North America reported U.S. sales of 5,983 for the month of June. Year-to-date sales are down 10 percent versus the first six months of 2013. 

Porsche Cars North America June 2014 sales of 4,102 vehicles is the best June in company history. During the first half of 2014, PCNA has delivered 22,919 vehicles in the U.S., for an increase of 7.6 percent over last year which was a record-setting year.

Sales will be updated as manufacturers report.