GM's Ackerman Retires, Solso Chairman, Barra CEO, Ammann President

Mary Barra, new GM CEO

Dan Ammann, new GM President

General Motors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson, 65, who took the roles on September 1, 2010, will step down earlier than expected, on Jan. 15, 2014, after his wife was recently diagnosed with an advanced stage of cancer.

Tim Solso, 66, the former chairman and CEO of Cummins will succeed Akerson as Chairman. He's been a member of the GM Board since June 2012.

Mary Barra, 51, with 33 years of experience at GM and currently executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain, will become the next CEO of the company and join the GM Board. Mark Reuss, 50, executive vice president and president, North America, will replace Barra as executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. Alan Batey, 50, currently senior vice president, Global Chevrolet and U.S. Sales and Marketing, will replace Reuss and is named Executive Vice President and President, North America. Batey joined GM’s Vauxhall operation in 1979.

Dan Ammann, 41, executive vice president and chief financial officer, was named company president and will assume responsibility for managing the company’s regional operations around the world. The global Chevrolet and Cadillac brand organizations and GM Financial will also report to Ammann.

Steve Girsky, 51, vice chairman, Corporate Strategy, Business Development and Global Product Planning, will move to a senior advisor role until leaving the company in April 2014. and will remain on the GM Board of Directors.

Ackerman Announces Retriement

2013 LA Auto Show Video: BMW's Ludwig Willisch

BMW North America President and CEO Ludwig Willisch discusses LA Auto Show vehicle debuts.

LUDWIG WILLISCH INTERVIEW.

2013 LA Auto Show Video: Mercedes-Benz Heiko Schmidt

Heiko Schmidt is department manager for compact cars for Mercedes-Benz USA responsible for strategic and operational planning functions for vehicles including the CLA which just launched, the B-Class Electric Drive launching early 2014 and the GLA will arrive in U.S. showrooms in Fall of 2014 and compete with the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. Schmidt also manages smart.

Schmidt discusses the all-new 2015 GLA-Class, powered by a 208 horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, which made its world premiere in Frankfurt in September and its North American debut in Los Angeles in November.

HEIKO SCHMIDT INTERVIEW.

2013 LA Auto Show Video: Infiniti's Michael Bartsch

Infiniti Americas VP Michael Bartsch discusses the luxury carmaker's vehicles and strategies. Bartsch was named vice president, Infiniti Americas, effective in September after most recently being Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Porsche Cars North America, Inc. Bartsch joined Porsche in 2004 after working for other automotive companies including Holden, General Motors’ Australian brand.

MICHAEL BARTSCH INTERVIEW.

2013 LA Auto Show Video: Toyota's Bob Carter

Bob Carter, Sr. VP Automotive Operations at Toyota Motor Sales USA discusses new 2014 Toyota Highlander going on sale in January after being introduced at the New York Auto Show in March.

BOB CARTER INTERVIEW.

2013 LA Auto Show Video: Kia's Tom Loveless

Tom Loveless, Executive Vice President Sales at Kia Motors America discusses the new K900 luxury sedan, sales and model successes. Year-to-date Kia sales of 501,548 crossed the 500,000 unit mark for the second time in company history but are down 3.2 percent from 2012.

TOM LOVELESS INTERVIEW.

2015 Ford Mustang With Lots of Power

The all-new 2015 Ford Mustang offers a new projected 305-plus horsepower 2.3-liter EcoBoost direct fuel injection, twin independent variable camshaft timing and turbocharging engine, the more than 420 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine and at least 300 horsepower from the standard 3.7-liter V6 engine.

2013 LA Auto Show Video: Subaru's Tom Doll

Subaru of America President Tom Doll discusses the success of the Subaru line-up and challenges for the company that has exploding sales growth.

TOM DOLL INTERVIEW.

2013 LA Auto Show Video: MINI VP Jim McDowell

Jim McDowell, Vice President MINI of the Americas, who will retire as of December 31, 2013, discusses the new classic MINI Cooper and Cooper S.  Since 2005, Jim has been responsible for all aspects of MINI Marketing, Sales and Aftersales in the United States.  Previously, McDowell was Vice President – Marketing for BMW of North America, LLC, a position he held for twelve years. David Duncan will assume the role of Vice President, MINI of the Americas, succeeding Jim McDowell.
JIM MCDOWELL INTERVIEW.

The new 2014 MINI Hardtop gets a 134 horsepower 1.5-litre 3-cylinder engine in the new MINI Cooper and the new MINI Cooper S is powered by a 189 horsepower 2.0-liter 4- cylinder engine featuring MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology. In the new MINI Cooper and the new MINI Cooper S this includes turbocharging, direct fuel injection, variable camshaft control on the intake and exhaust side (double VANOS) and variable valve control in the form of VALVETRONIC, from the BMW Group.

November 2013 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors delivered 212,060 vehicles in the United States in November, up 13.7 percent versus a year ago and the highest November sales in six years. Retail sales were up 19 percent and fleet sales were down 3 percent. Year-to-date sales are 2,555,921, up 8.8 percent from a year ago.

Ford Motor Company's November U.S. sales of 190,449 vehicles are up 7.2 percent overall compared with last year. Retail sales are up 9 percent, for the best November performance since 2004. Year-to-date sales are 2,275,860, up 11.8 percent over 2012.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., reported November 2013 sales results of 178,044, an increase of 10.1 percent over November 2012 on a raw-volume basis.  Toyota Division posted November 2013 sales of 152,433, up 9.7 percent year-over-year.

Chrysler Group LLC reported U.S. sales of 142,275, a 16 percent increase compared with sales in November 2012, and the group's best November sales since 2007. Year-to-date sales are 1,639,361, up 9 percent over 2012.

American Honda Motor November 2013 U.S. total sales were 116,507, a decrease of 0.1 percent compared with record November 2012 sales Year-to-date sales reached 1,390,057, an increase of 7.8 percent. Honda Division November sales reached 101,948, a decrease of 2.3 percent when compared to record division sales last November. Acura Division posted sales of 14,559, an increase of 18.9 percent compared to November 2012.

Nissan established a November U.S. sales record with sales of 106,528, marking an increase of 10.7 percent over last year. Nissan Division set a November record with 93,376, a 10.8 percent increase over the prior year. Sales of Infiniti vehicles also set a November record with 13,152, up 10.5 percent. Nissan Division has sold 1,035,439 vehicles so far in 2013, up 10.7 percent and exceeding the total for all of 2012 while Infiniti has sold 103,223, a 3.8 percent drop from 2012. Total Nissan year-to-date sales are 1,138,662, a 9.2 percent increase.

Hyundai Motor America sales for the month of November was 56,005, up five percent versus the same period in 2012, representing the best November in company history. Year-to-date sales are 657,778, a 2.2 percent rise over 2012.

Kia Motors America reported record November sales of 45,411 vehicles, 10.6 percent higher than last November.Year-to-date sales of 501,548 crossed the 500,000 unit mark for the second time in company history but are down 3.2 percent from 2012.

Subaru of America reported best-ever November sales of 36,621 vehicles in November, up 29.8 percent over last year. Year-to-date sales of 384,511 total vehicles in 2013, up 28.3 percent over last year.

BMW Group U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) November sales totaled 36,327 vehicles, a decrease of 0.4 percent from the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, the BMW Group U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) is up 9.2 percent on sales of 331,801 in the first eleven months of 2013 compared to 303,728 in the same period in 2012.

Volkswagen of America reported 30,727 vehicles delivered in November, down 16.3 percent from a year ago but still the second highest level since 1973. Year-to-date sales of 373,689 is a 5.3 percent decline from 2012. Separately, Audi sold 13,636 vehicles in November, 13 percent more than a year ago thus establishing its fourth consecutive annual U.S. sales record a month early with an 11 month sales total of 141,048, a 13.3 percent gain.

Mazda North American Operations reported November U.S. sales of 20,754, a decrease of 4.3 percent versus last year. Year-to-date sales through November are up 4.5 percent versus last year, with 260,983 vehicles sold.

Jaguar Land Rover North America November U.S. sales for both brands hit 6,047, a 37 percent increase from November 2012. Jaguar sales were 1,446, up 103 percent and Land Rover sales reached an all-time November high of 4,601, up 25 percent from November 2012. Year to date through November, Jaguar Land Rover North America is up 21 percent, with Jaguar up 41 percent and Land Rover up 15 percent.

Mitsubishi Motors North America reported November sales of 6,071, up 69.9 percent compared to November 2012.

Volvo Cars of North America reported U.S. sales of 4,233 units, a 31.1 percent decrease versus November 2012. Year-to-date sales are down 9.1 percent over the first eleven months of 2012.

Porsche Cars North America announced November 2013 sales of 3,966 vehicles beating sales in the same period in 2012, which had set an all-time November record, by three percent. Year-to-date, Porsche sold 39,077 cars in the U.S., 22 percent ahead of last year’s total.


Sales will be updated as manufacturers report.

2013 LA Auto Show Video: Chevrolet's Jeff Perkins

The new 2015 Chevrolet Colorado midsize truck has a 193 horsepower 2.5L I-4 engine as standard and an optional 302 horsepower 3.6L V-6 engine with each matched with a six-speed automatic transmission, and the 2.5L is available with a six-speed manual transmission on extended cab 2WD Work Truck models. In its second year, a Duramax 2.8L I-4 turbodiesel engine will be offered. The 2015 Colorado’s configurations are an extended cab model with a 6-foot bed, a crew cab with a 5-foot bed and a crew cab with a 6-foot bed. With the tailgate down, the 6-foot bed allows hauling of 8-foot-long items. WT, LT and Z71 trims are available, all in 2WD or 4WD. The payload capacity and trailering capacity is more than 6,700 pounds. Colorado goes on sale in fall 2014 as a 2015 model.
JEFF PERKINS INTERVIEW.

2013 LA Auto Show Video: Maserati's Harald Wester

The Maserati Ghibli is powered by a 330 horsepower 3.0 liter Twin Turbo V6 engine mated to a new eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, designed by the Maserati Powertrain engineers and built at the Ferrari plant in Maranello. The five operating modes, selected using the buttons on the left-hand side of the gear lever are: Auto Normal, Auto Sport, Manual Normal, Manual Sport and I.C.E. (Increased Control & Efficiency). The models of the entry-level Maserati are the Ghibli, 350 horsepower Ghibli S, 410 horsepower Ghibli S Q4 and Ghibli diesel.

German-born Harald Wester started his career at Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg, joined Ferrari S.p.A. in 2002 and Fiat Group in 2004 and was appointed CEO of Maserati S.p.A in 2008. Wester wears many hats: Chief Executive Officer of Alfa Romeo Automobiles, Chief Technical Officer for Fiat Group and Fiat Group Automobiles and Chief Executive Officer of Maserati and Abarth.

Wester discusses the Maserati Ghibli and expected sales. (Click below for interview)
HARALD WESTER INTERVIEW.

2013 LA Auto Show Video: Bentley's Christophe Georges

Christophe Georges, President and CEO of Bentley Motors Inc. discusses the new 616 horsepower 6.0-liter, twin turbo W12 engine Flying Spur that starts at $200,000. Also on display, the 500 horsepower 4.0-liter twin turbocharged V8 engine Continental GTC V8 convertible. Bentley worldwide sales through the end of September increased nine percent to 6,516 cars. The Americas remains Bentley’s largest market and accounted for 2,022 cars which represented a 16 percent increase over the previous year and 31 percent of all sales. Southern California is the U.S. market leader for Bentley.
CHRISTOPHE GEORGES INTERVIEW.

2013 LA Auto Show Video: BMW's Ian Robertson

Dr. Ian Robertson (HonDSc), Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing BMW, Sales Channels BMW Group, pictured on the BMW K 1600 GTL Exclusive motorcycle discusses Los Angeles Auto Show 2013 introductions and sales growth. (Click on the link below)

Los Angeles Auto Show introductions included the new BMW 4 Series Convertible coming in the first quarter of 2014 starting at $49,675, the new BMW i8 plug-in hybrid 2+2 comes to the market in the second quarter of 2014 at $135,700, the BMW Concept X4 will arrive next year, the BMW i3 with 170 horsepower hybrid-synchronous electric motor good for 80-100 miles of emission-free driving will be available in the second quarter with a base MSRP of $41,350 and a range-extender model starting MSRP of $45,200.

The 2014 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo, also displayed in Los Angeles, is currently available in the US as a 535i for $60,925, 535i xDrive for $63,225, 550i for $68,825 and 550i for $71,125.

IAN ROBERTSON INTERVIEW.

2013 LA Auto Show Video: Volvo's Tony Nicolosi

Tony Nicolosi, who joined Volvo in 1987, was promoted to acting president & CEO of Volvo Cars of North America in October from his position as president and CEO of Volvo Car Financial Services U.S. Nicolosi discusses Volvo's new 2015 Volvo V60 sportswagon (above), unveiled in March at the New York Auto Show and will hit U.S. showrooms in January with a choice of a 240 horsepower 2.0 liter 4 cylinder turbocharged engine or the new Drive-E 250 horsepower 2.5 liter 5 cylinder turbocharged engine or the current 325 horsepower 3.0 liter 6 cylinder turbocharged engine. The smaller, lighter Drive-E engines deliver fuel economy savings ranging from 13 to 26 percent depending on the engine to which they are compared. They can also be augmented by electrification. Click below to see interview:

TONY NICOLOSI INTERVIEW.

2015 Audi A3 Starts At $29,900 Next Spring

Audi A3 Cabriolet

The all-new Audi A3 line up, completely redesigned and specifically tailored to meet the sedan preferences of the American market with three body styles, kicks off with the A3 sedan going on sale in the spring of 2014. The A3 sedan will be priced from a base MSRP of $29,900 and will be joined in the Fall of 2014 by the Audi A3 Cabriolet (above), A3 TDI clean diesel sedan, the high-performance S3 sedan, and in early 2015, by the A3 Sportback e-tron® gasoline electric plug-in hybrid (PHEV). The Audi A3 line-up offers a 170 horsepower 1.8 TFSI®, 220 horsepower 2.0 TFSI, 150 horsepower 2.0 TDI® clean diesel, and, a 290 horsepower 2.0 TFSI for the S3.

The Audi hybrid A3 sportback e-tron (above) features a combined output of 201 horsepower with a 1.4 TFSI gasoline engine working with the the 100 hp e-motor, all mated to the standard 6-speed S tronic® transmission.

The A3 sedan is 175.5 inches in length on a 103.4 inch wheelbase, is 70 inches wide and 55.7 inches high and will offer MMI® technology, Audi drive select, 4G LTE connectivity and Bang & Olufsen® audio.

Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell SUV At $16.86 Per Day For 36 Months

Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell vehicle with a range up to 300 miles will be offered for a 3 year lease with $2,999 down and $499 per month, including unlimited free hydrogen refueling and At Your Service Valet Maintenance at no extra cost.

Do the math: $2,999 plus $17,964 (36 X $499) = $20,963 minus $2,500 first year State rebate = $18,463 divided by 1095 days = $16.86 per day with no fuel or maintenance costs. The challenges are finding a refueling station and keeping your annual mileage under the 12,000 mile limit, typical with any leased vehicle.

Advantages include a driving range up to 300 miles based on internal testing, full refueling in similar time to gasoline, instantaneous electric motor torque of 221 lb-ft, no moving parts within the power-generating fuel cell stack, quieter EV operation, zero greenhouse-gas emissions and emits only water vapor. Customers interested in the Tucson Fuel Cell can indicate their interest at Hyundai, with availability beginning in Spring 2014 at several Southern California Hyundai dealers.

2015 Kia K900 Luxury Sedan Arrives In First Quarter 2014

The 2015 Kia K900 rear-drive luxury sedan, the brand's new flagship on a 119.9-inch wheelbase, is offered with a 311 horsepower 3.8-liter Lamba V6 engine or the 420 horsepower Tau DOHC all-aluminum 32-valve 5.0-liter engine V8 engine. The K900 Premium V6 will launch with an available Luxury Package and Technology Package when it goes on sale during the first quarter of 2014, and pricing will be announced closer to launch. Known as the K9 in Korea, the K900, is likely to be positioned between the Genesis and Equus from its Korean counterpart Hyundai and could cost around $60,000 depending on engine and options.

With a 12.3 inch full-color LCD screen, the K900 has high-grade leather, soft-hue LED interior lighting, front and rear park-assist sensors and cameras are standard and a Lane Departure Warning System is standard on the V6 Technology Package and both V8 models. This is a truly plush sedan that aims at customers looking in the luxury segment

Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo Concept

The Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo concept super sports car with hallmark Mercedes gullwing doors and a 585 horsepower AMG V8 biturbo engine mated to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission, was developed specifically for the new PlayStation® 3 racing game Gran Turismo® 6 which goes on sale next month.

2015 Subaru WRX And Legacy Concept Debut In Los Angeles

The 2015 Subaru WRX is powered by a new 268-horsepower 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo BOXER engine mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or the new, optional Sport Lineartronic performance automatic transmission with two manual modes teamed  with the Variable Torque Distribution version of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The Subaru WRX employs a new torque-vectoring system that supplements the standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system for improved cornering speeds and handling and there's a stiffer chassis, larger brakes and performance-tuned suspension and higher fuel efficiency than the previous model.

The Subaru LEGACY CONCEPT with the standard Subaru Symmetrical all-wheel drivetrain.