January 2014 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors delivered 171,486 vehicles in the United States in January 2014, down 12 percent from last year.

Ford Motor Company January sales of 154,644 total vehicles are down 7 percent from a year ago, while retail sales of 113,721 vehicles are off 5 percent.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. reported January 2014 sales results of 146,365, a decrease of 7.2 percent from January 2013. Toyota division posted January 2014 sales of 128,728, down 9 percent while Lexus reported January sales of 17,637, up 8.8 percent over 2013.

Chrysler reported U.S. sales of 127,183, an 8 percent increase compared with sales in January 2013 and the group’s best January sales since 2008.

American Honda reported January 2014 Honda and Acura vehicle sales of 91,631, a decrease of 2.1 percent vs. the same period last year amid record cold weather that affected industry sales in many parts of the U.S. The Honda Division recorded sales of 80,808, while the Acura Division sales of 10,823 for the month was up up 14.1 percent from a year ago.

Nissan announced total U.S. sales for January 2014 of 90,470, an increase of 11.8 percent compared to last year.

Hyundai Motor America reported its best January in company history, selling 44,005 for the month, up less than one percent versus the same period last year.

Kia Motors America reported record January sales of 37,011 vehicles up 2 percent from January 2013.

Subaru of America announced record January sales of 33,000 vehicles, a 19 percent increase over January 2013.

Volkswagen of America reported sales of 23,494 in January, a 19 percent decline from 2013. Separately, Audi reported January 2014 sales of 10,101 vehicles, a 0.4 percent increase over the previous January record set last year.

Mercedes-Benz USA reported the highest January retail volumes in its history with sales of 24,413 across the Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter and smart model lines, a 1.5 percent increase from the same month last year. The Mercedes-Benz brand alone achieved its best-ever January with sales of 22,604. Gains were made across the MBUSA brand portfolio as Sprinter Vans advanced 19.6 percent to 1,288 and smart increased 8.3 percent to 521.

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported January sales of 20,796 vehicles, an increase of 3 percent from the same month a year ago.

Mazda North American Operations reported January U.S. sales of 18,813 vehicles, representing a decrease of 11.8 percent versus last year.

Mitsubishi Motors North America reported January sales of 4,867, up 4.5 percent compared to January 2013.

Volvo Cars of North America reported U.S. sales of 3,792.

Porsche Cars North America announced January 2014 sales of 3,096 vehicles, eight percent below a strong January 2013 when 3,358 units were sold.

Sales will be updated as manufacturers report.

All-New 2015 Chrysler 200 Featured In Super Bowl TV Commercial

Fiat Chrysler's third Super Bowl commercial, the two-minute “America’s Import” for the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 came late in the 3rd quarter after the Seattle Seahawks scored a touchdown making it 36-0. It has legendary American musician/singer/songwriter Bob Dylan narrating.

Jeep Super Bowl Commercial Features All-New Cherokee

Jeep Super Bowl halftime show commercial, Restlessness, features the all-new Jeep Cherokee with a standard 9-speed automatic transmission that delivers up to 31 mpg hwy. It is an IIHS Top Safety Pick with available advanced safety features like blind spot detection. It was one of three from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Maserati Ghibli 90 Second First Quarter Super Bowl Commercial

Maserati Ghibli, starting at $66,900, featured in a 90 second first quarter Super Bowl commercial, is one of three from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the first ever television commercial by Maserati, We have prepared. Now we strike. 

Ford Super Bowl Commercial Preview - Fiat Chrysler Quiet

Ford Motor Company apparently will have Super Bowl commercials with actor James Franco and a tiger based on the teaser spot, Nearly Double.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, as the company is now called, will have three commercials but there hasn't been any pre-release like many of the other car companies. The first commercial will be in the first break in the first quarter, the second during halftime and another in the last break of the third quarter. One thing is for sure, animals dominate the car commercial content with cows, dogs, tigers and muppets. 

2014 Dodge Journey Crossroad Starts At $25,990 This Spring

The 2014 Dodge Journey Crossroad, positioned between the SXT and Limited models in the Journey lineup, is powered by a standard 173 horsepower 2.4-liter 16-valve DOHC four-cylinder engine linked to a four-speed automatic transmission delivering 26 miles per gallon on the highway. Also available is the 283 horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission delivering up to 25 mpg on the highway. The Dodge Journey Crossroad also comes standard with an 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen, power front seat and a front passenger fold-flat seat with hidden storage bin under the seat cushion. Second- and third-row seats fold flat to create 67.6 cu. ft. of cargo space.

2014 Toyota Highlander Muppet Super Bowl Commercial

The all-new 2014 Toyota Highlander 60-second spot, “Joyride,” with former NFL player Terry Crews, star of the FOX series “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” was developed in partnership with Saatchi & Saatchi LA, Conill and 360i, and will air during the second quarter of the game. The Muppets teach Crews’ character a thing or two about “unborifying” his lifestyle as they “borrow” his sweet ride, the Toyota Highlander.
 

2015 Audi A3 Super Bowl Spot - A Dog?

The all-new Audi A3 60-second spot, called “Doberhuahua,”, created by San Francisco-based Venables Bell & Partners, is on how when people compromise things go terribly wrong, with Sarah McLachlan making an appearance with the bizarre concocted Doberman Pinscher Chihuahua breed. The spot will air during the first in-game break after the 3rd quarter kickoff, in the final position of the advertising break. The message - Designed Without Compromise - brings the Audi A3 into the commercial at the 46 second mark.

2015 Chevy Silverado Loaded With Bull For Super Bowl

The 2015 Chevy Silverado HD’s first TV ad, “Romance,” developed by the Silverado’s agency of record, Leo Burnett Detroit was filmed in Austin, Texas, with the soundtrack taken from the 1975 hit, “You Sexy Thing,” by the British group Hot Chocolate. The commercial runs this Sunday during Fox's Super Bowl telecast of the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos.

Kia's Super Bowl Spot Introduces The K900 Luxury Sedan

Kia's 60-second third quarter Super Bowl spot, "The Truth" for the all-new K900 rear-drive luxury sedan revives Laurence Fishburne's role of Morpheus from The Matrix movie trilogy with the exploration of perception versus reality, specifically the Kia brand, by showing a side of luxury never seen before. Morpheus accompanies a couple on a ride filled with imagery as he sings “Nessun dorma,” an aria from Giacomo Puccini's opera Turandot.

VW Super Bowl Ad "Wings" - Does It Fly?

Volkswagen “Wings” 60-second spot, developed by ARGONAUT, a San Francisco-based creative agency, centers around VW’s 100,000 mile claim that the brand has the most vehicles on the road with over 100,000 miles. The commercial airs in the second quarter of the Big Game this Sunday.

2014 BMW 740Ld xDrive Diesel Arrives This Spring For $83,425

The 2014 BMW 740Ld xDrive Sedan with a 255 horsepower 3.0 liter TwinPower Turbo diesel engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission in the long-wheelbase 7 Series body that will include xDrive, BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive system will have a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $83,425 (including $925 destination and handling) when it arrives in US showrooms this Spring.

Hyundai's Super Bowls Ads To Feature Genesis and Elantra

“Dad’s Sixth Sense”, a 30-second spot, will open Hyundai's Super Bowl advertising during the first quarter dramatizing the near-misses and saves of everyday parenting by giving a demonstration of the all-new Genesis and its Automatic Emergency Braking capabilities, one of the Genesis’ safety services, the Sensory Surround Safety System.

“Nice” a 30-second spot running in the fourth quarter features the Elantra by following a young comedic talent in an escalating game of compliments between two identical Elantras showcasing the performance, style and technology of the compact sedan. Creative was developed by Hyundai’s agency of record, INNOCEAN USA.

Jaguar F-TYPE Coupe To Be Featured In Super Bowl TV Ad

British actors Sir Ben Kingsley, Tom Hiddleston and Mark Strong will star in Jaguar's 60-second "Rendezvous" TV spot on the February 2nd Fox Super Bowl telecast, filmed by Oscar-winning British director Tom Hooper to launch the campaign for the F-TYPE Coupe. The original score for "Rendezvous" was composed and conducted by Alexandre Desplat, who worked with Tom Hooper on The King's Speech and recorded by The London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road studios. SPARK44 was responsible for the creative positioning and strategy behind the campaign, while Mindshare managed the communications planning and buying.

Check out the 30-second preview of "Rendezvous".

Mazda Delays North American Launch of SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel Engine

Mazda has delayed the North America launch of its 2.2 liter SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine, from its intended debut this Spring, saying SKYACTIV-D can meet emission regulation requirements without the use of a NOx after-treatment system, but it was decided that further development is required to deliver the right balance between fuel economy and Mazda-appropriate driving performance.

I was looking forward to this introduction, especially after seeing that Sam's Club sells diesel fuel for about 16 percent more than regular unleaded gas which makes the cost saving - fuel efficiency equation make sense. Mazda showed off it's clean diesel at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show where Mazda North America President Jim O'Sullivan discussed diesel in a SaxtonOnCars interview.

2015 Audi A3 Sedan - All-New Starts at $29,900

The 2015 A3 sedan, with leather seating, a panorama glass sunroof and bi-xenon headlights as standard, with the 1.8 TFSI® engine will start at $29,900 and with the 2.0 TFSI® powertrain will start at $32,900, both mated to the standard 6-speed S tronic® transmission. The premium plus package for an additional $2,900 will include exclusive 18" 10-spoke-design Audi wheels, an aluminum interior package, and keyless entry while the prestige package, for an additional $8,800, will include everything that is offered in premium plus, as well as a sportier S Line® exterior kit, Driver Assistance, a Bang & Olufsen Sound System, Audi MMI navigation plus, Audi Connect, Convenience package and full LED headlights for $8,800.

The A3 sedan will be joined later this year by the Audi A3 Cabriolet, A3 TDI clean diesel, high-performance S3 sedan and in early 2015, the A3 Sportback e-tron® gasoline electric hybrid (PHEV).

2015 Lexus RC F Goes On Sale This Fall

The 2015 Lexus RC F is powered by a 5.0-liter 32-valve V8 engine with more than 450 horsepower and more than 383 pound feet of torque and mated to an eight-speed Sports Direct Shift transmission with paddle shifters. The RC F uses a Torque Vectoring Differential, a first in a Lexus, to increase driving performance. The RC F was inspired by the Lexus LFA but will hopefully cost less, a lot less.

Aircraft cockpit-like instruments include a large centrally mounted tachometer that alters according to drive mode, digital and analog speedometer, differential torque vectoring monitor, G-Force meter, oil and water temperature gauges, mileage information and a stopwatch. The RC F goes on sale this Fall.

The all-new 2015 Lexus RC Coupe, available with a 2.5 liter hybrid or 3.5 liter V6, also goes on sale this Fall. 

Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept With 210 Horsepower

The Volkswagen Beetle Dune concept, in “Arizona”, a yellow-orange metallic paint and based on the R-Line model, shows the potential for a new production version of what VW calls "the sportiest Beetle ever". Powered by a 210 horsepower turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Beetle Dune has a manufacturer estimated fuel economy rating of 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The wheel wells widen the body by 1.1 inches per side to give a total width of 73.4 inches, an increase of 2.2 inches over a stock Beetle. The Dune's overall length has increased by 0.5 inches to 168.9 inches and the car is both 2.0 inches higher off the ground and 0.8 inches taller than the R-line.

2015 Mercedes‑Benz S600 Coming This Spring

The Mercedes‑Benz S600 with a 523 horsepower 6.0L V12 biturbo engine delivering 612 lb-ft of torque is available with a long wheelbase and a luxurious equipment package. The S600 now for the first time features the ECO start/stop function as standard along with the MAGIC BODY CONTROL suspension with ROAD SURFACE SCAN, the Driving Assistance Package with Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering ASsist, PRE-SAFE® Brake with Pedestrian Recognition and PRE-SAFE® PLUS, head-up display, and COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS in addition to the adaptive Brake Assist system.

Mercedes‑Benz S600 will be launched in this Spring.

2015 BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe - All-New Early This Summer

The all-new 2015 BMW M3 Sedan (above), the fifth generation of the M3, and 2015 BMW M4 Coupe (below) are powered by an all-new 425 horsepower 3.0-liter inline-6 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology delivering peak torque of 406 lb-ft and mated to either the standard 6-speed manual transmission or the optional 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission. The standard sprint from zero to 60 mph takes the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupe 4.1 seconds and equipped with the 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission, 3.9 seconds. Top speed is 155 mph and fuel consumption has improved nearly 25 percent over the previous model.

The CFRP (carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic) roof, which was only on the outgoing M3 Coupe version, is a standard feature on both the new BMW M3 Sedan and the new BMW M4 Coupe. Both the new BMW M3 and new BMW M4 are equipped as standard with BMW M compound brakes or available optional lighter BMW M carbon ceramic brakes, which come with gold-painted calipers.

The all-new 2015 BMW M3 Sedan and 2015 BMW M4 Coupe models will go on sale early this Summer.