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The development of   the Chevrolet EN-V prototype   wasn't the only electric vehicle-related news to come out of General Motors' Detroit headquarters today as the automaker also announced the launch of the Spark EV. The pure-electric version of its  Spark  city car will be produced in limited numbers for select global and US markets, including California, starting from 2013. “The Spark EV offers customers living in urban areas who have predictable driving patterns or short commutes an all-electric option”, said Chevrolet’s global vehicle chief engineer for  electric vehicles  Jim Federico. “It complements Chevrolet’s growing range of electrified vehicles, including the Volt extended-range EV and the 2013 Malibu Eco with eAssist technology," he added. The zero-emissions model will be powered  by A123 Systems’ nanophosphate lithium-ion battery pack  that was initially thought to have been created for the  Cadillac Converj...

The results are in.  After the first month of availability of the all-new 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan, the best-selling subcompact in America outsold all other sub-compacts, extending its dramatic year-to-date lead in the hotly contested and growing small car segment.  Versa sales in August of 8,566 units bested all competitors, including Chevrolet Aveo, Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Mazda 2 and Toyota Yaris. "We launched the new Versa Sedan from a position of strength, with Versa holding a substantial lead in sub-compact sales for the 2011 calendar year, and August sales up 14.9% over the previous year," said  Al Castignetti , vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc.  "It's encouraging to see the tremendous dealer and consumer response to the all-new Versa Sedan design, keeping Versa's momentum going in this highly competitive market segment." The marketing campaign for Versa, which just launched in late A...

- Expected to surpass the one million mark in sales in 2008 - Sustainable growth strategy implemented successfully Beijing, 10 January 2008 - Volkswagen Group China achieved an all-time sales record with 910,491 vehicles (2006: 711,360, up 28 percent) delivered to customers in China Mainland and Hong Kong in 2007. Together with its two joint ventures Shanghai Volkswagen and FAW-Volkswagen it fostered its share in the passenger car market at 18 percent. Sales of the Volkswagen brand amounted to 780,784 (2006: 628,807, up 24 percent) including 9,067 imported vehicles. Audi delivered 101,996 vehicles to customers (2006: 81,708 up 25 percent) including 8,828 imported units. Skoda sold 27,325 (2006:660) cars, including 213 imported vehicles. "Our outstanding performance as the result of our restructuring measures gives us the confidence that we will break the one million mark with our sales in 2008", Dr. Winfried Vahland, President & CEO of Volkswagen Group China said. "O...

* Ford of Europe's 2007 sales rise 5.4 per cent to a record 1,833,600 * Car sales up 4.1 per cent and commercial vehicles 10.9 per cent COLOGNE, January 10, 2008 – With demand increasing for its stylish new models, Ford of Europe's sales soared by an impressive 93,500 units in 2007 to a record 1,833,600, a rise of 5.4 per cent on the previous year. Market share improved to 8.9 per cent. Ford of Europe sold 1,463,630 cars in 2007, an increase of 4.1 per cent across its main 21 markets. Commercial vehicle sales leapt 10.9 per cent to a record 369,985, beating the previous record of 333,570 set in 2006. The Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta were the top-selling Ford models in Europe last year, retailing a total of 496,600 and 378,220 units respectively. The Transit continued to set a brisk pace in the medium commercial vehicle market and sold a record 224,915. Not to be outdone, its smaller sibling, the Transit Connect, also set a new record selling 109,900 vehicles. "I am delig...

A strong performance in November has put Ford of Europe on course for record 2007 sales. With demand for its stylish new models continuing to rise, the company sold 149,600 cars and commercial vehicles in November 2007, an increase of 3.2 per cent over the same month last year. Ford's November market share was 8.7 per cent. Highlights: * Ford of Europe sales increase by 4,700 in November to 149,600 * Year-to-date sales rise by 5.4 per cent to 1,680,900 The Ford Focus led the way with sales rising to more than 41,000 units, strongly supported by the Ford Fiesta, and the acclaimed all-new Ford Mondeo. Showing its enduring appeal, the Fiesta sold 27,500 units, with the Ford Fusion adding a further 9,850. Ford Mondeo sales increased almost 55 per cent, to 15,675 units, as the new model continues to win praise from both press and public. Ford's commercial vehicles also remain in demand. Sales of the Ford Transit increased by over 6.4 per cent to 20,150 vehicles, while the ...

Sales reach 100,000 in nine months Nissan’s compact crossover, the Nissan Qashqai has just hit the landmark of 100,000 customer sales in Europe. Sales began in March and the 100,000th customer sale was completed during the last week of November. 2007 Nissan QASHQAI The UK, Russia and Italy are the Nissan Qashqai’s three largest markets, with sales at the end of November of 17,554, 15,376 and 10,746 units respectively since launch. Furthermore, demand for Qashqai in countries such as Austria, Holland, Portugal, Greece, Slovakia and Norway has dramatically exceeded expectations. Indeed, the Nissan Qashqai has exceeded all sales forecasts since its launch in March. To meet demand for the car in Europe, production was increased by 20% in June at the factory in Sunderland, England, where it is manufactured. And starting this month, the manufacture of the Japanese version of Qashqai will be transferred from Sunderland to Nissan’s factory in Kyushu, Japan, freeing up extra production cap...

At 102,700 units, deliveries of Mercedes-Benz vehicles at highest level ever for the month of November Stuttgart -- Dec 06, 2007 -- Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz has set a new sales record for the period between January and November, with 1,079,400 units delivered (Jan.-Nov. 2006: 1,042,500 units). Sales rose by four percent compared to the same period of the previous year. By selling 102,700 passenger vehicles worldwide in November, Mercedes-Benz once again topped the high level set in November 2006 with 101,900 units sold. The Mercedes-Benz Cars division as a whole also established a new all-time high by selling a total of 1,169,900 units (Jan.-Nov. 2006: 1,147,600 units). In November alone, the division delivered 113,000 Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and smart passenger vehicles (Nov. 2006: 110,800 units). The new generation of the E-Class continues to be in great demand: since the beginning of 2007, Mercedes-Benz has sold more than 150,000 units of this premium sedan worldwide. The new C-...

Sales of 2,004,172 units from January to November beat last year's total with a month to spare. Highlights: - GM Europe YTD share up 0.3 point, at 9.5 percent - GM Europe YTD sales 157,282 vehicles ahead of last year - YTD: Opel/Vauxhall grows 4 percent, Chevrolet up 32 percent General Motors (GM) Europe set a new all-time record, with sales of 2,004,172 vehicles from January to November 2007, beating last year's total with a month to spare. The resulting market share of 9.5 percent is 0.3 point above the same period last year and the highest since 1999. Chevrolet was the main driver of the sales results, with 32.4 percent growth in the January-November period. The brand sold 411,582 units, with a record market share of 1.9 percent. Opel/Vauxhall also delivered good results, with 4.1 percent growth and sales of 1,506,657 units in the period. "The all-time sales record clearly reflects the success of GM Europe's multi-brand strategy. This is a result of building str...

AUDI AG sold approximately 893,600 cars worldwide between January and November, a rise of 7.3 percent on the prior-year period (2006: 833,021). In November itself, more than 75,600 cars were handed over to their new owners (up 0.5 percent; 2006: 75,258). Audi enjoyed further growth particularly in the intensively competitive European markets. Sales in European countries outside Germany in November rose to around 28,950 cars (up 3.5 percent; 2006: 27,972). Audi achieved growth of 8.4 percent in these countries in the first eleven months of the year, with the total climbing to around 408,200 cars sold (2006: 376,607). The biggest individual market in the region was the UK, where sales increased by 31.4 percent to 6,981 units in November (2006: 5,311) and a total of 96,909 cars for the first eleven months of the year (up 17.4 percent; 2006: 82,555). In Spain, another strong market for the Ingolstadt-based brand, Audi improved its sales total by 9.0 percent to 4,383 cars in November (2006:...

Tata Motors reported a total sale of 46,947 vehicles (including exports) for the month of November 2007, a decline of 4% compared to 49,061 vehicles sold in November last year. Cumulative sales for the company at 3,59,251 nos., grew by 0.3% over last year. The domestic market continues to be sluggish, due to the high interest rate regime, continuing to affect retails. Commercial Vehicles The company’s sales of commercial vehicles in November 2007 in the domestic market were 26,895 nos., a growth of 4% compared to 25,793 vehicles sold in November last year. M&HCV sales stood at 14,426 nos, a growth of 0.2% over November 2006, while LCV sales were 12,469 nos., a growth of 10% over November 2006. Cumulative sales of commercial vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal were 1,86,869 nos., a growth of 2% over last year. Cumulative M&HCV sales stood at 97,182 nos., a decline of 7% over last year, while LCV sales for the fiscal were 89,687 nos., an increase of 14% over last year....

Year-to-Date Sales of BMW Group (BMW and MINI combined) up 7.8 Percent The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported November sales of 26,985 vehicles, an increase of 4.2 percent over the 25,889 vehicles sold in November 2006. The BMW Group also increased its year-to-date sales volume to 302,079 vehicles, up 7.8 percent, compared to 280,186 vehicles in the same period of 2006. BMW Brand Sales Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 5.3 percent in November for a total of 23,808 compared to 22,602 vehicles reported in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date BMW brand sales were up 8.3 percent, to 263,596 vehicles compared to 243,487 vehicles sold in the first eleven months of 2006. MINI Brand Sales MINI USA reported November sales of 3,177 automobiles, down 3.3 percent from the 3,287 cars sold in November 2006. Year-to-date, the division reported sales of 38,483 automobiles, an increase of 4.9 percent, compared to the 36,699 cars reported through November of 2006. Tabl...

Mitsubishi Motors announced today that calendar year-to-date (CYTD) sales reached 123,089 as of the end of November, a 13.3% increase compared to the first eleven months of 2006 and already more than the entire 2006 full-year total of 118,558. November sales this year were 7,983, a decrease of 13.8 percent compared to the 9,256 units sold in November 2006. The new Mitsubishi Outlander crossover sport utility continued to show the largest year-over-year increase through November, at 136%. Mitsubishi Lancer sedan (61%), Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder convertible (15.4%), Mitsubishi Raider truck (10%), and Mitsubishi Galant sedan (1%) sales are also ahead in 2007 compared to the January-November period a year ago. November sales highlights: -- Sales of the all-new fuel efficient Mitsubishi Lancer were 1,708 in November, a 54% increase over November 2006. -- Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder convertible sales were up 5.9% in November. -- Mitsubishi Raider sales were up 35.1% for the month. -- Mitsubish...

Led by Ford F-Series, truck sales momentum continues into November OAKVILLE, Ontario, December 3, 2007 – November proved to be another winning month for Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, where truck sales increased three per cent. Not to be outdone, Ford cars also saw a rise in sales in November – namely the newly redesigned Ford Focus and Ford Taurus. November Highlights: * Ford F-Series sales up 4% * Ford Focus sales increase 6% * Ford Taurus sales rise 14% in November * Ford Ranger sales increase 33% and achieve best November on record * Ford SUV sales are up 11% "Our showrooms are bustling with pre-holiday traffic," said Bill Osborne, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. "The 'Get in and Drive' year-end clearance has given Canadians even more reason to take a second look at the great products Ford has to offer. From the bold new look of the 2008 Ford Focus, to the enduring Ford Ranger and the reliable Ford F-Series work-horse, Ford o...

* GME market share up 0.3 point to 9.6 percent * GME records best sales quarter ever in Q2 * Chevrolet reaches all-time record for sales volume and market share * Opel Corsa sales grow 50 percent * Vauxhall top of UK sales chart for June In the first semester of 2007, General Motors (GM) Europe sales reached an all-time record of 1,127,871 units*, an increase of 56,373 compared to the first half of 2006. The company market share reached 9.6 percent, up 0.3 point from the previous first half. GME second quarter sales volume was also an all-time record, at 574,246 units, an increase of 26,016 compared to the same quarter in 2006. “We are building momentum thanks to an integrated group brand strategy in Europe. At the same time we are taking advantage of an overhauled product portfolio and an aggressive growth strategy in Central and Eastern Europe, where Chevrolet is becoming a major player. Our different strategies for Western and Eastern Europe are allowing us to maintain sales growth ...

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported all-time best-ever first-half year sales of 1,331,074. June sales of 245,739, an increase of 6.1 percent over last June, contributed to a record-setting second quarter, with sales of 725,219 units. "Tundra really hit its stride this month, posting a record sales pace," said Jim Lentz, TMS executive vice president. "In a short five months the new truck's earned its stripes with both loyal Toyota owners and those new to the brand." The Toyota Division posted best-ever June sales of 216,870, up 6.9 percent over last June. The Lexus Division reported best-ever June sales of 28,869 units, an increase of 0.4 percent. Toyota Division Toyota Division passenger cars recorded best-ever June sales of 128,239, an increase of 4.9 percent over last June. Passenger car sales were led by Toyota Camry, which posted best-ever June sales of 46,630, up 8.4 percent over the same period last year. Toyota Camry Hybrid reported sal...

- Best Overall Month since August 2006 - Best VW GTI and VW Rabbit Months since Relaunch - Best Volkswagen Passat Sedan Month since November 2006 - Volkswagen Jetta Sedan up 14.0 percent over June 2006 Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced June 2007 sales of 23,127 units, representing an increase of 15.0 percent over the June 2006 total of 20,121. This performance reflects the best overall sales month for the Volkswagen brand since August 2006. This increase can be attributed to strong market acceptance of the entry level VW Rabbit model, and a 44.9% surge in deliveries of the sporty VW GTI. The retractable hardtop convertible VW Eos posted its second best month ever, as summer is now in full swing. Volkswagen sales performance for June of 2007 underscores the brand's "return to its roots" affordability showing significant increases in Jetta and Rabbit volume car lines, combined with gathering momentum in spirited niche models like Volkswagen GTI and Volkswagen Eos....

* GMC Acadia, Saturn OUTLOOK and Buick Enclave Achieve Industry Mid-Crossover Segment Leadership with Significant Retail and Total Sales Increases * Daily Rental Sales Down 22 Percent In June; Down Almost 100,000 in First Half of 2007 * All-New Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Boost Full-Size Pickup Total and Retail Sales Increase in First Half of 2007 Compared With A Year Ago GM dealers in the United States delivered 326,300 vehicles in June, down 24 percent, compared with year-ago monthly sales. The decline was partly attributed to a planned reduction of an additional 13,487 daily rental sale vehicles in the month. General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), now has taken more than 92,000 daily rental vehicles out of the sales totals in 2007. “Given the planned reduction in daily rental sales, we expected June would be a tough comparison to a year ago. Our retail performance for the month was also below the solid running rate we’ve experienced for the first half of the year which we attribute...

- Chrysler Group car sales rise 55 percent fueled by "Maximize Your Miles" program - Jeep(R) brand up 19 percent - Jeep Wrangler increases 93 percent - Dodge Charger gains 19 percent - Inventory down by 25 percent or 162,266 units - Sales outside of North America up 21 percent -- highest month ever Chrysler Group reported sales for June 2007 of 183,347 units; down 1 percent compared to June 2006 with 185,946 units. All sales figures are reported unadjusted. "In a challenging market, Chrysler Group had softer sales in June than a year ago. We saw strong customer interest in our newly launched, fuel efficient models," said Darryl Jackson, Vice President - U.S. Sales. "Supported by the fuel economy message of our 'Maximize Your Miles' program, Chrysler continued to show strong car sales with an increase of 55 percent over the previous year." Chrysler brand car sales in June were up 104 percent year-over-year, while Dodge brand car sales increased 30 p...

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) today reported June sales of 13,014 units, up 30% over last year's volume and the best June in four years. Calendar year-to-date sales of 70,357 are up 21% compared to last year's first-half total. "The new Mitsubishi Lancer and Mitsubishi Outlander are well-received by new customers and current Mitsubishi owners," said President & CEO Hiroshi Harunari. "Going into the summer travel season, our dealers are reporting excellent results from our new fuel-efficient sedan and SUV." -- Mitsubishi Outlander was the volume leader at 3,414, up 63% from last month's volume and up 350% from last year's volume; and up 163% from last year's CYTD volume. -- Mitsubishi Lancer closed at 3,091 units up 195% from last year's volume and up 108% from last year's CYTD volume. -- Mitsubishi Galant closed at 3,026 units up 17% from last month's volume and up 18% from last year's June volume. Mitsubishi M...

- June 2007 sales for BMW and MINI increase 6.0 percent - First half-year sales for the BMW Group up 4.5 percent The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reports strong June sales of 29,394 vehicles, an increase of 6.0 percent over the 27,735 vehicles sold in June 2006. The BMW Group also increased its first half-year sales to 164,338 vehicles, an increase of 4.5 percent, compared to 157,246 vehicles in the same period of 2006. BMW Brand Sales reach best June and YTD ever Sales of BMW brand vehicles climbed to reach the best June and best year- to-date figures ever. In June, sales are up 4.3 percent for a total of 25,220 compared to 24,179 reported in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date BMW brand sales increase 5.4 percent, to 144,579 vehicles compared to 137,220 vehicles sold in first six months of 2006. BMW Automobile Sales BMW's automobile sales are up 1.9 percent in June to 20,068 versus 19,695 in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date sales are also up 5.3 percen...