DEARBORN, Mich – The Ford Fiesta was Europe’s best-selling small car in March and for the first three months of 2013, according to the latest figures from the world’s leading provider of automotive data and intelligence, JATO Dynamics.*

European customers bought Fiestas at a rate of one every 100 seconds during the first quarter for 2013 – 41,600 in March, and 77,800 total in the first three months of 2013 – 14,000 units more than its nearest rival, according to JATO.

Parked bumper-to-bumper the Fiestas sold during the first quarter would cover the equivalent of 770 laps of a 400 metre Olympic running track.

“It’s clear from the rate that our new Fiesta is flying off forecourts that its striking a chord with Europe’s small car customers,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe.  “The small car segment is probably more competitive than it has ever been and the new Fiesta is gaining retail market share and reaching new customers on the strength of its design, technology and drive dynamics.”

Fiesta’s retail share – sales to private customers – in its segment rose by 1.2 percentage points in March**. Incoming orders from customers also increased by 8 per cent in the first quarter, compared to the same period last year.

The new Fiesta offers seven powertrain options that offer sub-100 g/km CO2 performance*** including the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, the 2012 “International Engine of the Year”. One quarter of Fiestas sold this year in Europe were equipped with 1.0-litre EcoBoost.

The new Fiesta also features dynamic new exterior and interior styling with benchmark design, craftsmanship and ergonomics, in addition to offering Ford MyKey, which enables parents to place restrictions on younger drivers to promote safety.

Also new to Fiesta is Ford’s SYNC voice-activated in-car connectivity system featuring Emergency Assistance, which can alert local emergency services operators to an accident in 26 languages, spoken in 40 European regions. Sixty per cent of new Fiestas ordered during the first four months of the year feature the Euro NCAP Advanced reward-winning system.

The most popular colour to date is Frozen White, chosen by 23 per cent of customers – rising to 40 per cent in Greece – followed by Panther Black and Moondust Silver. Fifty-five per cent of Fiesta buyers have opted for the Charcoal Black interior, including 84 per cent of U.K. customers.

Fiesta was earlier this year named the best-selling subcompact car globally in 2012 with 723,130 registrations, by automotive data and trends forecasting leader Polk. It was also the best-selling small car in Europe in 2012 according to JATO Dynamics, with European consumers buying 306,405 models in total.

For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit: http://corporate.ford.com.

@GM to Source Small Cargo Vehicle from Nissan for U.S., Canada Markets

GM will procure the vehicle from Nissan and distribute it through the Chevrolet dealer network. GM expects the Chevrolet City Express, based on the Nissan NV200, to be available for sale in the fall of 2014.

“Our fleet customers have asked us for an entry in the commercial small van segment, so this addition to the Chevrolet portfolio will strengthen our position with fleets and our commercial customers,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president of GM Fleet and Commercial Sales.

Joe Castelli, Nissan vice president, commercial vehicles and fleet added, “Working with partners to expand markets for our innovative products enhances Nissan’s growth and manufacturing efficiency by leveraging our capacity to meet growing demand in this space.”

Nissan currently sells a version of the vehicle as the NV200 in numerous markets globally, including the United States and Canada. The Nissan NV200, a spacious-yet-compact commercial vehicle, is a previous winner of the International Van of the Year Award. Cost of ownership for the vehicle is among the lowest in the class due to low running costs, the high efficiency of the engines and drivetrains and a safety structure that helps to minimize crash damage.

The price of the Chevrolet City Express will be announced later.

More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.comand InfinitiNews.com.

More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.

@TeslaMotors Co-Founder & CEO Elon Musk, "It takes time for actions to bare fruit"

Tesla Motors reached profitability in Q1 of 2013 for the first time in Tesla Motors ten year history. Tesla Motors exceeded targets for deliveries, significantly expanded gross margin, and improved execution throughout the company.

“It takes time for actions to bare fruit,”  said Elon Musk, Co-Founder, CEO and Product Architect.

Excluding non-cash warrant and stock option items, Tesla Motors generated a profit of $15 million. Tesla Motors GAAP profit was $11 million and Tesla Motors achieved profitability despite the benefit of a one-time accounting gain related to the DOE warrant.

“The gross margin at the end of Q1 was significantly better that at the end of Q1,” said Elon Musk, Co-Founder, CEO and Product Architect.

During Q1, Tesla Motors produced 400 or more Model S vehicles per week, for a total of over 5,000 during Q1 2013. Tesla Motors recognized 4,900 vehicles as revenue, exceeding their initial Q1 guidance of 4,500.

Woodlawn Post; Tesla Model X SUV Displayed at the North American International Auto Show

Woodlawn Post; Tesla Model X SUV(Touch Screen) Displayed at the NAIAS

During Q1, Tesla Motors hired Aston Martin’s Chief Engineer of Vehicle Engineering, Chris Porritt, to be its Vice President of Vehicle Engineering and raw materials declined by almost 26%, while unit production increased 80%. Better inventory management contributed over $30 million in cash and reduced our logistics costs during the quarter.

“Improving the cost of our logistics, getting better deals from our suppliers” and “Those are the ones that take the longest to come to fruition” and “We’re only competent of the 2% gross margin in Q4 2012,”  said Elon Musk, Co-Founder, CEO and Product Architect.

Working with US Bank and Wells Fargo, Tesla Motors will be able to offer many customers the ability to buy a Model S with no money down (net of reimbursement from federal & state incentives) and an effective cost as low as $580 per month, taking into account savings from not using gasoline.

In Q1 Tesla Motors opened 12 new service locations, bringing our total network to 41 locations. Tesla Motors remain on plan to add approximately 30 service locations in total in 2013.

Tesla Motors total revenues for Q1 rose 83% from Q4 to $562 million, a new record for Tesla. In addition to record Model S deliveries in Q1.

“We are expecting a decline in (ZEV) credit revenue in Q2” and “Significant decline in Q2″ and “We’re not expecting anything in Q4,” said Elon Musk, Co-Founder, CEO and Product Architect.

From Q4 to Q1, Tesla Motors total gross margin rose from 8% to 17%, as a result of a higher Model S production rate, manufacturing efficiencies, part cost reductions and regulatory credit sales. Zero emission vehicle (ZEV) credits sold to other automakers amounted to approximately $68 million or 12% of revenues.

Tesla Motors expecs to build about 5,000 Model S vehicles in Q2, some cars will be in transit to Europe for start of deliveries in Q3. Tesla Motors expects to deliver slightly over 4,500 vehicles during Q2, all in North America. For the full year of 2013, Tesla Motors expect to exceed our prior target of 20,000 worldwide deliveries and feel comfortable raising guidance to about 21,000 deliveries.

“We need to establish a service network,” said Elon Musk, Co-Founder & CEO about Tesla Motors $200 million in capital expenditures.

Tesla Motors plan to spend about $200 million on capital expenditures in 2013 and the majority of our investment in the Tesla Factory and Model S tooling. Tesla Motors capital spending also includes the expansion of our service, store and Supercharger networks and new product development.

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** No information in this analysis should be considered as being business, financial or legal advice. Each reader should consult his or her own professional or other advisers for business, financial or legal advice regarding the products mentioned in the analyses. **

Written By Adrian Mitchell And Woodlawn Post Staff

DETROIT – Woodlawn Post participated in the General Motors conference with Kurt McNeil(vice president of U.S. sales operations) to review GM’s April 2013 U.S. sales results.

“We’re Very Optimistic,“ Kurt McNeil(vice president of U.S. sales operations) said about GM U.S. Sales being up 11% and more.

Woodlawn Post; Cadillac 2014 ELR(Rear) Unveiling At NAIAS 2013

Woodlawn Post; Cadillac 2014 ELR(Front Wheel) Unveiling At NAIAS 2013

Cadillac was the industry’s fastest-growing brand in Q1 2013 and Cadillac will launch an all-new CTS luxury sedan in the fall 2013. GM unveiled the 2014 Cadillac ELR at the 2013 North American International Auto Show(@NAIAS) on Tuesday January 15th, 2013.

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GM’s U.S. Sales up 11%; Kurt McNeil "We’re very optimistic"

“Car-buying conditions are strong” and “Will continue to release pent-up demand,” Kurt McNeil(VP of U.S. sales operations) said.

Cadillac was the industry’s fastest-growing brand in Q1 2013 and Cadillac will launch an all-new CTS luxury sedan in the fall 2013. Chevrolet dealers began receiving their first shipments of the all-new 2014 Impala in mid-April, and the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 crew cabs will begin arriving in dealerships in the summer 2013. Buick is launching redesigns of the Regal and LaCrosse in summer 2013.

“We’re very optimistic” and “GM’s market share is growing,” Kurt McNeil(VP of U.S. sales operations) said.

GM sold 237,646 vehicles in the United States in April, the best result’s for April in over 5 years. GM April 2013 sales are up 11% compared with 2012.

GM’s crossovers were up 14%. Truck sales which include pickups, vans and SUVs were up 17% and car sales were up 6%. GM had great crossover sales. Chevrolet driven by a 14% increase for Equinox and an 18 & increase for the redesigned Traverse.

“The economy continues to move forward and important car and truck launches are just getting underway,” Kurt McNeil(VP of U.S. sales operations) said.

GM sales to small business customers totaled 57,030 units, which is up 32%. GM’s Tahoe is experiencing good demand and GM’s fleet mix is 26%.

Overall, GM’s April sales climbed with gains across the portfolio and small business customers were up 32%, crossovers were up 14%, and Cadillac was the industry’s fastest-growing brand in Q1 2013.

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** No information in this analysis should be considered as being business, financial or legal advice. Each reader should consult his or her own professional or other advisers for business, financial or legal advice regarding the products mentioned in the analyses. **

Written By Adrian Mitchell And Woodlawn Post Staff

Ford's U.S. Sales Up 18%; Erich Merkle "New Fusion, had a record April sales month"

“In the month of April we had our best sales month ever for MKZ, with just over 4,000 vehicles sold, that’s our first time that we’ve ever past the 4.000 vehicle threshold with the Lincoln MKZ,”  Erich Merkle, Ford Motor Company Sales Analyst said.

Ford Motor Company had a great month in April as U.S. sales were up 18% and the Ford Fusion, Ford Eascape and the new Lincoln MKZ have all had recording setting sales results.

“The new Fusion, had a record April sales month” and “Retail sales for Fusion in the West was double that of last year and in the Southeast Fusion was up 70%,” Erich Merkle, Ford Motor Company Sales Analyst said.

With Ford’s new product lines, the companies sales increased from the West and Southeast part of the U.S. and Ford is experiencing record demand for the all-new Fusion.

“We’re going to be bringing a new line on at Flat Rock, Michigan this Fall, to address that issue, to give us more Fusions” and “More to sell because customer demand is so high,” Erich Merkle, Ford Motor Company Sales Analyst said.

April proved to be a record month for Lincoln sales as inventories level have normalized and sales figures from full-size pick-ups are going good for Ford.

Overall, Ford’s April sales climbed with gains across the portfolio and car sales were up 21%, utilities up 16%, and trucks were up 16%. Retail sales were up 27%.

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** No information in this analysis should be considered as being business, financial or legal advice. Each reader should consult his or her own professional or other advisers for business, financial or legal advice regarding the products mentioned in the analyses. **

Written By Adrian Mitchell And Woodlawn Post Staff

AURBURN HILLS, MICH- Chrysler Group LLC reported its preliminary 2013 first-quarter results, including net income of $166 million on revenue of $15.4 billion.

Chrysler Group Reported First-Quarter 2013 Net Income of $166 Million

As anticipated, the quarter was negatively affected by the reduced vehicle shipments that resulted from key product launches, namely the 2013 Ram Heavy Duty trucks and the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, as well as preparation for the second-quarter production launch of the all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee. These actions are expected to position the Company for a strong performance in the second half of 2013.

“We remain on track to achieve our business targets, even as the first-quarter results were affected by an aggressive product launch schedule,” said Chrysler Group LLC Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne.

The first-quarter results mark the Company’s seventh consecutive quarter of positive net income, reflecting continued improvements in product acceptance, pricing discipline, and market share.

“This quarter underscores the importance of an unwavering commitment to execute flawless vehicle introductions to reach our full potential” and “While the task ahead this year is daunting, we remain committed to our overall targets, including a minimum shipment increase of 8 percent and a Modified Operating Profit of $3.8 billion,” said Chrysler Group LLC Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne.

Revenue for the quarter was down 6 percent from $16.4 billion in the first quarter of 2012. The anticipated reduction was primarily attributable to lower shipments in the quarter due to the end of Jeep Liberty production in 2012 in preparation for the all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee production launch in the second quarter, and the ongoing launches of the new 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2013 Ram Heavy Duty trucks. In addition, international shipments declined year-over-year due to continued economic weakness in Europe and import restrictions in Latin America.

Modified Operating Profit was $435 million, or 2.8 percent of revenue, in the first quarter, versus $740 million reported in the prior year. The decrease was attributable to reduced shipments, industrial costs related to the new vehicle launches, and a foreign currency exchange loss related to the February 2013 devaluation of the Venezuelan bolivar fuerte relative to the U.S. dollar, partially offset by continued favorable net pricing in North America.

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The all-new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

“The 2014 Corvette Stingray perfectly embodies Chevrolet’s mission to deliver more than expected for our customers,” said Chris Perry(vice president) Chevrolet marketing.

Standard features on the all-new 2014 Corvette Stingray include, seating with lightweight magnesium frames for exceptional support, five-position Drive Mode Selector that tailors up to 12 vehicle attributes, new seven-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching, carbon fiber hood on all models and a carbon fiber removable roof panel on coupes and more features.

“The Corvette Stingray delivers a combination of performance, design” and “Technology that very few manufacturers can match” and “None can even come close for $52,000,” said Chris Perry(vice president) Chevrolet marketing.

As shown at the North American International Auto Show, the Stingray coupe fitted with the major available options would be $73,360, including 3LT interior package, with leather-wrapped interior ($8,005),competition sports seats ($2,495), carbon fiber interior trim ($995) and black-painted wheels ($495) and more features.

The 3LT interior package includes: Bose 10-speaker surround-sound audio system; SiriusXM Satellite radio with one-year subscription and HD radio receiver; color head-up display; memory package; navigation system; heated and ventilated seats with power lumbar and bolster adjustment; premium Napa leather seating surfaces; and leather-wrapped dash and instrument panel, console and door panels.

The Z51 Performance Package includes: high-performance gear ratios; transmission-cooling system; larger 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels and tires; larger, slotted rotors and brake-cooling ducts; electronic limited-slip differential and differential cooling system; unique chassis tuning; and available Magnetic Ride Control active-handling system with Performance Traction Management. Equipped with the Z51 package, the Corvette Stingray is capable of accelerating from 0–60 mph in under four seconds, and more than 1 g in cornering.

The all-new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

More information on Chevrolet models can be found at: www.chevrolet.com.

1 millionth Mustang Celebration at Flat Rock Assembly Plant

Tim Young, Flat Rock Assembly Plant, plant manager, Raj Nair, group vice president for product development, Dave Pericak, chief Mustang engineer, Tony Bondy, UAW Local 3000 chairman, Jimmy Settles, UAW vice president, pose in front of the 1 millionth commemorative Mustang at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant.

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Volkswagen of America Appoints Mark C. McNabb as Chief Operating Office

McNabb, 51, will join the company effective May 1 and will be responsible for the management of Sales, Aftersales and Customer Experience for the brand. McNabb will report to Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. McNabb, most recently President and CEO of Maserati North America for the past four years, comes to VW with more than 25 years of experience in the automotive business.

“As our brand grows and we continue to invest in new products and production capacity here in the U.S. and North America, it is important that we also keep adding to the talent pool available to our Group“, said Browning. ”Mark brings a wealth of automotive and leadership experience, has managed both large and small organizations, and will contribute to the strategic and operational oversight of our business.”

McNabb served in numerous business development, sales and marketing positions at Nissan in the U.S. for nearly 20 years before venturing from Nissan and working for Mercedes Benz, General Motors and Maserati. He has held numerous officer-level positions in each of these companies — leading Sales, Marketing, Product Planning and Parts and Service at different times in his career.

“Most recently, Mark was not only in charge of Maserati North America, but also led the development of Maserati’s commercial interests across the globe,” added Browning. ”He has a strong history of working in global enterprises, and doing so in a collaborative, cross-functional way.”

Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com to learn more.