William Maley

Porsche U.S. April Sales Beat All-Time Record Porsche continues strong 2018 performance with demand for two and four-door models ATLANTA, May 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), importer and distributor of the Porsche 911, 718 Boxster and Cayman, Panamera, Cayenne, and Macan model lines, today announced April 2018 sales of 5,570 vehicles. This represents a new all-time one-month retail record for Porsche sales in the U.S., surpassing the previous all-time high of 5,555 units set last November. It also marks a 0.7 percent gain over April 2017, which itself was a record month. Retail sales for January through April were up 7.0 percent from a year ago to 19,524 vehicles. "The Porsche mix of two and four-door sports cars is getting a broad welcome from customers. We see this in the strong April demand that crosses model lines," said Klaus Zellmer, President and CEO of PCNA. "Our 189 dealers are continually improving the customer experience, and this certainly is an essential factor for our mutual success." April growth leaders were the 718 Cayman, up 67 percent year-over-year, and the Macan, which gained 32.5 percent from April 2017. For the first four months of the year, the new generation Panamera, the 911, and the 718 Cayman all saw double-digit increases compared to the same period in 2017. Model April Sales Year-to-Date 2018 2017 2018 2017 ALL 911 804 940 3,315 2,958 ALL 718 604 534 1,956 1,640 ALL PANAMERA 1,026 1,098 2,942 1,715 ALL CAYENNE 884 1,257 4,171 4,897 ALL MACAN 2,252 1,700 7,140 7,037 GRAND TOTALS 5,570 5,529 19,524 18,247

BMW Group U.S. Reports April 2018 Sales. BMW Group sales increase 4.2 percent in April 2018. BMW brand sales increase 3.8 percent. MINI brand sales increase 7.2 percent. BMW Group electrified vehicle sales increase 52.3 percent, accounting for 7.3 percent of total U.S. sales in April 2018. Woodcliff Lake, NJ – May 1, 2018… Sales of BMW Group vehicles in the U.S. increased 4.2 percent in April 2018 for a total of 27,213 vehicles (BMW and MINI brands combined), compared with 26,105 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date BMW Group sales in the U.S. are up 3.3 percent from the first four months of 2017. “The evidence of spring is all around us but for a car company there’s no better sign than sales momentum as both BMW and MINI enter May with solid increases over a year ago,” said Bernhard Kuhnt, president and CEO, BMW of North America. “The BMW X models, especially X1, X3 and X5, continue to lead the way with our Sports Activity Vehicles accounting for 51% of April sales.” BMW Brand Sales Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 3.8 percent in April 2018 for a total of 23,482­­ compared to 22,624 vehicles sold in April 2017. Year-to-date, the BMW brand is up 3.2 percent on sales of 97,317 vehicles compared to 94,306 sold in the first four months of 2017. BMW brand sales in April 2018 were led by BMW’s lineup of Sports Activity Vehicles up 28.9% in April and 6.3% year-to-date. MINI Brand Sales For April, MINI USA reported 3,731 vehicles sold, an increase of 7.2 percent from the 3,481 sold in the same month a year ago. The MINI Countryman continued its strong performance this month, rising 44 percent compared to April 2017 and contributing to a 73.6 percent year-to-date increase over Countryman sales in the first four months of 2017. BMW Group Electrified Vehicle Sales BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) sales of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles totaled 1,973 in April 2018, an increase of 60.9 percent from the 1,226 sold in the same month a year ago. BMW Group electrified vehicles accounted for 7.3 percent of U.S. sales in April 2018. BMW Group currently offers seven electrified models in the U.S., including the BMW i3, BMW i8, BMW 330e, BMW 530e, BMW 740e, BMW X5 xDrive 40e and MINI Countryman plug-in-hybrid electric vehicle.

American Honda Reports April Sales Results May 1, 2018 Core models Civic and CR-V remain strong with sales over 28,000 units Honda Odyssey continues to cement sales leadership in minivan segment with 21% gain Honda Pilot sales jump again in April, rising 22% Acura RDX sales increase 10.8% in April, as introduction of all-new 2019 model approaches "Even as we increase our sales of light trucks to record levels, we remain committed to delivering a balanced lineup of cars and light-truck offerings for our customers," said Henio Arcangeli Jr., senior vice president of the Automobile Division & general manager of Honda sales. "Our flexible manufacturing capabilities allow us to evolve our production mix in real-time to meet these continued shifts in consumer demand. Moreover, we recognize not all customers in the market want a truck or SUV, so growth opportunities still exist within the passenger car side of our business." Honda Sales Highlights Two fewer selling days and one less weekend in April 2018 vs. a year ago, impacted Honda car & truck sales like the rest of the auto industry. However, the brand’s core models performed strongly while Odyssey and Pilot were standouts for the month. Odyssey posted a robust gain of 21.2% on sales of 8,464 units in April, further strengthening its 2018 sales leadership. Pilot sales increased for the 8th straight month, rising 22% on sales of 11,891 units for the month. Civic and CR-V sales topped 28,000 in April and Accord crested 21,000, to post strong results for Honda’s core models. Acura Sales Highlights Looking forward to the upcoming launch of the all-new 2019 RDX, Acura displayed the still considerable strength of the current RDX as it made a solid gain in April. ILX and RLX also enjoyed sales increases for the month. RDX gained 10.8 percent in April on sales of 4,201 units. The Acura ILX and RLX sedans also gained sales ground, with ILX up 21.6% and RLX up 61.3% in April.

Nissan Group reports April 2018 U.S. sales NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nissan Group today announced total U.S. sales for April 2018 of 87,764 units, a decrease of 28% compared to the previous year. Nissan highlights: Nissan LEAF all-electric vehicle sales increased 10% to 1,171 units. Several key models have shown strong gains in 2018: Rogue (+9%), Armada (+16%) and Frontier (+27%) NISSAN DIVISION APRIL APRIL Monthly CYTD CYTD CYTD 2018 2017 % chg 2018 2017 % chg Nissan Division Total 78,804 111,201 -29.1 453,920 484,531 -6.3 Versa 5,998 8,322 -27.9 31,363 39,397 -20.4 Sentra 16,999 20,255 -16.1 77,001 71,669 7.4 Altima 10,400 20,263 -48.7 73,806 94,248 -21.7 Maxima 2,100 5,564 -62.3 15,854 21,161 -25.1 LEAF 1,171 1,063 10.2 3,716 4,350 -14.6 Juke 83 986 -91.6 539 5,074 -89.4 370Z 260 389 -33.2 1,243 1,637 -24.1 GT-R 35 51 -31.4 170 246 -30.9 Total Car 37,046 56,893 -34.9 203,692 237,782 -14.3 Frontier 5,082 6,347 -19.9 27,907 21,913 27.4 Titan 2,670 4,033 -33.8 15,394 15,328 0.4 Xterra 0 0 n/a 0 1 -100.0 Pathfinder 2,741 5,712 -52.0 20,847 32,432 -35.7 Armada 1,713 2,007 -14.6 10,795 9,298 16.1 Rogue 23,331 27,386 -14.8 139,785 128,807 8.5 Murano 3,391 5,504 -38.4 24,113 22,753 6.0 Quest 0 165 -100.0 2 4,035 -100.0 NV 1,225 1,457 -15.9 4,993 5,990 -16.6 NV200 1,605 1,697 -5.4 6,392 6,192 3.2 Total Truck 41,758 54,308 -23.1 250,228 246,749 1.4 INFINITI APRIL APRIL Monthly CYTD CYTD CYTD 2018 2017 % chg 2018 2017 % chg Infiniti Total 8,960 10,797 -17.0 49,847 54,358 -8.3 Infiniti Q50 1,880 2,559 -26.5 13,581 13,009 4.4 Infiniti Q60 650 744 -12.6 3,253 4,115 -20.9 Infiniti Q70 272 443 -38.6 1,763 2,405 -26.7 Infiniti QX30 671 1,208 -44.5 3,486 7,740 -55.0 Infiniti QX50 1,413 1,197 18.0 5,497 5,515 -0.3 Infiniti QX60 3,052 2,804 8.8 15,076 11,472 31.4 Infiniti QX70 102 506 -79.8 672 3,411 -80.3 Infiniti QX80 920 1,336 -31.1 6,519 6,691 -2.6 Total Car 2,802 3,746 -25.2 18,597 19,529 -4.8 Total Truck 6,158 7,051 -12.7 31,250 34,829 -10.3 NISSAN GROUP APRIL APRIL Monthly CYTD CYTD CYTD 2018 2017 % chg 2018 2017 % chg TOTAL VEHICLE 87,764 121,998 -28.1 503,767 538,889 -6.5 Total Car 39,848 60,639 -34.3 222,289 257,311 -13.6 Total Truck 47,916 61,359 -21.9 281,478 281,578 0.0 Selling days 24 26 101 101 # # #

Toyota Motor North America Reports April 2018 Sales Toyota division posted best-ever light truck April sales Toyota Highlander posted best-ever April sales Lexus NX, NXh posted best-ever April sales PLANO, Texas, May 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) today reported April 2018 sales of 192,348 vehicles, a decrease of 4.7 percent from April 2017 on a volume basis. With two less selling days in April 2018 compared to April 2017, sales were up 3.2 percent on a daily selling rate (DSR) basis. Toyota division posted April sales of 170,706 units, down 5.1 percent on a volume basis and up 2.8 percent on a DSR basis. Lexus division posted April sales of 21,642 vehicles, down 2.1 percent on a volume basis and up 6.0 percent on a DSR basis. April 2018 Highlights Toyota division light trucks posted a best-ever April Camry posted sales of 29,848 RAV4 posted sales of 31,007 units Highlander sales up 2.6 percent, a best-ever April Toyota division pickup truck sales up 5.0 percent Tacoma sales up 10.6 percent Tundra posted sales of 9,457 units RX posted sales of 7,710 units NX Hybrid up 156.8 percent, a best-ever April NX combined sales of 4,508 units, a best-ever April LS sales up 239.8 percent with sales of 999 units *Note: Unless otherwise stated, all figures reflect unadjusted raw sales volume TOYOTA U.S. SALES SUMMARY APRIL 2018 -- CURRENT MONTH -- -- CALENDAR YEAR TO DATE -- 2018 2017 DSR % VOL % 2018 2017 DSR % VOL % TOTAL TOYOTA 192,348 201,926 3.2 -4.7 764,381 734,537 4.1 4.1 TOTAL TOYOTA DIV 170,706 179,810 2.8 -5.1 678,528 650,576 4.3 4.3 TOTAL LEXUS 21,642 22,116 6.0 -2.1 85,853 83,961 2.3 2.3 YARIS IA (INCL SCI IA) 3,063 3,479 -4.6 -12.0 10,569 12,314 -14.2 -14.2 YARIS LIFTBACK 131 1522 -90.7 -91.4 585 5,286 -88.9 -88.9 TOTAL YARIS 3,194 5,001 -30.8 -36.1 11,154 17,600 -36.6 -36.6 iQ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 xD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 xB 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 tC 0 14 -100.0 -100.0 1 156 -99.4 -99.4 COROLLA IM (INCL SCI IM) 1,881 1,968 3.5 -4.4 6,910 7,317 -5.6 -5.6 COROLLA SEDAN 24,015 29,136 -10.7 -17.6 96,806 105,222 -8.0 -8.0 TOTAL COROLLA 25,896 31,104 -9.8 -16.7 103,716 112,539 -7.8 -7.8 86 (INCL FR-S) 337 639 -42.9 -47.3 1,519 2,421 -37.3 -37.3 MIRAI 76 106 -22.3 -28.3 538 417 29.0 29.0 AVALON 3,254 2,747 28.3 18.5 13,830 11,343 21.9 21.9 PRIUS 7,420 9,708 -17.2 -23.6 29,655 36,342 -18.4 -18.4 CAMRY 29,848 31,428 2.9 -5.0 120,615 114,887 5.0 5.0 TOTAL TOYOTA DIV. CAR 70,025 80,747 -6.1 -13.3 281,028 295,705 -5.0 -5 CT 0 794 -100 -100 4 2,486 -99.8 -99.8 IS 1,816 2,154 -8.7 -15.7 7,099 7,858 -9.7 -9.7 RC 369 522 -23.4 -29.3 987 2,083 -52.6 -52.6 ES 3,218 3,400 2.5 -5.4 12,481 12,906 -3.3 -3.3 GS 651 597 18.1 9.0 2,414 2,292 5.3 5.3 LS 999 294 268.1 239.8 2,671 1,238 115.8 115.8 LC 179 0 0 0 701 0 0 0 LFA 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 TOTAL LEXUS CAR 7,232 7,761 0.9 -6.8 26,358 28,863 -8.7 -8.7 TOTAL TOYOTA CAR 77,257 88,508 -5.4 -12.7 307,386 324,568 -5.3 -5.3 SIENNA 7,938 10,242 -16.0 -22.5 31,557 36,262 -13.0 -13.0 C-HR 3,923 550 673 613 17,542 550 3089.5 3090 RAV4 31,007 31,757 5.8 -2.4 122,466 112,290 9.1 9.1 FJ CRUISER 0 0 0 0 1 2 -50 -50 VENZA 0 2 -100 -100 0 11 -100 -100 HIGHLANDER 18,456 17,981 11.2 2.6 71,338 64,623 10.4 10.4 4RUNNER 9,970 10,428 3.6 -4.4 41,520 42,084 -1.3 -1.3 SEQUOIA 860 948 -1.7 -9.3 3,688 4,385 -15.9 -15.9 LAND CRUISER 259 237 18.4 9.3 1,023 1,033 -1.0 -1.0 TOTAL TOYOTA DIV. SUV 64,475 61,903 12.8 4.2 257,578 224,978 14.5 14.5 TACOMA 18,811 17,006 19.8 10.6 72,590 60,499 20.0 20.0 TUNDRA 9,457 9,912 3.4 -4.6 35,775 33,132 8.0 8.0 TOTAL TOYOTA DIV. PICKUP 28,268 26,918 13.8 5.0 108,365 93,631 15.7 15.7 TOTAL TOYOTA DIV. TRUCK 100,681 99,063 10.1 1.6 397,500 354,871 12.0 12.0 NX 4,508 4,320 13.0 4.4 18,835 16,417 14.7 14.7 RX 7,710 7,839 6.5 -1.7 31,495 29,480 6.8 6.8 GX 1812 1792 9.5 1.1 7,503 7,306 2.7 2.7 LX 385 404 3.2 -4.7 1,662 1,895 -12.3 -12.3 TOTAL LEXUS TRUCK 14,410 14,355 8.7 0.4 59,495 55,098 8.0 8.0 TOTAL TOYOTA TRUCK 115,091 113,418 9.9 1.5 456,995 409,969 11.5 11.5 Selling Days 24 26 101 101 DSR = Daily Selling Rate *NA Built Vehicles TOYOTA U.S. SALES SUMMARY APRIL, 2018 -- CURRENT MONTH -- -- CALENDAR YEAR TO DATE -- 2018 2017 DSR % VOL % 2018 2017 DSR % VOL % COROLLA 24,015 29,136 -10.7 -17.6 96,806 105,222 -8.0 -8.0 CAMRY 28,641 31,428 -1.3 -8.9 110,805 114,887 -3.6 -3.6 AVALON 3,254 2,747 28.3 18.5 13,830 11,343 21.9 21.9 YARIS IA (INCL SCI IA) 3,063 3,479 -4.6 -12.0 10,569 12,314 -14.2 -14.2 RAV4 12,459 14,264 -5.4 -12.7 53,643 52,903 1.4 1.4 VENZA 0 2 -100.0 -100.0 0 11 -100.0 -100.0 HIGHLANDER 18,456 17,981 11.2 2.6 71,338 64,623 10.4 10.4 SIENNA 7,938 10,242 -16.0 -22.5 31,557 36,262 -13.0 -13.0 SEQUOIA 860 948 -1.7 -9.3 3,688 4,385 -15.9 -15.9 TACOMA 18,811 17,006 19.8 10.6 72,590 60,499 20.0 20.0 TUNDRA 9,457 9,912 3.4 -4.6 35,775 33,132 8.0 8.0 ES 2,862 2,634 17.7 8.7 11,144 9,529 16.9 16.9 RX 5,548 7,342 -18.1 -24.4 26,552 27,325 -2.8 -2.8 TOTAL 135,364 147,121 -0.3 -8.0 538,297 532,435 1.1 1.1 N.A VEHICLES % OF TOTAL 70.4% 72.9% 70.4% 72.5% TOYOTA DIV. IMPORT CAR 11,052 13,957 -14.2 -20.8 49,018 51,939 -5.6 -5.6 LEXUS IMPORT CAR 4,370 5,127 -7.7 -14.8 15,214 19,334 -21.3 -21.3 TOYOTA DIV NA BUILT CARS 58,973 66,790 -4.3 -11.7 232,010 243,766 -4.8 -4.8 LEXUS NA BUILT CARS 2,862 2,634 17.7 8.7 11,144 9,529 16.9 16.9 TOTAL TOYOTA CARS 77,257 88,508 -5.4 -12.7 307,386 324,568 -5.3 -5.3 TOYOTA DIV. IMPORT TRUCK 32,700 28,708 23.4 13.9 128,909 103,056 25.1 25.1 LEXUS IMPORT TRUCK 8,862 7,013 36.9 26.4 32,943 27,773 18.6 18.6 TOYOTA DIV NA BUILT TRUCK 67,981 70,355 4.7 -3.4 268,591 251,815 6.7 6.7 LEXUS NA BUILT TRUCK 5,548 7,342 -18.1 -24.4 26,552 27,325 -2.8 -2.8 TOTAL TOYOTA TRUCK 115,091 113,418 9.9 1.5 456,995 409,969 11.5 11.5 Selling Days 24 26 101 101 TOYOTA U.S. HYBRID SALES SUMMARY APRIL, 2018 -- Current Month -- -- Calendar Year To Date -- 2018 2017 DSR % 2018 2017 DSR % Toyota Prius Sedan 3,830 5,802 -28.5% 15,794 21,571 -26.8% Toyota Prius V(only) 250 926 -70.8% 1,712 3,545 -51.7% Toyota Prius C(only) 714 1,161 -33.4% 3,055 5,061 -39.6% Toyota Prius PRIME(only) 2,626 1,819 56.4% 9,094 6,165 47.5% Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 3,790 3,516 16.8% 15,077 12,991 16.1% Lexus NX Hybrid 604 181 261.5% 2,315 820 182.3% Lexus RX Hybrid 832 615 46.6% 3,048 2,278 33.8%

VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA REPORTS APRIL 2018 SALES RESULTS Sales totaled 28,794 units, an increase of 4.5 percent compared to April 2017. Year-to-date sales totaled 112,746 units, an increase of 8.6 percent over 2017 and highest volume YTD since 2014. Sales of the all-new 2018 Tiguan totaled 7,637 units. Sales of the Chattanooga-built Atlas totaled 5,404 units. Herndon, VA — (May 1, 2018) Volkswagen of America, Inc. (VWoA) today reported sales of 28,794 units delivered in April 2018, an increase of 4.5 percent over April 2017. With 112,746 units delivered year-to-date in 2018, the company is reporting an 8.6 percent increase in year-over-year sales. “We are encouraged with the brand’s continued growth in the market, driven by the success of our two new SUVs,” said Derrick Hatami, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Volkswagen of America. “We are also excited to have the all-new 2019 Jetta going on sale later this month, adding to the positive momentum.” April 2018 proved to be another growth month for Volkswagen, driven by sales of the Atlas and 2018 Tiguan with 5,404 and 7,637 units delivered respectively. Overall sales reflected the impact of Volkswagen’s move to offer a more family-friendly lineup, with SUVs accounting for nearly 50 percent of total volume for the Volkswagen brand in year-over-year sales. The all-new 2019 Jetta is expected to arrive at U.S. Volkswagen dealers later this month. The Jetta is one of the world’s most successful sedans, with more than 17 million models sold worldwide, including more than 3.2 million of those vehicles in the U.S. The 2019 Jetta offers a bolder design, more interior space and new technology. For the 2018 model year, most new Volkswagen vehicles in the U.S. will come with the People First Warranty, a six-year or 72,000-mile (whichever occurs first) bumper-to-bumper New Vehicle Limited Warranty, which can be transferred to subsequent owners throughout its duration. April 2018 Sales April 18 April 17 Yr/Yr% change April 18 YTD April 17 YTD Yr/Yr% change Golf 780 1,249 -37.6% 2,693 4,591 -41.3% GTI 1,385 1,702 -18.6% 6,511 7,307 -10.9% Golf R 892 367 143.1% 1,241 1,828 -32.1% e-Golf 128 307 -58.3% 668 1,274 -47.6% Golf SportWagen 1,481 3,562 -58.4% 5,565 10,164 -45.2% Total Golf Family 4,666 7,187 -35.1% 16,678 25,164 -33.7% Jetta Sedan 4,302 9,398 -54.2% 18,912 33,961 -44.3% Jetta SportWagen (now Golf SportWagen) 11 N/A N/A 51 N/A N/A Total Jetta 4,313 9,398 -54.1% 18,963 33,961 -44.2% Beetle Coupe 850 732 16.1% 3,366 3,096 8.7% Beetle Convertible 619 765 -19.1% 1,981 2,309 -14.2% Total Beetle 1,469 1,497 -1.9% 5,347 5,405 -1.1% Passat 4,044 6,148 -34.2% 13,806 24,415 -43.5% CC 44 150 -70.7% 196 712 -72.5% Tiguan Limited 1,047 2,939 -64.4% 6,377 13,150 -51.5% 2018 Tiguan 7,637 N/A N/A 29,735 N/A N/A Touareg 170 238 -28.6% 1,108 1,040 6.5% Atlas 5,404 N/A N/A 20,536 N/A N/A TOTAL 28,794 27,557 4.5% 112,746 103,847 8.57%

Audi of America marks March sales increase of 7.4 percent as the A5, Q5 and Q7 take the lead

Author's Note: As we reported last month, General Motors will be reporting their sales numbers quarterly. The next time you will see GM and their subsequent brands will be in June. -WM Volvo Cars of North America, LLC - Up 17% (8,333 Vehicles Sold This Month, 28,416 Vehicles Sold This Year) Audi of America - Up 7.4% (20,090 Vehicles Sold This Month, 50,052 Vehicles Sold This Year) FCA US LLC - Up 5% (184,149 Vehicles Sold This Month, 698,918 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volkswagen of America - Up 4.5% (28,794 Vehicles Sold This Month, 112,746 Vehicles Sold This Year) BMW Group U.S. - Up 4.2% (27,213 Vehicles Sold This Month, 111,581 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz USA - Up 2.1% (30,115 Vehicles Sold This Month, 117,096 Vehicles Sold This Year) Subaru of America, Inc. - Up 1.5% (53,170 Vehicles Sold This Month, 202,873 Vehicles Sold This Year) Porsche Cars North America, Inc. - Up 0.7% (5,570 Vehicles Sold This Month, 19,524 Vehicles Sold This Year) Jaguar Land Rover North America - 0% (8,467 Vehicles Sold This Month, 40,762 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mazda North American Operations - Down 4.6% (23,056 Vehicles Sold This Month, 107,051 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mitsubishi Motors North America - Down 4.6% (7,990 Vehicles Sold This Month, 43,762 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ford Motor Company - Down 4.7% (204,651 Vehicles Sold This Month, 804,232 Vehicles Sold This Year) Toyota Motor North America - Down 4.7% (192,348 Vehicles Sold This Month, 764,381 Vehicles Sold This Year) Kia Motors America - Down 5.2% (50,585 Vehicles Sold This Month, 177,530 Vehicles Sold This Year) American Honda Motor Co. - Down 9.2% (125,701 Vehicles Sold This Month, 488,192 Vehicles Sold This Year) Maserati North America, Inc. - Down 24.9% (950 Vehicles Sold This Month, 3,663 Vehicles Sold This Year) Nissan North America - Down 28.1% (87,764 Vehicles Sold This Month, 503,767 Vehicles Sold This Year) Hyundai Motor America - Brands: Acura - Down 15.9% (11,888 Vehicles Sold This Month, 45,302 Vehicles Sold This Year) Alfa Romeo - Up 173% (1,847 Vehicles Sold This Month, 7,639 Vehicles Sold This Year) Audi - Up 7.4% (20,090 Vehicles Sold This Month, 50,052 Vehicles Sold This Year) BMW - Up 3.8% (23.482 Vehicles Sold This Month, 97,317 Vehicles Sold This Year) Chrysler - Down 18% (14,189 Vehicles Sold This Month, 60,422 Vehicles Sold This Year) Dodge - Up 4% (40,994 Vehicles Sold This Month, 157,965 Vehicles Sold This Year) Fiat - Down 45% (1,404 Vehicles Sold This Month, 5,418 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ford - Down 4.3% (196,133 Vehicles Sold This Month, 773,252 Vehicles Sold This Year) Genesis - Honda - Down 8.4% (113,813 Vehicles Sold This Month, 422,890 Vehicles Sold This Year) Hyundai - Infiniti - Down 17% (8,960 Vehicles Sold This Month, 49,847 Vehicles Sold This Year) Jaguar - Down 37% (2,019 Vehicles Sold This Month, 10,068 Vehicles Sold This Year) Jeep - Up 20% (82,641 Vehicles Sold This Month, 310,746 Vehicles Sold This Year) Kia - Down 5.2% (50,585 Vehicles Sold This Month, 177,530 Vehicles Sold This Year) Land Rover - Up 24% (6,448 Vehicles Sold This Month, 30,694 Vehicles Sold This Year) Lexus - Down 2.1% (21,642 Vehicles Sold This Month, 85,853 Vehicles Sold This Year) Lincoln - Down 12.1% (8,518 Vehicles Sold This Month, 30,980 Vehicles Sold This Year) Maserati - Down 24.9% (950 Vehicles Sold This Month, 3,663 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mazda - Down 4.6% (23,056 Vehicles Sold This Month, 107,051 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz - Up 1% (27,207 Vehicles Sold This Month, 105,681 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz Vans - Up 28.4% (2,815 Vehicles Sold This Month, 11,001 Vehicles Sold This Year) MINI - Up 7.2% (3,731 Vehicles Sold This Month, 14,264 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mitsubishi - Down 4.6% (7,990 Vehicles Sold This Month, 43,762 Vehicles Sold This Year) Nissan - Down 29.1% (78,804 Vehicles Sold This Month, 453,920 Vehicles Sold This Year) Porsche - Up 0.7% (5,570 Vehicles Sold This Month, 19,524 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ram Trucks - Down 9% (43,074 Vehicles Sold This Month, 156,728 Vehicles Sold This Year) Smart - Down 74.5% (93 Vehicles Sold This Month, 414 Vehicles Sold This Year) Subaru - Up 1.5% (53,170 Vehicles Sold This Month, 202,873 Vehicles Sold This Year) Toyota - Down 5.1% (170,706 Vehicles Sold This Month, 678,528 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volkswagen - Up 4.5% (28,794 Vehicles Sold This Month, 112,746 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volvo - Up 17% (8,333 Vehicles Sold This Month, 28,416 Vehicles Sold This Year) View full article

Mazda Reports April Sales Results IRVINE, Calif., May 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported total April U.S. sales of 23,056 vehicles, representing a decrease of 4.6 percent versus April of last year. Year-to-date (YTD) sales through April are up 14.8 percent versus last year, with 107,051 vehicles sold. With 24 selling days in April 2018, versus 26 the year prior, the company posted an increase of 3.4 percent on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis. Key April sales notes: A mix of the new 2018 Mazda6, now with the option of the SKYACTIV-G 2.5T gasoline turbo engine, and the previous-generation model led to a sales increase of 29.3 percent year-over-year (YOY), with 2,909 vehicles sold in the month of April. Mazda CX-9, Mazda's seven-passenger crossover SUV, finished the month up 0.2 percent YOY, with 2,138 vehicles sold. Sales of the Mazda CX-9 are up 8.5 percent YTD. Sales of Mazda's CX-line remain strong, with CX-3, CX-5 and CX-9 collectively reaching 14,585 vehicles sold in the month of April. This number represents a decrease of 0.2 percent YOY, and an increase of 8.1 percent YTD. Among Mazda CX-line buyers, Mazda's i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive option continues to be a favorite, with 63.0 percent of customers choosing the AWD option in April. Mazda reported Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) sales of 4,090 vehicles in April, marking an increase of 14.7 percent YOY. Month-To-Date Year-To-Date April April % % MTD April April % % YTD 2018 2017 Change DSR 2018 2017 Change DSR Mazda3 4,725 5,980 (21.0)% (14.4)% 24,380 26,586 (8.3)% (8.3)% Mazda5 - 1 - - - 6 (100.0)% (100.0)% Mazda6 2,909 2,249 29.3% 40.1% 10,441 12,941 (19.3)% (19.3)% MX-5 Miata 837 1,319 (36.5)% (31.3)% 2,803 4,701 (40.4)% (40.4)% CX-3 1,135 1,147 (1.0)% 7.2% 5,472 4,861 12.6% 12.6% CX-5 11,312 11,334 (0.2)% 8.1% 54,129 35,708 51.6% 51.6% CX-9 2,138 2,134 0.2% 8.5% 9,826 8,432 16.5% 16.5% Total Vehicles CARS 8,471 9,549 (11.3)% (3.9)% 37,624 44,234 (14.9)% (14.9)% TRUCKS 14,585 14,615 (0.2)% 8.1% 69,427 49,001 41.7% 41.7% TOTAL 23,056 24,164 (4.6)% 3.4% 107,051 93,235 14.8% 14.8% Selling Days 24 26 101 101

F-Series Posts Best April Results In 18 Years While New Expedition Climbs 26 Percent At Retail; New Navigator Retail Sales Jump 135 Percent

FCA US Reports 2018 April Sales Jeep® brand reports record April sales, up 20 percent Jeep Wrangler reports highest month of sales ever, up 58 percent Ram brand notches highest April retail sales ever, up 3 percent May 1, 2018 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC today reported sales of 184,149 vehicles, a 5 percent increase compared with sales in April 2017 of 176,176 vehicles. Overall sales were pushed by the Jeep® brand which reported record sales for April. Retail sales came in at 143,995 vehicles, down only 1 percent despite April having two fewer selling days and one less weekend compared with April 2017. Fleet accounted for 22 percent of total sales. Jeep Brand The Jeep brand total sales rose in April to 82,641 vehicles, eclipsing the record of 82,537 vehicles in April 2016. The Jeep Wrangler once again led the portfolio as the nameplate posted a new monthly sales record of 29,776 vehicles. April was also the second consecutive month of record sales for the Wrangler. Jeep Compass sales more than tripled to 11,521 vehicles. Ram Truck Brand Ram Truck brand sales declined 9 percent to 43,074 vehicles compared with the previous year. However, the brand reported its best April of retail sales ever with 36,560 vehicles sold, outpacing the last record of 35,558 set in April 2017. Chrysler Brand Chrysler brand total sales fell 18 percent in April to 14,189 vehicles compared with the same month a year ago. The Chrysler Pacifica minivan posted a 5 percent retail sales increase to 7,864 vehicles. Dodge Brand Dodge brand total sales rose 4 percent to 40,994 with the Dodge Journey setting a new April record as sales climbed 39 percent to 11,638 vehicles. FIAT Brand Sales of Fiat vehicles declined 45 percent to 1,404 vehicles. Alfa Romeo Brand Alfa Romeo brand sales of 1,847 vehicles were up significantly compared with the same month a year ago. Giulia led the brand with 1,123 vehicle sales followed by Stelvio at 702 vehicles.

Land Rover is planning an onslaught of new models. The company has already revealed the limited-run Range Rover SV Coupe and is expected to debut the next-generation Defender in the near future, which could include a pickup. There is talk about three new entry-level models joining the lineup. Autocar reports that plans for these entry-level model came to light in 2014, but have been shelved and revived within the past few years due to concerns about making a profit. The concerns are still there, but Land Rover is reportedly moving forward with the plans as growth is continuing in the segment. Plans still need to be signed off by the top executives, however. If approved, the first of this trio is expected to arrive in 2021. But it is unclear which model lineup - leisure, luxury, or utility it will appear in. Leisure: Expected to sit below the Discovery Sport. Could wear the Freelander nameplate which was last used in 2014. Luxury: Expected to sit under the Evoque. The Range Rover family has been the one where Land Rover introduces the brand into a new segment. Utility: Entry-level model for the Defender family. Out of the three, the leisure model has the greatest appeal as it would fill in "an obvious gap" in Land Rover's lineup. The compact Defender has some supporters with Land Rover's executives to be first as the company is wanting to build out a family of Defender variants. Whether Land Rover decides to go with one or all three, the platform will be a re-engineered version of the D8 platform known as D10. D8 underpins a number of models including the Discovery Sport and Evoque. Source: Autocar View full article

Ford's decision to drop most of their passenger car lineup last week is still sending shockwaves, and likely causing various automakers to have discussions about if they should follow in their footsteps. One automaker that will not be following Ford is Volkswagen. “We are intending to be a full line car manufacturer,” said Volkswagen of America CEO Hinrich Woebcken. The reason as to why? Electric Vehicles. “The question of whether electric mobility will favor sedans or SUVs hasn’t been answered yet. When you’re talking about electric cars, sedans have more advantages. The shape and the [drag coefficient] has a high effect on range. Therefore, we’ll maybe see a higher sedan share on full electric cars than with conventional cars,” said Woebcken. Aside from EVs, Volkswagen still sees sedans as an important key to their U.S. plans. The new Jetta and Arteon will be arriving in dealers very soon, and a new Passat is expected to debut next year. That said, Woebcken says crossovers will become a big part of Volkswagen's U.S. Current plans have the automaker launching at least two new crossovers over the next few years. “The shift from sedans to SUVs is a permanent one. In former times, when gas prices went up people moved back to sedans. We believe this will not happen anymore for two reasons. First, the difference in fuel economy between SUVs and sedans is not so big anymore. Second, customers do not want to give up the high seating position. I believe that trend will not reverse.” Source: Digital Trends View full article

It has been a rough start for the 2019 Ram 1500 production line. FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne said on an earnings call last week that the Sterling Heights Assembly plant, home to the 2019 model is only operating at 60 percent of where the company wants it to be. Automotive News learned from sources at the FCA and suppliers that the plant was building around 1,000 trucks per day last week. "That's not where we need to be. We allowed enough time in 2017 to get that installation up, but it's proven to be challenging," said Marchionne. Why the low production rate? A union source explained there are a few reasons. One is that suppliers are having a difficult time with providing parts for two-generations of the Ram 1500 - FCA is planning on building the last-generation model to help keep sales up while production ramps up on the next-generation 1500. The Sterling Heights' plant is also undergoing construction for the 2019 Ram 1500, which cuts the number of trucks that can be built. Also, the union source said that some workers still lack proper training on building the new model. Another source said that more than 2,500 2019 Ram 1500s were sitting in holding areas due to an electrical issue. Once fixed, the trucks will be shipped out to dealers. Getting production up and running for the 2019 Ram 1500 is important for FCA. Marchionne said it and the redesigned Jeep Wrangler need smooth launches if the company wants to achieve its financial goals for this year. To this end, the company is planning on spending more than $300 million to get the production ramp-up back on track. Automotive News also obtained a revised production calendar from March that indicates FCA will run the Sterling Heights plant every weekend and holiday through Labor Day. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

Funny you say that as the G80 Sport I had only a few weeks finally got Apple CarPlay. Why the smaller car gets it before their flagship is still causing me to scratch my head.

Volkswagen has made their plans clear of introducing a number of full electric vehicles beginning with the I.D. next year. But the company is also planning to electrify a number of models beginning with the next-generation Golf. This week at the International Vienna Motor Symposium, Volkswagen unveiled a 48-volt mild hybrid system currently under development for the Mk. 8 Golf. The system is comprised of a 48-volt belt-integrated starter generator and a 48-volt battery. This will allow for an enhanced stop-start system, brake regeneration, and engine-off coasting. Volkswagen made specific mention of the last feature as it would save 0.3 liters of gas over 100 kilometers - not a lot, but every little bit helps. “Electrifying conventional drives will enable us to further reduce consumption and emissions while also increasing dynamics and convenience. We are starting this extensive electrification campaign with Volkswagen’s best-selling vehicle to date – the Golf. Our newly developed, cost-effective 48-V mild hybrid will pave the way for introducing this type of technology to the mainstream,” said Volkswagen's Member of the Board of Management for VW Passenger Cars, Dr. Frank Welsch. It is expected that Volkswagen will reveal the Mk.8 Golf sometime next year. Source: Volkswagen Volkswagen to offer electrified versions of its models Extensive hybrid programme for the next Golf is the starting point for the comprehensive electrification of conventional drives New 48-V mild hybrid is the first step into the world of efficient electrified models 48-V starter generator is a versatile all-rounder Volkswagen is to launch an electric version of its globally best-selling vehicle – the Volkswagen Golf, offering a sustainable, efficient and powerful alternative. The introduction of innovative, new hybrid systems in the eighth generation of Golf vehicles marks a new era for the brand with regard to drive technology. In the future, Volkswagen will gradually electrify almost every vehicle in its range of models. The company is offering a first look at the future of electrified drive systems as part of the International Vienna Motor Symposium – one of the world’s most important congresses on the automotive technology of today and the future. “Electrifying conventional drives will enable us to further reduce consumption and emissions while also increasing dynamics and convenience”, says Dr Frank Welsch, Member of the Board of Management for Volkswagen Passenger Cars with responsibility for Technical Development. Welsch continues: “We are starting this extensive electrification campaign with Volkswagen’s best-selling vehicle to date – the Golf. Our newly developed, cost-effective 48-V mild hybrid will pave the way for introducing this type of technology to the mainstream”. Volkswagen will combine the combustion engine with a 48-V belt-integrated starter generator and a 48-V battery. This sustainable combination represents the gateway to the future of Volkswagen hybrid models. The 48-V mild hybrid makes it possible to “coast” with the combustion engine completely switched off, thereby saving up to 0.3 litres of fuel over 100 kilometres. Moreover, this mild-hybrid solution offers much improved dynamics and convenience as a result of providing an electric boost upon start-up. The science behind 48-V technology 48-V technology represents a new chapter in engine design, enabling drives to be electrified in a cost-efficient manner. The 48-V system will be used in vehicles in addition to the well-known 12-V system. In the case of very small wire cross-sections and a lightweight wiring harness, the 48-V system enables a considerably higher amount of energy to be saved than the 12-V system, e.g. via recuperation when the vehicle brakes. This high level of voltage enables a number of operations, including the actuation of the 48-V belt-integrated starter generator. The starter-generator is a true all-rounder. On the one hand, the generator performs the role of alternator and starter. At the same time, it functions as a small, lightweight electric motor that immediately increases drive torque upon start-up by means of an electric boost. The power of the generator is transferred via a belt. The generator also starts the combustion engine – which is switched off as much as possible while the vehicle is moving – in a barely perceptible way. Another versatile element is the 48-V lithium-ion battery. The battery is supplied with energy during a number of operations, including recuperation – i.e. when the vehicle slows down. The starter generator receives the necessary voltage via the battery and the 12-V power supply receives the required voltage via the “DC/DC converter”. Welsch continues: “The basic interaction of different energy sources – electricity, petrol, diesel and natural gas – represents a paradigm shift at Volkswagen. For the first time, the company will simultaneously offer product lines such as the Golf with conventional, electrically assisted drives as well as product lines such as the I.D. with purely electrical drives in the future”. This will result in the product lines diverging into two branches which are nevertheless equal. This new product strategy will come into play for the first time from 2019 onwards with the launch of the next generation of the Golf and the first I.D. – two compact Volkswagen vehicles with completely separate technical concepts as well as clearly different design make-ups. With these two product lines, Volkswagen is seizing the opportunity to democratise the electrification of vehicles. View full article

Re-reading through that story, I got the indication that it would be part of mid-cycle refresh or something.

Ever since Ford announced that it would cutting most of their passenger car lineup, questions arose as to what would happen to the subsequent Lincoln models. The Contiental and MKZ share platforms with Ford models that will be cut - Fusion and Taurus. Thankfully, we have gotten an answer to this. A Lincoln spokesperson told Automobile Magazine they are "committed" to both the Contiental and MKZ. No other information was provided. But there arises the question as to how long Lincoln is "committed" to both models. The MKZ has seen sales decline from 34,009 in 2014 (the year it was redesigned) to 27,387 units last year. The Continental hasn't been faring any better with only 12,012 units sold in 2017. The Cadillac XTS outsold it by 4,263 units. As we reported last month in the rumorpile, plans for a next-generation Continental have been canned. Source: Automobile Magazine View full article

When you’re buying a luxury flagship sedan, you are making a statement to the world. Drive an S-Class, 7-Series, XJ, or other sedans and the impressions can range from being someone important to just having a lot of money. But for some people, they don’t want their luxury sedan to make itself known to the world. They want to enjoy the features available on their sedan, but without making so much noise. That’s where the Genesis G90 could make some inroads. Part of Hyundai’s new luxury brand, the G90 has its sights set on the stalwarts of the flagship luxury class by offering many of the features and luxury appointments found in them at a very low price. We spent a week in a G90 Premium to see if this ploy could work. Genesis has injected a bit of style into the G90’s design. The key traits are a distinctive character line running the whole length of the vehicle and fenders that bulge out slightly. The rear end is slightly boring. However, the G90’s front end doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the design. The flat nose and large grille borrowed from the smaller G80 seems a bit out of place. Step inside and the G90 seems to have the design and materials nailed down. It is quite handsome with a simple dash design, genuine wood trim, and a mix of Nappa leather and soft-touch plastics. But take a longer look and you begin to notice some glaring issues. The steering wheel is a good example as it doesn't feel like it is covered in leather. Instead, it feels like textured vinyl. This is odd since a couple of months after the G90, I spent some time in the G80 Sport and found the steering wheel to feel like leather. Another issue is the center stack's button and knobs which appear to be borrowed from Hyundai’s parts bin. I’ll admit I’m nitpicking, but it's the little things that can make or break a flagship luxury sedan. Settling in the G90, you cannot help but be impressed by the front seats. Upholstered in Nappa leather, the seats offer the right mix of cushioning and support for long drives. The driver’s seat comes with 22-way power adjustments, while the passenger has to make do with 16-way power adjustments. One nice touch is the seat moving back whenever the door is open to allow for easier entry and exit from the vehicle. Those sitting in the back will have no complaints as there is a large amount of head and legroom on offer. A folding armrest has controls for climate control, audio, and heated seats. Ultimate models add more luxuries such as power adjustments and a rear-seat entertainment system. A large 12.3-inch screen houses Genesis’ infotainment system. This is controlled through either a controller knob on the center console or a set of buttons below the screen. Using the system is a breeze thanks to an easy to understand interface and the various control methods on offer. The screen is vibrant and allows you to have two functions up at the same time - having audio on one side and the navigation on the other. There are some areas Genesis can improve on. For one, the G90 doesn’t offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility - something most of the competition does. Also, it would be nice to have more than two USB ports - one in the front and the other in the rear - so that people are not fighting over who gets to charge their phone. Genesis offers two engines on the G90. Our base Premium tester came with the 3.3L twin-turbo V6 with 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. The uplevel Ultimate features the 5.0L V8 with 420 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic is equipped with either engine and there is a choice of rear-wheel or HTRAC all-wheel drive - our test car had the latter. Unless you want the rumble of the V8, the twin-turbo V6 is the engine to go for. For one, the V6 feels just as fast as the V8. Outlets who have timed both say the V6 can match the V8 in 0-60 mph. Plus, the V6 feels more eager to accelerate thanks to torque arriving at 1,300 rpm. The eight-speed automatic delivers smooth shifts and doesn’t show any hesitation to downshift when more power is needed. EPA fuel economy figures for the 2018 G90 3.3T HTRAC AWD stand at 17 City/24 Highway/20 Combined. My average for the week landed around 20.2 mpg. The G90’s ride is similar to big 70’s Buick or Cadillac, soft and pillowy thanks to the standard adaptive dampers. Even with the G90 set in Sport mode, the dampers were still able to keep road imperfections at bay. In terms of noise isolation, the G90 is towards the top. Road and engine noise are nonexistent inside. Only a little wind noise is noticeable. This makes the G90 a perfect car to take a long road trip. The trade-off to the soft ride is a fair amount of body roll in corners, even in the sport mode. Steering is light, but has a precise feel. If you’re looking for a luxury sedan that is a bit fun on a winding road, we are happy to point you in the direction of a Cadillac CT6 or Jaguar XJ. The 2018 Genesis G90 significantly undercuts the competition when it comes to price. Our Premium tester came with a base price of $70,850 with the HTRAC AWD system. Add a $975.00 destination charge to get our as-tested price of $71,825. Considering that includes the 12.3-inch infotainment system, three-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and surround view camera system, it makes the G90 very much a steal. The Genesis G90 may not shout out its intention of being a flagship sedan, but it goes about its business quietly. It delivers the smooth ride, long list of equipment, and understated looks a number of folks are looking for. The punchy twin-turbo V6 and low price are just the cherries on top. However, the G90 does cut some corners in terms of the materials. Considering the competition that the G90 is going up against, this is a big black mark for an otherwise excellent sedan. As they say, the devil is in the details. Disclaimer: Genesis Provided the G90 Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2018 Make: Genesis Model: G90 Trim: 3.3T Premium HTRAC Engine: 3.3L Twin-Turbo DOHC 24-Valve V6 Driveline: Eight-Speed Automatic, All-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 365 @ 6,000 Torque @ RPM: 376 @ 1,300 - 4,500 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 17/24/20 Curb Weight: 4,784 lbs Location of Manufacture: Ulsan, South Korea Base Price: $70,850 As Tested Price: $71,825 (Includes $975.00 Destination Charge) Options: N/A View full article