Category: Auto XPRT Speaks…

An annual pilgrimage for the auto industry is to attend the press days at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit each January. Unfortunately, this year I cannot attend because my physicians caution that I should not be heaving carry-ons into and out of overhead bins and baggage carousels. So, I'm jealous.

Think Audi A3, BMW 1-Series and Volvo C30 and you can better understand the competitive set Lexus is targeting with its all new CT200h 5-door hatchback to be launched in February 2011. Also think of the CT200h as a product really designed for the European market where it is right-sized and right-styled. The competitive set in the USA sells less than 1,500 units per month now - or about 18,000 per year - small potatoes in a 12,000,000 unit industry. Lexus is going after 1,000 units per month - immediately intending capturing 40% of this small segment. Can they do it?

AutoPacific's Research Suite database that annually collects the opinions of over 30,000 buyers of new cars and light trucks asked which of 27 brands a new owner would buy from. The results from AutoPacific's Consumer Brands Study clearly show the interrelationship between owners of auto brands and buyers of twenty-seven consumer brands like Walmart, Lowe's, Apple, Sony, Hugo Boss, Costco, McDonalds and more.

The industry can look forward to year-on-year recovery over AutoPacific's five-year forecast period, but at a relatively gradual pace. In the near term, AutoPacific forecasts industry volume of 11.4 million units in 2010 as the economy slowly heals but also as unemployment hampers faster industry sales recovery.

What can we expect from Gen Y? In many ways, Generation Y is following in the footsteps of their Baby Boomer parents, but more extreme. AutoPacific's "The Generation Y Opportunity" details current Generation Y new car buyers and the future market.

AutoPacific looks at the potential for small cars in the States--and what those products will need to offer to be successful.

On July 24, 2009 new car dealers in the United States began accepting trade-ins of older vehicles not worth much for new cars. Based on their fuel economy and the fuel economy of the new vehicle purchased, customers received a voucher for $3,500 or $4,500 to apply to the purchase of a new car or light truck.

General Motors' June 1 bankruptcy declaration was quickly followed by the announced sale of Hummer to China's Sichuan Tengzhou Industrial Machinery Corporation (June 2) and Saturn to Roger Penske's Penske Automotive Group (June 5).

General Motors' June 1 bankruptcy declaration was quickly followed by the announced sale of Hummer to China's Sichuan Tengzhou Industrial Machinery Corporation (June 2) and Saturn to Roger Penske's Penske Automotive Group (June 5).

AutoPacific has a new category in its Vehicle Satisfaction Awards - the Rising Star. This is the brand that has moved upwards the most in its rankings in the VSA results. Hyundai climbed eleven positions to win the award in this new category.