Determined few keep up Mercury fight with Ford

More than two years after Ford Motor Co. announced it was killing the Mercury brand, some dealers are still fighting with the automaker over termination offers.

Ford says roughly 99 percent of the 1,712 Mercury dealerships in business at the time of Ford's June 2010 Mercury announcement have signed termination agreements. That's an increase from 98 percent last July, when 31 dealerships were unresolved.

Ford won't say precisely how many dealerships remain unsigned, describing it as "just a handful in some version of dispute resolution with the company."

"We're down to the last few, and we're just anxious to move forward," said Kevin Cour, Lincoln's sales and service manager.

The group of dealers battling Ford over what they describe as low-ball settlement offers continues to shrink. Three of at least four federal lawsuits filed against Ford as of last summer have been settled. The most recent resolution occurred in May, when Francis Scott Key L-M Inc. in Frederick, Md., agreed to settle.

Pete Adcock, owner of Francis Scott Key, confirmed a settlement but said he couldn't talk about it because of a confidentiality agreement.


Determined few keep up Mercury fight with Ford

Carmakers set high production targets

Japan's major carmakers believe passenger vehicle production will reach an all-time high this fiscal year, boosted by output in emerging markets.
Production plans already in place will see over 26m vehicles rolled off assembly lines in the 12 months to the end of March 2013, up 16% from the previous year. Assembly is ramping up in markets such as China, India and Mexico.
All of Japan’s manufacturers, with the exception of Mitsubishi, plan to build more vehicles than in fiscal 2007, when they produced a record 23.2m units.
Toyota plans to produce 8.7m vehicles with the start of production of the Corolla at a new joint venture factory in China. In southeast Asia, the company is boosting output of models like the Fortuner SUV and is also increasing production of the Aqua (Prius C) hybrid in Japan. Carmakers set high production targets

GM plans to revive Electra badge

Automotive business news :  General Motors has applied to register Electra as a trademark, according to the database of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
The company had two previous Electra trademarks associated with the Buick division that expired. The first trademark dates from 1967 and the second was issued in 1989.
The new application was filed June 5. GM said in the application that it plans to use the mark with automobiles.
Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20120618/OEM04/120619873#ixzz1yERrgaOlGM plans to revive Electra badge

Kia unveils upgraded Sorento CUV - Automotive Business Review

The South Korean automaker Kia motors has unveiled the modified version of the Sorento crossover utility vehicle (CUV), prior to its debut at 2012 Paris Motor Show in September.


For the 2013 model year, the weight of Kia Sorento has been reduced by 100 kg from its earlier weight and its maneuverability has also been improved.

Kia unveils upgraded Sorento CUV - Automotive Business Review

Mazda CX-5 Priced Rp477 million in Malaysia

Automotive Business News - Mazda ready to launch a variant of the all-newcrossover CX-5 in Malaysia. In the State Jiran Mazda CX-5 will be priced starting from 159.5 thousand Ringgit or about Rp477 million.
Mazda had already launched the new CX-5 in English or Japaneseautomotive market. This variant is reaping success in the two markets. Mazda also introduced more interested in developing countries, like Malaysia and Indonesia.
Mazda CX-5 in Malaysia began in the level of the CX-5 standardwith front-wheel drive is priced at Rp477 million. Known, Mazda will spawn four different levels.
Front-wheel drive model variants amplified by Mazda CX-5Individual as the first model, and the CX-5 is priced 160 009 RinggitCompany or Rp478, 7 million. All wheel drive models with a line-upreleased for Individuals 169 760 Ringgit (Rp508 million) and theCompany amounting to 170 284 Ringgit or at Rp509, 5 million.
In the market Malaysia New Mazda CX-5 is reinforced withSKYACTIV-G gasoline engine 2.0 liter. Engine capable of developing a total of 155 horsepower and 200 Nm of torque.Engine combined with an automatic transmission SKYACTIV-Drivesix-speed.

Innova, Fortuner Hilux through five million units


Automotive Business News - Car sales in the category Innovative International Multipurpose Vehicle (IMV) Toyota, the Hilux, Fortuner and Innova, from 2004 to March 2012 exceeded five million units worldwide.

Managing Officer of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Kazuhiro Kobayashi through a press statement received by AFP on Monday, said that TMC makes developing countries as a priority market and product development IMV.

"TMC will increase sales (IMV) in these markets from 40 percent to 50 percent of total product sales worldwide in 2015," he said.

IMV series consists of five vehicles that consists of three models of pickup truck (Hilux), minivan (Innova) and SUV (Fortuner) is marketed in more than 140 countries around the world.

At present, he said, the car type Toyota IMV is produced in 11 countries, including four countries that form the basis of production, namely Thailand, Indonesia, Argentina, and South Africa.

Thailand, he added, to IMV production base for diesel engines and Indonesia a production base for IMV gasoline engine. While the transmission of the car is manufactured in the Philippines and India.

Of the four countries that, the cars are sold to Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania, South America, and Central America, and Middle East.

Based on data from TMC in 2011 Toyota Kijang Innova sales reached 146 thousand units in the country of Asia and the Middle East.

All New Camry hybrid version is available


Jakarta ( Automotive Business News ) - Toyota All New Camry was launched not only to design a more elegant, yet friendly environment with a choice of engines including a hybrid variant.

PT Toyota Astra Motor offers better performance than previous versions but with a cheaper price quote Rp29 million to Rp30 million.

"All New Camry sedan is a dynamic future, supported by a more advanced engine, better performance, and environmentally friendly," said President Director of PT. Toyota Astra Motor, Johnny Darmawan, at the launch of the Toyota All New Camry in Jakarta, Wednesday.

Since its presence in Indonesia in 1998, recorded sales of Camry fantastic and stable as the market leader, with the achievements of 73 percent market share in 2012 or until the month of February has sold more than 20 thousand units.

The presence of all-new Camry is also a first for Toyota in Indonesia pinning Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. The technology is environmentally friendly and more fuel efficient than the conventional product which already exists. Toyota sedan called the product of the future.

Hybrid technology also brings silence when driving, supported by a smooth shift transmission.

Toyota All New Camry 2.5 presents three variants of HV (Hybrid Vehicle), 2.5 V and 2.5 G, the transmission is equipped with a CT system for HV variants and a six-speed sequential for other types.

In addition to better fuel economy 24 percent of the previous Camry, All New Camry is also focused on a higher power by 10 percent.

"In addition to hybrid, the engine itself was developed to be more efficient and more power is good," said Chief Engineer, Mr.Michihiko Sato after the launch.

Sato explained, All New Camry design was developed by Aero Dynamic, which shows the angles are sharper.

"The sides rather sharply so that the air flow more smoothly. That way, the car will run more stable and therefore contributes to the use of more fuel-efficient," he said.

The bottom of the car is also made more flat, it is also designed to not interfere with air flow.

Looks forward, elegant impression is reinforced by front LED display laampu.

When you sign in, luxury Toyota All New Camry was immediate. In real terms, this car is more spacious with a wide range of fittings and luxury features like being in a luxurious lounge.

Behind the front bench seat, there is a grip as the completeness of the passengers. Meanwhile, the surface of the seat that uses a high-class material makes it feel more integrated with the body.

Passenger cabin features top-class entertainment system with two Din Audio Video Navi with Green Edge 8 premium JBL Speakers, Rear Seat Controller features that allow passengers to set different features from the comfort of rear seat passengers to relax while enjoying the company of Rear Seat Relaxation System 3 Zone Air Conditioner.

"Comfort is felt in the car is also suitable for areas that are often plagued by congestion," said Sato.

There are seven shades of colors on offer, the White Pearl, Medium Silver Metallic, Silver Metallic, Beige Metallic, Dark Grey Metallic, Black Mica Attidute and True Blue.
(M047)
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