2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Toyota’s using recycled robots, and is planning to revive the Supra nameplate. Mercedes-Benz is launching the SLS AMG Roadster and we take it for a spin–and the Jensen Interceptor might be coming back in 2014. All this and more in today’s car news, right here at TheCarConnection:

Toyota reused robots to help lower the cost of the 2012 Camry.

We hear the Toyota Supra will return in 2014. Hopefully it won’t turn out to be an endless tease like the FT-86.

The BMW ActiveHybrid X6 and Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid are both dead.

GM is going to develop electric cars in China with longtime partner SAIC.

Broken parking meters in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, are too expensive to fix.

A new Jensen Interceptor is supposedly due in 2014. We’ll believe it when we see it.

Governor Deval Patrick kicks off Car-Free-Week by being driven to work in a Chevrolet Tahoe.

We take the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster for a ride and find we don’t miss the gullwings.

The 2011 Chevrolet Equinox gets better fuel economy thanks to anti-noise technology.

For once, it’s not the politicians leaving a mess in Washington, D.C.

2011 Nissan Quest

Enlarge Photo

With the numbers rolling in from major automakers today, it’s difficult to not see progress in August 2011’s car sales figures versus those posted in July–but still, the overall trend is slow, slow, slow.

According to market analysts at J.D. Power, the seasonally adjusted seling rate (SAAR) for August 2011 totaled 9.9 million retail units, a slight improvement over figures for July, but well off the 11-million-unit rate seen in February.

When fleet sales are factored in, the 12.1-million-unit SAAR actually fell a fraction of a percent versus July.

Economic frustration continues to keep car shoppers away from dealerships, Power’s director of global forecasting Jeff Schuster says. “There is little question that a strong level of pent-up demand exists, but economic and financial uncertainty is keeping it from being released.”

For the year, Power expects a total of 10.2 million retail vehicle sales, and 12.6 million units including fleet sales.

Which brands posted increases on the month, and which have more warning signs to read as economic recovery fails to gain steam? The results by automaker, with some still to come:  

General Motors: GM (NYSE: GM) posted August sales of 218,479 vehicles, for an 18-percent boost. Chevrolet’s winners included the Cruze and Equinox, while GMC’s Terrain was up 88 percent. Buick had its 23rd consecutive sales increase, year over year, and the Regal posted sales double those of last August.

Ford: Ford (NYSE: F) sales of 175,220 were an increase of 11 percent over August 2010. Ford-brand sales rose 16 percent, while Lincoln pulled out of last month’s swoon for a 25-percent increase. The Explorer continued its sales rehabilitation, with numbers up 300 percent from August 2010.

Chrysler: Chrysler sales of 130,119 units translated into a 31-percent increase over last year. Jeep sales were up 58 percent; Fiat had its best sales month yet. Big movers included the Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, and the Dodge Durango.

Toyota / Lexus: Toyota sales fell 16.1 percent, on total volume of 129,483 vehicles. The Toyota division was down 16.9 percent, while Lexus sales dropped 10.6 percent.

Honda / Acura: Honda says its August 2011 sales results still were affected by the March earthquake in Japan. The company sold 73,267 Honda-brand cars, off 21.2 percent from a year ago, and Acura’s sales of 9,054 units were a drop of 24.5 percent. Total sales of 82,321 vehicles represented a decrease of 27.2 percent.

Nissan / Infiniti: Nissan said its August 2011 sales totaled 91,541 units, for a 19.2-percent increase. Infiniti’s numbers actually were down 4.3 percent, but Nissan-branded cars sold 22.4 percent better than in August 2010. The Leaf electric car topped 1,362 sales, and the Rogue had its best month ever, while the mid-size Altima lineup saw sales rise almost 25 percent over a year ago.

Hyundai: Hyundai CEO John Krafcik says, via Twitter: “August sales? Up 9% over last year to 58,505.” 

Kia: Kia had its best August ever, with total sales of 41,188 vehicles, for a 26.9-percent increase.

Volkswagen: VW continued its sales streak with a 10.4-percent climb; it’s up almost 21 percent on the year. Jetta sales rose 55.5 percent, while the Touareg climbed 140 percent. Diesels continue to account for about a quarter of all Volkswagen sales in the U.S.

BMW / MINI: BMW says combined sales of BMW and MINI vehicles in August fell a slight 0.2 percent to 23,924 units. Sales of BMW-brand vehicles were up 6.5 percent to 20,815 units; MINI was down 29.7 percent to 3,109 units. For the year, the combined business is up 14.6 percent.

2011 Nissan Quest

Enlarge Photo

With the numbers rolling in from major automakers today, it’s difficult to not see progress in August 2011’s car sales figures versus those posted in July–but still, the overall trend is slow, slow, slow.

According to market analysts at J.D. Power, the seasonally adjusted seling rate (SAAR) for August 2011 totaled 9.9 million retail units, a slight improvement over figures for July, but well off the 11-million-unit rate seen in February.

When fleet sales are factored in, the 12.1-million-unit SAAR actually fell a fraction of a percent versus July.

Economic frustration continues to keep car shoppers away from dealerships, Power’s director of global forecasting Jeff Schuster says. “There is little question that a strong level of pent-up demand exists, but economic and financial uncertainty is keeping it from being released.”

For the year, Power expects a total of 10.2 million retail vehicle sales, and 12.6 million units including fleet sales.

Which brands posted increases on the month, and which have more warning signs to read as economic recovery fails to gain steam? The results by automaker, with some still to come:  

General Motors: GM (NYSE: GM) posted August sales of 218,479 vehicles, for an 18-percent boost. Chevrolet’s winners included the Cruze and Equinox, while GMC’s Terrain was up 88 percent. Buick had its 23rd consecutive sales increase, year over year, and the Regal posted sales double those of last August.

Ford: Ford (NYSE: F) sales of 175,220 were an increase of 11 percent over August 2010. Ford-brand sales rose 16 percent, while Lincoln pulled out of last month’s swoon for a 25-percent increase. The Explorer continued its sales rehabilitation, with numbers up 300 percent from August 2010.

Chrysler: Chrysler sales of 130,119 units translated into a 31-percent increase over last year. Jeep sales were up 58 percent; Fiat had its best sales month yet. Big movers included the Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, and the Dodge Durango.

Toyota / Lexus: Toyota sales fell 16.1 percent, on total volume of 129,483 vehicles. The Toyota division was down 16.9 percent, while Lexus sales dropped 10.6 percent.

Honda / Acura: Honda says its August 2011 sales results still were affected by the March earthquake in Japan. The company sold 73,267 Honda-brand cars, off 21.2 percent from a year ago, and Acura’s sales of 9,054 units were a drop of 24.5 percent. Total sales of 82,321 vehicles represented a decrease of 27.2 percent.

Nissan / Infiniti: Nissan said its August 2011 sales totaled 91,541 units, for a 19.2-percent increase. Infiniti’s numbers actually were down 4.3 percent, but Nissan-branded cars sold 22.4 percent better than in August 2010. The Leaf electric car topped 1,362 sales, and the Rogue had its best month ever, while the mid-size Altima lineup saw sales rise almost 25 percent over a year ago.

Hyundai: Hyundai CEO John Krafcik says, via Twitter: “August sales? Up 9% over last year to 58,505.” 

Kia: Kia had its best August ever, with total sales of 41,188 vehicles, for a 26.9-percent increase.

Volkswagen: VW continued its sales streak with a 10.4-percent climb; it’s up almost 21 percent on the year. Jetta sales rose 55.5 percent, while the Touareg climbed 140 percent. Diesels continue to account for about a quarter of all Volkswagen sales in the U.S.

BMW / MINI: BMW says combined sales of BMW and MINI vehicles in August fell a slight 0.2 percent to 23,924 units. Sales of BMW-brand vehicles were up 6.5 percent to 20,815 units; MINI was down 29.7 percent to 3,109 units. For the year, the combined business is up 14.6 percent.

2011 Nissan Quest

Enlarge Photo

With the numbers rolling in from major automakers today, it’s difficult to not see progress in August 2011’s car sales figures versus those posted in July–but still, the overall trend is slow, slow, slow.

According to market analysts at J.D. Power, the seasonally adjusted seling rate (SAAR) for August 2011 totaled 9.9 million retail units, a slight improvement over figures for July, but well off the 11-million-unit rate seen in February.

When fleet sales are factored in, the 12.1-million-unit SAAR actually fell a fraction of a percent versus July.

Economic frustration continues to keep car shoppers away from dealerships, Power’s director of global forecasting Jeff Schuster says. “There is little question that a strong level of pent-up demand exists, but economic and financial uncertainty is keeping it from being released.”

For the year, Power expects a total of 10.2 million retail vehicle sales, and 12.6 million units including fleet sales.

Which brands posted increases on the month, and which have more warning signs to read as economic recovery fails to gain steam? The results by automaker, with some still to come:  

General Motors: GM (NYSE: GM) posted August sales of 218,479 vehicles, for an 18-percent boost. Chevrolet’s winners included the Cruze and Equinox, while GMC’s Terrain was up 88 percent. Buick had its 23rd consecutive sales increase, year over year, and the Regal posted sales double those of last August.

Ford: Ford (NYSE: F) sales of 175,220 were an increase of 11 percent over August 2010. Ford-brand sales rose 16 percent, while Lincoln pulled out of last month’s swoon for a 25-percent increase. The Explorer continued its sales rehabilitation, with numbers up 300 percent from August 2010.

Chrysler: Chrysler sales of 130,119 units translated into a 31-percent increase over last year. Jeep sales were up 58 percent; Fiat had its best sales month yet. Big movers included the Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, and the Dodge Durango.

Toyota / Lexus: Toyota sales fell 16.1 percent, on total volume of 129,483 vehicles. The Toyota division was down 16.9 percent, while Lexus sales dropped 10.6 percent.

Honda / Acura: Honda says its August 2011 sales results still were affected by the March earthquake in Japan. The company sold 73,267 Honda-brand cars, off 21.2 percent from a year ago, and Acura’s sales of 9,054 units were a drop of 24.5 percent. Total sales of 82,321 vehicles represented a decrease of 27.2 percent.

Nissan / Infiniti: Nissan said its August 2011 sales totaled 91,541 units, for a 19.2-percent increase. Infiniti’s numbers actually were down 4.3 percent, but Nissan-branded cars sold 22.4 percent better than in August 2010. The Leaf electric car topped 1,362 sales, and the Rogue had its best month ever, while the mid-size Altima lineup saw sales rise almost 25 percent over a year ago.

Hyundai: Hyundai CEO John Krafcik says, via Twitter: “August sales? Up 9% over last year to 58,505.” 

Kia: Kia had its best August ever, with total sales of 41,188 vehicles, for a 26.9-percent increase.

Volkswagen: VW continued its sales streak with a 10.4-percent climb; it’s up almost 21 percent on the year. Jetta sales rose 55.5 percent, while the Touareg climbed 140 percent. Diesels continue to account for about a quarter of all Volkswagen sales in the U.S.

BMW / MINI: BMW says combined sales of BMW and MINI vehicles in August fell a slight 0.2 percent to 23,924 units. Sales of BMW-brand vehicles were up 6.5 percent to 20,815 units; MINI was down 29.7 percent to 3,109 units. For the year, the combined business is up 14.6 percent.