General Motors and its joint ventures delivered a November record 371,740 vehicles in China.

General Motors and its joint ventures delivered a November record 371,740 vehicles in China, up 7 percent from a year earlier. The Cadillac, Buick and Baojun brands reached all-time monthly highs.

With demand remaining particularly strong for small and midsize passenger cars, SUVs and luxury vehicles, GM’s retail sales in the first 11 months of 2016 grew 8.5 percent on an annual basis to 3,435,788 units – a new high for the period.

“With less than a month to go, we are on track for record sales in 2016,” said GM Executive Vice President and GM China President Matt Tsien. 

“All recently launched products, such as the new-generation Buick GL8 and Baojun 310, have gotten off to a very good start of deliveries.”

Cadillac sales grew more than 50 percent for the fifth consecutive month, surging 70 percent in November to 13,476 units. Sales of the XT5 exceeded 5,200 units while deliveries of the XTS soared 73 percent year over year. This enabled the brand’s annual deliveries in China to reach 100,000 units for the first time in its history.

Buick deliveries in November rose 1.5 percent on an annual basis to 109,495 units. The Excelle GT, its most popular model, sold more than 36,000 units. Sales of the Envision advanced 29 percent from a year earlier to over 24,000 units. Deliveries of the Verano family neared 18,000 units. The new generation of the GL8 family, which includes the first Buick model from the Avenir sub-brand, was introduced last month to build on the success of its predecessors and set a new benchmark for large luxury MPVs.

Chevrolet deliveries rose 2.4 percent year over year to 52,400 units in November. In its second month on the market, the Cavalier generated demand of over 12,000 units. The Malibu, Cruze and Sail families all topped sales of 10,000 units.

Baojun deliveries were 74,779 units last month, which was an increase of 28 percent year over year. Demand for the Baojun 730 MPV was up 30 percent on an annual basis. Baojun 310 hatchback deliveries exceeded 13,900 units in its second full month on the market.

Wuling sold 121,566 units in November, which represented a 0.2 percent decrease on an annual basis but modest growth from a month earlier.

USA - Nissan today announced U.S. pricing for the 2017 Nissan Frontier mid-size pickup truck.

Nissan today announced U.S. pricing for the 2017 Nissan Frontier midsize pickup, which is on sale now at Nissan dealers nationwide. 

The popular Frontier, which has experienced a 47 percent increase in sales this year, has a starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)* of $18,390 USD for the Frontier S King Cab 4x2 I4 5MT. Frontier is an integral part of Nissan's "Year of the Truck," which includes the launch of new or significantly revised 2017 models of TITAN, Armada, Pathfinder and Rogue.

The 2017 Frontier is offered in both King Cab and Crew Cab body styles and in 4x2 and 4x4 driveline configurations, along with a choice of two powerplants: a 4.0-liter DOHC V6 engine rated at 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque or a 152-horsepower 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine (King Cab only). 

Five trim grades are available: Frontier S (4-cylinder and V6), SV, PRO-4X (4x4 only), Desert Runner (4x2 V6 only) and SL (Crew Cab V6 only).

Enhancements for 2017 include the addition of a new S Work Truck Package with spray-in bedliner, bed rail caps, splash guards and rubber floor mats. Frontier S grade also now features a body-color rear bumper (previously chrome).

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices* (MSRP) for the 2017 Nissan Frontier King Cab: 

Model/Drive/Engine/Transmission
Frontier S King Cab 4x2 I4 5MT	$18,390 USD
Frontier S King Cab 4x2 I4 5AT	$22,160 USD
Frontier SV King Cab 4x2 I4 5MT	$22,860 USD
Frontier SV King Cab 4x2 I4 5AT	$23,910 USD
Frontier SV King Cab 4x2 V6 5AT	$24,620 USD
Frontier Desert Runner King Cab 4x2 V6 5AT	$25,200 USD
Frontier SV King Cab 4x4 V6 5AT	$27,320 USD
Frontier PRO-4X King Cab 4x4 V6 5AT	$32,580 USD

Destination and Handling $940 USD

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices* (MSRP) for the 2017 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab: 

Model/Drive/Wheelbase/Engine/Transmission
Frontier S Crew Cab 4x2 SWB V6 6MT	$23,900 USD
Frontier S Crew Cab 4x2 SWB V6 5AT	$24,950 USD
Frontier SV Crew Cab 4x2 SWB V6 5AT	$25,750 USD
Frontier Desert Runner Crew Cab 4x2 SWB V6 5AT	$26,630 USD
Frontier SV Crew Cab 4x2 LWB V6 5AT	$26,470 USD
Frontier SL Crew Cab 4x2 SWB V6 5AT	$32,510 USD
Frontier S Crew Cab 4x4 SWB V6 5AT	$27,650 USD
Frontier SV Crew Cab 4x4 SWB V6 6MT	$29,700 USD
Frontier SV Crew Cab 4x4 SWB V6 5AT	$28,750 USD
Frontier SV Crew Cab 4x4 LWB V6 5AT	$29,170 USD
Frontier PRO-4X Crew Cab 4x4SWB V6 6MT	$32,340 USD
Frontier PRO-4X Crew Cab 4x4 SWB V6 5AT	$33,390 USD
Frontier SL Crew Cab 4x4 SWB V6 5AT	$35,160 USD
Frontier SL Crew Cab 4x4 LWB V6 5AT	$36,410 USD

Destination and Handling $940 USD

USA - Ford Explorer Sport has higher %age of Gen X buyers than all other non-luxury brand midsize SUVs in the USA.

• Ford Explorer Sport has higher percentage of Gen X buyers than all other non-luxury brand midsize SUVs in the United States, according to new vehicle customer study by MaritzCX
• Exclusive Explorer Sport emerges as a favorite for professional Gen-Xers (born 1965-78)
• Average Ford Explorer Sport buyer has household income of $175,000, versus $112,000 for average midsize SUV buyer, study reveals

Professional Gen-Xers don’t always drive SUVs, but when they do they drive Ford Explorer Sport, according to a new vehicle customer study by MaritzCX.

Data from the study shows the vehicle has the highest percentage of Gen X buyers of any non-luxury SUV in the United States, reflecting this group’s preference for exclusivity and performance at a great value. 

With its 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost^® V6 engine mated to a six-speed SelectShift^® automatic transmission, Explorer Sport delivers 365 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 350 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm.

Explorer Sport has grabbed a significant 15 percent of total nameplate sales since its debut in 2014.

Jim Mulcrone, director of research services for MaritzCX, says 23 percent of buyers of other midsize SUVs, on average, are Gen-Xers, but Explorer Sport attracts nearly 40 percent of those born between 1965 and 1978.

“Ford has a very interesting customer with this product, and what’s unusual is that many are buying it without trading anything in,” he says. “Our study shows that while 17 percent of all non-luxury SUV buyers classify themselves as ‘specialty professionals,’ that number is closer to one in four with Explorer Sport. It seems this product is breaking through.”

Peak earning years for members of Generation X are between 47 and 54 years old, and these consumers have a more practical, experiential and family-oriented mindset than baby boomers did at this stage of life, says Sheryl Connelly, Ford manager of global trends and futuring. “Boomers felt the need to display their status in more obvious ways than Gen-Xers do,” she says. “While both groups are hugely important, automakers need to pay special attention to Gen-Xers. Our Explorer Sport fits the profile of the successful member of Generation X.” 

Average household income for a buyer of Explorer Sport is $175,000, versus $112,000 for the average midsize SUV buyer, the study reveals. Mulcrone says Explorer Sport buyers broaden Ford’s base by attracting more affluent consumers, including those who have owned premium brands. Moreover, those Explorer Sport customers who do trade in a vehicle are twice as likely as average midsize SUV buyers – 12 percent versus 6 percent – to trade in a premium one. 

“When consumers look at Explorer Sport, they see all the style and performance of a luxury SUV, but at roughly $20,000 less,” says Omar Odeh, Ford Explorer marketing manager. “Our surveys show Explorer Sport owners highly rate such attributes as ‘power and pick-up,’ ‘fun to drive’ and ‘overall performance.’ The best part is they represent incremental buyers for us, in that some don’t even set out looking at the Ford brand. Explorer Sport is proving it can stand on its own.”

USA - Three Nissan models have scored favorably in their respective segments in the just released J.D. Power Study.

• All-new Nissan Titan XD named most appealing Large Light Duty pickup
• Redesigned Maxima takes top spot in Large Car segment
• Refreshed Nissan Altima finishes in top 3 among Midsize Car competitors
• Nissan safety, convenience and connectivity technologies rate well with customers

Three Nissan models have scored favorably in their respective segments in the just released J.D. Power 2015 U.S. Automotive, Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) ^SM Study – with the all-new 2016 Nissan Titan XD taking honors in the Large Light Duty Pickup segment, the new Maxima topping the Large Car segment and the refreshed Altima ranked number two among Midsize Car competitors.

The Titan scored 867 points to dominate its class, while the Maxima tallied 857 points. The 2016 Altima, Nissan's best-selling vehicle, with 824 points, was up seven points from last year. Overall, the industry average score was up three points to 801 in 2016. Murano and Sentra scored well at 831 and 814 points, respectively, but lacked sample size in this year’s survey to qualify in their segments from J.D. Power.

"It is gratifying to see three vehicles that are either all-new or redesigned receive such high marks from customers," said Christian Meunier, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing and Operations, U.S.A., Nissan North America, Inc. “And along with our best-selling sedans and crossovers, Nissan is providing more options as we launch the ‘Year of the Truck’ with our all-new TITAN and TITAN XD trucks.”

The annual APEAL Study, now in its 21^st year, surveys purchasers and lessees of new vehicles, giving owners a platform to evaluate their cars, trucks and SUVs across 77 specific attributes. The results are combined into an overall APEAL score measured on a 1,000-point scale. The study found that some features, such as blind spot warning and parking assist systems, substantially improved owners' sense of security – and satisfaction – with their vehicles. Nissan continues to offer a range of ‘Safety Shield’ technologies, as well as convenience and connectivity system technologies across a wide application of vehicles and trim levels including:

• Predictive Forward Collision Warning
• Forward Emergency Braking
• Blind Spot Warning
• Driver Attention Alert*
• Around View® Monitor with Moving Object Detection
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• NissanConnect
• Advanced Drive-Assist™ Display

The 2016 Passat has taken the Top Honours on Cars.Com Mid-sized Sedan Challenge.

Fun-to-drive nature of Volkswagen’s family sedan puts it ahead of the midsize pack

Volkswagen of America, Inc. is pleased to announce today that the new 2016 Volkswagen Passat has taken top honors in Cars.com’s Midsize Sedan Challenge. Put to the test against eight of the most popular 2016 models, the Passat won judges’ hearts with its spaciousness, safety, available VW Car-Net® App-Connect technology, and most of all, its fun-to-drive nature.

To make it into the 2016 Midsize Sedan Challenge, each vehicle had to have an automatic transmission, have an EPA estimate of at least 28 mpg combined and have a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of less than $28,000. Vehicles were evaluated by a panel of expert judges and an Atlanta couple in the market for a new sedan on a 220-mile road course looking at overall ride, acceleration, handling, braking, features, cargo space, technology and more.

The tests resulted in the following ranking:

1. 2016 Volkswagen Passat
2. 2016 Kia Optima
3. 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
4. 2016 Hyundai Sonata
5. 2016 Honda Accord
6. 2016 Subaru Legacy
7. 2016 Toyota Camry
8. 2016 Mazda6
9. 2016 Nissan Altima

“We are thrilled for the Passat to be named Best Midsize Sedan by Cars.com against such formidable competition,” said Hinrich J. Woebcken, President & CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. 

“The Passat offers the perfect combination of sophisticated styling, outstanding App-Connect technology, and the great driving dynamics that Volkswagen is known for, making it an outstanding consumer value.”

“The Passat came in first place with both our expert judges and in-market shoppers,” said Patrick Olsen, Cars.com’s editor-in-chief. “This midsize sedan is a refreshed version of the Passat that won Cars.com’s Best of 2012 award; it’s still tremendously roomy and for 2016 got a ton of tech upgrades like Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration. 

In addition to the roominess, tech and safety, the standout feature of the Passat is its driving ability. Everyone who drove it unanimously agreed, the Passat is plain old fun to drive.”

The 2016 Volkswagen Passat is a midsize sedan designed for the American lifestyle and built in Volkswagen’s state-of-the-art factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee. For 2016, the Passat combines striking new interior and exterior design elements with a greater variety of available driver assistance, connectivity, and convenience features than ever before. Overall, the 2016 Passat features a winning combination of interior and exterior design, technology, available driver assistance systems, and a powerful and highly efficient base engine. The starting MSRP for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat is $22,440. The SE model tested by Cars.com has an MSRP of $26,280 and includes features such as VW Car-Net® App-Connect technology, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking, heatable front seats, and a sunroof.