Number of Automobiles Produced
Automobile production in April 2010 was recorded as 731,794 units. Compared with the 485,405 units total recorded for the same month of the previous year, this is an increase of 246,389 units or 50.8%, and production increase on the same month of the previous year for six consecutive months.

April 2010 Automobile Production Figures by Type of Vehicle

Ireland-Toyota Ireland are delighted to announce that an extra €10 million in new funds are now available for new and used car finance.

Simply call Toyota Finance on 1850 200 583, answer a standard set of questions and you could receive finance approval in less than 90 minutes. Once approved, the Toyota Finance team offer new and existing customers an attractive rate of 6.5%APR** on new cars, fixed for the duration of the agreement.

Commenting on the announcement, David Shannon, Managing Director of Toyota Ireland said: “This added funding really highlights the incredible value on offer at local Toyota dealers - It undoubtedly makes now the time to buy a Toyota.”

Source: http://www.toyota.ie/about/news/story/84ea8ab2-d97f-478d-ac66-abccd8f295c9

DEARBORN, Mich., – Music lovers and Ford Fiesta customers share a common bond – both are passionate about expressing their individuality. So it’s no coincidence that fans who flock to two of this year’s hottest music festivals will see a lot of the 2011 Ford Fiesta, but Ford’s new small car will be more than just eye candy. It will be an integral part of the experience.

Fiesta is the title sponsor of the 10th annual Movement: Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival, and the exclusive automotive partner of the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, to be held June 10-13 in Manchester, Tenn. But as Ford’s Car Experiential Marketing Manager Jeff Eggen points out, Fiesta’s involvement with both events goes well beyond traditional signage and vehicle displays.

“The target consumers for Fiesta are huge music fans, and our goal is to connect with that community in a fun and meaningful way,” he said. “We want Fiesta to be a natural part of the scene so that it can be understood and championed by the people who are experiencing it.”

Empowering people to tell the Fiesta story is what led to the success of the groundbreaking Fiesta Movement, an initiative that introduced the new small car to consumers in a big way through socially vibrant agents who have been driving Fiestas in monthly themed missions and relating their experiences through social media sites.

“The Fiesta Movement enabled people to discover the car in a natural way while having fun with their friends,” said Eggen. “We will do the same thing at these music festivals – give people an opportunity to interact with the new Fiesta and let them spread the word to their family and friends.”

2011 Ford Fiesta

Movement: Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival Powered by the Ford Fiesta

At the Detroit event – regarded as one of the world’s premier electronic music festivals – Ford will have a cool Fiesta lounge area with live techno music piped in from the main stage.

Three local Detroit artists will be on-site creating Fiesta-inspired art that they will paint onto Fiestas during the course of the three-day festival. One is a graffiti artist, one works with textiles and the other is a tattoo artist.

“We wanted artists who came from different genres so that we could see what three people who work on different types of canvases would come up with using the Fiesta as their canvas,” said Eggen.

Ford also will be printing and giving away custom-screened T-shirts that feature original designs by the three artists. Outside the tent, 3D-chalk and duct-tape artists will create surprising Fiesta-inspired street art.

“The whole experience is designed to give people an opportunity to enjoy the concert and have fun with us,” said Eggen. “At the same time, they can learn about Fiesta and the innovative things that Ford is doing.”

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

At the Bonnaroo event, considered the “granddaddy” of all music festivals in the U.S., Ford will present the Fiesta Garage – a comfortable gathering place decorated in late-’70s chic style – where people can enjoy live musical performances, hear from Bonnaroo artists on how to write music, watch entertaining Fiesta videos and design custom T-shirts.

As part of the Fiesta Movement Chapter 2 missions, agents selected one musician, DJ and/or band to host concerts in their local community. The winning team – Team Houston – and their band Tyagaraja will be featured at the Fiesta Garage at Bonnaroo.

“The Fiesta Garage experience is a perfect fit for Bonnaroo because a garage is not only a place where a car lives, it’s a place where young band members and their friends practice and hang out,” said Eggen. “Our Fiesta Garage at Bonnaroo will be a cool place for concert-goers to relax, hang out with friends, listen to music, and enjoy other fun activities in a space that communicates all things Fiesta.”

In addition, a fleet of Fiestas will be seen everywhere on-site at Bonnaroo transporting staff, VIPs and artists around the festival.

Source: http://www.ford.com/about-ford/news-announcements/press-releases/press-releases-detail/pr-2011-ford-fiesta-mixing-it-up-at-32726

DEARBORN, Mich., – SimplexGrinnell, a Tyco International Company and industry leader in fire and life safety systems and services, recently ordered 200 Ford Fusion Hybrids as part of a company-wide effort to replace 25 percent of its sales fleet with hybrid vehicles.

The majority of SimplexGrinnell’s 7,000-vehicle fleet is comprised of large commercial trucks and vans; however, the fleet also includes 2,000 cars, which are used by the company’s sales and leadership staff. That’s where the Ford Fusion Hybrid – America’s most fuel-efficient midsize car – will make a significant impact, according to Jim Spicer, president of SimplexGrinnell.

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

“The Fusion Hybrids will provide us with much greater fuel savings and CO2 reductions compared to the conventional gas vehicles they are replacing,” he said. “They also are a perfect fit for our staff.”

SimplexGrinnell, headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla., operates in 150 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. According to Janice Buxton, senior manager of Fleet Services for SimplexGrinnell, the Fusion Hybrids will be used primarily in major metropolitan areas where employees do city driving of less than 2,500 miles per month. In order to achieve full efficiency, the company will start placing the hybrids in fairly neutral climates, but will look to expand use in more demanding areas.

The 200 Fusion Hybrids support a Tyco company-wide environmental program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, waste and water consumption by 25 percent over the next five years. The program, known as “Vital World,” includes a series of steps the company is taking around the world to reduce its impact on the environment and to help customers reduce theirs.

Source: http://www.ford.com/about-ford/news-announcements/press-releases/press-releases-detail/pr-simplexgrinnell-orders-200-ford-32710

China- Following the good news that GWFlorid won the sales champion in Chinese A0 passenger car segment during the first quarter of 2010 successfully, Great Wall Haval SUV won the sales champion of SUV segment in April with the total sales of 12,755 units and the comparable increase of 175 percent.

As the everlasting passenger car banner of China independent auto brand, Haval SUV has penetrated many new markets with the new models, while quality is the most powerful weapon for Haval SUV to keep the leading position and influence in the market, the upcoming model-Haval H5 is a good representative of its high quality. Haval H5 is the first Chinese independent SUV brand to pass the EU certification reaching the international standard in terms of energy conservation, environment protection and driving safety. It’s been granted the right for unlimited sales in the 22 EU member countries.

The success of Haval SUV has effectively enhanced the brand image of Chinese independent SUV. It has established a totally new good example of product quality, bringing practically new experience to the customers in the world in the aspects of driving safety, environment protection and energy conservation.

Source: http://www.gwm.com.cn/eng/html/news/news/100521h.htm

Canada-The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has announced that the all-new Toyota Sienna van and redesigned 2011 Avalon full-size sedan have each earned “Top Safety Pick” awards.

The “Top Safety Pick” is the highest safety designation awarded by the IIHS. To qualify for the award, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of “good” in the IIHS’ front, side, rollover, and rear impact tests and be equipped with electronic stability control. The IIHS testing was made more stringent in 2010 with the addition of the rollover test.

The new Sienna is the first, and currently the only minivan to earn an IIHS Top Safety Pick since the rollover test was added to the criteria.

To earn a “good” rollover rating, a roof must be able to support the equivalent of four times the vehicle’s weight compared with the current federal standard of 1.5. In the IIHS testing, the Sienna roof withstood a force equal to 4.12 times its vehicle weight. The Avalon’s roof withstood 4.07 times its vehicle weight.

The IIHS is an independent non-profit research and communications organization funded by auto insurance companies.

All Toyota models meet or exceed the safety requirements in North America.

Source: http://media.toyota.ca/pr/tci/en/toyota/2011-toyota-sienna-and-avalon-159204.aspx?ncid=12953

SMYRNA, Tenn. - Nissan broke ground on the project that brings Nissan LEAF production to the United States. The groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of construction on a manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tenn., that will produce the lithium-ion batteries that power the Nissan LEAF zero-emission vehicle. The all-electric Nissan LEAF will be produced at Nissan’s vehicle assembly facility in Smyrna beginning in 2012.

Nissan LEAF and battery production will create up to 1,300 jobs when the plants are operating at full capacity. The battery plant, one of the largest vehicle battery manufacturing plants in North America at 1.3 million square feet at full capacity, will be capable of producing 200,000 advanced-technology batteries annually. It will be located adjacent to the vehicle assembly plant, which will be retooled to accommodate production of Nissan LEAF and will be capable of producing 150,000 electric cars annually.

“Nissan is committed to affordable, sustainable mobility. What we’re doing here will radically transform the automotive experience for consumers. Today is a major step in helping create a green economy in the United States,” said Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. “Production of Nissan LEAF and lithium-ion batteries in Smyrna brings the United States closer to its goal of energy independence, creates green jobs and helps sustain American manufacturing. Nissan is a leader in global manufacturing innovation, and this state-of-the-art battery plant will strengthen that leadership.”

“Tennessee has become a national leader in driving clean energy innovation, and Nissan’s commitment to build this advanced-technology battery facility here in Tennessee is a key part of that success,” said Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen. “Nissan’s investment in Tennessee began more than two decades ago, and this new manufacturing plant leads the way to the next generation of automotive and clean energy jobs in the Volunteer state.”

Combined, the construction of the battery plant and modification of the Smyrna manufacturing facility to accommodate Nissan LEAF production represents an investment of up to $1.7 billion, which initially is being supported by a U.S. Department of Energy loan for 80 percent of that investment, up to $1.4 billion.

The loan was issued as part of the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, a $25 billion program authorized by Congress as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The program is designed to accelerate the development of vehicles and technologies that increase U.S. energy independence, create cleaner means of transportation and stimulate the American economy.

Approximately 13,000 U.S. consumers have placed a reservation for Nissan LEAF since reservations opened on April 20. The reservation process, which is open to the general public via NissanUsa.com, is the first step in securing a place on the list to purchase or lease Nissan LEAF. Nissan LEAF begins rolling out to select markets in the United States, Japan and Europe in December, with increased availability beginning in spring 2011, and full market rollout in 2012. It initially will be produced in Oppama, Japan, and will be equipped with lithium-ion batteries being produced in Zama, Japan. The Renault-Nissan Alliance will also produce lithium-ion batteries in Cacia, Portugal, and Sunderland, UK, as well as in Renault’s Flins plant in France.

In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive design, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2010/_STORY/100526-01-e.html

Chennai, India- Nissan Motor India celebrated the start of production of its `Made-in-India’ compact car (hatchback) Nissan Micra from its manufacturing plant at Oragadam, near Chennai. Mr. Toshiyuki Shiga, Chief Operating Officer, Nissan Motor Company, cut the ribbon to mark the roll out of the first car off assembly line. Mr. Akira Sakurai, Managing Director & CEO, Renault Nissan Automotive India Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Kiminobu Tokuyama, Managing Director & CEO, Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd. joined the 1900 employees to commemorate the occasion.

Customers will get an opportunity to take a closer look at the Nissan Micra as it will be displayed in all Nissan showrooms in the country. Gauging the unprecedented response received through a number of enquiries since the unveiling of the car, the company has also decided to start the pre-order bookings for the Micra at all these showrooms. Customers can visit these showrooms and book their car against an initial booking amount of INR 50,000/-. The activity will be supported by a comprehensive print, digital, radio and TV campaign shortly. The sales for Nissan Micra will commence in July 2010.

The plant at Oragadam, spread over an area of 640 acres, represents an investment of 45 billion Rupees ($990 million) and the capacity to produce 400,000 units per year at full ramp up. Today, the plant employs 1,900 workers and will reach 3000 in two years time. The company, along with its supplier park in Chennai, estimates a total of 6,000 jobs to be created in the region.

The initial production capacity at the plant will be 200,000 units with one line and the company is looking at producing more than 80,000 units in FY10.

The new Nissan Micra, built on a new versatile platform - the V-platform, is designed to have broad appeal to customers in both emerging and developed markets. Nissan Micra was designed and tested in Japan and fine-tuned to meet the differing tastes and needs of customers worldwide. The Nissan Micra is a reliable, stylish and eco-friendly car for people who enjoy everyday driving. The compact hatchback, with its affable appearance, is also engineered for easy handling and sprightly performance, while realizing class-leading fuel efficiency.

The other important aspect of the new Nissan Micra is that from the very beginning, more than 85% of its parts are procured through local vendors (96 in total) and 50% of them are located within Chennai.

The plant operates in full compliance with Alliance global manufacturing processes and quality standards. Its production management system, launched for the first time at any plant of Renault and Nissan, is based on mutual knowledge sharing and the best practices from both companies. The new manufacturing process allows the plant to seamlessly mix production of both Renault and Nissan products on same line.

Nissan is also looking at making the Chennai plant as a global hub for exports. The start of production for the Micra for exports will commence in July 2010 and the first shipment would begin from September 2010. Nissan is looking at exporting to more than 100 countries including Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2010/_STORY/100524-01-e.html

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced a summary of automobile production, Japan domestic market sales, and export results for the month of April 2010.

Production

Production in Japan for the month of April 2010 experienced a year-on-year increase for the fourth consecutive month (since January 2010).

Production in regions outside of Japan experienced a year-on-year increase for the sixth consecutive month (since November 2009) including record production in Asia and China for the month of April.

Worldwide production experienced a year-on-year increase for the fifth consecutive month (since December 2009).

Japan Domestic Market Sales

Total domestic market sales for the month of April 2010 experienced a year-on-year increase for the tenth consecutive month (since July 2009).

New vehicle registrations experienced a year-on-year increase for the 13th consecutive month (since April 2009).

Sales of mini-vehicles experienced a year-on-year increase for the first time in 17 months (since November 2008).

Vehicle registrations - excluding mini-vehicles

Fit was the industry’s second best-selling car among new vehicle registrations for the month of April 2010, with sales of 12,222 units. Step WGN was the industry’s fifth best-selling car with sales of 7,256 units. Freed was the industry’s seventh best-selling car with sales of 6,035 units.

Mini-vehicles - under 660cc

Life was the industry’s seventh best-selling car among mini-vehicles for the month of April 2010, with sales of 4,979 units. Zest was the industry’s ninth best-selling car among mini-vehicles for the month of April 2010, with sales of 3,628 units.

Exports from Japan

Total exports from Japan in April 2010 experienced a year-on-year increase for the second consecutive month (since March 2010).

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2010/c100528Automobile-Sales/?r=m

The all-new 2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid coupe will make its Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3 Expo) debut on June 15th. Evocative of video games, the two-passenger CR-Z introduces a number of interactive features including a new three-mode drive system that allows the driver to select between Sport, Econ (Economy) and Normal driving modes. The CR-Z will go on-sale later this summer.

In addition to the car display, a new game featuring CR-Z will be available for demonstration along with the opportunity to download exclusive content. Additional news regarding Honda’s activities at the E3 Expo will be announced closer to the show.

The CR-Z and a component-revealing cut-body of the vehicle will be on display the Honda booth located in the West Hall Lobby (booth F7).

Source: http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=5462