World-Business/Auto news

fter months of debate and rounds of legislation, the wait has ended. Consumers can finally take advantage of the government's "Car Allowance Rebate System" (CARS), and Hyundai is leading the way. Katherine Michon of Arlington, Virginia was the first to trade-in an eligible clunker for a new Hyundai, replacing her 15 mile-per-gallon 1995 Ford Explorer with a 26 mile-per-gallon Hyundai Elantra Touring, at Alexandria Hyundai in Alexandria, Virginia.

Mazda Motor Corporation has announced upgrades to its Premacy (known as the Mazda5 in overseas markets) compact minivan in Japan. Popular due to its sporty styling and driving performance, the freshened Premacy goes on sale today at all Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam dealerships nationwide.

For the first time in more than 50 years, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited is the top-selling automaker in the country. Ford of Canada sold 27,408 units representing a 24.6 per cent increase over sales the same month last year, marking the first year-over-year sales increase of 2009.

Offer available on retail purchases of new 2009 Suzuki SX4 Sedan and 2009 SX4 Crossover models through Aug. 31

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported half-year sales of 770,449 vehicles. TMS saw improvements in the second quarter, posting sales of 410,777 units, an increase 11.2 percent over the first quarter, on a daily selling rate basis.

Chrysler Group LLC today reported more than a 1 percentage point increase in retail market share with June U.S. retail sales of 66,324 units. Retail sales declined 16 percent compared with the same time period in 2008. During the month of June, Chrysler Group LLC did not produce any vehicles for fleet sales, which resulted in a fleet sales reduction of 95 percent year-over-year for the same period.

Overall sales (BMW and MINI) down 20.3 percent in June

Audi vehicle sales equal 9.1% of U.S. imported luxury sector, based on preliminary totals for the month; second highest U.S. share in Audi history, after 9.2% in April 2009

Hyundai Motor America today announced June sales of 37,943 units, a three percent increase over last month and a 24 percent decline versus June 2008. Hyundai outsold Dodge in June for the first time, making Hyundai the number-six best-selling brand in the U.S.

The volume leaders for the month were the C, E, and M-Class with sales of 4,583, 2,781, and 2,362 respectively. The company's new GLK compact SUV continued to exhibit strong demand, outperforming all of its competitors for the first half of the year.

Customers purchase Ford Fusion, Ford Flex and hybrids in record numbers

Daimler AG (stock exchange abbreviation DAI) today reported sales for the Mercedes-Benz Cars division in the U.S. (Mercedes-Benz and smart combined) of 16,271 units, a decline of 26.45 percent compared to June 2008. All sales figures in this release are on an unadjusted basis unless otherwise noted.

UPS (NYSE: UPS) today announced it has extended its contract with Ford Motor Company to continue providing logistics services for the delivery of new cars to dealers.

On June 25, Ford will launch an area on Ford.com where consumers can calculate the combined fuel economy of their current vehicle and determine the amount of voucher funds that can be applied toward qualifying Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicles

Audi launches Facebook Cause campaign to benefit The Nature Conservancy's Tensas River Basin project to reduce carbon emissions

The next round of the 2009 North American Ferrari Challenge Series will take place on June 26-28 at the legendary Road America circuit in Elkhart Lake, WI.

General Motors Corp. and Koenigsegg Group AB, a consortium led by Koenigsegg Automotive AB, today confirmed the details of a memorandum of understanding for the purchase of Saab Automobile AB that secures Saab's future.

Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today both the Tiguan and CC have earned Consumers' Top Rated Vehicle Awards from Edmunds.com.

As the all-new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class goes on sale today at dealerships across the country, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is rolling out its biggest marketing launch in recent years to herald the arrival of the ninth generation of its iconic sedan and its sibling coupe.

Subaru of America today announced the EPA fuel economy results for 2010MY Legacy. The 2010 All-Wheel Drive Legacy achieves up to 26 mpg combined and 31 mpg highway, despite having grown in size in almost every dimension.