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Automobile industry

Global Automotive Industry Developments: Safety Ratings, Sales, and Innovation

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Ford's Fiesta has earned top crash-test ratings in the US, China, and Europe, marking the first car in the subcompact segment to achieve this feat. The 2011 Fiesta is a "top safety pick" in the US, as per the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This achievement is significant, as Ford aims to showcase its ability to build a single model that can sell well globally. Additionally, other testing agencies in China, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand have also rated the Fiesta at the top in their crash ratings.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2011 Ford Fiesta is the first car in the subcompact segment to earn top crash-test ratings in the US, China, and Europe.
  • Ford has committed to safety, with efforts to deliver top crash-test ratings, as stated by Sue Cischke, group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety.
  • Nissan's Leaf buyers in the US will have to wait until Japanese buyers receive their ordered 6,000 cars, with more than 27,000 orders outstanding in the US, Japan, and Europe.
  • Audi will unveil an A3 sedan concept at Geneva, previewing the potential expansion of the A3 line in the near future.
  • Toyota has launched a new ad campaign with the tagline "#1 For A Reason," highlighting its sales accomplishments and awards, despite past troubles.
  • The Prius has been crowned with the plural form "Prii," with 25% of the vote in Toyota's online promotion.
  • Toyota's new ad campaign aims to emphasize the brand's focus on fuel efficiency, value, quality, and safety.
  • General Motors is the nation's top-selling automaker, but Toyota sells more cars to individual buyers than any rival.
  • Toyota's Camry sedan has been the top-selling car in America for nine years, and the Corolla is the best-selling car of all time, with over 8.6 million sold in the US since 1968.

Statistics:

  • The 2011 Ford Fiesta is the first car in the subcompact segment to earn top crash-test ratings in the US, China, and Europe.
  • 25% of online voters chose "Prii" as the plural form of Prius.
  • Toyota has 27,000 orders outstanding for the Leaf in the US, Japan, and Europe.
  • General Motors sold the most cars to corporate fleets and rental agencies in 2010.
  • Toyota's new ad campaign will run for several months, focusing on sales accomplishments and awards.

Sources:

  • Ford Motor says its Fiesta is the first car in the subcompact segment to earn top crash-test ratings in each of the world's largest auto markets that perform safety testing: the U.S., China and Europe. (Automotive News)
  • Nissan continues to struggle to fill orders in the U.S., partly because Japanese buyers are going to get the 6,000 cars they've ordered by the end of March. (Automotive News)
  • Audi will unveil an A3 sedan concept at Geneva next week that's based on the successor to the current A3 hatchback and previews where the A3 line may be expanding in the near future. (Automotive News)
  • Toyota's new ad slogan "Toyota launches U.S. ad campaign with new tagline: '#1 For A Reason'" (CNBC)
  • Toyota says it sells the most to retail buyers, the sales that are most profitable to dealers, with 25% of Prius voters choosing Prii. (Automotive News)

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