MONTVALE, N.J. — Mercedes-Benz recently welcomed the world's top male tennis player as its latest brand ambassador. Agreeing to a multi-platform, multi-year global marketing deal with the automaker was Roger Federer, who has 16 Grand Slam titles to his name and boasts the No. 1 ranking on the ATP World Tour. Covered under the deal are […] [Read More]

HERNDON, Va. — Volkswagen of America is looking to leverage worldwide enthusiasm for the upcoming World Cup with its latest ad campaign. The automaker on Thursday launched a contest calling on soccer "fanaticos" to express their passion for the game for a chance to win an appearance in a national TV spot during the World Cup. […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation of 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan vehicles regarding allegations of possible stuck accelerator pedals caused by optional "All Weather" floor mats. Drivers of those models should not stack any unsecured floor mats over the carpeted mat that comes standard on the vehicle, NHTSA […] [Read More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. —  Tuesday marked the first anniversary of General Motors filing for bankruptcy, and several analysts from Edmunds.com who looked back on the past year for GM said they believe bankruptcy might end up being "one of the best things that ever happened to the company." Edmunds.com chief executive officer Jeremy Anwyl took the lead in assessing where GM now […] [Read More]

COSTA MESA, Calif. — NADAguides.com decided to go with a sporty option on Wednesday when the site named its Car of the Month for June. Site analysts raved about the "well-rounded combination of luxury and sport" when selecting the 2010 Audi TTS. The site pointed out the 2010 Audi TTS is available in two trim levels: […] [Read More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Though Ford's communications and management teams have remained largely mum about reports that the automaker will wind down Mercury, Edmunds.com said if this does come to pass, then it is good news. Analysts with the site also suggested that most of the customers will stick with Ford when the Mercury brand closes up shop.  In fact, […] [Read More]

TOYOTA CITY, Japan — Toyota Motor Corp. shook up its divisional assignments again on Tuesday. Executives said corporate-social-responsibility functions now fall under the jurisdiction of their corporate planning division. Previously, CSR functions, which include risk management, were under the environmental affairs division. The automaker emphasized it made the change to "enhance the collection of information within […] [Read More]

DEARBORN, Mich. — Rumors are apparently starting to circulate that Ford is looking into winding down its Mercury line, according to a report out Thursday. Citing two people "familiar with the plan," the report indicates that Ford's top executives are preparing a proposal to kill Mercury that could be presented to directors in July. Apparently, the […] [Read More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — While May's market hasn't exactly been glimmering, the upcoming Memorial Day weekend should provide a nice lift to new-vehicle sales and help push the month's seasonally adjusted annualized rate above the April level, according to Edmunds.com. Analysts with the site indicated that such higher-than-average sales on Memorial Day weekend have become standard fare for […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Promotions like what AutoNation recently undertook with GOSO, a social media management provider, evidently have worked quite well to promote the new Nissan LEAF. The fully electric vehicle reportedly is drawing strong pre-sale traffic already. The LEAF becomes available for purchase or lease at Nissan dealers in select markets this December and nationwide […] [Read More]