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Kia, Chrysler, VW set pace as December sales advance 9 percent

Kia, Chrysler and Volkswagen posted some of the strongest sales gains for December as the industry closed out 2011 on a high note. Automotive News estimates December volume was up 9 percent to 1.24 million from a year earlier--in line with analysts' forecasts. Total industry sales were projected at 12.78 million for the year, up from 2010's total of 11.6 million and the 27-year low of 10.4 million in 2009.

Jaguar XE is the new small Jaguar: Geneva Motor Show (video)

First photo of the Jaguar XE Jaguar has revealed this morning that its new smaller Saloon will be the Jaguar XE, and that its new range of engines will be the Ingenium. Beyond that, we don’t get a lot more than we already know. Heading for an arrival in 2015, the Jaguar XE (we always doubted the commonly accepted Jaguar XS moniker) will be the first car in its segment to have an aluminium monocoque and, say Jaguar, is set to be the most advanced and efficient sports saloon in its sector and will be the first production Jaguar using the new aluminium architecture used for the Jaguar C-X17 SUV Concept.

All used up: Pre-owned sales rise as consumers seek new-car alternatives

Used-car sales took a leap upward in April, and the trend is expected to continue at least until midyear as pent-up demand for affordable pre-owned vehicles jacks up at least one segment of the car marketplace. Sales of new cars continued an unabated slide toward what analysts say is a 30-year low in the United States, but used-car sales showed strength as buyers unable to finance new cars shifted their sights to less expensive used models. As a result, retailers such as the large Penske Automotive Group reported that despite an overall decline in sales in the first three months of 2009, improving used-car sales kept them in the black.