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Pontiac Aztek enjoys rebirth thanks to Millennials

Apparently, Millennials – those between 18 and 34 – aren't afraid to look different on the road, and they like performance, too. A new study by Edmunds is discovering some surprising vehicle choices by this group. Among them, the long-derided Pontiac Aztek is getting a new day in the sun with 25.5 percent its buyers coming from this generation in the first half of 2015. For comparison, Millennials represent an average of 16.8 percent of used car purchases. The Aztek is slowly shaking its reputation as a styling abomination, which seems tied to its appearance on Breaking Bad. The show premiered in 2008, and the Pontiac has been on this list for four of the past five years, according to Edmunds. It even led the pack in 2010. A recent Retro Review from MotorWeek also showed that the crossover wasn't always so hated. While it's still a shock to see the Aztek on any popularity list, the awkward-looking crossover only ranks sixth among Millennials. The vehicle with the biggest portion of buyers from the generation is the Dodge Magnum with 27.6 percent. According to Edmunds, the bluntly styled wagon is especially popular in Detroit and Chicago. The Chrysler Pacifica comes in a close second at 27.3 percent. When it comes to used cars, value and utility appear to trump just about anything else for many Millennial buyers," Edmunds analyst Jeremy Acevedo said in the report. Young buyers aren't afraid of sporty rides, either. The Subaru WRX has 26.4 percent Millennial buyers to rank third place on the list, and the Volkswagen R32 takes fifth at 25.7 percent. Just a few points lower in seventh place is the Nissan GT-R at 25.4 percent, and the final performance machine in 10th place is the Lexus IS-F with 24.7 percent. Related Video:

Mitsubishi Motors to relocate North America HQ to Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Mitsubishi Motors announced on Tuesday that it is relocating its North America headquarters from California to Tennessee, a move that will bring the Japanese automaker closer to its sister company Nissan and strengthen Tennessee's growing reputation as an epicenter of the automotive sector. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe — who made the announcement with Mitsubishi Motors North America — say the headquarters move from Cypress, California, to Franklin, Tennessee, will result in an $18.25 million investment in the region and approximately 200 jobs. Lee and Rolfe added that they met with Mitsubishi's global executives last week to convince them to move to Tennessee while in Japan during the Republican governor's first trade mission. It is unclear what financial incentives state officials offered Mitsubishi to move to Tennessee. "As we drive toward the future, this is the perfect time for us to move to a new home. While we say farewell to the Golden State with a heavy heart, we're excited to say hello to Music City," Fred Diaz, Mitsubishi Motors North America's president and CEO, said in a statement. Franklin is located just south of Nashville, also known as "Music City," and is home to the state's most powerful Republicans, ranging from Gov. Lee, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and House Speaker Glen Casada. "Over the years, Tennessee has become the epicenter of the Southeast's thriving automotive sector, and I'm proud Mitsubishi Motors will call Franklin its U.S. home and bring 200 high-quality jobs to Middle Tennessee," Lee, who took over the office this year, said in a statement. Mitsubishi Motors' North America headquarters has been located in California since 1988. The company expects the relocation will begin in August and will be completed by the end of the year. Initially, a temporary office will handle operations to allow the company time to identify a permanent office. Company officials say the move is part an ongoing effort to "reinvent every aspect of Mitsubishi Motors in the U.S.," as well as strengthen the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. Nissan has a production plant in Smyrna, Tennessee, and owns a 34% stake in Mitsubishi Motors. Last week, Mitsubishi Motors Corp.

AAA ranks Tesla Model S P85D best green car of 2015, Versa is best value

Reviewers from all parts of the automotive world just seem to love the Tesla Model S, whether it's the pragmatists at Consumer Reports or the enthusiasts at Car and Driver. You can add one more to that list because the 2015 P85D grabs the top spot in AAA's fifth annual Green Car Guide, after Tesla's win last year too. The organization's ranking of 88 green models also names the 2014 Nissan Versa SV as the best value in the segment. To take the victory, the P85D had to score the most points over 13 categories, including emissions, acceleration and cargo capacity, and it won handily with 94.87 points. There was nearly a tie for second place, though. The 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium scored 85.5 points, and the 2014 BMW i3 narrowly came in third with 85.4. The best value award is based on the as-tested price per point scored. So while the Versa SV only had 64.5 points overall, its low price meant that each one cost just $249. Second place went to the Versa Note SV with 64.63 points at $260 each, and third was the Hyundai Accent GLS with 61.1 points for $269 each. Keep in mind, AAA's ranking doesn't attempt to find the most environmentally friendly vehicle, rather it tests the green car segment to give recommendations to buyers. Battery electric powertrains, compressed natural gas, clean diesel, hybrids, partial zero-emissions vehicles, and simply models with high fuel economy are all counted by the organization. The results are published in a 160-page magazine, which you can read here. It also offers suggestions on economical driving and explains some of the fuel-saving tech currently available. Related Video: Top Green Vehicle is a 2015 Tesla, According to Fifth Annual AAA Green Car Guide ORLANDO, Fla., April 20, 2015 The 2015 Tesla Model S P85D earned the top score in the 2015 AAA Green Car Guide, the motor club announced today. The Palo Alto-based automaker's car is featured with more than 80 other green vehicles in the 2015 AAA Green Car Guide. The best green car value award went to the 2014 Nissan Versa SV. To help those in the market for a green car or truck, the 160-page, comprehensive fifth annual AAA guide reviews 88 battery electric vehicles, compressed natural gas-powered (CNG) vehicles, clean diesels, hybrids, partial zero emission vehicles (PZEVs), and vehicles with high fuel economy.