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International homebuyers add $8.32 billion to Texas economy from 2014 to 2015

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AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Texas home sales purchased by international homebuyers contributed $8.32 billion to the Texas economy between April 2014 and March 2015, according to the 2015 Texas International Homebuyers Report released today by the Texas Association of Realtors.

“With more international homebuyers in Texas now originating from China, Europe and Africa than Latin America and Mexico, Texas truly has a global reputation as a great place to live, work and raise a family,” said Scott Kesner, chairman of the Texas Association of Realtors. “International homebuyers see Texas real estate as a strong investment, whether that be as an investment property, a vacation home or a primary residence.”

Homes purchased by international buyers accounted for 4 percent (209,000 home sales) of all U.S. home sales and 8 percent ($104 billion) of total U.S. home sales dollar volume between April 2014 and March 2015. This is a 10.15 percent decrease in international home sales but an 11.4 percent increase in international home sales dollar volume from the same time last year. Approximately 8 percent, or 16,720 home sales and $8.32 billion, of this activity occurred in Texas – a 4 percent decrease from the same time frame last year.

For the first time in the Texas International Homebuyers Report history, homebuyers from Latin America (including Mexico) were not a clear majority of international homebuyers in Texas – comprising only 41 percent of international buyers. Homebuyers from Asia/Oceania (including China), conversely, doubled from 18 percent from April 2013-March 2014 to 31 percent from April 2014-March 2015.

Texas homebuying activity among European and African buyers doubled during the same time, rising from 9 to 15 percent and 4 to 8 percent from April 2014-March 2015, respectively. Meanwhile, Texas home sales from Canadian homebuyers decreased slightly from 5 percent to 4 percent.

Naturalized U.S. citizens in Texas continue to be significantly more likely to own a home than their native counterparts. Three in four naturalized U.S. citizens in Texas are homeowners compared to only 63 percent of native citizens in Texas. This trend does not apply nationally, where homeownership rates among naturalized and native U.S. citizens are virtually equal. However, non-U.S. citizens are 11 percent more likely (44.3 percent vs. 33.3 percent) to own a home in Texas versus nationally.

Chairman Kesner concluded, “The increasing diversity of homebuyers in Texas reinforces the importance for buyers to have a trusted advisor on their side to help them navigate the homebuying process. Texas REALTORS® with a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation are specifically trained to understand the unique language, qualification and financing challenges international homebuyers sometimes face and can be instrumental in de-stressing the homebuying process for these families.”

Texas continues to be a hub for immigration to the United States. The Lone Star State is home to the third-largest immigrant population size and ranks seventh in the nation for percentage of foreign-born residents among the statewide population. In addition, two of the top 10 metro areas for immigration in the U.S. are in Texas – Houston/Sugar Land/Baytown (No. 6) and Dallas/Fort Worth/Arlington (No. 8).

About the 2015 Texas International Homebuyers Report
The 2015 Texas International Homebuyers Report is based on survey data from the 2015 Profile of International Home Buying Activity and the 2014 Business Data for Engaging in International Real Estate Transactions in Texas studies by the National Association of Realtors, the 2009-2013 American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau and the 2013 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics by the U.S. Office of Immigration Statistics. The Texas Association of Realtors distributes insights about the Texas housing market each month, including quarterly market statistics, trends among homebuyers and sellers, luxury home sales, condominium sales, and more. To view the 2015 Texas International Homebuyers Report in its entirety, visit TexasRealEstate.com.

About the Texas Association of Realtors
With more than 100,000 members, the Texas Association of REALTORS® is a professional membership organization that represents all aspects of real estate in Texas. We advocate on behalf of Texas REALTORS® and private-property owners to keep homeownership affordable, protect private-property rights, and promote public policies that benefit homeowners. Visit TexasRealEstate.com to learn more.

CONTACT: Danielle Urban
Pierpont Communications
512-448-4950
[email protected]

 


FPL files to reduce rates again – bills down more than 10 percent compared with 10 years ago

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FPL files to reduce rates again – bills down more than 10 percent compared with 10 years ago

Typical residential customer to save another $2.50 a month on average during 2016 compared with 2015 rates

– FPL’s typical bill in 2016 will be more than 10 percent lower than it was 10 years prior


JUNO BEACH, Fla., Sept. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) announced today that it is planning to reduce electric rates again in 2016 as the company’s long-term investments in efficiency, in addition to low fuel prices, continue to generate savings for customers.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120301/FL62738LOGO

FPL filed a request with the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to reduce rates, which will save a typical 1,000-kWh residential customer about $2.50 a month on average in 2016 compared with current rates. Businesses will also see lower rates, with anticipated savings in the range of about 2 to 6 percent for typical business customers, depending on rate class and type of service.

“We’re looking forward to delivering another rate decrease to our customers,” said Eric Silagy, president and CEO of FPL. “Our previous investments in smart technology and relentless focus on productivity are paying off for our customers. While many every day products and services have gone up in price, FPL rates have actually decreased. In fact, our typical bill in 2016 will be more than 10 percent lower than it was 10 years ago.”

Today, FPL’s typical residential customer pays about 30 percent less for electricity than the national average. The company’s 1,000-kWh residential bill is also the lowest among reporting utilities in Florida.

FPL customers are benefiting from the company’s strategic decision to phase out older power plants and invest in advanced clean-energy centers that use less fuel to generate electricity. For example, the effectiveness of the company’s investments since 2001 in high-efficiency natural gas energy alone have produced more than $7.5 billion in fuel savings for customers. These efficiency savings are in addition to savings from low market prices for natural gas in recent years.

“Our goal is simple: Provide excellent service and value today while preparing for the energy needs and challenges of tomorrow. Our focus is on being the best in the industry by delivering power that is far cleaner and more reliable than the average utility, while keeping our customers’ electric bills affordable today and for years to come,” Silagy added.

Rate estimates released today reflect FPL’s projections for 2016 for the cost of fuel to generate power and other components of a customer’s electric bill. The PSC reviews FPL’s cost projections as part of its annual regulatory process later this fall. With PSC approval, lower rates will take effect beginning in January 2016.

The estimated savings of about $2.50 per month for a typical customer is based on the average projected bill during 2016 compared with current rates for a 1,000-kWh/month residential customer. FPL residential customers can estimate their individual monthly savings by inputting their own monthly usage into FPL’s online calculator at FPL.com/lowerbills.

FPL’s Typical 1,000-kWh Residential Customer Bill

2006
Bill

Current
Bill

2016 Bill
Estimate

Average Monthly Savings
in 2016 vs. Current Bill

2006 vs. 2016

$108.61

$96.72

$94.18

$96.72 to $94.18 = $2.54 lower

Savings of about
$2.50/month

$108.61 to $94.18 = 13.3% lower

Down More Than 10%
vs. 10 Years Ago

Notes: “2006 Bill” reflects actual rates in effect in 2006. “Current Bill” reflects approved rates effective Sept. 1, 2015. “2016 Bill” estimate reflects FPL’s current projections for base, fuel, capacity, environmental and conservation rates and the current storm charge rate. The typical bill is currently projected to be approximately $93.24 from January through May 2016 and approximately $94.86 from June through December 2016 – for an average over 12 months of approximately $94.18. Rates for June-December 2016 include the projected costs and fuel savings of the FPL Port Everglades Clean Energy Center, which is on track to begin powering customers in June 2016. All bill totals include the state’s standard gross receipts tax but do not include any local taxes or fees that vary by community. All rates are subject to change and must be approved by the PSC.

FPL’s advanced energy-efficiency tools can help customers save even more
FPL’s Online Home Energy Survey can help customers lower bills with personalized savings plans filled with energy-saving tips and recommendations. The survey is integrated with a customer’s individual FPL Energy Dashboard – which is updated automatically with hourly, daily and monthly energy usage data, monthly bill amounts, local temperature reading and more – so tracking and managing energy costs is easier than ever. Customers can visit FPL.com/easytosave to learn more.

Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company is the third-largest electric utility in the United States, serving approximately 4.8 million customer accounts across nearly half of the state of Florida. FPL’s typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill is approximately 30 percent lower than the latest national average and, in 2014, was the lowest in Florida among 55 reporting utilities for the fifth year in a row. FPL’s service reliability is better than 99.98 percent, and its highly fuel-efficient power plant fleet is one of the cleanest among all utilities nationwide. The company was recognized in 2015 as one of the most trusted U.S. electric utilities by Market Strategies International. A leading Florida employer with approximately 8,700 employees, FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla.-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a clean energy company widely recognized for its efforts in sustainability, ethics and diversity, including being ranked in the top 10 worldwide for innovativeness and community responsibility as part of Fortune’s 2015 list of “World’s Most Admired Companies.” NextEra Energy is also the parent company of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun. For more information, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.

Cautionary Statements and Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts, but instead represent the current expectations of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NextEra Energy) and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) regarding future operating results and other future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of NextEra Energy’s and FPL’s control. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements concerning future operating performance. In some cases, you can identify the forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “will,” “may result,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “aim,” “potential,” “projection,” “forecast,” “predict,” “goals,” “target,” “outlook,” “should,” “would” or similar words or expressions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of future performance. The future results of NextEra Energy and FPL and their business and financial condition are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause their actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, or may require them to limit or eliminate certain operations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: effects of extensive regulation of NextEra Energy’s and FPL’s business operations; inability of NextEra Energy and FPL to recover in a timely manner any significant amount of costs, a return on certain assets or a reasonable return on invested capital through base rates, cost recovery clauses, other regulatory mechanisms or otherwise; impact of political, regulatory and economic factors on regulatory decisions important to NextEra Energy and FPL; disallowance of cost recovery by FPL based on a finding of imprudent use of derivative instruments; effect of any reductions to or elimination of governmental incentives that support utility scale renewable energy projects of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC and its affiliated entities (NextEra Energy Resources) or the imposition of additional taxes or assessments on renewable energy; impact of new or revised laws, regulations or interpretations or other regulatory initiatives on NextEra Energy and FPL; effect on NextEra Energy and FPL of potential regulatory action to broaden the scope of regulation of over-the-counter (OTC) financial derivatives and to apply such regulation to NextEra Energy and FPL; capital expenditures, increased operating costs and various liabilities attributable to environmental laws, regulations and other standards applicable to NextEra Energy and FPL; effects on NextEra Energy and FPL of federal or state laws or regulations mandating new or additional limits on the production of greenhouse gas emissions; exposure of NextEra Energy and FPL to significant and increasing compliance costs and substantial monetary penalties and other sanctions as a result of extensive federal regulation of their operations; effect on NextEra Energy and FPL of changes in tax laws and in judgments and estimates used to determine tax-related asset and liability amounts; impact on NextEra Energy and FPL of adverse results of litigation; effect on NextEra Energy and FPL of failure to proceed with projects under development or inability to complete the construction of (or capital improvements to) electric generation, transmission and distribution facilities, gas infrastructure facilities or other facilities on schedule or within budget; impact on development and operating activities of NextEra Energy and FPL resulting from risks related to project siting, financing, construction, permitting, governmental approvals and the negotiation of project development agreements; risks involved in the operation and maintenance of electric generation, transmission and distribution facilities, gas infrastructure facilities and other facilities; effect on NextEra Energy and FPL of a lack of growth or slower growth in the number of customers or in customer usage; impact on NextEra Energy and FPL of severe weather and other weather conditions; threats of terrorism and catastrophic events that could result from terrorism, cyber attacks or other attempts to disrupt NextEra Energy’s and FPL’s business or the businesses of third parties; inability to obtain adequate insurance coverage for protection of NextEra Energy and FPL against significant losses and risk that insurance coverage does not provide protection against all significant losses; a prolonged period of low gas and oil prices could impact NextEra Energy Resources’ gas infrastructure business and cause NextEra Energy Resources to delay or cancel certain gas infrastructure projects and for certain existing projects to be impaired; risk to NextEra Energy Resources of increased operating costs resulting from unfavorable supply costs necessary to provide NextEra Energy Resources’ full energy and capacity requirement services; inability or failure by NextEra Energy Resources to manage properly or hedge effectively the commodity risk within its portfolio; potential volatility of NextEra Energy’s results of operations caused by sales of power on the spot market or on a short-term contractual basis; effect of reductions in the liquidity of energy markets on NextEra Energy’s ability to manage operational risks; effectiveness of NextEra Energy’s and FPL’s risk management tools associated with their hedging and trading procedures to protect against significant losses, including the effect of unforeseen price variances from historical behavior; impact of unavailability or disruption of power transmission or commodity transportation facilities on sale and delivery of power or natural gas by FPL and NextEra Energy Resources; exposure of NextEra Energy and FPL to credit and performance risk from customers, hedging counterparties and vendors; failure of NextEra Energy or FPL counterparties to perform under derivative contracts or of requirement for NextEra Energy or FPL to post margin cash collateral under derivative contracts; failure or breach of NextEra Energy’s or FPL’s information technology systems; risks to NextEra Energy and FPL’s retail businesses from compromise of sensitive customer data; losses from volatility in the market values of derivative instruments and limited liquidity in OTC markets; impact of negative publicity; inability of NextEra Energy and FPL to maintain, negotiate or renegotiate acceptable franchise agreements with municipalities and counties in Florida; increasing costs of health care plans; lack of a qualified workforce or the loss or retirement of key employees; occurrence of work strikes or stoppages and increasing personnel costs; NextEra Energy’s ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate acquisitions, including the effect of increased competition for acquisitions; NextEra Energy Partners, LP’s (NEP’s) acquisition of NET Holdings Management, LLC (NET Midstream) and other future acquisitions by NEP may not be completed and, even if completed, NextEra Energy may not realize the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions; environmental, health and financial risks associated with NextEra Energy’s and FPL’s ownership and operation of nuclear generation facilities; liability of NextEra Energy and FPL for significant retrospective assessments and/or retrospective insurance premiums in the event of an incident at certain nuclear generation facilities; increased operating and capital expenditures at nuclear generation facilities of NextEra Energy or FPL resulting from orders or new regulations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; inability to operate any of NextEra Energy Resources’ or FPL’s owned nuclear generation units through the end of their respective operating licenses; liability of NextEra Energy and FPL for increased nuclear licensing or compliance costs resulting from hazards, and increased public attention to hazards, posed to their owned nuclear generation facilities; risks associated with outages of NextEra Energy’s and FPL’s owned nuclear units; effect of disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit and capital markets on NextEra Energy’s and FPL’s ability to fund their liquidity and capital needs and meet their growth objectives; inability of NextEra Energy, FPL and NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc. to maintain their current credit ratings; impairment of NextEra Energy’s and FPL’s liquidity from inability of creditors to fund their credit commitments or to maintain their current credit ratings; poor market performance and other economic factors that could affect NextEra Energy’s defined benefit pension plan’s funded status; poor market performance and other risks to the asset values of NextEra Energy’s and FPL’s nuclear decommissioning funds; changes in market value and other risks to certain of NextEra Energy’s investments; effect of inability of NextEra Energy subsidiaries to pay upstream dividends or repay funds to NextEra Energy or of NextEra Energy’s performance under guarantees of subsidiary obligations on NextEra Energy’s ability to meet its financial obligations and to pay dividends on its common stock; and effect of disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit and capital markets of the market price of NextEra Energy’s common stock. NextEra Energy and FPL discuss these and other risks and uncertainties in their annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and other SEC filings, and this news release should be read in conjunction with such SEC filings made through the date of this news release. The forward-looking statements made in this news release are made only as of the date of this news release and NextEra Energy and FPL undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.


Ismael Cala and Atlantis University inaugurate the Centro Academico de Liderazgo de las Americas with the course “Emotional Leadership”

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Ismael Cala and Atlantis University inaugurate the Centro Academico de Liderazgo de las Americas with the course “Emotional Leadership”


MIAMI, Sept. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Communicator, author and international lecturer Ismael Cala, and Atlantis University in the United States are announcing the opening of the Centro Academico de Liderazgo de las Americas (C.A.L.A. – Academic Center for Leadership of the Americas), whose first activity will be the online course, “Emotional Leadership.”

Available as of September 29, the course consists of three sessions and other academic activities, in Spanish, for participants of any educational level. Sessions will address the connection between reason and emotion, inner balance and leadership with social intelligence.

Ismael Cala will direct all classes of this online course, intended for people who wish to take on the challenge of leadership in their professional and personal life. Students who enroll will receive an official certificate from Atlantis University.

“Each new project awakens a particular emotion in me. In this case, I am happy to go back to university teaching to share what I can with people interested in this fascinating subject, from any part of the world,” said Ismael Cala.  “This course represents the opening of a much-desired project, the Centro Academico de Liderazgo de las Americas (C.A.L.A.), which we are now inaugurating with the collaboration of Atlantis University.”

All information is here:
https://www.atlantisuniversity.edu/au_cala/

September is turning out to be a special month for Ismael Cala, as he will be presenting his third book, “El secreto del bambu” [‘The secret of bamboo’], on September 8th. The story is all about bamboo, a plant that is as strong as steel yet amazingly flexible, a symbol of life and leadership.  

ABOUT ISMAEL CALA

Ismael Cala, host of the CALA show on CNN en Espanol, has more than 25 years of media experience in Cuba, Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. His books, El poder de escuchar [‘The power of listening’] (2013), and Un buen hijo de P [‘A real S.O.B.’] (2014) have become best sellers in Latin America and the U.S.  He directs the digital magazine “Cala 3.0” and publishes a weekly column in more than 30 newspapers and magazines.

ABOUT ATLANTIS UNIVERSITY

Atlantis University is engaged in educating leaders in business and technology through international academic programs.  Its vision is committed to professional development, personal growth and social responsibility.  The university promotes an innovative focus for the training of competent leaders in today’s job market.  It is an accredited university with its headquarters in Miami, Florida, U.S.A. 


Hispanic Evangelicals Coast-to-Coast Share Single Focus On Education Sunday: ‘Love the Lord With All Our Minds’

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Hispanic Evangelicals Coast-to-Coast Share Single Focus On Education Sunday: ‘Love the Lord With All Our Minds’

On September 6: 2,500 Hispanic Congregations Will Pray for Students, Seek Justice for All


WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC/CONEL), the nation’s leading organization for 16 million Hispanic American Evangelicals, celebrates its annual Education Sunday on September 6, 2015. The NHCLC invites churches across the nation to pray for and support the students in their congregations and communities, including those in home, private and public schools. Education Sunday equips parents to take an active role in their children’s education and empowers congregations to actively support high academic achievement for all children in their community.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120912/CL72800LOGO

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, founder and president of NHCLC/CONEL and a former public school educator, views education equity as a matter of biblical justice. “It’s time to remind Americans that we are not only one nation under God, but we are also a nation of liberty and justice for all. We will bring biblical justice to our nation’s public classrooms when academic achievement is no longer dependent upon a student’s zip code, ethnicity or income. And we will truly love our neighbors as ourselves when we love their students as our own.”

Education Sunday is a dedicated time for congregations to pray for their students and teachers, affirm the value of education, and invite the congregation to support local schools and students. Dr. Andrea Ramirez, Executive Director of the Faith & Education Coalition – NHCLC, describes the heart behind Education Sunday 2015: “This year we are focusing on Jesus’ command to ‘love the Lord with all our minds and to love our neighbors as ourselves’ from Luke 10:27. Education Sunday focuses our hearts on equipping students – the children in our homes as well as the children in our communities. By taking steps to support local schools, our hope is to honor the ‘Imago Dei’ in every child. Because every child is created in God’s image, each one has the potential for loving God with all of his or her mind.”

The NHCLC hosts a resource website, http://www.FaithandEducation.com, for parents and pastors. Tools for churches are provided at the site, including Education Sunday bilingual resources, as well as a variety of tools and information for parents. Resources include:

  • Parent Toolkit: parents can plan for a successful school year with tips for student success, parent-teacher conference guides, suggestions for homework help, help discovering local afterschool care, and links to academic standards by grade level
  • Education Sunday support: information and ideas for this year’s event include a sample sermon, original song, Bible studies and more
  • Scholarship Information: students can enter a scholarship contest by submitting a 60-second video of what Education Sunday looked like at their church. By participating in Education Sunday, churches and their students become eligible for other scholarship opportunities through the year.

“Hispanic parents care deeply about education,” comments Dr. Carlos Campo, President of Ashland University and founder of the Faith & Education Coalition. “They are eager to see their children graduate high school and attend college, even if no one else in their family has accomplished that goal. But far too many graduates require remedial classes at college, because they weren’t held to rigorous high school standards. Our students deserve better, and Christians can lead the way.”

The NHCLC, which values Education as one of its core directives, advocates for Hispanic student success including education equity and high academic standards for all students as a part of its mission as a Christian organization.

NHCLC/CONEL is the world’s largest Hispanic Christian organization. It serves as a representative voice for the more than 100 million Hispanic Evangelicals assembled in over 40,000 U.S. churches and another 500,000 congregations spread throughout the Spanish-speaking diaspora. For additional information, visit http://www.nhclc.org.


Kia Motors America Announces Record August Sales

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IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Continuing to gain momentum, Kia Motors America (KMA) today reported best-ever August sales of 58,897 vehicles, a 7.7-percent increase over the same period last year and the brand's fourth straight monthly sales record. Soul sales spiked to an all-time high single nameplate monthly sales total of 17,108 units, while other top movers in August included Optima and Sorento with 13,980 and 10,211 units sold, respectively. Kia is up 5.4 percent year-to-date.

"Kia has outpaced the industry all year, and that trend continued in August as we set our fourth consecutive monthly sales record despite significant turbulence
in the stock market and not having the benefit of Labor Day weekend sales," said Michael Sprague, Chief Operating Officer and EVP, KMA. "Since its introduction in 2009, the wildly popular Soul has been one of the industry's greatest success stories, and its record-setting August performance comes on the heels of being the highest ranked compact multi-purpose vehicle in initial quality by J.D. Power."

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA proudly serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA and set an all-time annual sales record in 2014, surpassing the 500,000 unit mark for the third consecutive year. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles, including the rear-drive K9001 flagship sedan, Cadenza premium sedan, Sorento CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Soul Electric Vehicle2, Sportage compact CUV, Optima midsize sedan, Optima Hybrid, the Forte compact sedan, Forte5 and Forte Koup, Rio and Rio 5-door subcompacts and the Sedona midsize multi-purpose vehicle, through a network of more than 765 dealers across the United States. Kia's U.S. manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, builds the Optima* and Sorento* and is responsible for
the creation of more than 15,000 plant and supplier jobs.

Information about KMA and its full vehicle line-up is available at www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX, SX & Limited and certain LX Trims only) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

MONTH OF AUGUST

YEAR-TO-DATE

Model

2015

2014

2015

2014

Rio

1,734

3,390

18,796

27,147

Forte

6,862

5,759

57,912

49,276

Optima

13,980

15,337

106,584

111,738

Cadenza

322

522

4,021

6,524

K900

386

102

1,576

1,050

Sportage

5,749

4,494

34,996

28,862

Sorento

10,211

9,302

76,381

69,972

Sedona

2,545

692

26,825

5,043

Soul

17,108

15,069

99,069

104,777

Total

58,897

54,667

426,160

404,389

1

2015 K900 V8 available in select trims and in select markets with limited availability.

2

Soul EV in select markets with limited availability.

American Honda Reports Strong Car and Truck Sales for August 2015

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Honda's 2016 CR-V set a new all-time monthly sales record in August, helping to push Honda trucks to a 6.9% gain for the month.






American Honda Reports Strong Car and Truck Sales for August 2015

– Honda CR-V breaks all-time record with 34,771 units sold, rising 2.0 percent

– Honda Accord, Civic and CR-V combine to exceed 100,000 sales in August

– Acura TLX gains more than 90 percent in August, with 4,353 vehicles sold

– Acura RDX continues strong run, up 9.5 percent on sales of 4,364


TORRANCE, California, Sept. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today reported August 2015 sales of 155,491 Honda and Acura vehicles, a decrease of 6.9 percent over August 2014, when the industry had one additional selling day and an early Labor Day weekend. The Honda Division sold a total of 140,178 units, while Acura reported 15,313 vehicles sold in August.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150901/262787
Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100923/HONDALOGO

Honda

New Honda cars and trucks sold briskly last month, despite the calendar differences from a particularly strong August 2014, with Accord, Civic and CR-V easily surpassing the 100,000 mark in combined sales to stay on pace to top 1 million units and CR-V having its best month in history. Odyssey also notched a sales gain for the third straight month.

  • CR-V breaks all-time monthly sales record, rising 2.0 percent on sales of 34,771 units
  • Total truck sales were up 6.9 percent on sales of 63,897 with the all new HR-V crossover passing 4,500.
  • Accord, Civic and CR-V each posted more than 30,000 sales in August, with Accord topping 40,000 units and combining for a total of 107,733 vehicles sold

“The shorter sales month versus last year obscures the continued strong sales momentum of core Honda models,” said Jeff Conrad, Honda Division senior vice president and general manager. “We’re working hard to keep up with the strong demand for our trucks, while our sedans continue to set the bar for retail sales.”

Acura

Acura sedans enjoyed healthy August sales, strongly buoyed by the TLX as well as the redesigned ILX. The new RDX continued a quick sales pace, while MDX sales were slowed by short inventory. Total Acura sales are up more than 10 percent year-to-date.

  • Sales of the TLX – Acura’s best-selling sedan— continued on a hot streak, increasing 90.4 percent on sales of 4,353 for the month
  • Overall Acura sedan sales gained 24 percent for a total of 6,202 units sold in August
  • RDX sales were up 9.5 percent in August, with 4,364 units sold in one of the industry’s hottest segments

“Strong sales of both sedans and trucks is now a reality for the Acura brand,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. “Our lineup has avoided the ups and downs of the market which is keeping Acura on pace for our best sales year since 2007.”

American Honda Vehicle Sales for August 2015

Month-to-Date

Year-to-Date

August 2015

August 2014

DSR** % Change

MoM % Change

August 2015

August 2014

DSR** % Change

YoY % Change

American Honda Total

155,491

167,038

-3.3%

-6.9%

1,054,816

1,042,382

1.7%

1.2%

Total Car Sales

82,483

96,793

-11.5%

-14.8%

542,210

573,738

-5.0%

-5.5%

Total Truck Sales

73,008

70,245

7.9%

3.9%

512,606

468,644

9.9%

9.4%

Honda Total Car Sales

76,281

91,790

-13.7%

-16.9%

498,695

541,195

-7.4%

-7.9%

Honda Total Truck Sales

63,897

59,761

11.0%

6.9%

438,806

395,269

11.6%

11.0%

Acura Total Car Sales

6,202

5,003

28.7%

24.0%

43,515

32,543

34.4%

33.7%

Acura Total Truck Sales

9,111

10,484

-9.8%

-13.1%

73,800

73,375

1.1%

0.6%

Total Domestic Car Sales

81,873

95,430

-10.9%

-14.2%

537,277

539,327

0.1%

-0.4%

Honda Division

75,859

90,883

-13.3%

-16.5%

495,393

515,436

-3.4%

-3.9%

Acura Division

6,014

4,547

37.4%

32.3%

41,884

23,891

76.2%

75.3%

Total Domestic Truck Sales

73,008

70,245

7.9%

3.9%

512,601

468,644

9.9%

9.4%

Honda Division

63,897

59,761

11.0%

6.9%

438,801

395,269

11.6%

11.0%

Acura Division

9,111

10,484

-9.8%

-13.1%

73,800

73,375

1.1%

0.6%

Total Import Car Sales

610

1,363

-53.5%

-55.2%

4,933

34,411

-85.6%

-85.7%

Honda Division

422

907

-51.7%

-53.5%

3,302

25,759

-87.1%

-87.2%

Acura Division

188

456

-57.2%

-58.8%

1,631

8,652

-81.1%

-81.1%

Total Import Truck Sales

0

0

0.0%

0.0%

5

0

0.0%

0.0%

Honda Division

0

0

0.0%

0.0%

5

0

0.0%

0.0%

Acura Division

0

0

0.0%

0.0%

0

0

0.0%

0.0%

MODEL BREAKOUT BY DIVISION

Honda Division Total

140,178

151,551

-3.9%

-7.5%

937,501

936,464

0.6%

0.1%

* ACCORD

40,931

51,075

-16.8%

-19.9%

231,173

271,426

-14.4%

-14.8%

* CIVIC

32,031

34,032

-2.3%

-5.9%

221,471

231,167

-3.7%

-4.2%

CR-Z

333

342

1.1%

-2.6%

1,895

2,697

-29.4%

-29.7%

FCX CLARITY

0

0

0.0%

0.0%

0

1

-100.0%

-100.0%

* FIT

2,901

6,051

-50.2%

-52.1%

42,867

32,990

30.6%

29.9%

INSIGHT

85

290

-69.6%

-70.7%

1,289

2,914

-55.5%

-55.8%

CROSSTOUR

930

1,037

-6.9%

-10.3%

6,450

8,269

-21.6%

-22.0%

* CR-V

34,771

34,079

6.0%

2.0%

229,574

217,293

6.2%

5.7%

HR-V

4,567

0

0.0%

0.0%

24,617

0

0.0%

0.0%

ODYSSEY

13,423

12,488

11.6%

7.5%

88,910

86,691

3.1%

2.6%

PILOT

10,202

10,810

-2.0%

-5.6%

88,742

72,423

23.1%

22.5%

RIDGELINE

4

1,347

-99.7%

-99.7%

513

10,593

-95.1%

-95.2%

*** Memo: Accord FHEV

1,369

1,175

21.0%

16.5%

9,257

9,425

-1.3%

-1.8%

Memo: Accord PHEV

2

46

-95.5%

-95.7%

62

267

-76.7%

-76.8%

Memo: Civic Hybrid

590

503

21.8%

17.3%

3,317

3,407

-2.2%

-2.6%

Memo: Fit EV

0

55

-100.0%

-100.0%

0

318

-100.0%

-100.0%

Acura Division Total

15,313

15,487

2.7%

-1.1%

117,315

105,918

11.3%

10.8%

ILX

1,660

1,798

-4.1%

-7.7%

11,744

11,390

3.6%

3.1%

RLX / RL

187

216

-10.1%

-13.4%

1,600

2,508

-35.9%

-36.2%

TL

1

463

-99.8%

-99.8%

85

10,215

-99.2%

-99.2%

TLX

4,353

2,286

97.7%

90.4%

30,055

2,286

1,221.2%

1,214.7%

TSX

1

240

-99.6%

-99.6%

31

6,144

-99.5%

-99.5%

MDX

4,747

6,497

-24.1%

-26.9%

39,144

43,444

-9.5%

-9.9%

RDX

4,364

3,984

13.8%

9.5%

34,654

29,865

16.6%

16.0%

ZDX

0

3

-100.0%

-100.0%

2

66

-97.0%

-97.0%

*** Memo: ILX Hybrid

1

24

-95.7%

-95.8%

20

330

-93.9%

-93.9%

Memo: RLX Hybrid

34

0

0.0%

0.0%

181

0

0.0%

0.0%

Memo: TSX Wagon

0

25

-100.0%

-100.0%

2

624

-99.7%

-99.7%

Selling Days

26

27

204

205

**** Hybrid

2,414

2,380

5.3%

1.4%

16,021

19,040

-15.4%

-15.9%

* Honda and Acura vehicles are made of domestic & global sourced parts

** Daily Selling Rate

*** Memo line items are included in the respective model total

**** Hybrid includes FHEV, PHEV, CR-Z, Civic Hybrid, Insight, ILX Hybrid, RLX Hybrid and RLX Sport Hybrid


OCP Pledges to Support the V Encuentro

0





OCP Pledges to Support the V Encuentro


PORTLAND, Oregon, Sept. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The OCP board of directors approved a Padrino partnership with The National Team of Accompaniment towards the V Encuentro (ENHAVE), pledging $175,000 to the process.

“OCP is honored to support the V Encuentro. We look forward to partnering with the USCCB to advance the evangelizing mission of the Church among our Latino brothers and sisters over the next three years – and beyond,” said OCP’s Publisher, John Limb.

The V Encuentro Nacional Hispano/Latino de Pastoral is a three-year process of pastoral-theological reflection culminating with a national event. The process includes leadership development and formation, and identifies the needs of the Hispanic Catholics in the United States and how to address them. The outcome of the process is shared through Encuentro (gatherings) at the parish, diocesan, regional and national level, and articulated in a concluding document with pastoral guidelines and recommendations.

As a Padrino partner, OCP will support the V Encuentro by simultaneously educating customers through a variety of channels: Articles in “Today’s Liturgy” and “Liturgia y Cancion”, a significant web presence on OCP.org and event support materials and resources. OCP is honored to also prepare liturgy and music for Encuentro gatherings and train music leaders in the Encuentro process.

The highest of four levels of partnership, a Padrino precedes Compadres, Amigos, and Companeros partnership levels. In seeking sponsors, ENHAVE only sought out four Padrino partnerships for the Encuentro process and welcomes OCP as the third organization to pledge.

EHNHAVE expects participation from over 1 million Catholics over the five-year process.

For more information, please contact Kelcee Marcum at [email protected] or 503.460.5358.

About OCP
Oregon Catholic Press, a not-for-profit publisher of liturgical music and worship resources based in Portland, Oregon, has been in operation for more than 90 years. Worship programs produced by OCP are used in over two-thirds of Catholic churches in the United States and are distributed worldwide. Find OCP on Facebook at Facebook.com/OCPmusic.