Latest Stories | Wards Auto

Latest Stories

Audi Unveils Supercharged 3.0L TFSI V-6
Jul 7, 2008 8:35 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Mike Sutton
The belt-driven, roots-type compressor allows the premium V-6 to make 290 hp and 310 lb.-ft. of torque, while also improving throttle response and packaging.

Chrysler Realigns Human Resources Staff
Jul 3, 2008 10:50 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Ward’s Staff
Nancy Rae will lead the integration of the auto maker’s human resources, employee relations and communications functions.

Chrysler Signs MOU With Great Wall Auto in Drive Into China
Jul 3, 2008 10:45 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Ward’s Staff From Wires
Great Wall is China’s largest manufacturer of SUVs and pickups and launched its first passenger car this year.

Great Wall to Launch Sales in Oz, New Zealand in October
Jul 3, 2008 9:16 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Alan Harman
The first model offered will be a 2.3L double-cab Ute that will cost well under A$20,000 in both countries, importer Ateco says.

Ford Names New U.S. Marketing Chief
Jul 2, 2008 10:13 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Ward’s Staff
Czubay has 38 years of automotive experience and served in various management and executive roles at Ford from 1970 to 1983.

Spectra Name Change Unlikely; Rondo Sales Rise
Jul 2, 2008 9:53 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Christie Schweinsberg
The hatchback variant likely will be axed when the new Spectra lineup debuts next year as ’10 models.

VW Minivan Plans Unhindered by Chrysler Production Move
Jul 1, 2008 1:59 PM, WardsAuto.com, By James M. Amend
Chrysler dominated the U.S. minivan market in 2007 with 315,000 deliveries, falling just short of the combined totals of Toyota and Honda.

Chrysler Idles St. Louis Minivan Plant
Jun 30, 2008 4:12 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Eric Mayne
Market forces such as rising gas prices have created a “turbulent” business climate, says Chrysler Co-President and Vice Chairman Tom LaSorda.

Ford to Bring Upcoming Global B-Car to India
Jun 30, 2008 10:30 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Sudhakar Shah
The new vehicle will trigger a major expansion as the auto maker targets India as its regional hub for the export of small cars to Asia and Africa.

Mercedes Previews Bluetec CUVs
Jun 27, 2008 8:37 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Herb Shuldiner
The ability of the diesel cross/utility vehicles to achieve a cruising range of up to 600 miles is a significant selling point, the auto maker says.

Porsche to Move Boxster to Magna
Jun 26, 2008 11:35 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Peter Homola
Porsche says it is making the move mainly because Magna made a better offer and is in a better position to handle development work for the German sports-car maker.

Toyota Names Agata to Head North American Manufacturing
Jun 26, 2008 11:11 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Ward’s Staff
The former head of Toyota’s European research and development and manufacturing operations takes over for Seiichi Sudo, who is returning to Japan.

Continental Previews Possible Next-Gen Chrysler Technology
Jun 26, 2008 10:12 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay
The screen, located on the center stack above a vehicle’s console, shows different images based on the viewing angles of front-row occupants.

Taiwan’s Sanyang to Build Pickups in Vietnam
Jun 25, 2008 2:11 PM, WardsAuto.com, By John Westbrook
The T880 is to be sold in Vietnam under the SYM brand, making Sanyang the first Taiwanese auto maker to produce vehicles overseas under its own brand.

Volvo to Slash $700 Million in Costs; Ford Denies Brand for Sale
Jun 25, 2008 1:52 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Byron Pope
The Swedish auto maker says worker layoffs are the first part of an internal review of its organizational structure that will continue through the fall and be in place by year’s end.

Clean Diesel Languishing on Consumer Radar, Survey Shows
Jun 24, 2008 2:00 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Eric Mayne
Infotainment features are beginning to compete directly with safety features for consumer preference, says J.D. Power’s survey of emerging technologies.

Mazda to Reduce Fuel Consumption 30% by 2015
Jun 24, 2008 12:23 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Ward’s Staff
Mazda’s new gasoline engines will incorporate next-generation direct-injection spark ignition and other systems that will boost power 15%-20% and improve fuel economy some 20%.

GM Revamps Production Schedule
Jun 23, 2008 5:42 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Ward’s Staff
Bucking the trend is GM’s van plant in Wentzville, MO. The auto maker has scheduled overtime there.

Metro NY Bucks National Sales Decline
Jun 23, 2008 9:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Herb Shuldiner
The slowing economy is not impacting New York as much as other areas of the U.S., but there still is concern by dealers who say light trucks are not selling well.

Mazda Gets Green Light to Road Test Hybrid Vehicle
Jun 20, 2008 3:03 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Ward’s Staff
The minivan features a hybrid system that combines an electric motor with Mazda’s rotary engine, boosting power 40% and extending the vehicle’s hydrogen-fuel range to 124 miles, the auto maker says.

Energy Providers Join Detroit 3 PHEV Research Initiative
Jun 20, 2008 12:55 PM, WardsAuto.com, By James M. Amend
Auto makers and policy makers consider the existence of a robust electrical infrastructure a key enabler to the mass production of PHEVs.

Ford Upgrades Sync, Navigation System as Microsoft Deal Expires
Jun 20, 2008 11:26 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Byron Pope
The auto maker now is hoping to build on its momentum from Sync with the addition of Travel Link to its new navigation/entertainment system.

GM Says 18,657 Workers Take Latest Round of Buyout Offers
Jun 19, 2008 2:13 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Ward’s Staff
Nearly half the departures come from GM sites in Michigan, including some 2,000 workers from truck-centric assembly plants in Flint and Pontiac.

Kerkorian Increases Stake in Ford, Again
Jun 19, 2008 12:28 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Ward’s Staff
Tracinda began buying Ford shares April 2 and repeatedly has said its interest in the auto maker is due to its strong performance during difficult economic conditions.

New EU Legislation Targets Tire Noise
Jun 19, 2008 11:21 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Deirdre Mason
The new guidelines would require all passenger cars from 2012 to have tire-pressure monitoring systems and lower rolling-resistance tires with increased wet grip and a 67% reduction in noise levels.