Automakers: Page 115
-
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lincoln Lavishes High-Tech Luxury on ’22 Navigator
The ’22 Navigator will be the first Lincoln to offer ActiveGlide adaptive cruise control that allows hands-free driving on select divided highways across the country.
By Chris Teague • Aug. 18, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Nissan Breathes New Life Into Z Sports Car Lineup
If the new Z is anywhere nearly as good as it looks on paper, Nissan has a hit on its hands.
By Chris Teague • Aug. 18, 2021 -
Explore the Trendlineâž”
Courtesy of Kia Corporation
TrendlineArtificial Intelligence
Automakers and dealers alike are increasingly seeing the use case for AI within their operations. Explore some use cases in this trendline.
By WardsAuto staff -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota Introduces Racing-Inspired 2022 GR 86
The GR 86 is distinguished from the GT 86 – and its mechanical twin, the Subaru BRZ – by a larger, naturally aspirated 2.4L boxer 4-cyl. producing 228 hp and 184 lb.-ft. (309 Nm) of peak torque at 3,700 rpm.
By Jim Irwin • Aug. 17, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Surf’s Up With Ford Bronco Riptide Concept
The concept vehicle showcases many Ford accessories available to retail buyers at their dealer at time of purchase. Customers can add the cost of factory- and dealer-installed accessories to their financing and roll it into their monthly payment.
By Jim Irwin • Aug. 17, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Exec: OTA Connectivity Improves Recall Management
With the new generation of connectivity, on such vehicles as the new Ford F-150 or the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Ford can identify and potentially fix a problem much faster, via over-the-air software updates.
By Jim Henry • Aug. 12, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota Spending Pays Off With Most TV Auto Ad Impressions
Toyota’s National Sales Event TV ad takes over the top position for the week of Aug. 2, bolstered by the highest estimated national TV spend and a wide range of programming targets.
By Jim Irwin • Aug. 12, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Blue Cruise: Call It Level 2.5
Using both advanced camera and radar-sensing technologies, BlueCruise will allow a driver to operate hands-free on nearly 130,000 miles (209,209 km) of prequalified “Hands-Free Blue Zone” sections of divided highways.
By Gary Witzenburg • Aug. 11, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Manufacturing Experts: Workers, Machines Can Coexist
Automation doesn’t necessarily lead to the elimination of jobs. Tools and robots allow work to be redistributed, while predictive maintenance frees up skilled-trades workers for other projects, says Nissan’s David Johnson.
By Joseph Szczesny • Aug. 10, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Honda Takes Step Toward Level 3 Autonomous Driving
The carmaker known for its caution has launched a Level 3 autonomous system that only activates at slow speeds.
By Paul Myles • Aug. 6, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Nissan Overtakes Jeep in Most-Seen Auto Ads Race
For the week of July 26, Nissan breaks out of its second-place position to take the lead. Jeep’s “Wildly Civilized” spot is third for the week after several weeks atop the ranking.
By Jim Irwin • Aug. 6, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Automaker/Supplier Relationships: What Comes Next?
Wilm Uhlenbecker, president of Brose North America, says there is a trend toward a more collaborative approach between OEMs and suppliers.
By Gary Witzenburg • Aug. 5, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Raising EV Development Stakes, Barra Says
GM’s $2.8 billion in second-quarter earnings fell short of Wall Street expectations, even though the automaker raised its estimated full-year earnings to between $7.7 billion and $9.2 billion – despite the ongoing shortage of semiconductors, which could last into 2022.
By Joseph Szczesny • Aug. 5, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
More Upfront Cost for Sustainable Materials New Norm
Ford advances on the sustainability front with the Mustang Mach-E BEV, while suppliers Faurecia and BASF progress with recyclable hemp fibers and bio-based castor oil, respectively.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Aug. 4, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Stellantis, CEO Tavares Close Books on Strong First Half
Since its introduction in March, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe has become the best-selling plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle in the U.S., says Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, who credits the Jeep team with turning the brand into a global powerhouse.
By Joseph Szczesny • Aug. 4, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Biden Admin. Closely Watching GM Mexico Union Vote
The dispute grows out of a contested election this past April at the GM manufacturing complex and assembly plant in Silao, Mexico. The Mexican government set aside the results of that election, and the U.S. Trade Representative filed a complaint over the vote.
By Joseph Szczesny • Aug. 2, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Torrid Auto Sales Defy Tight Inventories, Toyota’s Carter Says
Toyota outsold General Motors for the first time in the second quarter – but only by about 5,000 units, according to Wards Intelligence. But Bob Carter, Toyota North America’s sales chief, says it’s not “sustainable” that Toyota could continue to outsell GM in the U.S.
By Jim Henry • July 30, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Jeep Ad Gets Top Viewer Response for Third Straight Week
The No.1 ad for the week of July 19, Jeep’s “Wildly Civilized” spot, was rated 4.4% more watchable than the norm for auto brands in the past 90 days, and 6.3% more relevant, according to Ace Metrix Creative Assessment survey data from iSpot.
By Jim Irwin • July 29, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Overcomes Semiconductor Shortage to Post Q2 Profit
“Despite the many headwinds from the semiconductor shortage, some of which were unique to Ford, our team skillfully managed our business,” President and CEO Jim Farley says. “I can tell you that this outcome was far from certain at the beginning of the quarter.”
By Jim Irwin • July 28, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Production Issues Temper Tesla’s Record Q2
The shortage of semiconductors has cut into automotive production across the globe, and Tesla is no exception, CEO Elon Musk says. Meanwhile, Tesla factories in Austin, TX, and Berlin will begin producing Model Y CUVs later this year, followed by Cybertruck in Austin.
By Joseph Szczesny • July 27, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
EVs Must Be Affordable, Stellantis CEO Tavares Says
“We don’t want to disconnect with the middle classes,” Carlos Tavares says. “If we want to stay affordable while building a new electric technology that’s 40% more expensive, then we have to work harder on the cost reduction.”
July 26, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Culture, Demographics Test U.S. Automakers in China
Market analyst Alan Kang says Chinese brands’ rising market shares are a threat to low-end American rivals such as Chevrolet and Ford because Chinese automakers are offering models with lower prices, better design and more features.
July 23, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Jeep Has Most-Watched Auto Ad for Third Straight Week
The No.1 ad for the week of July 12, entitled “Wildly Civilized,” promotes the Jeep Grand Cherokee midsize SUV.
By Jim Irwin • July 22, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Stellantis CEO Tavares Seeks Supply-Chain Control
“The challenge is to determine which supply chains you want to control,” Tavares tells Joe White, global automotive industry editor for Reuters, who moderated the discussion. “You need to select strategic, scarce raw materials – the few things you need to control.”
By Jim Henry • July 21, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Utility Vehicles Power VW, Audi to Strong First Half
In the first half of 2021, the VW brand’s sales were 211,373, up 46% vs. 2020. Audi’s U.S. sales in the first half were 121,835, up 59.9% vs. a year ago.
By Jim Henry • July 21, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
VW Chattanooga Retires Passat With Limited-Edition Run
The automaker plans a Limited Edition run of 1,973 units to recognize the year the first Passat was launched in Germany as it prepares to transform the Chattanooga plant for electric-vehicle production.
By Jim Irwin • July 20, 2021
Previous
