Automakers: Page 116
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chip Shortage Forces 1-Week Idling of Four GM Plants
Wards Intelligence/LMC Automotive is forecasting production of 4.2 million units in the third quarter, a 5-year high for the quarter. But production could be much higher if the microchip shortage, as well as other disruptions in the supply chain, were not a hindrance.
By Jim Irwin • July 19, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Jeep Grand Cherokee Featured in Most-Seen Auto Ad
According to Ace Metrix Creative Assessment survey data from iSpot, the Jeep commercial garnered 6.4% more attention than the norm for auto ads in the past 90 days, and was 6.8% more likeable.
By Jim Irwin • July 19, 2021 -
Explore the Trendline➔
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
Nissan Launches Production of All-New 2022 Frontier Pickup
The all-new Frontier arrives in dealer showrooms throughout the U.S. and Canada in late summer.
By Jim Irwin • July 19, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
General Motors Expanding California Design Operations
The new site is closer to Southern California technology centers and creates a recruiting opportunity with its proximity to leading universities and design schools. The region also is a center for graphic design and gaming, which are playing a larger role in the design of automotive cockpits.
By Joseph Szczesny • July 16, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
VW Upgrades Tech, Drivetrains in ’22 Golf GTI, Golf R
Available in the fourth quarter, both new Golfs can be ordered with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG automatic transmission. VW's 2.0L EA888 turbocharged 4-cyl. makes 241 hp in the GTI and 315 hp in the R.
By Sebastian Blanco • July 15, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Refreshed 2022 Jeep Compass on Sale This Fall
Jeep will offer the 5-passenger CUV in five trims, including the new Latitude LUX, which gets several high-end features. The ’22 Compass gets extensive interior and exterior upgrades.
By Chris Teague • July 14, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Altia HMI Tech Featured in Upcoming Cadillac Lyriq BEV
The Lyriq CUV’s curved 33-in. (84-cm) diagonal advanced LED display will serve as the instrument cluster, infotainment system and control for lighting.
By Jim Irwin • July 13, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler Tops at Connecting EVs With Customers
The Pied Piper study looked at how well automakers and dealers do at promoting electric vehicles and at handling customers interested in them.
By Steve Finlay • July 13, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Rimac-Porsche JV Takes Control of Hypercar Maker Bugatti
Bugatti will remain headquartered in Molsheim, France, while Rimac Group will stay near Zagreb, Croatia, building its own electric hypercars and developing systems and technologies for global OEMs.
By Jim Irwin • July 7, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM to Source U.S.-Based Lithium for Next-Gen EV Batteries
Under an agreement with Controlled Thermal Resources, lithium will be sourced in part from California from a more environmentally friendly process than traditional lithium production.
By Jim Irwin • July 2, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota Moves to Top Spot in Most-Seen Auto Ad Ranking
The No.1 ad for the week of June 21 is Toyota’s adventurous SUV commercial, which collected 26% of its TV ad impressions appearing during NBA Playoff games.
By Jim Irwin • July 2, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mercedes-Benz Opens Van Marshaling Yard in South Carolina
Mercedes-Benz USA is selling more vans since the parent company opened a new, larger and more fully equipped assembly plant in the Charleston, SC, area in 2018, to build a new generation of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van.
By Jim Henry • July 1, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lidar, In-House Battery Production in Volvo’s Sights
Volvo’s road map for technology development for the next 10 years already is marked by its partnerships with technology and automotive players including Google, Luminar, Northvolt and NVIDIA working with its in-house software company, Zenseact.
By Paul Myles • June 30, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Porsche Reveals 631-hp Cayenne Turbo GT Midsize CUV
The new model builds off the Cayenne Coupe Turbo with a raft of specific developments already proved at the Nürburgring circuit in Germany, where the Cayenne Turbo GT recently established a new lap record for production-based CUVs.
By Greg Kable • June 29, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lexus Again Leads Most-Seen Auto Ads Ranking
In the top ad for the week of June 14, Lexus encourages car buyers to strive for more – aided by the brand’s RX midsize luxury CUV in the pursuit of that goal.
By Jim Irwin • June 25, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
With Manual Gearbox, Honda Civic Hatches a Good Time
Honda says the versatile, Euro-inspired hatchback comes with an available 6-speed manual transmission mated to either a 158-hp naturally aspirated 2.0L 4-cyl. or a 1.5L turbocharged 4-cyl. rated at 180 hp.
By Tom Murphy • June 24, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Audi Spills Secrets of New RS3
The ’22 model will feature a Magna-produced torque splitter in place of the standard A3’s all-wheel-drive Haldex clutch. The 394-hp sedan is set for North American delivery in early 2022.
By Greg Kable • June 24, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Creature Comforts Abound in All-New ’22 Infiniti QX60
“We’ve enriched the all-new 2022 Infiniti QX60 in ways that our owners asked for,” says Eric Rigaux, Infiniti global head of product strategy. Arriving in North America late this year, the ’22 QX60 features V-6 power and a crafted interior.
By Jim Irwin • June 23, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Volkswagen Using Advanced 3D Printing Process to Make Parts
The new process, called binder jetting, reduces costs and increases productivity because components can weigh only half as much as conventional parts made from sheet steel.
By Paul Myles • June 23, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Jeep Expanding Russian Lineup
In April the automaker began sales of a special Jeep Wrangler 80th Anniversary Edition. It will be followed in the fourth quarter by the fifth generation of the fullsize Grand Cherokee SUV and updated Compass small CUV.
By Eugene Gerden • June 23, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Acura TLX Type S Sport Sedan Arriving at Dealerships
The Type S is powered by a turbocharged 3.0L DOHC V-6 generating 355 hp and 354 lb.-ft. (480 Nm) of torque. The upcoming ’22 Acura MDX Type S also will use the new engine, which is a candidate for Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems honors.
By Jim Irwin • June 22, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
‘Great Ideas Come from Everywhere,’ Says GM VP-Innovations
GM’s brain trust is impressive, but building all from scratch in-house “is not our mantra,” says Pamela Fletcher, vice president-innovation.
By Steve Finlay • June 22, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Farley Bullish on Ford Q2 Results Despite Chip Shortage
The reaction to the introduction of the battery-electric Ford F-150 Lightning has been overwhelming and is likely to mark a turning point in the broader acceptance of BEVs, Ford CEO Jim Farley says during an investors conference.
By Joseph Szczesny • June 21, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lexus Moves to Top of Most-Seen Auto Ads Chart
The first-place ad for the week of June 7 features the Lexus RX. The ad, which focuses on car buyers who strive to get more out of their lives, scored well for its “cinematic” aspects, according to Ace Metrix Creative Assessment survey data from iSpot.
By Jim Irwin • June 18, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Volkswagen, Daimler Join Lithium-Management Partnership
The “Responsible Lithium Partnership” says the world’s largest lithium reserves are located in Chile’s Salar de Atacama. The region’s ecosystem is fragile and there is lack of consensus regarding the impacts and risks of lithium mining in the region.
By Paul Myles • June 18, 2021
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