Automakers: Page
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Chevy Equinox, Blazer Join GM’s BEV Stable
The all-electric versions of the popular crossovers will go on sale next year, with the Equinox starting around $30,000. CEO Mary Barra also provides updates on Ultra Cruise and says 50% of GMs plants in the U.S. will be dedicated to building EVs by 2030.
By Joseph Szczesny • Jan. 6, 2022 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
No U.S. Comeback for Peugeot, Stellantis CEO Tavares Says
Stellantis has a strong presence in the U.S. through its legacy brands Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram. Given the company’s relative strength in the U.S. market, CEO Carlos Tavares sees no need to add Peugeot to the mix.
By Joseph Szczesny • Jan. 6, 2022 -
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 -
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Most-Seen Auto Ads Connect With College Football Viewers
Lincoln’s “Unexpected” ad, No.1 for the week of Dec. 27, is joined by debuts by Mercedes-Benz and Jeep, which rank third and fifth, respectively. All three spots leaned heavily on the week’s college football playoff and bowl game broadcasts.
By Jim Irwin • Jan. 6, 2022 -
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BMW Unveils 610-hp iX M60 at CES
Power for the Tesla Model X Plaid-rivaling CUV comes from an upgraded version of the iX xDrive50’s dual-electric-motor drivetrain developing peak power of 610 hp in Sport mode.
By Greg Kable • Jan. 5, 2022 -
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Chrysler Unveils Airflow Concept BEV at CES 2022
The Airflow Concept integrates advanced driver-assistance technology with intuitive AI and connected-vehicle technology that delivers 350 to 400 miles (564 to 644 km) of range and fast-charging functionality, Chrysler says. STLA AutoDrive delivers Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities.
By Jim Irwin • Jan. 5, 2022 -
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Hyundai Adds Advanced Robotics to Mobility Equation
Hyundai says it considers robotics and mobility a synergistic combination that will add value to the business and foster progress for humanity within a robotics-based Mobility of Things ecosystem.
By Jim Irwin • Jan. 4, 2022 -
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General Motors, Ford Wage War Over Battery-Electric Future
Here’s the timeline I see unfurling: Ford is winning the first round in the EV war with General Motors. It will probably hold onto that lead through 2022 and maybe 2023. But in 2024 GM will surge ahead as its strategic plan fully blossoms.
By John McElroy • Jan. 4, 2022 -
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Mercedes-Benz Reveals Range-Busting Vision EQXX EV Concept
The high-efficiency BEV, with an eye-popping 620 miles of range, is claimed to set the technological template for future production models from Stuttgart.
By Greg Kable • Jan. 3, 2022 -
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Volvo Takes XC60 Midcycle Refresh a Step Further
The interior has been updated (the new, leather-alternative wool-blend fabric, for example), but the real star here is the next-generation infotainment system that was built with Google Maps and Google Assistant in mind.
By Sebastian Blanco • Jan. 3, 2022 -
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Toyota Opens Proving Grounds to Other OEMs, Suppliers
The Arizona Mobility Test Center at the Toyota Arizona Proving Grounds, located in the Sonoran Desert, covers approximately 11,650 acres and has 77 miles of testing surfaces with 25 miles of paved roads, 52 miles of dirt tracks and a high-speed oval.
By Jim Irwin • Dec. 29, 2021 -
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BMW Recruits Technicians from U.S. Military
Since 2019 the military training program has graduated 106 rookie BMW technicians nationwide. Dealerships need about 76,000 new technicians annually due to retirements and job departures, but only about 39,000 service techs graduate from tech schools.
By Jim Henry • Dec. 28, 2021 -
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VW Invests $20 Million in Car Dealers’ EV Efforts
VW is turning to dealers to bring “their communities into electric vehicles,” says Scott Keogh, who heads Volkswagen Group of America.
By Steve Finlay • Dec. 22, 2021 -
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Toyota’s ‘Bookstore’ Is Most-Watched Auto Ad of Week
Toyota's No.1 ad for the week of Dec. 13, about restocking a small-town bookstore, features music from Kacey Musgraves.
By Jim Irwin • Dec. 22, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Stellantis to Strengthen Its European Financing Businesses
The automaker intends to create a leading operational leasing group and enhance its captive finance arm. The new structure will support the future of mobility services.
By Paul Myles • Dec. 21, 2021 -
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Ford Banks on Revenue from Commercial BEV Charging
Ford Pro Charging is the automaker’s new arm tasked with helping convert commercial customers to all-electric trucks. Ford expects to capture over $1 billion of revenue from the charging business by 2030.
By Joseph Szczesny • Dec. 17, 2021 -
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Ford Investing in Romanian Plant With Eye on New LCV, BEV
The plant in Craiova in southern Romania will become Ford’s third European production facility to build an all-electric vehicle, following recent investments in its plants in Cologne, Germany, and Kocaeli, Turkey.
By Eugene Gerden • Dec. 16, 2021 -
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Christmas Spirit Takes Over Auto Advertising Themes
Lincoln’s “Unexpected” spot depicting a snowstorm amid palm trees remains the most-watched automotive TV ad, followed by spots from Ram and Jeep.
Dec. 15, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Honda Teases More Images of ’23 Civic Type R
The range-topping hot hatch rolls out next year. This week, Honda shares several images of the car testing at Japan’s Suzuka Circuit.
By Chris Teague • Dec. 15, 2021 -
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Suppliers Need to Realign Capacity for BEVs, Ford Says
“Many suppliers can actually use their existing capabilities and know-how to operate in the BEV space,” says Ford’s Frank Abkenar. ZF is in the middle of making just this change, says Michael Ebenhoch, who heads electrified powertrain tech for the supplier.
By Sebastian Blanco • Dec. 14, 2021 -
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Volkswagen Group Ups EV Tech Spending to $100 Billion
The Volkswagen Group says it will reduce spending on hybridization and internal-combustion-engine development and concentrate on stepping up development and production of BEVs.
By Greg Kable • Dec. 13, 2021 -
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BMW Confirms Electric i3 Sedan for Chinese Market
The new BMW is based on an upcoming facelifted version of the Chinese-market long-wheelbase 3-Series – a model not currently sold outside of China – which is 6.4 ins. longer than the existing standard-wheelbase 3-Series sold in North America.
By Greg Kable • Dec. 10, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
JIT Supply System Under Review, GM’s Barra Says
CEO Mary Barra opens the door to stockpiling critical parts due to a semiconductor shortage, and she doubts GM will go back to the level of inventory dealers had before the pandemic.
By Joseph Szczesny • Dec. 10, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Column
Tesla Charges Into Auto Insurance Market
Tesla CEO Elon Musk may be able to maneuver around the business world pretty well, but when it comes to challenges that are auto insurance-specific, there may be some hiccups along the way.
By Fadi Sneineh • Dec. 10, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
ProPilot Assist Standard on All ’22 Infiniti QX50 Models
Priced starting at $39,000, the 5-passenger QX50 is available in five grades – Pure, Luxe, Essential, Sensory and Autograph – with standard front-wheel drive or, for an additional $2,000, Intelligent All-Wheel Drive.
By Jim Irwin • Dec. 9, 2021 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Stellantis Says ‘STLA Brain’ Software Bolsters Vehicles by 2024
The automaker says it has 12 million monetizable connected cars globally. By 2026, this is expected to grow to 26 million vehicles and generate approximately €4 billion ($4.5 billion) in revenues, CEO Carlos Tavares says.
By Joseph Szczesny • Dec. 9, 2021
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