Automakers: Page
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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 -
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
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 -
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 -
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
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