Automakers: Page 177
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Massive Retooling Readies Toyota Georgetown for Another 30 Years
Launch of the ’18 Camry introduces the automaker’s new TNGA global platform to North America, but it marks only the beginning of the extensive overhaul under way in Kentucky.
By David Zoia Editor • July 10, 2017 -
Unionized GM Korea Employees Authorize Strike
Despite GM Korea suffering heavy financial losses and production and sales volumes shrinking, workers are planning to go on strike to back their demands for a monthly wage increase of 154,883 won ($133) and a bonus of five months’ pay.
By Vince Courtenay • July 7, 2017 -
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 -
Toyota Vows Better Speed to Market, Employee Retention
Toyota’s move to Texas should not be a repeat of Nissan North America’s 11 years ago, says Jim Lentz, CEO-Toyota Motor North America.
July 6, 2017 -
Kia’s Fourth of July Sale Spot Most Engaging Auto Ad
Kia celebrates the holiday with a sales-event commercial that touts great deals and cars that are assembled in America. The spot plays up “five months freedom from payments” and 0% financing on select models.
By WardsAuto Staff • July 6, 2017 -
Jaguar Hits Performance Peak With XE SV Project 8
Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations says the second Collector’s Edition by SVO – following the F-Type Project 7 of 2014 – is a hand-built 4-door sedan with supercar performance.
By Alan Harman • July 6, 2017 -
Mazda Thailand Posts 100,000 Sales, Credits Skyactiv
Mazda says it is seeing tremendous growth in the Thai market thanks to the introduction of its sixth generation of cars that come with Skyactiv technology.
By Alan Harman • July 6, 2017 -
SEAT to Deploy New Arona in European Utility Wars
Going on sale in Spain in November, the Arona is based on the recently launched fifth-generation Ibiza. Both vehicles use SEAT parent Volkswagen’s MQB modular architecture.
By Jorge Palacios • July 5, 2017 -
Japan Three Post Mixed June Results
The Japanese Big Three continue to see their U.S. sales powered by CUVs, while Honda and Nissan get a surprising boost from their luxury marques.
July 3, 2017 -
GM Korea CEO Resigns Amid Tough Labor Talks, Declining Sales
The resignation and contentious labor negotiations cast a cloud over GM Korea and could be endangering its future at a GM that in recent months has shown it’s willing to shut down or sell off unprofitable global operations.
By Vince Courtenay • July 3, 2017 -
GMC Terrain Says ‘Bye-Bye Gear Shifter’
The 5-button, PRNDL key bridge is located at the base of the center stack and ahead of a deep center console the system permits because it does not use a traditional mechanical linkage to the transmission.
By James M. Amend • July 3, 2017 -
Porsche Hits Performance Heights With 911 GT2 RS
Powered by a revised version of the twin-turbocharged 3.8L 6-cyl. gasoline engine used in the latest 911 Turbo, the new coupe packs 690 hp, making it the most powerful road-going 911 ever.
By Greg Kable • June 30, 2017 -
Kia Stonic Revealed as Hyundai Kona Goes on Sale
The Kona’s silent sales launch earlier this week may have been intentional so as not to upstage the press reveal of Hyundai affiliate Kia’s competing Stonic subcompact CUV at the automakers’ combined design and development center in Namyang, Korea.
By Vince Courtenay • June 30, 2017 -
GM’s Russian JV in Talks to Finance New-Gen Niva CUV
General Motors’ Russian joint venture, GM-AvtoVAZ, is in negotiations with Russian authorities, particularly on opening a credit line needed to fully finance expansion of the plants where the current-generation Niva is built.
By Eugene Gerden • June 29, 2017 -
Slovakian Grant to JLR Draws EU Regulators’ Scrutiny
The Commission’s decision will indicate how far it is prepared to let the Slovak government spend on supporting local automakers. This particular inquiry focuses on the country’s plans to grant €125 million to Jaguar Land Rover for investing in a car plant in western Slovakia.
By Diana Yordanova • June 29, 2017 -
Job One for ’18 Camry at Toyota’s Retooled Georgetown Plant
To build the new Camry, Toyota has added more than 700 jobs at the plant, bringing total employment to more than 8,000, an all-time high for the facility.
By David Zoia Editor • June 28, 2017 -
Infiniti’s Driving Test Ad Gets Top Grade
Toyota still dominates the Most Engaging Auto Ads list, taking three of the top five spots, including a No.5 finish for its Lexus luxury brand.
By WardsAuto Staff • June 28, 2017 -
Mitsubishi, PSA Name New Oz Operations Chiefs
In John Signoriello, who takes the top job July 1, Mitsubishi Australia is getting a local man to head the company for the first time since its founding 37 years ago.
By Alan Harman • June 26, 2017 -
Geely Plots Strategic Course for Malaysia’s Proton
Malaysia becomes the right-hand-drive production hub for Geely in the ASEAN region, allowing Proton’s modern but underused 150,000-unit-a-year Tanjung Malim plant to run at its maximum capacity, possibly including Volvo cars.
By Alan Harman • June 26, 2017 -
BMW Looks Upmarket With Third-Generation X3 CUV
The new range-topping X3 model runs the same engine and gearbox combination as the recently introduced X4 M40i M Performance in a move that will see it take on performance-based rivals including the Audi SQ5, Mercedes-AMG GLC43 and Porsche Macan Turbo.
By Greg Kable • June 26, 2017 -
Mazda Plans to Expand Russia-Built Product Lineup
The Vladivostok plant produces Mazda6 sedans and CX-5 CUVs, and the Japanese automaker intends to add models it currently sells in the Russian market, according to Jorg Schreiber, head of Mazda Motor Rus, the company’s Russian subsidiary.
By Eugene Gerden • June 26, 2017 -
Hyundai Designer Talks Differentiation, Downside of Globalization
To progress, Hyundai’s models must be more distinctive, the Korean brand’s lead designer says, bemoaning a world where vehicles are too similar.
June 26, 2017 -
New Toyota-Brand Chief Talks Trucks, Dealers, Camry
It’s all about sales volume, new Toyota Div. General Manager Jack Hollis says. Move the metal and new-product investment is assured, dealers are happy and employees invigorated.
By David Zoia Editor • June 23, 2017 -
Machinery Auction Set as Toyota Australia Nears End of Car Production
Hilco Industrial Acquisitions, which is handling the sale, says there has never been an auction with this magnitude of state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment.
By Alan Harman • June 23, 2017 -
Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE Runs Record Lap
The track-focused Camaro with a 6-speed manual transmission mated to its 650-hp supercharged LT4 V-8 engine was 13.56 seconds faster than a ZL1 outfitted with a new 10-speed automatic.
By James M. Amend • June 22, 2017 -
Toyota Again Reigns Supreme With Most-Seen TV Ads
The spot, inspired by the fairy tale about the gingerbread man, advertises the ’18 Toyota C-HR as a (naturally) ginger-haired driver speeds through city streets and ends up at an outdoor masquerade party.
By WardsAuto Staff • June 22, 2017