Automakers: Page
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Veteran Assembler Valmet Gets Boost From Mercedes
Valmet’s breakthrough came when the Finnish contract assembler signed a deal with Daimler in July 2012 to make more than 100,000 Mercedes A-Class between 2013 and 2017.
By John Pagni • Jan. 6, 2017 -
Kia Looks for Big Things From Picanto A-Segment Car
Kia predicts the new Morning version of the Picanto will win back Korea’s city-car crown from GM Korea’s New Spark, which ranks fifth among the country’s 10 best-selling passenger vehicles. The current-generation Morning is No.7.
By Vince Courtenay • Jan. 5, 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 -
Honda Rolls Out Electric Automated EV, In-Vehicle Payment Concepts at CES
The Japanese automaker also is showing at CES what it says is more accurate in-vehicle voice control, 3D images on a concept display and a virtual-reality headset in combination with a DreamWorks film.
Jan. 5, 2017 -
Cadillac Starts Up ‘White-Glove’ Car-Sharing
BOOK by Cadillac will charge a monthly fee of $1,500 for access to Cadillac vehicles without the obligation of leasing, financing or buying.
By James M. Amend • Jan. 5, 2017 -
2017 Winner: Ford Focus RS 2.3L Turbo 4-Cyl.
If there was a slam-dunk engine in this year’s competition, it was this one. Scores were high across the board, and there was no real debate among the judges during final deliberations as to whether this high-performance challenger was trophy-worthy.
By David Zoia Editor • Jan. 5, 2017 -
It’s a Kia Trifecta in Weekly Ad Rankings
The brand controls the top three spots on the chart with ads touting its seasonal sales events.
By WardsAuto Staff • Jan. 5, 2017 -
2017 Winner: Chrysler Pacifica 3.6L Atkinson V-6/Dual Motor PHEV
The Pacifica Hybrid's plug-in propulsion system seamlessly shifts between modes as it draws power from twin electric motors and a revised 3.6L Atkinson-cycle DOHC V-6.
By Bob Gritzinger • Jan. 5, 2017 -
Scooter, Exoskeletons, Health, Autonomy on Hyundai’s CES Stand
An Ioniq scooter, self-driving Ioniq EVs, three wearable exoskeletons and a concept cockpit that jostles or soothes drivers are being shown at the annual Las Vegas conference.
Jan. 4, 2017 -
Strong December Caps Good Sales Year for Audi
Citing market share gains from competitors such as BMW, and a flurry of new products, Audi expects growth to continue this year.
Jan. 4, 2017 -
Ford Finishes Strong, Forecasts Stable 2017
Ford ends 2016 on a high note, delivering 232,048 light vehicles in December, up 4.1%, to bring its total for the year to more than 2.5 million units. The Ford brand and F-150 finish the year as America’s best sellers.
By Bob Gritzinger • Jan. 4, 2017 -
2017 Winner: Chevrolet Volt 1.5L 4-Cyl./Dual Motor EREV
The Chevy Volt’s innovative engineering and second-generation advances make its impact on the industry at large undeniable and its encore appearance on the Wards 10 Best Engines list richly deserved.
Jan. 4, 2017 -
Microsoft: Cloud to Outweigh Future Cars’ Sheetmetal
Microsoft’s Chris Pendleton says data stored in the cloud creates opportunities for the software giant’s partners and OEMs to deliver services that will help car owners and other customers operate more efficiently.
By Joseph Szczesny • Jan. 4, 2017 -
2017 Winner: BMW M240i 3.0L DOHC Turbo-6
Other automakers would give up corporate secrets in exchange for just one of BMW’s excellent inline-6 turbos. With two of them, BMW guards the I-6 legacy, as well as its brand heritage.
Jan. 4, 2017 -
Hyundai Making Progress on CUVs, Although Maybe Not Fast Enough
Sales of the Korean brand’s CUVs have risen sharply this year in the U.S., but still lag the industry leaders.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Jan. 3, 2017 -
Infiniti QX50 Concept With ProPilot to Debut in Detroit
The semi-autonomous suite of technologies will “delegate” to the car the navigation of stop-start highway traffic.
Dec. 30, 2016 -
Kia Adds Flair to 3rd-Gen Picanto A-Segment Car
The automaker’s focus on sporty design is meant to appeal to younger buyers looking for a compact city car.
By Paul Myles • Dec. 29, 2016 -
GM Uses Virtual World to Perfect Future Vehicles
The visualizations are so realistic GM often can skip building expensive, time-consuming design prototypes such as interior bucks.
By James M. Amend • Dec. 28, 2016 -
Opel’s Spanish, German Plants to Swap Assembly Jobs
Opel Spain sources have said with GM’s new focus on increased output of small models, the Figueruelas plant by 2020 could approach its maximum capacity of 500,000 units per year and top the record 489,000 built in 2007.
By Jorge Palacios • Dec. 27, 2016 -
Holiday Spots Remain Big Draw for Automakers
Leading the pack is a Hyundai commercial that offers up holiday spirit in the form of festive clothing, hot chocolate and the chance to get $2,500 off the new Sonata. The commercial garnered 419,000 earned online views.
By WardsAuto Staff • Dec. 22, 2016 -
Judges’ Decision Knocks Out Porsche’s Boxer
Yes, I bonded with Porsche’s 2.0L welterweight fighter, and my emotional attachment became stronger as I realized my coaching from the corner was falling on deaf ears.
Dec. 22, 2016 -
Audi to Reveal New Q8 Concept
Depicted an official sketch released by the German luxury-car builder, the highly detailed concept foreshadows a spacious new Range Rover Sport rival that is planned to go on sale before the end of 2017.
By Greg Kable • Dec. 22, 2016 -
Volkswagen Teases Second I.D. Electric Car Concept
Intended to bridge the gap between one of Volkswagen’s most admired models and a future electric-car lineup, the multi-seat concept is described as featuring outstanding accommodation and an extended electric range.
By Greg Kable • Dec. 22, 2016 -
Skoda Adds Muscle to Octavia Hatch, Station Wagon
The Octavia vRS puts out 230 hp with an upgraded 4-cyl. 2.0L TSI gasoline engine and will be sold alongside a 184-hp 2.0L TDI diesel-powered model.
By Paul Myles • Dec. 21, 2016 -
Proton Predicts Better Performance in 2017
New products launched in the second half of 2016 are expected to drive higher volumes next year.
By Alan Harman • Dec. 21, 2016 -
Lamborghini Soon to Unleash Updated Aventador S
Besides improvements in aerodynamics, suspension, electronics and customizable driving modes, the supercar will feature a 4-wheel steering system.
By Paul Myles • Dec. 21, 2016