GM Assigns Compact Opel Astra Sizable Task

To underscore the importance of the new Astra to Opel’s fortunes, General Motors CEO Mary Barra is expected to join Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann for its premiere at the Frankfurt auto show.

By James M. Amend • Aug. 31, 2015

Toyota Thailand Suspends Prius Output in Tax Tiff

The dispute stems from a Finance Ministry investigation into whether the hybrid is a completely knocked-down vehicle totally assembled in Thailand, or is an imported car subject to a 187.8% duty.

By Alan Harman • Aug. 31, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Artificial 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

Kia Releases Photos of Frankfurt-Bound ’16 Sportage

The Kia tiger grille positively identifies the Sportage front end but headlights no longer are integrated. The new frontal look is prompting comparisons to the Porsche Macan, a strong seller in Korea.

By Vince Courtenay • Aug. 31, 2015

Mazda Dealerships Go From Orange and Green to Black and White

“Retail Evolution embodies the spirit and direction of the Mazda brand,” says the head of Mazda North American Operations.

By Steve Finlay • Aug. 27, 2015

Hyundai Making Foray Into High-Performance Arena

Hyundai sources say the vehicle won’t go into production but was developed to show features that could wind up in future performance cars and perhaps even in production vehicles.

By Vince Courtenay • Aug. 27, 2015

Toyota Advances D4S With Self-Cleaning Feature on Tacoma

Drivers may hear the self-cleaning taking place during a hot idle, and the process could last from 10 seconds to as long as 10 minutes, depending on driving patterns and the amount of build-up on the injectors.

Aug. 27, 2015

Mitsubishi Puts Aging Plant on Tech’s Cutting Edge

The Okazaki plant produces Outlander, Outlander plug-in hybrid and RVR midsized CUVs . The RVR is sold in Europe as the ASX. More than 90% of output is exported, with Europe accounting for more than half of the total.

By Roger Schreffler • Aug. 26, 2015

Ford Fights Russia Slump on Product, Price Fronts

The automaker is cutting prices and expanding its product range in an effort to pull out of a tailspin that saw July sales drop 21.3% from like-2014 and 52% for the year’s first seven months, according to WardsAuto data.

By Eugene Gerden • Aug. 26, 2015

Ford Prepping Mustang for November Arrival in U.K.

Some 80% of U.K. customers are opting for the fastback body style over the convertible and 70% want the 416-hp 5.0L V-8 over the more fuel-efficient 317-hp 2.3L EcoBoost engine.

By Alan Harman • Aug. 26, 2015

Honda Reveals BR-V Prototype at Indonesia Show

The BR-V is scheduled to be marketed first in Indonesia early next year and then in other countries. Production starts in January.

By Alan Harman • Aug. 26, 2015

Toyota SUV Tops Chinese Model in Safety Tests

Of the seven SUVs crash-tested by ASEAN NCAP, the Rush is the first Toyota model. The vehicle tested is built in Indonesia, and although electronic stability control was not available, antilock braking is standard across all variants.

By Alan Harman • Aug. 25, 2015

Lexus Targets German Rivals With 4-Cyl. GS

Both Audi and BMW have reached 4-cyl. penetration rates as high as 40% in their A6 and 5-Series sedans, so Lexus hopes to gain ground in the segment by offering a 241-hp 2.0L turbo-4 in the midsize sedan in ’16.

Aug. 24, 2015

Ford’s 3-Cyl. Gutsy, Efficient and Fun to Drive

Ford says the 999cc I-3 is not only its smallest EcoBoost engine but also its most advanced.

By Gary Witzenburg • Aug. 24, 2015

Chinese Automakers Retrench as Iran’s Market Reopens

With the lifting of sanctions against Iran in exchange for curtailing its nuclear program, Chinese automakers will face more competition as other foreign companies step up production in the country, increase imports, or both.

By Peter Homola • Aug. 21, 2015

Hyundai Teases Sixth-Gen Elantra Ahead of LA Show

Debuting in November at the Los Angeles auto show as a ’17-model precursor, the new Elantra’s design is tweaked to present an upscale appearance, but no details of any drivetrain changes are being revealed.

By Vince Courtenay • Aug. 20, 2015

Lexus Hovers Atop Most-Engaging Car Ads List

TNT beat out the broadcast networks to collect the lion’s share of automotive ad dollars, with an estimated $6.2 million, driven largely by sports-related programming.

By WardsAuto Staff • Aug. 20, 2015

Audi Unveiling 310-Mile EV Concept at Frankfurt

The Audi e-tron Quattro concept builds on drivetrain technology from the Audi R8 e-tron, an electrically driven sports car from the German automaker on sale this year in limited quantities.

By James M. Amend • Aug. 19, 2015

Ford Polishes Taurus’ Tarnished Image for China

The Taurus has a checkered history here in the U.S., going from best-seller to fleet standby in just a few decades. Ford hopes to leave that behind in China with a model designed exclusively for that market.

By Alysha Webb • Aug. 19, 2015

SAIC’s V80 Draws Poor Safety Rating in Australia

The China-built V80 scores just 4.97 points out of a possible 16 in a frontal-offset crash test.

By Alan Harman • Aug. 18, 2015

Death of an LT4, Or What You Didn’t Read in My Cadillac CTS-V Review

Editor's note: This story is part of the WardsAuto digital archive, which may include content that was first published in print, or in different web layouts.ELKHART LAKE, WI – As far as catastrophic engine failures on a race track go, this one lacked any drama until emergency personnel at Road Am...

By James Amend • Aug. 17, 2015

Defying Weak Market, BMW Adding Russian Dealerships

Unlike other automakers that have scaled back or even halted production to reduce inventories of unsold vehicles, BMW is moving to expand its current network of 65 dealerships in 41 Russian cities.

By Eugene Gerden • Aug. 17, 2015

Toyota: Tacoma Demand, Loyalty Stand Up to New GM Trucks

A Toyota official credits the Colorado and Canyon for some of the Tacoma’s 19.7% increase through July, saying the GM models have reignited interest in the segment.

Aug. 17, 2015

Honda’s Pilot Elite Rises Back to Top of Ad Ranking

Volkswagen and Dodge rejoin the Top 5 list, with overall TV ad spending flat for the week at $75.8 million.

By WardsAuto Staff • Aug. 14, 2015

Ford Ushers Assembly Into Virtual World

A new digital lab in Dearborn ramps up Ford’s ability to use virtual reality in solving problematic vehicle-assembly operations. Ergonomic issues are down 90%, and the number of days missed by injured employees has dropped 75%.​

Aug. 14, 2015

Ford: Regional Hubs, Flexible Platforms Part of Emerging-Markets Strategy

There will be two versions of the next Focus, one with a more expensive independent rear suspension for mature markets and another with a less-pricey solid rear axle for cost-sensitive emerging markets, the automaker’s purchasing chief reveals.

By David Zoia Editor • Aug. 13, 2015