Acura Piloting Mystery Customer Satisfaction Program

Acura already performs well on third-party surveys of customer-retail experiences, but a brand official says how luxury vehicle owners are treated is where the sector’s winners and losers will be determined.

March 3, 2015

VW Concept Glimpse of Future Design Cues, Upscale Direction

The automaker says its Sport Coupe Concept GTE slots in the C-segment above the Passat and CC models and would be aimed at buyers looking for the functionality of a large hatchback with the interior space of a sedan.

By David Zoia Editor • March 2, 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

Ford Seeks Vehicle-Use Insights Through Fleet Study

The Fleet Insight study has been under way for the past 10 weeks incorporating 72 Hewlett-Packard corporate vehicles.

By Byron Pope • March 2, 2015

Gen Z Buyers Prefer Ford, Automaker’s Study Finds

Ford-commissioned survey indicates Gen Z consumers prefer cars over CUVs, largely due to economic reasons.

By Byron Pope • Feb. 27, 2015

Market Leader Toyota Australia Sales Hit 6 Million

Australians have bought 3.5 million Toyota cars, more than 1.7 million light-commercial vehicles and 830,000 SUVs since the automaker launched sales in 1958. Toyota estimates about 62% of the vehicles still are registered.

By Alan Harman • Feb. 26, 2015

Next-Generation Hyundai Elantra to Stay Aggressive

Hyundai is unlikely to tone down the next-generation Elantra’s exterior design the way it did with the Sonata midsize sedan.

By Byron Pope • Feb. 26, 2015

Audi Offers Glimpse of High-Performance PHEV

The e-tron quattro engine in the upcoming Q7 migrates to the Avant with fortified power numbers.

Feb. 25, 2015

New Top-of-Line Offering By VW’s Skoda Is Superb

Roomier and better-appointed than the model it replaces, the new Skoda is targeted at affluent buyers in China and elsewhere and billed as having the same functionality as a limousine.

By Giancarlo Perini • Feb. 23, 2015

Korea’s Hyundai Under Sustained Fire From Imports

The Golf outsold the Hyundai i30 in Korea last year, marking the first time a foreign-brand model beat any locally built Hyundai. Total import sales surged 25.6% from like-2014.

By Vince Courtenay • Feb. 23, 2015

Volvo Promises 7 Vehicles in 4 Years

The plan includes redesigned versions of the S80, V70, XC60, S60 and V60, as well as new V40 and XC40 for the U.S. By the time Volvo’s product offensive is complete four years from now, no vehicle in the lineup will be more than four years old.

Feb. 20, 2015

Mazda Bullish on CX-3

Mazda North American chief predicts B-segment CUVs will be one of the fastest-growing segments over the next two years.

By Byron Pope • Feb. 19, 2015

Infiniti QX30 Breaks Cover Ahead of Geneva Debut

The QX30 is part of Infiniti’s 2-pronged approach to the burgeoning entry-luxury segment.

Feb. 19, 2015

Volkswagen Targets Share Growth for Skoda in Spain

The automaker wants its Czech brand to more than double its market penetration over the long term. The new Fabia model, unveiled last year, is expected to be the big driver.

By Jorge Palacios • Feb. 19, 2015

Global Hybrid Leader Toyota’s 2014 Sales Slip 1.0%

Honda, Mitsubishi, Subaru were among the automakers reporting improved hybrid sales in 2014.

By Roger Schreffler • Feb. 18, 2015

Bartsch Out at Infiniti

New Infiniti Vice President Randy Parker is the third leader for the Nissan luxury brand in the U.S. in three years.

Feb. 17, 2015

Toyota India Product Push Aims to Rebuild Share

The automaker’s small-car offerings were not competitively priced owing to a low level of parts localization and the need to import relatively costly components, exacerbated by the depreciation of the Indian rupee against the U.S. dollar.

By Sudhakar Shah • Feb. 17, 2015

Hyundai Veloster Receives Upgrades, New Rally Edition Unveiled

Veloster turbo gets Hyundai’s Active Sound Design, which accentuates powertrain sound for a more engaging driving experience.

By Byron Pope • Feb. 13, 2015

Audi Notches 2 Millionth Delivery in U.K.

The Volkswagen-owned luxury brand is to spend about €24 billion between now and 2019, with 70% channeled into new-model development and innovative technologies.

By Alan Harman • Feb. 13, 2015

GM Holden Launches Transition From Oz Production

GM Holden, which will halt Australian production at the end of 2017, says one-third of the brand’s future models will be sourced from Europe.

By Alan Harman • Feb. 13, 2015

Mitsubishi Plans Cautious Product Push in U.S.

In addition to a new-gen Montero based on its Chicago concept vehicle, the brand plans a Mirage sedan and Outlander plug-in, and is discussing joint-venture deals with Renault and other automakers.

By Jim Mateja • Feb. 13, 2015

Toyota Freshens Up Avalon; Special-Edition Camry, Corolla in Plans

The lower-luxury Avalon gets some styling tweaks, most notably a new grille and lighting, plus some upgraded standard equipment. It hits the market later this year.

By Jim Mateja • Feb. 12, 2015

Kia Trail’ster Concept Could Head to Production

Consumer feedback will determine whether Kia builds a production version of the Trail’ster concept unveiled at the auto show here.

By Byron Pope • Feb. 12, 2015

Acura Ups Luxury Content for Refreshed RDX

A new high-end grade is added for ’16, and includes such items as remote-engine start, rain-sensing wipers and parking sensors.

Feb. 12, 2015

All-New ’16 Honda Pilot Puts Accent on Technology

Infotainment hardware includes five USB ports, four with 2.5-amp output, to charge iPads or smartphones while in use; an auxiliary jack for most audio players; an HDMI port for a gaming console; two headphone jacks; and two 12V power outlets.

By Jim Mateja • Feb. 12, 2015

Kia Debuts Soul-Based Trail’ster Hybrid Concept

The latest in a line of funky Soul concepts has a 2-tone color scheme, canvas rollback roof and uses an e-AWD system.

Feb. 12, 2015