Automakers: Page 225

New ’15 Ford F-150 Off to Good Start

The new truck also is selling quickly, averaging just 18 days on dealer lots, well below the light-duty fullsize pickup truck average of 105 days.

By Byron Pope • March 13, 2015

Honda Working on Better Recall Strategy

Broad-based media campaigns may be used to reach owners of older vehicles, but that isn’t always a perfect approach either, as some owners may not speak English.

March 12, 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

UAW Aims to Open Door to South at Mercedes in Alabama

“The company provides for me and my family,” says George Jones, who is leading the union’s organizing effort at the Vance plant. “So why would I want to hurt it?”

By David C. Smith • March 11, 2015

Barra Buying Into Beleaguered GM India’s Turnaround

GMI’s shrinking market share and capacity utilization caught the attention of parent company CEO Mary Barra, who visited India in September to assess the affiliate’s options. She conceded GM did not have the right focus.

By Sudhakar Shah • March 10, 2015

VW Confirms Tiguan Headed to Mexico

The automaker will invest $1 billion to bring Tiguan production to North America. Output is expected to reach 500 units per day once in full swing at the Puebla plant.

By David Zoia Editor • March 9, 2015

Honda: Not Concerned Whether Overtaken By Nissan

Although last year Honda delivered 100,000 more units in the U.S. than Nissan, this year Nissan is ahead of its Japanese rival, selling 201,226 units through February vs. Honda’s 182,676.

March 9, 2015

Miata Mazda’s ‘Heart,’ Executive Says

The roadster sells in low volumes, but Jim O’Sullivan, the automaker’s top North American executive, says the car is worth the investment.

By Byron Pope • March 6, 2015

Toyota: 4Runner and Highlander to Fill Venza Void

In 2014, Venza sales fell 16.3% to 29,991 units, while 4Runner and Highlander deliveries rose 49.0% and 14.5%, respectively.

March 5, 2015

Fiat Unwraps Doblo Trekking at Geneva Auto Show

The Fiat Doblo Trekking passenger van receives new front and rear bumpers and a raised chassis with an under-engine guard.

By Byron Pope • March 4, 2015

Lexus Hints at Subcompact CUV with LF-SA Concept

The concept has seating for four, but with a driver-centric layout to emphasize the fact drivers at most times are the sole occupant in urban vehicles.

March 3, 2015

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

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