Automakers: Page


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    Is This 7 BMW’s Lucky Number?

    The 7-Series represents BMW’s flagship car, but it never has led its segment in U.S. sales. Since its U.S. arrival in 1980, it has trailed at various times the Mercedes S-Class, Lexus LS and Jaguar XJ.

    June 16, 2015
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    GM Jumps Back Into Medium-Duty Market

    GM’s new low-cab-forward truck lineup will include six models – the Chevrolet 3500, 3500HD, 4500, 4500HD, 5500 and 5500 HD. The trucks are based on the Isuzu N-Series.

    By James M. Amend • June 15, 2015
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    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
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    Honda Discontinues Civic Natural Gas, Hybrid, Accord PHEV

    The automaker is prepping for a new generation of eco-friendly models, including a battery-electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid due by 2018 in the U.S.

    June 15, 2015
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    GM Dealer-Succession Bulletin Causes Consternation

    Idaho dealers say they like doing business in a state that's not a land of megadealerships – with one notable exception.

    By June 15, 2015
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    Ford to Use Beacons to Beckon Buyers

    Under a pilot program dealers will attach beacons to models they want to feature in their showrooms. As a shopper walks around the vehicle, the devices will broadcast key information to the customer’s smartphone that might help close a sale.

    By David Zoia Editor • June 15, 2015
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    General Motors Shifts Russian Production to Belarus

    A government spokesman says besides Opel, GM will add assemblies of premium brands including Cadillac at its Belarusian JV by September. The new models will be sold in Belarus, Russia and possibly other Eastern European states.

    By Eugene Gerden • June 15, 2015
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    Ford Back at LeMans for 50th Anniversary of Historic Win

    The racer will be powered by a high-output version of the automaker’s 3.5L EcoBoost V-6 and is expected to lead to lightweighting and other innovations that could filter down to production models.

    By David Zoia Editor • June 12, 2015
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    Mitsubishi Plant Fate Could Be Decided This Year

    Mitsubishi July 24 announced it would close its U.S. plant and seek a buyer (see related story below). A month earlier, a top U.S. official discussed the plant and its future with WardsAuto.

    June 12, 2015
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    VW Group Dealers Fined for Price Fixing in Spain

    Spain’s competition commission contends the dealers agreed to fix prices and exchange market information, creating cartels in several geographic zones surrounding Madrid, Catalonia, Andalusia, North, Asturias and Valencia.

    By Jorge Palacios • June 11, 2015
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    Kia to Open 21 New Dealerships in Mexico, Confirms New Plant to Be Export Hub

    The new showrooms mark the beginning of the brand’s foray into Mexico, which will be capped by the launch of pre-production of Forte small cars at a greenfield site near Monterrey in December.

    By Vince Courtenay • June 11, 2015
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    BMW Rolls Out Lightweight, Luxurious 7-Series

    A new plug-in hybrid powertrain, active-chassis control, rear-wheel steering, gesture recognition and automated parking are among innovations appearing on BMW’s all-new flagship.

    June 10, 2015
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    Once-Youngest Cadillac Car Dealer Now Sells 16 Brands

    John Bommarito retains faith in the future of General Motors’ luxury brand.

    By Lillie Guyer • June 10, 2015
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    Toyota U.K. Pulls Off Rare Twin Launch

    Ramp-up of revamped Avensis and Auris models at the Burnaston factory went from zero to 800 units daily in just 10 days.

    By Alan Harman • June 9, 2015
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    Mitsubishi Explores Going It Alone on Next-Gen Lancer

    If talks fail with another potential C-car partner, a redesigned Lancer would be “another year behind,” says a Mitsubishi U.S. executive.

    June 9, 2015
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    New Biography: Mary Barra Earned Her Way to Top at GM

    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.If Mary Barra has any major faults, you won’t find them in a new book entitled “Road to Power” (Wiley & Sons, 143 pages, $29.95).It’s no...

    By David Smith 1 • June 8, 2015
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    Mighty Mini 3-cyl. Features BMW’s Latest Tech

    Technology includes turbocharging, direct injection, dual Vanos variable camshaft control on intake and outlet sides and Valvetronic fully variable valve control.

    By Gary Witzenburg • June 5, 2015
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    Hyundai, President Park Shape South Korean Synergy

    Park Geun-hye’s Hyundai connection goes back to her first day in office, when she became the first Korean president to use a Korean car – a stretched Equus – as the official inauguration vehicle. Her predecessors rode in foreign-made limousines.​

    By Vince Courtenay • June 5, 2015
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    Mitsubishi Aims to Get on Radar With 100 Spokespeople Campaign

    Each spokesperson is a character who represents a particular advancement of the ’16 Outlander CUV, such as a ballerina touting a recalibrated suspension and a plastic surgeon a redesigned front fascia.

    June 4, 2015
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    GM’s ‘Hot Hand’ Continues With Truck, CUV Sales in May

    GM dealers delivered 293,097 light vehicles last month, compared to 284,694 in like-2014, according to WardsAuto data.

    By James M. Amend • June 2, 2015
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    GM Korea Woos Microsoft Korea CEO, Reports Say

    The Korea Times reports James Woo Kim will take over as CEO of GM Korea in April 2016 after spending a 10-month period as COO.

    By Vince Courtenay • June 1, 2015
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    Audi Sees Upmarket Opening in Besieged Russia Market

    Audi Russia chief Achim Saurer says the low- and mid-priced segments of the Russian market will bear the brunt of what is projected to be a 30% year-on-year decline in sales this year, creating opportunities for higher-end brands.

    By Eugene Gerden • June 1, 2015
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    Volvo Cites Logistics as Primary Reason for U.S. Plant Site

    Volvo in the next few weeks will announce what vehicle it will produce at its new plant, which is to begin output in 2018.

    By Byron Pope • May 29, 2015
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    Nissan Maxima Competes in ‘Frankenstein Segment’

    The eighth-generation sedan goes up against a lot of competitors in various vehicle sectors.

    By May 29, 2015
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    Hey Cadillac, I Double-Dog Dare You

    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.Cadillac’s latest advertising push dares greatly to send a message. In fact the tagline is “Dare Greatly.”Webster’s defines dare variously a...

    By David Smith 1 • May 28, 2015
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    GM Confirms $175 Million for Chevy Camaro in Michigan

    The investment at Lansing Grand River comes on the heels of $2.8 billion in planned U.S. manufacturing facilities expenditures announced by GM in recent weeks.

    By James M. Amend • May 28, 2015