Automakers: Page 263
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Ford’s Farley Wants to ‘Cut Through the Clutter’
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.SANTA MONICA, CA – What keeps Jim Farley up at night aren’t concerns about the competition or stock prices or whether Ford has enough manufa...
By Tom Murphy • Nov. 27, 2012 -
Honda Back in Black With Growing Sales, Market Share
Honda’s U.S. market share rose 7 percentage points to 9.8% through October, closing in on its high of 10.6% in 2010 and helping put distance between it and Asian rivals that are thought to have benefited from the auto maker’s decline.
Nov. 27, 2012 -
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 -
Chrysler Banking on Added Production, More Dealer Training
Boosting capacity at key plants will help meet demand for 2013, the auto maker’s sales chief says.
By Aaron Foley • Nov. 27, 2012 -
Chrysler to Unveil Sporty Town & Country, Charger in L.A.
The future of the minivan remains in question, but for now a sport model falls in line alongside similar trims offered in the 200 and 300 sedans.
By Aaron Foley • Nov. 27, 2012 -
European Malaise Not Slowing Down Renault’s Dacia
With higher volumes leading to less-expensive parts and amortization, the new Logan could have been sold for less than its predecessor, but Renault instead added features and held the line on price.
By William Diem • Nov. 27, 2012 -
Ford to Launch Fiesta ST in North America
Fiesta ST will be sold exclusively as a 5-door hatchback with a 6-speed manual transmission.
By WardsAuto Staff • Nov. 26, 2012 -
BMW to Invest $500 Million to Double Russian Production Capacity
The German auto maker is negotiating with the government on the joint assembly of up to 50,000 cars annually at partner Avtotor’s Kaliningrad plant. The project includes local tie-ups with suppliers Magna, Johnson Controls and Lear.
By Eugene Gerden • Nov. 26, 2012 -
GM, Center to Team on Tire Research
The auto maker has contributed $5 million to the Virginia-based NTRC, which will seek to improve the fuel-economy and road-holding performance of light-vehicle tires.
By WardsAuto Staff • Nov. 21, 2012 -
Renault Suspends Zoe EV Launch to Clear Way for Clio
Renault is focusing on electric-vehicle development rather than what COO Carlos Tavares calls “intermediate steps” such as diesel and “transitional” gasoline-electric hybrids.
By William Diem • Nov. 21, 2012 -
Troubled Renault Samsung Pins Hopes on Refreshed Styling, Improved Fuel Efficiency
The Korean auto maker’s total October deliveries plummeted 45% to 11,353 units, compared with year-ago, and were down 40% though the first 10 months.
By Vince Courtenay • Nov. 21, 2012 -
Volvo Teams With Polestar for S60 Concept Car
The concept car is based on a S60 chassis that has been widened, lowered and reinforced.
By WardsAuto Staff • Nov. 20, 2012 -
BMW to Unwrap Fuel-Efficient, High-Performance Roadster Concept
The German auto maker’s concept blends luxury and speed with hybrid technology.
Nov. 19, 2012 -
GM Seeks Balance in EV Designs
The first modern battery-electric vehicle from GM since the EV1 bowed in 1996, the Spark BEV adheres to the A-car segment’s familiar 2-box, 5-door design, differing only slightly from the ICE model launched earlier this year.
By James M. Amend • Nov. 19, 2012 -
Ford Shaving EV Costs by Sharing Parts
Achieving 100% parts commonality across its global portfolio is proving difficult because of differing government regulations, a top engineer says.
By Byron Pope • Nov. 19, 2012 -
Mercedes to Show Ener-G-Force Concept at L.A. Show
The environmentally conscious vehicle derived from the longstanding G-Class is powered by hydrogen, but still has off-road capability.
By Aaron Foley • Nov. 16, 2012 -
GM Pushing Into Sub-Saharan Africa With New Product Range
The regional driver, South Africa, has an established auto industry and is experiencing solid growth. It’s where the auto maker’s key Port Elizabeth assembly plant is located and its Sub-Saharan Africa operations are based.
By Edd Ellison • Nov. 16, 2012 -
Chrysler to Add 1,250 Jobs, Boost Pentastar V-6, Ram 1500 Output
The auto maker is adding a third shift to its Warren, MI, truck plant and a third engine line to its Trenton, MI, facility.
By Aaron Foley • Nov. 15, 2012 -
Toyota-Scion Aiming for 2 Million Sales in U.S.
The auto maker hopes to hit the mark in two years’ time, increasing its market share to more than 13%.
Nov. 14, 2012 -
GM Says 100-Mile Battery Range Key Tipping Point for EVs
The U.S. auto makerhas invested millions of dollars in EV battery research, including startup companies such as Envia Systems seen as close to major improvements in range and affordability.
By James M. Amend • Nov. 14, 2012 -
Transit Connect Wagon Ford’s Answer to Minivan Malaise
The auto maker believes it has found new “white space” in the U.S. market that it can own for now with the unconventional people mover that is smaller, taller and more fuel-efficient than today’s minivans.
By David Zoia Editor • Nov. 13, 2012 -
Chevrolet ‘Test Track’ Takes Disney Visitors Into Car Design
There’s no “hard sell” for Chevrolet products, but there is potential for residual marketing as a result of the redesigned attraction.
By Aaron Foley • Nov. 9, 2012 -
Chrysler Recalls Older Jeeps Over Airbag Issue
Airbags in some Jeep Liberty and Grand Cherokees can deploy without warning, although the auto maker says it has not heard of any injuries.
By WardsAuto Staff • Nov. 9, 2012 -
Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant to Serve as Blueprint for Flexibility
Converted from a facility that produced two fullsize SUVs, Michigan Assembly now becomes the only factory in the world to build gasoline-powered, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles under one roof.
By Byron Pope • Nov. 9, 2012 -
Mazda to Build Toyota Vehicle at Upcoming Mexico Plant
The Toyota subcompact, to be based on the Mazda2 B-car, is scheduled to start production in the summer of 2015. Annual volume will be 50,000 units, the auto makers say.
By WardsAuto Staff • Nov. 9, 2012 -
U.S. Market Not in China’s SAIC Short-Term Growth Plan
GM’s Chinese auto maker partner recently opened its U.S. headquarters in an upscale suburb north of Detroit, tasked by its parent in Shanghai to grow the company’s reputation in industry circles.
By James M. Amend • Nov. 7, 2012