Automakers: Page 269
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Toyota Defends RAV4 EV Pricing as Launch Nears
The Japanese auto maker says its California-only EV is priced right, considering the high content level and an expected customer that is well-heeled.
Aug. 3, 2012 -
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Ford Adds Hybrid Transmission to New Flexible Assembly Line
Making disparate transmissions on the same line is taking flexibility to a whole new level for the auto maker, but it is seen as a sound business move by top brass, says James Tetreault, vice president-North America Manufacturing.
By Byron Pope • Aug. 3, 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 -
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Honda Helping Dealers Go Green
Unlike past dealer initiatives, in which Honda might have asked its retailers to make aesthetic upgrades to buildings or decor, dealers now may be prodded to install solar panels or a ‘living’ roof.
Aug. 2, 2012 -
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Ford U.K. Dealers Get High-Tech, Low-Carbon Pep Talk
The auto maker has begun collaborating with the Carbon Trust, an organization speeding the move by U.K. businesses, governments and the public sector to a low-carbon economy.
By Alan Harman • Aug. 2, 2012 -
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Inventory Constraints Limit New Escape Sales in July, Ford Says
Ford’s overall light-vehicle deliveries last month rose 3.8% to 170,669 units, with 24 selling days compared with 26 year-ago.
By Byron Pope • Aug. 1, 2012 -
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Expect Big Change for Corolla, New Toyota Chief Says
The next generation of Toyota's high-volume compact sedan, due next year, will undergo a bigger metamorphosis than it did at its last redesign, when the auto maker retained much of the look and feel of the previous model.
Aug. 1, 2012 -
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Supercharged Audi V-6 Excels in Power, Efficiency, Refinement
Audi’s only gasoline V-6 as of the ’13 model year powers the A6 and A7 4-door "coupe," the high-performance S4 sedan and Cabriolet and S5 coupe, as well as the Q5 and Q7 CUVs and the ’13 A8 luxury sedan. It also can be found in the VW Touareg and two Porsches.
By Gary Witzenburg • July 30, 2012 -
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GM Removes Layer of Product Development Management
The restructuring takes out the longtime product-program positions of vehicle line executive, vehicle line director and vehicle chief engineer.
By James M. Amend • July 25, 2012 -
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European Woes Weigh Heavily on Ford in Q2
Ford in its home North American region exceeded $2 billion in pre-tax operating profits for the second consecutive quarter, but losses elsewhere dragged earnings down. Plant closings in Europe aren’t being ruled out.
By Byron Pope • July 25, 2012 -
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Kia Teases New Carens/Rondo MPV
The ’13 version, due to make its public debut in September, features a cab-forward design with a lower roofline, longer wheelbase and more interior space.
By Vince Courtenay • July 25, 2012 -
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Valmet to Build Mercedes A-Class
More than 100,000 A-Class cars will be built by the Finnish manufacturer between 2013 and 2016.
By Peter Homola • July 24, 2012 -
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China’s SAIC, Oz Importer Reach Distribution Deal
The Chinese auto maker’s first products launching in Australia will be the LDV van and minibus lineup, due to go on sale in second-half October.
By Alan Harman • July 23, 2012 -
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Focus ST Technologies to Play Key Role in Future Ford Products
Hau Thai-Tang, vice president-engineering, Global Product Development, says technologies found on the performance-oriented Focus ST can easily be transferred to other products.
By Byron Pope • July 23, 2012 -
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Online-Only Sales of Subaru BRZ Click in Australia
The number of dealerships wanting the sports car exceeded supply, but selling online meant all 105 retailers were treated the same.
By Alan Harman • July 19, 2012 -
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Ford to Group Electrified-Vehicle Sales
The auto maker plans to boost its portfolio of electrified vehicles with the addition of the hybrid Fusion sedan and plug-in C-Max CUV. Both launch later this year.
By Byron Pope • July 19, 2012 -
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Honda N.A. Boosting Civic Builds in Indiana; Given More Responsibility by Japan
A recent directive from Honda CEO Takanobu Ito grants a larger leadership role to Honda North America that will enable the unit to set benchmark processes for global model launches.
July 19, 2012 -
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VW of America Exec to Lead Finance at Opel
GM also names 25-year veteran Michael Ableson as Opel board member in charge of engineering starting Sept. 1. He becomes GM Europe vice president-engineering, effective immediately.
By Alan Harman • July 18, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
FAW Proposes Parallel Extended-Range EV
The Chinese auto maker says its new electrified car stacks up favorably against the series-parallel Chevy Volt EREV and Audi A1 e-tron’s serial EREV system.
July 18, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Building Awareness of ’13 Fusion With New Campaign
Ford says marketing campaigns like “Random Acts of Fusion” motivate consumers to consider its products and change perception of the brand.
By Byron Pope • July 18, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota Shuffles, Reorganizes U.S. Management
The auto maker’s U.S. arm is integrating customer-service operations into the sales and marketing department, and is placing future technology planning under overall product planning.
By Alan Harman • July 17, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Fiat 500 Immigrants
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.
July 16, 2012 -
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Tim Lee Tapped for Top GM Global Manufacturing Post
Lee already oversees sales and marketing and production operations in China, Russia and South Korea, and now will be responsible for General Motors manufacturing in North and South America and Europe as well.
By Vince Courtenay • July 16, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Subaru Gets Into Customers’ Lives
The auto maker bases its customer-relationship management strategy on what’s billed as a unique collaboration between marketing and information technology.
By Steve Finlay • July 13, 2012 -
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Buyer Interest Building in Hyundai BlueLink Telematics System
Most active subscribers use BlueLink in their car to get directions. But the auto maker is seeing a “good breadth of usage” of its remote features, such as those found on its Android- and iPhone-compatible mobile apps.
July 13, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Super Bowl Ads, Social Media Lead Brand-Building Effort at Audi
The auto maker says its Super Bowl TV spots have helped build Audi into a legitimate luxury contender. Some 82% of consumers have a positive opinion of the marque, up from 55% five years ago, and brand loyalty has increased to 42% from 31%.
By David Zoia Editor • July 13, 2012
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