Automakers: Page
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Mercedes Moves Into Thailand’s Compact-Car Segment
Reaching new customers and lowering the age of its demographic will be necessary to keep Mercedes one step ahead of rivals, a sales executive says, noting the auto maker has BMW snapping at its heels.
By Edd Ellison • Dec. 5, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler’s Gilles Proud of Straight Talk – and Tweets
Chrysler’s chief designer stood up for his employer during a heated election season in his point-blank style that extends beyond the Internet.
By Aaron Foley • Dec. 4, 2012 -
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Courtesy of Toyota Motor North America
TrendlineTop 5 stories from WardsAuto
Automakers are evaluating their long-term strategies, revisiting their product mix, and approach to both retail and manufacturing approach along the way.
By WardsAuto staff -
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Chrysler’s Tigershark to Move Outside of Dart
Dodge President Reid Bigland says the Tigershark is a worthy engine because of its combination of performance and fuel economy.
By Aaron Foley • Dec. 3, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford C-Max Has Strong Month, Still Lags Toyota Prius
Hybrid sales exceeded 6,000 units in November, up from the auto maker’s previous record of 5,353 deliveries in July 2009.
By Byron Pope • Dec. 3, 2012 -
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Diesel-Powered Jeep Will Bow at Detroit Show, Hit Dealers in Q1
Next year also will bring changes to the Patriot and Compass vehicles and mark the launch of an all-new midsize, yet-to-be named SUV.
By Aaron Foley • Dec. 3, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Honda Looks to Silence Critics With Refreshed Civic
Stung by complaints of cheapness, Honda gives its venerable compact a more premium feel with soft-touch materials and reduced cabin noise.
By Aaron Foley • Nov. 30, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM China Opens Second Phase of Shanghai Advanced Vehicle Design Center
The research teams comprise up to 250 engineers and technicians focused on battery cells, lightweight materials, manufacturing processes, engines and transmissions. They also are developing mobile apps for connected urban driving.
By Vince Courtenay • Nov. 30, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mercedes Touts Black Series as Fastest SLS AMG Ever
Due in the U.S. next summer, the SLS AMG Black Series’ 6.3L V-8 engine generates 622 hp at 7,400 rpm and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
By Erik Derr 1 • Nov. 30, 2012 -
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Does Fiat Really Need Stand-Alone Stores?
Some dealers invest a lot of money with brands that offer little in return.
By Phil Villegas • Nov. 30, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota Exec Sets Sales Target of 200K for Redesigned ’13 RAV4
The auto maker is targeting the CUV at younger buyers and drivers of the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V.
By Aaron Foley • Nov. 30, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Fiat’s Francois Banks on Pop Culture, Sex Appeal
Strategic alignments with music juggernauts and bawdy advertising have helped the Italian brand grow faster than expected.
By Aaron Foley • Nov. 29, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
BMW Reveals Pair of High-Tech ‘i’ Generation Members
Both the i3 Concept Coupe and i8 Concept Roadster provide a good idea of what the production vehicles will look like, the auto maker’s design chief says.
By Erik Derr 1 • Nov. 29, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Kia Exec Hints at Fullsize Luxury Vehicle for U.S.
Closing the year amid fuel-economy miscalculations, strong sales and two new reveals, a top sales manager says consumers should keep their eyes peeled at future auto shows.
By Aaron Foley • Nov. 29, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Sprint Announces Wireless Car Platform, Lands Chrysler as Client
The mobile carrier says its Velocity platform can integrate all wireless aspects of car ownership, from customer data to theft recovery.
By Aaron Foley • Nov. 29, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
VW’s Browning Concentrating on Quality Over Quantity
The auto maker still wants to reach its goal of selling 800,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2018, but is stepping up efforts to build value into its products.
By Aaron Foley • Nov. 29, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Can Porsche Cayman Shed Slow-Selling Reputation?
Despite its entry-level positioning, the Cayman 2-seat coupe has delivered questionable sales results while significantly lagging more expensive vehicles in the Porsche stable. A third-generation coupe arrives in spring.
Nov. 29, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai-Kia Product Launches Slow in 2012, But Plant Investments Rise
The Korean brands target 7 million sales globally in 2012, while continuing overseas’ expansions in China and Brazil. But in October, they admit overstating fuel economy in the U.S. on some models for several years.
Nov. 29, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Capacity Expansions, Acquisitions, Sales Milestones Hallmarks of Volkswagen’s 2012
The German auto maker officially adds Porsche to its stable, picks up Ducati and marches closer toward its goal to be the world’s biggest auto maker by 2018.
By David Zoia Editor • Nov. 29, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai Debit Card Inquiries Approaching 350,000
Stung by EPA criticism that its window stickers falsely stated expected fuel economy for Hyundai and Kia vehicles, the auto maker’s U.S. chief says most customers are satisfied with the reimbursement program to cover extra fuel costs.
Nov. 28, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Next-Gen Kia Forte, Sorento Unveiled in L.A.
The next generation compact sedan and midsize CUV come to market in early 2013. Features include an optional driver-selectable steering system and, on the Sorento, Kia’s first programmable power liftgate.
Nov. 28, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
BMW’s i3 Concept Coupe Eco-Friendly
The electric vehicle has a range of 100 miles, with a special Eco Pro+ mode that can adjust navigation routes and shut down unnecessary accessories to extend driving as battery power becomes depleted.
By Erik Derr 1 • Nov. 28, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota RAV4 Makes World Debut at L.A. Show
Fuel economy, styling and cargo capacity among upgrades for the ’13 RAV4, which loses the prior generation’s V-6 engine and side-hinged rear door.
Nov. 28, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Production Acura RLX Unveiled in Los Angeles
The car, going on sale in the spring, introduces many new technologies for the brand, including its first direct-injected V-6 engine, a 310-hp 3.5L with cylinder deactivation.
Nov. 28, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
VW Unveils Beetle Convertible in LA; Steps Up Gender-Neutral Push
No longer “cute,” the Beetle Convertible takes a more intimidating stance than the previous generation, which turned off image-conscious male car buyers.
By Aaron Foley • Nov. 28, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai Unwraps New 3-Row Santa Fe, Veloster Concept in Los Angeles
The auto maker claims the larger Santa Fe has more passenger room and cargo space than the 3-row Toyota Highlander and is lighter than the new Nissan Pathfinder, but it falls short of the Pathfinder’s estimated fuel economy.
Nov. 28, 2012
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