Automakers: Page 271
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Honda Rare-Earth Recycling May Avoid China Export Flap
The auto maker’s recycling plan comes during a growing dispute over restrictions on rare-earth exports by China, which has up to 97% of the world’s supply of the metals.
By Alan Harman • June 25, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
BMW Tops Charts in Global Survey of Suppliers
At the bottom of the rankings are several Chinese auto makers and Russia’s AvtoVAZ, and Nissan is slipping closer to Renault, also among the 11 lowest-rated, consultant IHS Automotive says.
By David Zoia Editor • June 22, 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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Cadillac Looks to New Large Sedan to Boost Sagging Sales
The luxury brand’s global marketing director tells WardsAuto the year’s second half will see the new XTS exceed the combined 2011 sales of the defunct STS and DTS models.
By Herb Shuldiner 1 • June 22, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler’s World Class Manufacturing Training Saving Millions in Cost
One project at the auto maker’s Kokomo, IN, transmission plant contributed to the savings by eliminating “micro-stoppages,” which are small equipment breakdowns.
By James M. Amend • June 21, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Buick Regal GS Turbo Beats Everyone in Output
The 2.0L had to be a credible replacement for a much larger V-6, so a top priority was being fun-to-drive.
By Gary Witzenburg • June 20, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Practice Runs Nearly Done at Ford’s New Thailand Plant
A $450 million auto plant coming to life is sort of like a big baby being born; it is amazing to see, and takes a lot of work.
By Steve Finlay • June 20, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lexus Touts LFA Success, Doesn’t Endorse eBay Sales
The luxury brand originally was allotted 150 of the supercars for the U.S., but a spokesman says those sold out fast, prompting another 23 units to be shipped from Japan, followed by five more.
June 19, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mercedes Takes App Development In-House
Mercedes says it is creating its own version of popular apps that will ensure driver safety and complete vehicle integration.
By Byron Pope • June 19, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Makes Design Leadership Changes Emphasizing Brands
GM expects the brand-focused design organization will deliver stronger and more common messages across each marque’s product portfolio.
By James M. Amend • June 18, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Kia Releases Photos of Facelifted Sorento CUV
The auto maker says the CUV is its best-selling model in the U.S. for two years running.
By Vince Courtenay • June 18, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler Recovery Feels Real to Dealers
Bill Golling of Golling Chrysler Jeep Dodge and Ram in Bloomfield Hills, MI, believes the auto maker has faced its product issues head-on.
By Lillie Guyer • June 18, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lexus ES Candidate for N. American Production
Sales of the sedan are targeted at 5,000 per month, and the auto maker is hoping to draw younger buyers to the brand, particularly with the new hybrid model.
By David Zoia Editor • June 15, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM’s European Plan Could Shutter Bochum, Spur Production of Non-Opel Products
The U.S. auto maker wants to focus on reducing Opel’s dependency on importing vehicles, such as the Korean-built Antara and Mokka SUVs, which is adversely affected by fluctuating exchange rates.
By James M. Amend • June 13, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Australia to Slow Plant Production as Falcon Sales Falter
The subsidiary, which in May announced a A$290 million annual loss in its last financial year, has not ruled out job cuts. Some 240 workers were eliminated in 2011.
By Alan Harman • June 13, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Focus ST to Get ‘Overboost’ Feature
Overboost is designed to extend the peak torque of the Focus ST’s 2.0L direct-injected turbocharged 4-cyl. engine for 15 seconds at a time when at full throttle.
By Byron Pope • June 13, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Veteran GM Executive John Bagshaw Dies at 87
The 42-year GM veteran held senior executive positions in Australia, the U.K., Europe and the U.S., including managing director of the auto maker’s GM Holden unit from 1987 to 1990.
By Alan Harman • June 13, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Upcoming Zoe EV Sets 24-Hour Test-Track Record, Renault Says
The electric car ran about 25 miles on the track at a top speed of 87 mph between the 39 partial fast recharges. Over 24 hours it averaged 42 mph, including the time stopped for charging.
By William Diem • June 13, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
U.S. Energy Department to Fund GM, Ford Research Projects
One lawmaker says subsidizing corporate research and development keeps U.S. manufacturers competitive in an environment where some countries, such as China, support their auto makers 100%.
By James M. Amend • June 12, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lexus Sets ’13 ES Sedan Sales at 60,000 Annually
The auto maker is buoyant over the prospects for the ES 300h, expected to make up 25% of annual sales, noting its markup likely will be lower than the Toyota luxury brand’s other hybrid offerings.
June 12, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Buick Verano Turbo to Offer Segment-Leading Power
GM says it chose the high-output Ecotec engine for the Verano because it fits the brand’s philosophy of downsizing without sacrificing power.
By James M. Amend • June 12, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Volvo to Develop Active Safety Systems at New Test Facility
The facility, dubbed AstaZero, will be located next to the auto maker’s existing proving ground in Hallered in western Sweden, with testing scheduled to begin in 2014.
By Byron Pope • June 11, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Debunks Turbocharger Myths
Like many auto makers, GM sees downsized engines with turbochargers and superchargers as one solution to achieving fuel efficiency without sacrificing power.
By James M. Amend • June 11, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler Readies for 9-Speed Transmission With Remodeled Kokomo Plant
With guidance from CEO Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler struck an agreement with ZF to build the automatic transmissions in Indiana. The German supplier will hold intellectual property rights as part of the deal.
By Aaron Foley • June 8, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lexus Considers Derivatives as CT Hybrid Sales Accelerate
Japan’s earthquake and tsunami struck during the same month the CT hybrid launched last year. While the calamities hampered output of many locally built vehicles, Toyota prioritized the CT and its Prius assembly-line mate at its Kyushu plant.
June 8, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Volt Range Gains Incremental But Meaningful, GM Says
Three miles farther makes for a particularly significant improvement among commuters traveling less than 40 miles per day, the target customer for the Volt, chief engineer Andrew Farah says.
By James M. Amend • June 7, 2012
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