Automakers: Page 272
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Former Ford Exec to Lead Volkswagen Group Marketing
Jürgen Stackmann joined VW in 2010 as member of the board responsible for sales and marketing at the Skoda Czech Republic subsidiary. He began his career with Ford in 1989, where he served several roles in Europe.
By Alan Harman • June 6, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota’s New Focus on Sexy Design Risky But Necessary
The auto maker has to do something to juice up design, but it is no simple task. For decades its culture has emphasized creating vehicles that are easy and efficient to manufacture, with design taking a backseat.
June 6, 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
VW Realignment Moves CV Chief to Top Spot at Bentley
Wolfgang Schreiber succeeds Wolfgang Durheimer who, as part of VW Group’s structural and management realignment, becomes the management-board member for technical development at Audi.
By Alan Harman • June 5, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Beijing Hyundai Third Plant Ramping Up for Langdong Launch
The new Beijing Hyundai facility is desperately needed to meet sales demands that are outstripping the maximum production capacity of the JV’s other two plants.
By Vince Courtenay • June 5, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Infiniti Woos Away Audi’s de Nysschen
Under Johan de Nysschen’s leadership at Audi of America, brand sales in the U.S. climbed from 77,917 in 2004, the year he joined the subsidiary, to 117,561 in 2011.
June 4, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mazda Thailand Expands Offerings, Sets Aggressive Sales Target
The auto maker aims to play a tight and focused game. As a smaller player, it is coming at the market with a different approach by offering more distinctive vehicles, with a streak of flair and sportiness but at affordable prices.
By Edd Ellison • June 4, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Fiesta Sales Slip Back to Pack
Demand for the small car has softened, but the Fiesta/Focus 20/80 sales ratio is on par with the rest of the industry, Ford analyst Erich Merkle points out.
By Byron Pope • June 1, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chevy Cruze Feels Heat of Competition; GM’s May Sales Rise 2.4%
Cruze sales last month tumbled 20.3% to 19,613 units from 22,711 year-ago. The downturn represents one of the few blemishes for GM in an otherwise strong May.
By James M. Amend • June 1, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Confirms Plan to Close Another Canadian Assembly Line
Oshawa will maintain production on its “flex” line, which builds the Chevy Camaro, Buick Regal, all-new Cadillac XTS and in 2013 will serve as one of two sites that will build the ’13 Chevy Impala.
By James M. Amend • June 1, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Infiniti M35h Hybrid Refined, Efficient, Surprisingly Fast
Most competing hybrids, including those built by Toyota and Ford, use a parallel system with two motors and a planetary gear set, which is heavier and less energy efficient.
By Gary Witzenburg • June 1, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler’s Decision to Ax Town & Country Minivan Reflective of CUV Dominance
The “soccer mom” tag that eventually became synonymous with the segment led to the minivan’s slide in the U.S. market, abetted by the rise of the CUV that analysts say helped drive consumers to trendier-looking vehicles.
By Aaron Foley • June 1, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Upcoming Midsize Sedans to Cannibalize Small-Car Market Share, Ford Analyst Predicts
Eric Merkle does not reveal to what degree he expects the middle-car segment to eat into small-car sales, but says midsize sedans are becoming as fuel-efficient as their smaller counterparts.
By Byron Pope • May 31, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Nissan to Produce Second EV in Spain
The Barcelona investment is earmarked for production of the new e-NV200, which will consist of the NV200 light-commercial van body and the electric powertrain of the Leaf EV. Annual production is forecast at 20,000 units.
By Jorge Palacios • May 31, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Megadealer Sues GM Over Facility Upgrade Program
Dealers have sued auto makers before, but Norm Braman might be the richest to do so. His group had total revenues of $1.4 billion last year.
By WardsAuto Staff • May 31, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Fiat’s Marchionne Seeking to Merge Tractor, Industrial-Truck Makers
Fiat Industrial is filing a proposed transaction to combine business operations with one of its subsidiaries, U.S.-based CNH Global.
By WardsAuto Staff • May 30, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Escape Auto Liftgate
The hands-free liftgate had to be calibrated to not activate when encountering heavy rain, running dogs, rolling balls or shopping carts.
By Byron Pope • May 30, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lexus Says Unibody GX Possible, Studies Turbos
Most of Lexus’ competitors offer 3-row CUVs, including Audi, Acura, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Infiniti, which just launched its new JX model in the U.S. this spring.
May 29, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Cadillac Plots Path to Diversified Showroom
Expect a future Cadillac showroom not dissimilar to BMW or Mercedes, where bread-and-butter products make sexier smaller-volume plays possible.
By James M. Amend • May 25, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Amid Nuclear Talks, Fiat Halts Sales in Iran
Fiat and its subsidiaries temporarily are halting exports to Iran as the Middle Eastern country sorts through diplomacy issues over nuclear-weapons production.
By WardsAuto Staff • May 25, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Holden Setting Up for Volt Charging
The Port Melbourne charging station will be available to Holden Volt drivers when the extended-range EV goes on sale in Australia later this year.
By Alan Harman • May 25, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Next-Gen Alfa Spider to Be Built in Japan, as Mazda, Fiat Strike Deal
The move may give Fiat the tools to begin firming up a third leg to its global-strategy stool that has a base in Europe with Fiat and in North America through Chrysler, but lacks a solid partner in the Asia/Pacific region.
By Giancarlo Perini • May 23, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Growth-Minded Nissan Plans to Sidestep Fleet Sales, Incentives
Fleet customers can boost market share and sales, areas where Nissan has bold expectations for the new ’13 Altima. But fleet transactions tend to be less profitable and, if overdone, risk damaging consumer perception of a nameplate.
By James M. Amend • May 17, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lexus Ramps Up Production-Shift Talks
The RX CUV is the only Lexus vehicle built in North America. "Now with the exchange rates the way they are, it really accelerates the thought process," the brand’s top U.S. executive says.
May 16, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Quake Changes Little in Toyota’s Supply-Chain Strategy
The auto maker experienced more difficulties than most, because of the size and complexity of its vehicle lineup. But most options considered to reduce its exposure to future natural disasters proved neither cost-effective nor practical.
By Roger Schreffler • May 16, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Shanghai Latest Design Outpost for BMW
The new studio is located in Shanghai's Luwan District, an established commercial and financial center that is beginning to emerge as a hot spot for design and market research.
By Giancarlo Perini • May 16, 2012
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