Automakers: Page
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Customer Customization Key to Opel Adam’s Strategy
The Adam can be personalized in so many ways that few will look alike. There are 12 basic body colors painted as 2-tones, with 3-tones possible with some sporty models. Many trim elements can be switched over the course of ownership.
By William Diem • Oct. 2, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
CAW Ratifies Agreement with Chrysler
Now that Canadian workers have agreements with each of the Detroit Three, the union will turn its attention to establishing a national auto policy.
By Aaron Foley • Oct. 1, 2012 -
Explore the Trendline➔
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Alpina Juices Up BMW 7-Series to Create Powerful B7
A German company converts a top-of-the-line fullsize luxury sedan into a sporty performer.
By Steve Finlay • Oct. 1, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Leasing Fine With Limits, Says Honda Financial Rep
Done right, leasing helps everyone. Done wrong, it hurts residual values and brand strength.
By Steve Finlay • Oct. 1, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lexus Not Aiming for Top Luxury Brand Title
Lexus’ objective is to focus on its customers and retain its top J.D. Power quality and customer satisfaction ratings rather than be the No.1 luxury brand, a top executive says.
By Byron Pope • Sept. 28, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
CAW Workers Ratify New GM Labor Contract
The GM deal mirrors Ford’s, including what the CAW characterizes as a “$3,000 quality and productivity bonus” after ratification and lump-sum cost-of-living payouts of $2,000 to each member in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
By James M. Amend • Sept. 28, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Room for Both Chevy and Opel in Europe, GM Exec Contends
Chevrolet regional sales chief Susan Docherty believes GM has a “brand footprint that makes sense” in Europe. “Our brand portfolio is Opel/Vauxhall, Chevrolet and Cadillac, and each brand has to have distinct positioning.”
By David Zoia Editor • Sept. 28, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ghosn Introduces New Renault Clio in Paris
The all-new Clio, the fourth model to bear the name, offers five new engines that are more efficient than those of the Clio III. The 90-hp diesel emits less than 100 g/km of CO2 emissions.
By William Diem • Sept. 27, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler to Create Ram Subdivision for Commercial Trucks
The Ram Commercial subdivision will have a dedicated group of employees to develop, market and sell the trucks. It will be based at Chrysler headquartersand will concentrate on the North American market.
By Aaron Foley • Sept. 27, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
CAW Says Nearing Deal With Chrysler
Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has called for deep concessions from the union, saying Canada is the most-expensive place in the world to produce vehicles.
By Aaron Foley • Sept. 26, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Focused on Investing in Future, CFO Says
“We're not fixated on being No.1 (globally) in any given year,” Daniel Ammann says; GM's goal is to be profitable above all else. “We want to have a fortress balance sheet with the strength to invest in the future (even in a down market.)”
By Herb Shuldiner 1 • Sept. 26, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM China, SAIC Open Comprehensive Testing Facility
The $254 million Guangde Proving Ground has 37.3 miles of roads and facilities for vehicle testing under 67 different driving conditions. It supports the design and development of vehicles by the JV’s Pan Asia Automotive Technical Center.
By Vince Courtenay • Sept. 26, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Fiat Building Momentum in U.S.
The Italian auto maker’s U.S. president credits the resurgence to multiple price ranges and body styles of its 500 subcompact.
By Aaron Foley • Sept. 25, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford, CAW Ratify Contract; GM, Chrysler Talks Continue
The Canadian Auto Workers union still does not have a proposed agreement with Chrysler, but says it’s confident “Chrysler can and will meet the pattern” set by Ford and GM.
By Byron Pope • Sept. 24, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Opel Brand’s Move to Australia Puts Pressure on Holden
Three years ago, when Detroit and Russelsheim first proposed the German brand set up in Australia, GM Holden’s opposition was strong and outspoken.
By Peter Robinson • Sept. 24, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
General Motors Says Solved Hurdle to Spot-Welding Aluminum
Auto makers are looking to solve production riddles as they add aluminum to cut weight. GM’s new spot-welding technique may be one answer.
By WardsAuto Staff • Sept. 24, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
New GMC Canyon Pickup Coming, GM Execs Confirm
To accommodate production of the new compact Colorado and Canyon pickups, the auto maker has launched a $380 million expansion of its Wentzville, MO, assembly plant.
By James M. Amend • Sept. 20, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Accelerating Quality-Improvement Initiative Amid Platform Globalization
Global architectures create economies of scale, saving auto makers millions of dollars in development costs, but the move can prove risky because what a customer wants in one part of the world, a car buyer in a different region may dislike.
By James M. Amend • Sept. 20, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Kia’s New-Gen Carens/Rondo Headed for Paris; Sports Car Next?
With the redesigned MPV, Kia completes a revamp of its entire model line and now is expected to turn its attention to developing a widely rumored sports car.
By Vince Courtenay • Sept. 20, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
‘One Ford’ Strategy Key to Global Challenge, Executives Say
The U.S. auto maker is turning its attention to the key world markets of Europe, Asia/Pacific and South America, where it faces issues ranging from overcapacity to slowing sales.
By Byron Pope • Sept. 20, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Cadillac’s Driver Assist Packages Paving Way for Automated Driving
Forward-collision warning and lane-keeping systems are available in many mainstream vehicles. But collision preparation and automatic braking are just now hitting the market, underscoring the safety potential of autonomous vehicles.
By James M. Amend • Sept. 19, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Redesigned Mazda CX-9 to Make World Debut at Australia Show
The revamped model incorporates Mazda’s new “Kodo” design theme, with a sportier look and stronger road presence.
By Alan Harman • Sept. 19, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM China, Universities Launch China Driver Safety Study
China has the world’s highest number of vehicle fatalities, with 2010 data from GM China showing 65,225 deaths and 254,075 injuries resulting from 3.9 million traffic accidents.
By Vince Courtenay • Sept. 19, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Honda Hopes to Boost Crosstour, ZDX Sales With Refreshes
The slow-selling CUVs that debuted in fall 2009 have been met with confusion by some car buyers who don’t know how to categorize them, a top Honda official says.
Sept. 19, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Learns From Escape Recalls, Vows Smoother Fusion Market Launch
A lot is riding on the new Fusion, which resides in the fastest-growing sector in the U.S. The auto maker expects the midsize-sedan segment, which accounted for 2.1 million sales last year, to continue growing.
By Byron Pope • Sept. 18, 2012
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