Automakers: Page
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Ford, Toyota PHEVs to Go Head-to-Head
Ford says its upcoming C-Max plug-in hybrid CUV will have a greater electric-only range than the Toyota Prius PHEV.
By Byron Pope • Aug. 7, 2012 -
GM Orion Plant Transformed for Sonic Production
GM used new technologies and some borrowed from its global small-car plants to retool its Orion Township, MI, facility to build the Sonic B-car.
By Byron Pope • Aug. 7, 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 -
Chrysler Eyeing Young Drivers With Telematics Development
Auto makers face several challenges in appealing to young drivers, and the parents who allow them to drive. Telematics systems must not distract, but they also must keep up with the demands of users, one executive says.
By Aaron Foley • Aug. 6, 2012 -
Disaster Teaches Nissan Valuable Lessons
Recovery from the earthquake and tsunami damage came with relatively amazing speed, largely because of the concerted way in which Nissan reacted, Hidetoshi Imazu says.
By Steve Finlay • Aug. 6, 2012 -
Sales Down, But Outlook Up at Buick
Success of a new leasing program, plus several new products on the way, has executives confident the brand’s sales will be trending upward.
By Jim Mateja • Aug. 6, 2012 -
Key Designers Decide Ford’s Global Product Portfolio
Ford design divides the world into two zones: Martin Smith is responsible for Europe, Asia/Pacific and Africa and Moray Callum has North and South America. J Mays oversees the 1,100-strong international team.
By Peter Robinson • Aug. 6, 2012 -
Nissan’s Carla Bailo Talks Pathfinder
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.
Aug. 3, 2012 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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