Automakers: Page 277
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Kia Releases Photos of K9 RWD Luxury Sedan
While it will compete directly with the Hyundai Equus, a Kia spokesman declines to discuss significant differences between the two vehicles prior to the K9’s sales launch.
By Vince Courtenay • Feb. 28, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Nissan Releases First Picture of Russia-Built Almera
The new sedan, engineered in Japan, the U.K. and Russia, will be the first Nissan model manufactured by AvtoVAZ as a part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance.
By Peter Homola • Feb. 28, 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
Ford Embraces LED Technology Inside ’13 Fusion
LEDs, which last much longer than incandescent lights, are helping reduce warranty issues and bolster perceived quality. They also allow for greater packaging efficiency, conserve energy and cut costs.
By Byron Pope • Feb. 27, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Holden Develops All-New LPG System for Commodore
Engineers who evaluated liquid and vapor-injection LPG systems found after building a proof-of-concept liquid-injection prototype vehicle that vapor injection was the only way to meet the program’s goals.
By Alan Harman • Feb. 27, 2012 -
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GM Priming Pump for Diesel-Powered Cruze
GM marketing executive Mike Weidman likens the pending diesel proliferation to the recent surge in turbocharging, a trend preceded by fear-mongering.
By Eric Mayne 1 • Feb. 27, 2012 -
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Jeep Compass Gets Low Euro Safety Rating
The Jeep Compass “did not demonstrate itself as a strong contender on safety in comparison to other tested competitors” in the compact-SUV category, Euro NCAP says.
By Alan Harman • Feb. 24, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler Declares War on Customer Dissatisfaction
The auto maker’s warranty claim-rate spiked lower in 2011, when it was juggling 16 product launches, than in 2008 when it introduced just three vehicles.
By Eric Mayne 1 • Feb. 23, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Concept Hints at New European Van Strategy
The next-generation Transit fullsize vans will be offered in 1- and 2-ton versions, with each having distinct body styles.
By Byron Pope • Feb. 21, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Nissan Production Taxi to Debut at NY Auto Show
The cab will feature electric outlets for passengers to recharge their laptop computers and mobile phones, Bluetooth capability, a sound system and a glass roof.
By Herb Shuldiner 1 • Feb. 21, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
New Ford Police Interceptors Start to Roll Off Assembly Line
The Taurus-based sedan Interceptor is accounting for about 60% of orders so far, with the rest going to the Explorer-based SUV. Both offer superior technology and performance compared with the aging Crown Vic they replace.
By Byron Pope • Feb. 21, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
New Calculator to Help Ford Fleet Customers Lower Their Environmental Impact
The auto maker began working on the calculator in 2010 at the behest of customers. In addition to measuring emissions such a carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen, the tool also provides fuel-cost estimates.
By Byron Pope • Feb. 17, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
What Kind of Partner Does Mazda Need?
The auto maker’s dire finances could leave the door open to an equity partner, but a top executive says technology sharing is more likely. Meanwhile, the Mazda6 is being phased out in Flat Rock with no plans for North American production.
Feb. 15, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chevrolet Embraces Hispanic Culture With Tie-In to Serialized TV Drama
“The network is taking product placement to a new, reality-bending level with its latest soap, giving Chevrolet's vehicles a co-starring role,” writes Marc Graser in Variety magazine.
By Erik Derr 1 • Feb. 14, 2012 -
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Nissan Tests NYC Market for EV Cabs
The auto maker will hand over six Nissan Leafs for testing in New York before NV200-based taxis arrive in fall 2013. Next February, NV200 cargo vans go on sale.
Feb. 10, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
No XTS Performance Model Planned, But Bigger Cadillac Being Eyed
“We can add a turbo to the V-6, and as we move forward with the XTS there will be what we'll call power enhancements," says Don Butler, vice president-marketing for Cadillac.
By Jim Mateja • Feb. 10, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford’s Retiring Execs Leave Big Shoes to Fill, Former Colleagues Say
Derrick Kuzak is credited for helping change the culture within the auto maker’s engineering ranks. Lewis Booth led Ford’s finance team through a series of moves to shore up the auto maker’s finances following the collapse of Wall Street.
By Byron Pope • Feb. 9, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mercedes Following Positive Financials With Aggressive Product Push
On the heels of 2011’s record earnings and sales, six all-new or upgraded vehicles are set to launch in 2012, while 10 additional models are planned by 2015.
By Eric Mayne 1 • Feb. 9, 2012 -
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Judge Performance Cars by Handling, Not Just Speed, GM Exec Says
“We still build performance cars because there are some people who have gas in their veins, and love cars and love driving them," says Russ Clark, GM global marketing director-Chevrolet Corvette and Camaro.
By Jim Mateja • Feb. 9, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Princeton Plant Expanding for Additional Toyota Highlander Output
The Indiana facility has built non-hybrid Highlander CUVs since 2009. Hybrid versions have been sourced for the U.S. from Kyushu, Japan, but a Toyota executive told WardsAuto nearly four years ago of plans to localize hybrid production here.
Feb. 8, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Fiat Counting on Abarth to Pull in Male Buyers
Ads starring Jennifer Lopez worked to draw women to the brand, says Fiat’s chief marketing officer. Now it’s the performance-minded Abarth’s turn to work some magic with men.
By Jim Mateja • Feb. 8, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Nissan Reveals NV200 in Chicago
The small van has been lengthened for the North American market, giving it an edge on competitor Ford’s Transit Connect.
Feb. 8, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Kia Explores New Track With Concept
The Track’ster is meant to “change people’s conceptions of what a sporty Kia could be,” Kia Motors America design chief Tom Kearns says.
Feb. 8, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Acura NSX Ad Logs 16 Million Views, and Counting
Some 11 million people viewed the commercial featuring Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno before the game, and 5 million more people had watched it as of Tuesday.
Feb. 8, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Prius C Fun, Affordable Gas Sipper
The smallest Prius is the most fun-to-drive version of the industry’s best-selling hybrid. Just keep it on glass-smooth asphalt.
Feb. 8, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Shows Freshened GMC Acadia CUV in Chicago
Some of the more prominent changes include a more upright design to the Acadia’s grille, diffused LED running lamps and new taillamp details.
By James M. Amend • Feb. 8, 2012
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