Automakers: Page
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Opel Supervisory Board Approves GM Unit’s Turnaround Plan
The plan calls for closing the Bochum assembly plant, product investments by GM in Opel, a new go-to-market strategy, refined export and market expansion and cutting production costs that includes further leveraging the GM-PSA alliance.
By James M. Amend • June 28, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
CAW Sees Momentum in Organizing Honda’s Ontario Plant
As with his U.S. counterpart, UAW President Bob King, Lewenza has his eye on bolstering union membership rolls by organizing the Japanese transplants building cars and trucks in Canada.
By James M. Amend • June 28, 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
Ford to End Production in the Philippines
The auto maker says the decision to close the Santa Rosa plant is part of its ongoing restructuring of regional manufacturing operations to improve efficiencies and costs. Instead, it will import vehicles, mainly from Thailand.
By Alan Harman • June 27, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Launches B-Max Production in Romania
The auto maker has spent more than €500 million to modernize and upgrade the car plant. In total, it is investing more than €675 million in the Craiova engine- and vehicle-manufacturing complex.
By Peter Homola • June 27, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Brings European Performance to U.S. With Focus ST
The new ST badge will be used for global performance vehicles, while the SVT designation is specific to North America where it’s currently used on Mustang and F-150 pickup versions.
By Byron Pope • June 26, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Kia Dealer-Friendly Within Limits
Asian auto makers are uncomfortable dealing with large, publicly owned dealership chains, no matter how successful they are.
By Jim Ziegler 1 • June 26, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai May Not be Done With Large CUVs
Another large, premium cross/utility vehicle may be in the Korean brand's future lineup, as the segment is “an intriguing space," U.S. CEO John Krafcik says.
June 26, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Promising 40 MPG, Toyota Adds Hybrid Option to New Avalon
Power is supplied by a 2.5L Atkinson-cycle 4-cyl. engine mated with a pair of electric motors within the transaxle and a 245V nickel-metal hydride battery pack.
June 26, 2012 -
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 -
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
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