Automakers: Page
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
U.S. Energy Department to Fund GM, Ford Research Projects
One lawmaker says subsidizing corporate research and development keeps U.S. manufacturers competitive in an environment where some countries, such as China, support their auto makers 100%.
By James M. Amend • June 12, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lexus Sets ’13 ES Sedan Sales at 60,000 Annually
The auto maker is buoyant over the prospects for the ES 300h, expected to make up 25% of annual sales, noting its markup likely will be lower than the Toyota luxury brand’s other hybrid offerings.
June 12, 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
Buick Verano Turbo to Offer Segment-Leading Power
GM says it chose the high-output Ecotec engine for the Verano because it fits the brand’s philosophy of downsizing without sacrificing power.
By James M. Amend • June 12, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Volvo to Develop Active Safety Systems at New Test Facility
The facility, dubbed AstaZero, will be located next to the auto maker’s existing proving ground in Hallered in western Sweden, with testing scheduled to begin in 2014.
By Byron Pope • June 11, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Debunks Turbocharger Myths
Like many auto makers, GM sees downsized engines with turbochargers and superchargers as one solution to achieving fuel efficiency without sacrificing power.
By James M. Amend • June 11, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler Readies for 9-Speed Transmission With Remodeled Kokomo Plant
With guidance from CEO Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler struck an agreement with ZF to build the automatic transmissions in Indiana. The German supplier will hold intellectual property rights as part of the deal.
By Aaron Foley • June 8, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lexus Considers Derivatives as CT Hybrid Sales Accelerate
Japan’s earthquake and tsunami struck during the same month the CT hybrid launched last year. While the calamities hampered output of many locally built vehicles, Toyota prioritized the CT and its Prius assembly-line mate at its Kyushu plant.
June 8, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Volt Range Gains Incremental But Meaningful, GM Says
Three miles farther makes for a particularly significant improvement among commuters traveling less than 40 miles per day, the target customer for the Volt, chief engineer Andrew Farah says.
By James M. Amend • June 7, 2012 -
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 -
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
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