Automakers: Page 283
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Buick Verano Smooth, Solid Player in New Compact-Luxury Segment
General Motors engineers blanketed the new-for-’12 Verano in a dozen different noise-damping technologies meant to make its cabin library-quiet at any speed.
By James M. Amend • Nov. 10, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Showplace NYC Dealership Pride of Mercedes
The building is a jewel in Hell’s Kitchen, an east Manhattan area with a dark past that includes street gangs and mob shootouts.
By Herb Shuldiner • Nov. 10, 2011 -
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
Dealership ‘Blueprinting’ Builds F&I Profits
DeNooyer Chevrolet has restructured its F&I pay plan, reducing emphasis on its auto-financing reserve rate and offering greater rewards for selling products of value.
By Jim Leman • Nov. 9, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Nissan Passenger Van to Launch in 2012; NV Sales to Take Time
The cargo model has seen slow sales and high inventories since its launch in March. But the auto maker is confident about the future of its commercial-van lineup, predicting it will take two to three years to see real growth.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Nov. 9, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Proposed Saab Takeover Nixes Technology, Manufacturing Agreements, GM Says
GM, which still holds a stake in Saab, sees the deal as a risk to its market-leading presence in China.
By James M. Amend • Nov. 7, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Resolves MyFord Touch Complaints; Expects Quality-Ranking Improvement
The auto maker knew the system had shortcomings when it launched last year, to the chagrin of critics. But an imminent upgrade is expected to resolve complaints and satisfy detractors.
By Byron Pope • Nov. 7, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai FCV Ready to Roll
The Korean auto maker begins small-scale production of the hydrogen-powered Tucson/ix35 next year. Filling up costs $56 and is good for 321 miles in range.
By Tom Murphy • Nov. 3, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Japanese Makes Reclaim Compact Segment From Chevy Cruze
Toyota and Honda typically occupy the No.1 spot. But after supply chains were crippled by the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March, inventories were paper thin.
By James M. Amend • Nov. 2, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM October Deliveries Nudge Up; Still Pushing Volt Sales Goal
The auto maker’s overall sales rose 5.6% in October to 186,759 units from 183,395 in like-2010, according to WardsAuto data. The result adjusts for one fewer selling day in the month compared with year-ago.
By James M. Amend • Nov. 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Nissan Unveils Taxi Tailored to NYC Streets
Features include a panoramic roof, flat floor, large video monitor, USB ports and electric outlets to accommodate electronic devices and a passenger-cabin-freshening air filter.
By Herb Shuldiner • Nov. 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Five Winning Dealer Ideas
Rice Toyota's service department makes house calls. For employees of a local hospital, the Greensboro, NC, dealership will pick up, work on and return their cars, typically by the end of their shifts. The dealership has found success with the 7-month-old program. It made $2,000 in the first month, $25,000 now. The project also succeeded in winning the top $5,000 prize in an innovative-dealership idea
By Steve Finlay • Nov. 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Top Internet-Lead Closer Tells How It’s Done
IT'S NOT CRAZY STUFF, BUT IT WORKS, MARC MCGURREN SAYS. Marc McGurren did nothing mind-boggling to help make the Jerry Durant Auto Group one of the nation's top closers of Internet leads. It's not crazy stuff, but it works, says McGurren, Internet director for the three General Motors-brand stores in the 7-store dealership group based in Texas. He is involved in planning digital marketing for all
By Steve Finlay • Nov. 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota to Export Sienna to South Korea
Toyota already exports a variety of North American-built models to 18 other countries, including the Georgetown, KY-assembled Avalon sedan.
By Ward's Staff • Nov. 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Sees No Threat From 2-Tier Hourly Pay Scale
Last week, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said paying UAW members different salaries was divisive and unsustainable long term.
By James M. Amend • Nov. 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Rollicking Buick Regal GS Caps Brand’s Comeback
At 270 hp, the Regal GS 2.0L turbocharged and direct-injection 4-cyl. engine represents the highest specific output ever to come out of GM Powertrain.
By James M. Amend • Oct. 31, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Supplier Earns Stripes With Gucci-Edition Fiat 500c
Haartz was faced with the daunting challenge of reproducing the “Gucci Web” – the green-red-green stripe that is the signature of the 90-year-old fashion house.
By Eric Mayne • Oct. 31, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Nissan’s NV Van Slow to Gain Traction
Once a sleepy segment, commercial vans suddenly are booming in the U.S., with auto makers planning millions in investments. But Nissan still is trying to catch up.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Oct. 28, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
With Audi V-6, Who Needs a V-8?
The supercharged V-6 is nearly a half-second quicker than the previous V-8-powered S4, mainly because it has 23 lb.-ft. (31 Nm) more torque.
By Gary Witzenburg • Oct. 27, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Looks Like Fast Start for Opel’s Volt-Based Ampera
First-year sales of the extended-range electric vehicle could nearly be double initial estimates, the auto maker says.
By David E. Zoia • Oct. 27, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Falls, Porsche Plummets; Japanese Brands Rule CR Reliability Survey
This year's survey results are based on 1.3 million '02-'12-model-year vehicles owned or leased by Consumer Reports subscribers. The magazine uses the data to predict the reliability of future brand models.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Oct. 25, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai’s Come Far; More Miles to Go
Hyundai Motor Group dominates commerce in its home market, but research into new engine technologies, such as an all-new turbocharged 1.6L 4-cyl., will remain a core focus.
By Tom Murphy • Oct. 25, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Big on Small Cars at Annual SEMA Show
SEMA offers an opportunity to create buzz around new products and send dealers extra business, GM Vice President Jim Campbell says.
By James M. Amend • Oct. 24, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
UAW Contract Brings Productivity Gains at Modest Cost Increase, Ford Says
Mark Fields, Ford president-The Americas, says lump-sum bonuses to UAW members will cost the auto maker about $280 million this year.
By Byron Pope • Oct. 20, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Century of Chevrolet: Performance DNA Runs Deep
GM chief engineer Ed Cole resisted pressure to build an Oldsmobile companion to the ‘53 Corvette, convinced that the upcoming small-block V-8 would create a performance image for Chevrolet.
By Jim Mateja • Oct. 19, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai Veloster: More Canyon-Carver Than Pocket-Rocket
Hyundai’s odd-door, youth-slanted sport coupe is likable, attractive, fun to drive and affordable, but not terribly fast.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Oct. 17, 2011
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