Automakers: Page 287
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Ford Evos Concept Car Offers Peek at Brand’s Future Design
J Mays hints the Evos’ light-emitting-diode headlamps will be a future Ford signature style, as will the concept’s trapezoidal grille, which is placed high on the front fascia.
By Byron Pope • Aug. 31, 2011 -
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GM Makes Case for Small-Block’s Future
Small-block design system engineer Mark Damico is leading development of the new mill and isn’t letting out many details, except to say the gasoline direct-injection system will employ solenoid actuators instead of more-expensive piezo-based units.
By Tom Murphy • Aug. 31, 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
Ford Seeks Diversified Customer Base With Addition of EcoBoost Explorer
The 290-hp V-6 is best-suited for consumers looking for “capability,” while the 237-hp direct-injected turbocharged EcoBoost I-4 holds appeal for those less interested in heavy-duty performance, the auto maker’s top marketer says.
By Byron Pope • Aug. 30, 2011 -
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GM Bringing Bit Pieces of Ciel Concept to Market Soon
Look for features contained in the striking Ciel to make their way into coming products from the brand, such as the XTS large sedan and ATS entry-level sports sedan due next year.
By James M. Amend • Aug. 30, 2011 -
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Kia Aims for VW-Like Brand Identity
The South Korean brand wants to be associated with cool consumer-lifestyle brands, as well as distance its image from sister Hyundai, even as the two share more product development.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Aug. 29, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mazda Seeks to Reclaim Lost U.S. Market Share
The auto maker’s new U.S. chief says a marketing push will be used to drive sales. Although he declines to reveal details, he makes clear turning to the home office in Japan for assistance is out of the question.
By Byron Pope • Aug. 26, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Wrangler Roof Option Passes Market Test With Flying Colors
Of all ’11 Sahara orders, 80% called for the “Freedom Top.” And 20% of those buyers checked the body-color box. For ’12, Jeep adds the $1,715 option to the Rubicon trim’s equipment list.
By Eric Mayne • Aug. 26, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Making Chevy the Apple of GM’s Eye
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.General Motors wants to position its automotive brands among the best on the planet, telling financial analysts earlier this month it expect...
By David Zoia • Aug. 25, 2011 -
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GM Sees Opportunity for Buick Verano in ‘Vacant’ Luxury-Compact Class
Buick’s marketing chief stops short of saying a trend has emerged at the auto maker for uncovering sparsely populated segments and storming in with global gusto.
By James M. Amend • Aug. 23, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
American Express, Mercedes Launch Credit Cards
The premium cards offer numerous benefits to the German auto maker's customers, including $500-$1,000 certificates good toward buying or leasing a Mercedes in the U.S.
By Herb Shuldiner • Aug. 22, 2011 -
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Cadillac Ciel Grand Touring Concept Bows at Pebble Beach
No production plans were announced. GM, however, has long sought a highly luxurious, range-topping passenger car for the Cadillac lineup
By James M. Amend • Aug. 19, 2011 -
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Next Kia Minivan Due in 2013; Amanti Replacement in Question
Should the Korean auto maker decide to build a production version of its KV7 concept, the brand still would offer the same value and functionality minivan buyers expect, a top U.S. executive says.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Aug. 19, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Inventor Touts Emergency-Alert Key Fob
Eisenman claims SafeKey has the mobility that’s lacking in General Motors’ OnStar system, which has more functions but is intrinsic to the car.
By David C. Smith • Aug. 18, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Panoramic Popularity Catches Ford Off-Guard
The glass roof first was offered on the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX, followed by the Ford Flex and Explorer, and take rates “continue to grow,” a top marketing executive says.
By Byron Pope • Aug. 18, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Kia Launching RWD Car, Developing New 7-Speed DCT
Soon-Nam Lee, Kia’s director-overseas marketing, says a RWD coupe is under consideration, but not confirmed.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Aug. 17, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Opel/Vauxhall to Unveil 2 Conventional Cars, 1 Electric and a Surprise
The auto maker also will show a series-production Ampera extended-range electric vehicle, soon to appear in European showrooms, at Frankfurt.
By Alan Harman • Aug. 17, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mazda to Adopt Common Architecture for Full Lineup
Robert Davis, senior vice president-U.S. operations, says the architecture’s parts will be “different, but the same” across models.
By Byron Pope • Aug. 12, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Latest Tech Creates Mighty 1.6L for Mini
For ’11, BMW upped output by adding direct injection and double VANOS to the naturally-aspirated 4-cyl., plus Valvetronic and a new twin-scroll turbocharger to the S version.
By Gary Witzenburg • Aug. 12, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Auto Dealers Rely on F&I
“We've concentrated on the (finance and insurance) business when times were good and bad, and it has paid off,” says Bert Boeckmann of Galpin Ford.
By Mac Gordon • Aug. 10, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Eyes Engineering Efficiencies update from August 2011
GM will trim its global vehicle architectures from 24 in 2010 to 14 in 2018 and cut its engine families by half.
By David Zoia Editor • Aug. 9, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Has Mazda Rotary Reached End of Road?
A Mazda executive says continuing development of the rotary has been halted for now, but hopes it will resume in the future, noting the technology is a part of Mazda’s DNA.
By Byron Pope • Aug. 8, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
BMW Global Employment Nears 100,000 Mark
“We have good cooperation from our unions,” says Harald Krueger, in charge of human relations for the auto maker. “It's a trustful partnership.”
By Herb Shuldiner • Aug. 5, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Canada LV Market Softens as Japanese Brands, GM Falter
Honda deliveries plummeted 21.2% in July for its fourth consecutive year-over-year decline, while Toyota’s 15.1% plunge marked its third straight month in the red. GM sales dipped 11.5%.
By Eric Mayne • Aug. 5, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford’s Supplier-Relations Efforts Pay Off With Focus
Working through a review program with 102 long-term suppliers, including Magna, Bosch, Continental and Faurecia, allows the auto maker to be first-to-segment, if not first-to-market, with new technologies.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Aug. 5, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford’s Jim Farley Swings Mean Bat Against Rival GM
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. I’ve occasionally tried to get auto executives to rap their rivals. It never seems to work. When I once asked Ford CEO Alan Mulally to cri...
By Steve Finlay 2 • Aug. 3, 2011
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