Automakers: Page 289
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Fiat to Offer Optional PND for 500
Using bridge technology, PNDs for cars are common in Europe, but this is the first time TomTom has supplied a North American model with a device like the one for Fiat.
By Herb Shuldiner • July 18, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Nissan Confident in Sedan-Only Versa Launch
The redesigned ’12 Versa will arrive in U.S. showrooms in August only as a sedan. But the auto maker’s top North American product planner says the ’12 hatch will be carried over from prior model-year.
By Christie Schweinsberg • July 15, 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
M-Class Signals Change in Blinker Placement
The all-new CUV is the first Mercedes with the turn signal placed above the cruise-control stalk on left side of steering wheel, intended to eliminate driver confusion.
By Tom Murphy • July 15, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dumpster-Diving Honda Workers Eliminate Landfill Waste
In the case of cafeteria waste, most Honda plants switched to washable dishware and disposing of solid waste through composting, recycling and energy recovery.
By Drew Winter • July 14, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Jeep Designers Can Bask in Glow of Headlamp Fix
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. New Jeep Compass Baseball Hall-of-Famer Lefty Gomez once said, "I'd rather be lucky than good." However, it's better to be both. Just a...
July 13, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Penske Automotive Buys Crevier BMW/Mini
The South California dealership is No.7 on this year’s Ward’s Dealer 500, with vehicle sales of 5,236 and total revenues of $257 million.
By Steve Finlay • July 12, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mercedes Dealers Top Sales-Effectiveness List
Mystery shoppers recorded how dealership sales personnel did on matters ranging from product knowledge to whether they gave compelling reasons to buy.
By Steve Finlay • July 11, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
BMW’s Newest I-6 Better, Not Bigger
New N55 engine features a single, more compact, faster-responding twin-scroll turbocharger that replaces the N54’s twin turbos.
By Gary Witzenburg • July 11, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
How to Wow ’Em on Social Media
“The strategy is to keep our fans paying attention to our (Facebook) site,” says Tom Gorham, Internet sales and marketing manager at Apple Chevrolet in Tinley Park, IL.
By Jim Leman • July 8, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Iveco Daily on Ram’s Radar
Chrysler is pondering a wide range of commercial vans that could span Class 1 through Class 3 to appease fleet buyers seeking a “one-stop shop.”
By Eric Mayne • July 8, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai Considers AWD for U.S. Luxury Sedans; Adds Tech Upgrades
Genesis competitors that have all-wheel drive include the Acura TL, BMW 3-Series and Lexus IS. In the Equus’ middle-luxury segment, the Acura RL, BMW 5-Series, Infiniti M and Mercedes E-Class offer the option.
By Christie Schweinsberg • July 7, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Holden Shows Off New-Product Portfolio at Oz International Auto Show
The Cruze hatchback is one of three new Holden models launched at the show as it revitalizes its lineup. The others are the Barina hatchback, Colorado pickup and LPG-powered Commodore.
By Alan Harman • July 7, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai Accent Bigger,Thriftier
Hyundai grew the Accent in size but controlled its weight and improved fuel economy through use of an aluminum block, plastic intake manifold and aerodynamic tricks.
By Christie Schweinsberg • July 5, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Grand Caravan Top-Selling U.S. Minivan; Town & Country Falls to No.4
The Town & Country’s poor showing flies in the face of an upbeat verdict from the influential publication, Consumer Reports, not to mention Chrysler’s total 24.8% June sales gain.
By Eric Mayne • July 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Prius V Wagon: Welcome to the Family
TOYOTA SAYS THE V IN PRIUS V STANDS for versatile. But we find it vivacious and vexing: Vivacious because it is fun-to-drive and vexing because American consumers have a notorious aversion to wagons. Still, after a day of driving, it's clear the new '12 Prius V is a winning addition to the Prius lineup. On sale this fall in the U.S., the V is a near descendant of the popular original body style, which
By Christie Schweinsberg • July 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ward’s Dealer F&I 150
Rank Dealership Owner/Principals City ST New Units Used Units Total Revenue (3) F&I Revenue (1) 1 Galpin Ford Bert Boeckmann North Hills CA 5,390 2,448 $260,139,982 $13,082,293 2 Classic Chevrolet Ltd. Tom Durant Grapevine TX 5,461 2,039 $293,913,793 $10,756,436 3 Dave Smith Motors Ken Smith Kellogg ID 5,001 2,055 $271,525,370 $10,023,361 4 Lustine Toyota Scion Dodge Jeep Burton Lustine Woodbridge
July 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
VW Plant Life Grows in Tennessee
ON THE VAST FLOOR OF VOLKSWAGEN'S new auto plant in Chattanooga, TN, Camptown Races starts to play over the public address system. Does that mean it is break time, combined with an interlude of traditional music? No, it means a problem is causing a delay somewhere on the line of this 2.5 million-sq.-ft. (232,257-sq.-m) facility that makes the all-new '12 Passat midsize sedan. The song and tempo starts
By Steve Finlay • July 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealer vs. VW’s Planned Store
A dispute over adding a new Volkswagen dealership in the Inland Empire market of California creates an acid test over the touchy issue of how close same-brand dealers should be from each other. Marybelle D. Archibald, an administrative law judge of the California New Motor Vehicle Board, has upheld VW of America's plan to establish the new franchise, according to the board. She remanded the case this
By Mac Gordon • July 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mercedes SLK Serves as Technological Test Bed
The ’11 SLK roadster features Mercedes’ “Magic Sky Control” roof. With the push of a button, a panoramic glass roof built into the retractable hardtop instantly darkens to block out the light.
By Byron Pope • July 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Turns to Facebook for EV Sound Suggestions
The challenge is to develop an artificial noise to alert pedestrians, primarily those who are blind and elderly, of an approaching electric vehicle that otherwise is silent.
By Byron Pope • June 30, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Fiat’s Soave Bets Big on Texas
Bucking skepticism from her colleagues, Fiat’s Laura Soave insisted on heavy penetration in Texas. Today the state is “kickin’ (butt),” she says.
By Eric Mayne • June 29, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai Covers All Bases With BlueLink
The Korean auto maker’s new 3-tier subscription telematics service, ranging from $79 annually to $699 for three years, debuts soon in the ’12 Sonata sedan.
By Christie Schweinsberg • June 28, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
U.S. Industry Recall Numbers Declining, Despite Toyota’s Nagging Pedal Problems
Traditional quality leader Toyota finishes the January-June period with an industry-worst 2.8 million vehicles implicated by recall campaigns.
By James M. Amend • June 27, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai Accent: Another Surprising Subcompact
As Hyundai has done with many new models, including the slightly larger Elantra, the Accent boasts surprisingly high levels of technology and comfort at competitive prices.
By Christie Schweinsberg • June 22, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealers Struggle to Stock Used Cars
“Used cars are tough to find and tough to buy at reasonable prices,” says Dale Smith, general manager of Village Volkswagen in Chattanooga, TN.
By Steve Finlay • June 22, 2011
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