Automakers: Page
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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 -
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
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Researcher’s Garden Inspires Sustainable-Materials Drive
Soy foam has allowed the auto maker to cut petroleum use by 3 million lbs. annually.
By Herb Shuldiner • Oct. 17, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota’s Blue Springs Plant Nears Launch
Toyota was able to keep facility and construction costs under control, investing about $800 million instead of the $1.3 billion reported earlier.
By Lillie Guyer • Oct. 17, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler’s Incentive-Based Pay Formula Promising
UAW President Bob King says negotiators sought pay hikes, but that money was never on the table. The union did not dig in its heels over the issue because “we didn’t want to increase fixed costs,” he adds.
By Eric Mayne • Oct. 13, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Nissan Confident of Leaf EV’s Sweet Spot in U.S. Market
The Leaf’s larger dimensions and longer range mean it likely will appeal to a different buyer than Mitsubishi’s i EV, a top Nissan official says.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Oct. 13, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Fraud Claim Against Eminem-Inspired Ads Bad Rap, Chrysler Says
Marketing experts suggest the auto maker may be playing fast and loose with the facts, but advertising allows for “accepted exaggeration,” says University of Detroit professor Mike Bernacchi.
By Eric Mayne • Oct. 12, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Will Next-Gen Colorado Carve GM Bigger Slice of Small-Pickup Pie?
The Ford Ranger and Chrysler’s Ram Dakota are slated to end production this year. Consumers who favor these trucks have disparate alternate preferences, according to online-shopping data.
By Eric Mayne • Oct. 11, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
VW Group Launching SEAT Mii Minicar
The Mii arrives late this year on the Spanish market and will be exported elsewhere in Europe starting in the spring.
By Jorge Palacios • Oct. 11, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Launches Sales of New Global Colorado Midsize Pickup in Thailand
“We have designed, engineered and manufactured this truck to compete anywhere in the world – it’s the truck we always wanted to build,” says Martin Apfel, president GM Thailand/Southeast Asia.
By Edd Ellison • Oct. 11, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Audi A6 Cracks Code of Middle-Luxury Segment
Audi’s middle-luxury sedan finally is poised to give the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5-Series some serious competition in the U.S. market.
By Drew Winter • Oct. 10, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
It’s Now the Mercedes-Benz Superdome
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.The Superdome, home of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, becomes the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, one of only a few major sports facilities bearing ...
By Steve Finlay 2 • Oct. 6, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
BMW 650i Decadent Even Without Apps
The new 6-Series is wickedly fast, but smartphone links, streaming audio and other gadgets threaten to overshadow BMW’s core dynamics-centered product legacy.
By Tom Murphy • Oct. 6, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai Boosts Fortunes of Alabama Capital
Cumulative investment in the 6-year-old complex approaches $1.6 billion and will reach $1.7 billion when remodeling of the older of two engine shops is completed next spring.
By Roger Schreffler • Oct. 6, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chevy Sonic Campaign Departs From GM Norm
GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson and GM North America President Mark Reuss signed off on the project themselves, Chevy marketers say.
By James M. Amend • Oct. 5, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Hopes for Chevy Sonic Boom
“We set out to outclass the class,” says Margaret Brooks, Chevrolet’s director-product marketing.
By Steve Finlay • Oct. 5, 2011
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