Automakers: Page 293
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford’s Glass House Now on the Map
Automotive journalists don't often have immediate impact on the vehicles we drive. But even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and then. During the course of my judging duties for the 2011 Ward's 10 Best Interiors competition, I piloted the stylish '12 Ford Focus through downtown Detroit. Contrary to some critics, I found the MyFord Touch infotainment system to be intuitive and engaging. The nav
By STEVE FINLAY ERIC MAYNE BARBARA MCCLELLAN TOM MURPHY JOHN SOUSANIS DAVE ZOIA • April 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Renault Apologizes for Executive Firings in Spy Case
RENAULT APOLOGIZES FOR WRONGFULLY firing three executives connected with the company's electric-car program and is promising to make reparations after one of the auto maker's two internal security officers was arrested and charged with organized fraud. The three executives reportedly were accused by the company for allegedly selling corporate secrets. Carlos Ghosn, chairman and chief executive officer,
By William Diem • April 1, 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
Ward’s 2011 e-Dealer 100
Rank Dealership Dealer Owner/Principal City ST New Internet Unit Sales Used Internet Unit Sales Total Internet Unit Sales 1 Chapman Automotive (Internet Unit) Jerry B. Chapman Chandler AZ 4,851 4,095 8,946 2 Dave Smith Motors Ken Smith Kellogg ID 4,001 1,644 5,645 3 Jim Koons - Tyson's Toyota Jim Koons/Jim Koons Automotive Vienna VA 3,171 2,102 5,273 4 Ron Tonkin Family of Dealerships Brad Tonkin,
April 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealer Appreciation
Bert Boeckmann, president and owner of Galpin Motors in North Hills, CA, didn't start out wanting to be the largest Ford dealer in the country, let alone the world. Yet, Galpin has been the world leader in Ford sales for 21 consecutive years. Nor did his blueprint for success include Galpin Ford being No.11 on the Ward's Dealer 500 list or the 10-store Galpin Motors being No.54 on the Ward's MegaDealer
By Lillie Guyer • April 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Florida’s JM Lexus Uses Internet to Reach Far for Customers
The world's No.1 Lexus dealership faces a quandary as its Internet-assisted vehicle sales keep growing. We welcome the Internet's growth from 12% of the business to 30% in 2010, says Robert Glasser, Internet director at JM Lexus in Margate, FL. But we are coping with whether we are a dealership with an Internet department or an Internet business (that sells cars). Many other dealerships face the same
By Mac Gordon • April 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Another Round With Rattner
In a way, I've been stalking Steve Rattner for months now. It is part of my effort to fully understand the federal bailout and subsequent restructuring of the auto industry. It has been an interesting pursuit. Some people have called Rattner the car czar because of his role in the government coming to the rescue of teetering General Motors and Chrysler. Rattner tries to respond graciously to that
By David Ruggles • April 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Why Alan Mulally Kissed Galpin Ford’s Bert Boeckmann
“Every person is unique,” says Bert Boeckmann, patriarch of Galpin Motors. “If you do it right, you create a bond of trust with customers.”
By Lillie Guyer • March 31, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Florida’s JM Lexus Uses Internet to Reach Far for Customers
The dealership now has an Internet staff of 21 employees who recently moved to larger quarters in a former Dodge dealership.
By Mac Gordon • March 28, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler Product Blitz Continues
The next wave of new product represents the litmus test for Chrysler’s long-term direction. By 2014, Fiat platforms will account for some 56% of the auto maker’s worldwide car volume.
By Eric Mayne • March 28, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Says Paint Shortage Poses No Problems
Ford sent a note to dealers saying some red and black paint colors will not be available on certain models due to a lack of xirallic, a paint additive the auto maker sources from Japan.
By Byron Pope • March 25, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Japanese Continue Plant Shutdowns
Toyota has warned workers it may have to cut output in North America as a result of parts shortages.
By Roger Schreffler • March 24, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
PSA Reverses Course, Will Make Low-Cost Cars
Three projects are planned, including a production version of the Citroen C-Cactus concept that bowed at the 2007 Frankfurt auto show.
By William Diem • March 21, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Adds Car-Hauler in Wake of Allied’s Exit
Allied withdrew its services from GM earlier this week after the auto maker chose not to renew a contract with the carrier.
By James M. Amend • March 18, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM to Halt Small Pickup Output Due to Japanese Parts Shortage
According to Ward’s data, stocks of the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon finished February with a 58 and 61 days’ supply, respectively.
By Ward's Staff • March 17, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Switching Carriers in Wake of Labor Dispute
GM reports no production or delivery disruptions, though yards are “filling up” outside a GM plant in Ontario, Canada, a union official says.
By Eric Mayne and James M. Amend • March 17, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Turbo Boosts Kia Sportage
Thanks to the addition of Hyundai-Kia’s 2.0L direct-injected turbocharged 4-cyl., the Sportage finally lives up to its name – but not without a hitch.
By Christie Schweinsberg • March 17, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Japan’s Auto Makers Look to Restart Plants This Week
Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Fuji and Mazda suspended production at all domestic plants on Monday to take stock of damage and the impact on their supply chains.
By Roger Schreffler • March 14, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
NBA, Racing Affiliations Paying Dividends, Kia Says
Kia saw its buyer-consideration numbers soar as a result of its presence at last month’s All-Star game festivities, particularly the slam-dunk contest.
By Christie Schweinsberg • March 14, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai Motor Finalizes Purchase of Hyundai Engineering
Hyundai Motor Co. is acquiring 23.3 million shares in the global construction giant, good for a 20.9% stake, while Kia and Hyundai Mobis will combine to purchase another 14% of the company’s outstanding stock.
By Vince Courtenay • March 8, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota Counting on Central Motor to Build Yaris for Less
Central’s new Ohira plant, when fully up and running, will have capacity to build 120,000 compact cars.
By Roger Schreffler • March 8, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Nissan Copies Altima Hybrid Process in Building Electric Leaf
The Oppama plant has two assembly lines, each producing a car every minute. At present, every sixth car moving down the Leaf line is a Leaf.
By Roger Schreffler • March 4, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Subaru Gets Down With Boxer RWD Sports Car
Subaru and Toyota are jointly developing rear-drive sports cars with boxer engines for arrival next year. Subaru execs say they aren’t turning their backs on the auto maker’s core technology, symmetrical all-wheel drive.
By Tom Murphy • March 3, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Consumer Reports Cops to Chrysler Data Gaps
The publication’s latest evaluation of Chrysler products is weighted heavily on ’08 model-year data.
By Eric Mayne • March 2, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Versatility, NVH Hallmarks of Pentastar
Outside of Chrysler and its dealerships, few knew the auto maker's Dodge, Ram, Jeep and Chrysler-brand vehicles were powered by seven different V-6 engines. Soon, there will be just one: the 3.6L DOHC Pentastar V-6. And, because it's a Ward's 10 Best Engines award winner in its debut year, that bodes well for the auto maker's burgeoning new lineup of cars and trucks. The engine program, internally
By Gary Witzenburg • March 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Auto/Mate Completes Interfaces with Toyota Dealerships
Auto/Mate Dealership Systems says it has successfully developed all Toyota interfaces available to connect its Automotive Management Productivity Suite (AMPS) with Toyota's dealer communication system, Dealer Daily. Auto/Mate completed the interfaces after 12 months of participation in a pilot project to create open standards for communications between Toyota dealerships and Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.
March 1, 2011
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