Automakers: Page
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler 8-Speed AT Promises 4-MPG Gain; DDCT Delayed
The auto maker does not fully explain the delay. A spokesman hints that Chrysler was not satisfied with the DDCT’s performance. “It’s got to be something that customers are happy with,” Vince Muniga tells WardsAuto.
By Eric Mayne • Sept. 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota Confirms RAV4 Production in Woodstock update from September 2011
TOYOTA CONFIRMS THE UPCOMING RAV4 electric vehicle will be fully assembled at its Woodstock, ON, Canada, plant, with output beginning next year. Ward's first reported the news Aug. 3. The RAV4 EV will go down the same line as the gas-engine RAV4, already built at Woodstock. It originally was thought that final assembly of the electrified RAV4 would occur at upstart EV-maker Tesla's Fremont, CA, plant,
By Christie Schweinsberg • Sept. 1, 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
It’s Wilde, But Far From Crazy
When crunch time hit the domestic auto industry in 2008 and 2009, dealer Mark Wilde and his partners at Wilde Automotive Group relied on the basic principles that founder Harold Wilde had instilled in them. In 2009, as much of the domestic industry crashed, the group constructed an all-new facility for its Chrysler-brand franchises in its base city of Waukesha, WI, in the Milwaukee market. We were
By Lillie Guyer • Sept. 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Even Car Purists Can Appreciate It
MANY YEARS BEFORE THE TERM warned of an epic traffic jam in southern California, it could have referred to a trend that was sweeping through the ranks of luxury auto makers. Purists figured the end was near when BMW, Lexus, Audi, Lincoln, Cadillac, Volvo and later on Porsche decided their car-only portfolios needed something more in the way of utility and off-road capability. It all started with Mercedes
By Tom Murphy • Sept. 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hybrid Battery Durability Stuns Ford
WHEN IT COMES TO BATTERY TECHNOLOGY, the automotive industry beats aerospace hands down, a top Ford researcher says. Bob Taenaka, Ford battery technical lead, spent more than a decade designing batteries for spacecraft while working for Hughes Aerospace. After moving to Ford 10 years ago, he found it much harder to design batteries for automobiles than for rocket ships. There's a better-controlled
By Byron Pope • Sept. 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Marchionne No Fan of Union Seats on Corporate Boards
THE HEADS OF CHRYSLER AND THE United Auto Workers union get along, but Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne rejects the idea of The German method of union-management relations, where union members sit on company supervisory boards, has UAW President Bob King's support. Marchionne rejects it on principle. The best intervention that the unions or labor or organized labor can bring to the party is
By Willian Diem • Sept. 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Audi A4 Sales Eclipse 600,000 Units
Lack of A4 inventory is “one of the biggest limiting factors to our sales volumes,” Product Planning Manager Barry Hoch says. Audi is expected to announce plans for a North American plant within nine months.
By Eric Mayne • Sept. 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Pentastar Reshaped for ’12 Wrangler
Chrysler leveraged the engine’s adaptable design to improve the SUV’s on-road performance, while also accommodating the Jeep brand’s rugged off-road requirements.
By Eric Mayne • Sept. 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Sexy Concepts Seduce Car Lovers With Premium Promise
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. Can’t wait for industry reaction to Ford’s Evos concept car at the Frankfurt auto show next month. From the photos, it’s brilliant. I, for ...
By Barbara McClellan 2 • Aug. 31, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mazda SkyActiv Strategy Gives Edge to Upcoming CX-5
Hand-built prototypes driven by journalists here in advance of the CX-5’s worldwide debut at the upcoming Frankfurt auto show suggest the SkyActiv suite of technologies is more than a clever marketing ploy.
By Tom Murphy • Aug. 31, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM on Brink of Breakthroughs in Aerodynamics
Based on pre-production models, the next Malibu will post a coefficient of drag value of 0.29. That’s comparable with the Corvette and on par with the Volt extended-range electric vehicle at 0.28.
By James M. Amend • Aug. 31, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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
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