Automakers: Page 296
-
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Kia Reveals New Rio Sedan in New York
The Rio’s design was conceived at Kia’s Irvine, CA, studio and carries over the athletic look of the new ’11 Optima and Sportage models.
By Christie Schweinsberg • April 21, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai Accent Makes U.S. Debut in New York; New 40-MPG Cars Coming
Fuel economy for the ’12 Accent should be the best of the current class, Hyundai says, with an estimated 30/40 mpg city/highway.
By Christie Schweinsberg • April 21, 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
Hyundai Program to Guarantee Residuals
The Hyundai Assurance Trade-In Value Guarantee is likely to appeal to those who typically lease a vehicle, says the auto maker’s top U.S. executive.
By Byron Pope • April 20, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Nissan Remains Shy of 40-MPG Rating
The all-new Versa achieves combined fuel economy of 33 mpg. Nissan North America also is juggling production plans for five future vehicles in a bid to offset the fluctuating yen.
By Tom Murphy • April 20, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Jeep CEO Confirms Future Models to Be Produced in Turin
“Certainly, next-generation C or D – Compass/Patriot/Liberty – will be built in Turin, and we will export from there,” Mike Manley says.
By Tom Murphy • April 20, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Subaru, Toyota RWD Coupe Debuts in U.S. as Scion
Toyota's D4-S port- and direct-injection system is used for the first time with Subaru’s boxer engine, increasing horsepower and torque across the power band without sacrificing fuel economy.
By Christie Schweinsberg • April 20, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lexus Concept Car Makes Bold Design Statement
“Auto designers are on a tipping point,” Lexus designer Simon Humphries says. “Everyone is looking for change.”
By Steve Finlay • April 20, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Motivation for More Manly Beetle Overcooked, VW Chief Designer Says
Klaus Bischoff reveals the Beetle redesign almost did not happen, as German executives in Wolfsburg considered putting the nameplate on the shelf.
By James M. Amend • April 19, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Infiniti to Intro JX CUV Next Spring
An easy-access third row, plus a new-generation telematics system is promised for the ’13 model vehicle.
By Christie Schweinsberg • April 19, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Preh to Keep Focus on High-End Technologies, Despite Chinese Takeover
The German supplier saw 40% growth in automotive sales in 2010 and is aiming toward “organic” growth this year, the company’s CEO tells Ward’s. Primary customers include GM BMW and Volkswagen.
By Byron Pope • April 18, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
New Boss Recalls Arriving at Ford to Find No Fords Parked in Lot
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.Sometimes Alan Mulally acts at home as Ford's CEO. Sometimes he acts like the new guy on the block, innocent but with fresh eyes. He recall...
By Steve Finlay 2 • April 14, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Honda Insight Hybrid Sparking U.S. Demand
The Insight’s 62.2% sales rise last month outpaced the Prius’ 52.0%, which remains the hybrid heavy-hitter with 42,779 deliveries in the first quarter, compared with 6,058 for the Honda HEV.
By Christie Schweinsberg • April 14, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Focus ECOnetic Bad Fit for North America
Diesel technology offered by Ford of Europe is too expensive for the North American market, a top engineer says.
By Byron Pope • April 12, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Renault Board Cleans House Over Alleged Corporate-Espionage Debacle
Six high-ranking employees have been dismissed and COO Patrick Pelata has resigned, although he will continue to work for Renault-Nissan. CEO Carlos Ghosn keeps his job.
By William Diem • April 12, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford DWI Arrests Show Times Have Changed
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. When the police arrested Henry Ford II for drunken driving in the 1970s, he brushed off reporters seeking comment, saying, “Never complain,...
By Steve Finlay 2 • April 7, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Potential Sky-High for Toyota-Microsoft ‘Cloud’ Venture
Toyota Media Service, a $12 million partnership to develop advanced vehicle telematics from Microsoft’s Windows Azure computing platform, will debut in Japan and the U.S., but the eventual rollout will be far-reaching.
By Eric Mayne • April 7, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler 200 Sales Surging
The 200 accounted for 6,750 deliveries in March, 20% of Chrysler’s overall car sales, which soared 40.5% compared with like-2010.
By Eric Mayne • 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
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
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
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
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 -
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
Buick Fills Pontiac Void at Dealership
Losing the Pontiac franchise has been overcome by the Sellers Buick-GMC dealership in Farmington Hills, MI, which enjoyed a 52% spike. Fortunately, Buick's line of sedans and SUVs appeals greatly to Pontiac owners and we managed to complete a new showroom just as the Pontiac brand was being wound down, says dealership owner-president Sam Slaughter. He adds that Buick's Enclave, LaCrosse and Regal
By Adam Armbruster • April 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Auto Guru Cole Shifting Gears
LEGENDARY GENERAL MOTORS EXECUTIVE Edward Cole wanted his son, Dave, to attend MIT after he graduated from Redford High School near Detroit in 1955, but Dave Cole had different ideas. He wanted to attend Michigan State University to study agriculture, after working on his grandparent's dairy farm in western Michigan since he was a tyke. The younger Cole ultimately chose the University of Michigan,
By David C. Smith • April 1, 2011
Previous
