Automakers: Page 296
-
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Daihatsu to Exit European Market
A strong yen and the cost associated with meeting tougher CO2 standards are driving the move out of the region.
By Peter Homola • Jan. 14, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
More-Expensive Toyota Scion? Count on It, Brand Chief Says
Scion could add higher-priced models to its lineup, in addition to its three sub-$20,000 cars, and still draw younger buyers to its showroom, Jack Hollis tell Ward’s.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Jan. 13, 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
Kia Thinks Inside the Box
With the KV7 concept, Kia wants to spur an “inter-van-tion” for the socially active. Why else would a vehicle have a mini-lounge area with swivel seats?
By Steve Finlay • Jan. 13, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Model Diversification, Venture Capital Part of GM’s Drive to Make EREV Pay Dividends
Announcement of a new venture-capital investment could come this week aimed at taking “another couple grand” out of the cost of the Volt’s batteries, a top executive says.
By David E. Zoia • Jan. 12, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Working on Profit-Sharing Proposal for UAW
One plan under discussion calls for bonuses to be paid out to hourly workers in company stock, a top executive says.
By David E. Zoia • Jan. 12, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyoda: We Couldn’t Keep Up With Growth
The speed at which Toyota’s volume grew last decade exceeded its hiring and training of workers, the auto maker's top official says.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Jan. 11, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Reuss Says Customer Retention Key to Retooling GM Image, Gaining Back Market Share
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Mark Reuss, GM North American president of operations, tells Ward’s during an interview at the North American International Auto Show.
By James M. Amend • Jan. 11, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Jeep Salutes Military Past With Uniform Look
Anniversary model features include commemorative badges and logos, unique instrument clusters and a new exterior color called “Bronze Star.”
By Eric Mayne • Jan. 10, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Much Riding on New Chrysler 300
Customers begged Chrysler not to change the car’s iconic grille. The new one is more refined, but the original will be available as a MOPAR aftermarket product.
By Eric Mayne • Jan. 10, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai Veloster Debuting in Detroit to Raise B-Segment Bar
On sale in midyear, the all-new ’12 car challenges its class with three doors, a direct-injected 1.6L 4-cyl. engine mated to an optional dual-clutch automatic transmission and 40-mpg fuel economy.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Jan. 10, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Something Old for VW’s New U.S. Midsize Car
The auto maker has initial capacity to build 150,000 of the new sedans annually.
By David E. Zoia • Jan. 10, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
’12 Buick Verano GM’s Big Bet on Downsized Luxury
The new compact sedan will give the auto maker another fuel-efficient product for its portfolio as stricter CAFE rules begin phasing in next year.
By James M. Amend • Jan. 6, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Sounds of Silence
A Toyota Prius with the rumble of a V-12 engine or the futuristic swoosh of a Star Wars spacecraft? Sounds quirky, but a new line of noise-management technology from audio-experts Harman Automotive and Lotus Engineering could make such personalization possible. For now, the aim of HALOsonic Noise Management is to help auto makers meet stricter fuel-economy rules and coming safety regulations designed
By James M. Amend • Jan. 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota Drives 2010 Recall Levels
Auto makers issued 136 recall campaigns in the U.S. in 2010 with implications for an estimated 17.2 million light vehicles, making it one of the poorest performances in recent years but short of the record 24.3 million in 2000. It's a big number, says Bruce Belzowski, associate director of the Automotive Analysis Div. at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. Last year, 16.4
By James M. Amend • Jan. 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
BMW Financial Goes Paperless
No matter the speed of technology, the process of creating something lasting and worthwhile is usually evolution not revolution. That's what BMW Financial Services found while expanding a new paperless e-contracting service to BMW dealers. The captive finance firm for the German luxury auto maker has tinkered with the system for nearly four years, invested $3 million during that time and beta-tested
By Lillie Guyer • Jan. 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Audi A8 Comes Up Short
With one exception, Audi AG is having a great year. It now is running neck-in-neck in global sales with German-rivals BMW AG and Mercedes-Benz. In the U.S., it is poised to sell more than 100,000 vehicles for the first time ever, with most of its models flying out of showrooms. But there is one key slice of the U.S. market Volkswagen AG's luxury unit just can't seem to cut into: the U.S. upper-luxury-sedan
By Drew Winter • Jan. 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Scan Technology Aiding Supplier Base
Data gleaned from the CT scans is provided to suppliers to help them streamline their processes to eliminate any future imperfections.
By Byron Pope • Dec. 30, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Quirky Defects Dot 2010 Recall Roster
BMW may want to consider extra coffee breaks at its X5 plant. The auto maker recalls 735 of the CUVs for an assembly error – side lamps had no power-supply cables.
By James M. Amend • Dec. 30, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Fusion Poised to Hit 200,000 Mark
The last Ford passenger cars to tally 200,000 in annual sales were the Taurus sedan and Focus compact in 2004.
By Byron Pope • Dec. 28, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
New Quest Nice, But Niche Player
Nissan’s new minivan boasts comfortable seating and easy-to-use sliding doors but lacks many features found on the competition.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Dec. 27, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Dealers See Max Potential in C-Max
“As a general rule, a lot of Ford dealers kind of wish Ford hadn’t gotten out of the minivan business,” says Phil Smith, executive vice president and general manager of Dick Smith Ford.
By Eric Mayne • Dec. 21, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lexus CT a Start, But Needs More Oomph
Lexus’ first premium compact has a sporty ride character but also is a hybrid, a double-edged sword.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Dec. 21, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Beijing Hyundai Raises 2010 Sales Forecast
The auto maker is operating at 100,000 units beyond the 600,000 annual capacity of its two plants through maximum overtime scheduling.
By Vince Courtenay • Dec. 20, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
BMW AG: Mini 1.6L Turbocharged DOHC I-4
This engine also performs admirably in Mini’s larger and heavier Clubman and Countryman cross/utility vehicle.
By Drew Winter and Tom Murphy • Dec. 16, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
BMW M1 Coupe to Take Bow in Detroit
This time the car has its powerful engine in the front, sits four instead of two and includes a sizable luggage compartment in the back.
By Giancarlo Perini • Dec. 10, 2010
Previous
