Automakers: Page 297
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Explorer Design a Global Endeavor
ord designers from North America, Europe and the Asia/Pacific region were tasked with “reinterpreting the segment-defining icon as a contemporary SUV for the 21st century.”
By Byron Pope • Dec. 9, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Gilles Gettin’ Down With Chrysler Design
Chrysler design chief Ralph Gilles says the auto maker needs 15 designers to handle the work in its pipeline. But he’s not rushing to fill the positions.
By Eric Mayne • Dec. 6, 2010 -
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
Honda Element Reaches End of Road
Deliveries have declined steadily since the Element’s first full year on the market in 2003, when Honda sold 67,478 units in the U.S.
By Ward's Staff • Dec. 3, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Emerging Markets Lure Stalled Auto Makers With Promise of Double-Digit Growth
Although GM is on the road to recovery and Volkswagen has ambitions to become the world’s biggest vehicle producer, Japanese auto makers still are a major force globally, moving to cope with the fast-changing times.
By Mack Chrysler • Dec. 2, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota Sales Fall 7% in November, Fleet Sales Plunge 60%
e Japanese auto maker says a decline in fleet sales and intense competition in the midsize car segment largely is to blame for its 7% year-over-year drop.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Dec. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Proud Porsche Determined to Meet CAFE Regs On Our Own
Porsche Cars North America Inc. could meet pending U.S. fuel-efficiency requirements more easily if it hid behind its mother's skirt. But the storied sports car maker has more pride than that. We will achieve this target, if we can, on our own, PCNA President and CEO Detlev von Platen tells Ward's at the recent Los Angeles auto show. We do not want our customers in the future to hide behind a mass
By Eric Mayne • Dec. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Family Dealership Turns 100
Sames Motor Co., the oldest dealership in Texas, observed its 100th anniversary with a party hosted by family members who own and operate the facility founded five generations ago. William J. Sames started the original dealership in Laredo, where he ended up after suffering an illness. Born in Hartford, CT, he ventured with a business partner to Cuba and then Mexico where he developed pneumonia. A
Dec. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Jeep Hammering Home New Message
Dealer Lou Giordano thinks the Jeep brand nailed it with both its all-new Grand Cherokee and an ad campaign that hammers home a buy-American and high-quality message for Chrysler Group LLC. Giordano runs Croton Auto Park in Croton-on-the Hudson, NY, selling Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram brands. He is the current chairman of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Assn. The Grand Cherokee is the No.1-selling
By Lillie Guyer • Dec. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Who’s Buying GM Stock?
I know you're not supposed to look a gift horse in the mouth. But, I just can't help myself from asking, Who's buying all that General Motors stock? I've heard how thankful I should be as an American taxpayer and how our national investment is paying off so well. And I am feeling good about all the pensioners whose retirement accounts will can soon return to historic levels of solvency. But, lest
By Peter Brandow • Dec. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
A Ford Store Grows in Brooklyn on a 27,000-sq.-ft. lot
Bay Ridge Ford, one of the first new Ford dealerships in the U.S. since the recession, opens in Brooklyn, NY. The 7,500-sq.-ft. facility is on a 27,000-sq.-ft. lot in a high-traffic area off the Gowanus Expressway. The store will employ 50 staffers. The dealership also plans to invest in the Brooklyn Army Terminal site by building a service and parts center, says Gary Flom, president & CEO of Bay
Dec. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Revamped Buick GL8 on Way in China
The new model will be marketed alongside an updated version of the original GL8, which has sold 330,000 units in China since its 1999 introduction.
By Vince Courtenay • Dec. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Incremental Gains to Make Chevy Volt Profitable; GM Satisfied With EPA Label
Instead of waiting to bank on cost and efficiency gains with the second-generation Volt, the auto maker will look to take cost every year.
By James M. Amend • Nov. 30, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Uh-Oh, Oprah Likes the Bug
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.Volkswagen’s Beetle giveaway on the Oprah Winfrey show this week may turn out to be a good marketing ploy – or simply tempt fate. In case ...
By David Zoia • Nov. 24, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
No Fast-Charging for Volt as GM Questions Need update from November 2010
With the help of federal grants, hundreds of high-voltage charging stations are being installed in the U.S. for electric vehicles. A GM executive questions if the devices will stress the energy grid.
By Tom Murphy • Nov. 23, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Volvo Plans to Double Global Sales by 2020
The Chinese-owned Swedish auto maker soon will announce which vehicles it will manufacture and sell in China, and says by 2013 its new generation of engines will come to market, potentially including a diesel for the U.S.
By Tom Murphy • Nov. 17, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Nissan Debuts New Minivan, Convertible and Sedan Concept in L.A.
The drop-top interpretation of the Murano CUV features two doors and a cloth top, while the new Quest has full surround glass and one-touch power sliding doors.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Nov. 17, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Volvo-Owner Geely Expanding European Presence by Boosting London Cab JV
Since August, Manganese Bronze has been assembling cabs for U.K. customers, with body panels and other parts shipped from China, which has reduced costs.
By William Diem • Nov. 16, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Renault Moves to Differentiate Dacia Brand
The change will help end confusion regarding what Renault now calls its “Entry” range, which includes vehicles based on the Logan platform sold under both marques.
By William Diem • Nov. 11, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
BMW Financial Leads Way With e-Contracting
Simple transactions can take less than 30 minutes, aiding the cause of customer satisfaction.
By Lillie Guyer • Nov. 5, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Denso, Ford Collaborate on Focus DI System
Denso worked with Ford in developing the auto maker’s first naturally aspirated direct-injection engine for North America.
By Byron Pope • Nov. 2, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Volvo Spices Up New S60
Volvo executives use provocative words such as “sexy” and “naughty” to describe the new car. “Sporty” and “dynamic” also find their way into the conversation.
By Steve Finlay • Nov. 2, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford’s Wicked Check Raise
Adam Gryglak likes a good poker game. The Ford powertrain engineer even gets to play on company time, and he's getting pretty good. In his latest game, he's the chip leader after pulling off a wicked smooth in launching the all-new 6.7L Power Stroke V-8 in the Ford Super Duty pickups. At poker tables, the is a sneaky tactic some players use when they've landed a primo hand. Rather than start the betting
By Tom Murphy • Nov. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Biomaterials From Dandelions, Straw?
Ford Motor Co., which already is rapidly expanding use of soy-based materials for foam seats and headliners, now is looking into more renewable agricultural feedstocks for biomaterials, such as wheat straw and dandelions, Ford's head of plastics research says. A high-quality natural rubber can be made from the root of the Russian dandelion, and Ford is working with researchers at Ohio State University
By Drew Winter • Nov. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler Upgrades From Inside Out
What's the inside story on Chrysler Group LLC's approach to interior design? Think data, rapid prototyping and passion all delivered in-house. Often maligned for skimping on the types of soft-touch materials considered by other auto makers to be the price of entry, Chrysler says it now is committed to the challenge for market leadership on quality, style and customer satisfaction. Throughout the whole
By Eric Mayne • Nov. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Despite Critics, Chevy Volt Smart Compromise
Back-to-back test drives with the Nissan Leaf show the Volt powertrain is far more practical.
By Drew Winter • Oct. 26, 2010
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