Kia Unveils Sportage, Venga EV Concept in Geneva

In Europe, the Sportage will offer a maximum of four powerplants, depending on the market: two gasoline engines and two diesels, making 113 hp-161 hp.

By Christie Schweinsberg • March 2, 2010

Switching Franchises

Before the sun came up, Jim Bickford's signs came down. More than 30 years after his father, Charles, had purchased the Boston Dodge dealership, and less than a month after Bickford had been notified that his franchise had been terminated, Chrysler representatives made a pre-dawn visit to remove every trace of association with the manufacturer. But on October 1, there was a new sign over Westminster

By Andy Friedlander • March 1, 2010

Explore the Trendline➔

Artificial 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

Hyundai Ratchets Up Momentum

There wasn't anything terribly wrong with the fifth-generation Hyundai Sonata, a popularly priced sedan that began chipping away at the market shares of its chief rivals. True, the Sonata was outsold in 2009 by the Toyota Camry (and Prius), Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Chevrolet Malibu. But here's the rub: All those midsize vehicles posted double-digit sales declines in 2009, while the Sonata,

By Tom Murphy • March 1, 2010

EcoBoost Stages 4-Cyl. Encore

Ford Motor Co. has plenty to crow about with the technologically advanced 3.5L EcoBoost V-6 that landed recently on the 2010 Ward's 10 Best Engines list in its first year of eligibility. With 365 hp, 104 hp/L and 350 lb.-ft. (475 Nm) of torque in the Taurus SHO, the direct-injection twin-turbo V-6 stands as king of the 6-cyl. hill. On paper, the EcoBoost V-6 even trounces a number of larger V-8s,

By Tom Murphy • March 1, 2010

Black Boxes Could Be Courtroom Savior or Slayer for Toyota update from March 2010

Electronic data recorders, commonly known as black boxes, could blow the lid off unintended acceleration allegations against Toyota Motor Corp. Typically, EDRs have worked in favor of the manufacturer in court cases where the data has been introduced, EDR experts tell Ward's. I would say that's probably more likely than not the case, and it comes back to the idea that there really aren't that many

By Christie Schweinsberg • March 1, 2010

GM Called Out for NUMMI Closure

General Motors Co. is to blame for the planned closing of the New United Motor Mfg. Inc. joint venture plant in Fremont, CA, Toyota Motor Corp.'s top U.S. executive says, indicating there is little chance the shutdown decision will be reversed. Both the United Auto Workers and California politicians have been pushing for Toyota to keep the California plant open. Toyota is not shutting down NUMMI,

By David E. Zoia and James M. Amend • March 1, 2010

Sonata Ratchets Up Hyundai Momentum

A sophisticated engine, beautiful interior and progressively styled exterior make the new Hyundai Sonata a terrific value, starting under $20,000.

By Tom Murphy • March 1, 2010

Infiniti Unconcerned New M Too High-Tech

Nissan’s luxury brand will educate dealers on the M’s plentiful technology via PowerPoint presentations, rather than wait for cars to be available, and will include in-depth tutorials on its website and in its ads.

By Christie Schweinsberg • Feb. 26, 2010

EcoBoost Encore Comes in 4-Cyl. Layout

Ford will follow up its award-winning 3.5L direct-injection, twin-turbo V-6 with a 2.0L EcoBoost 4-cyl. slated later this year for the Ford Edge and potentially the Focus.

By Tom Murphy • Feb. 25, 2010

Contrite Toyoda Vows Change

“I fear the pace at which we have grown may have been too quick,” Akio Toyoda says. “I regret that this has resulted in the safety issues described in the recalls we face today.”

By Eric Mayne • Feb. 24, 2010

Spare Us Dog and Pony Show and Get to the Truth

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.If all goes as planned, Toyota President Akio Toyoda will find himself on the hot seat Wednesday as he testifies before the U.S. House Energ...

By Barbara McClellan 2 • Feb. 24, 2010

Toyota Still Looking for Sudden-Acceleration Answers

Toyota will look into whether electromagnetic interference could be a cause for sudden unintended acceleration, and it will make tools available in the U.S. for investigators to read onboard black box data.

By David E. Zoia • Feb. 23, 2010

Dear Congress: Please excuse Mr. Toyoda today ...

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.Note to Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda: Call in sick Wednesday. Do NOT go to Washington. Says a witness to the last time OEM bos...

Feb. 23, 2010

Jaguar Land Rover Taps Speth as CEO

Former Ford and BMW executive Ralf Speth is named JLR CEO, replacing David Smith who resigned last month.

By Ward's Staff • Feb. 19, 2010

It’s Called Bobby Jones Ford for a Good Reason

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.What’s in a name? Plenty, if you are a dealer in Augusta, GA, home of the Masters Golf Tournament, and your store is called Bobby Jones Ford...

By Steve Finlay 2 • Feb. 16, 2010

Toyota Dealers Unite Against Storm of Quality Scrutiny

Dealers say they expect a more polished meeting between Toyota’s executives and Congress than the disaster the Detroit Three experienced a little over a year ago.

By James M. Amend • Feb. 15, 2010

Black Boxes Could Be Courtroom Savior or Slayer for Toyota

Conditions recorded by EDRs include accelerator- and brake-pedal positions, gear selection, vehicle speed and whether a driver was wearing his seatbelt.

By Christie Schweinsberg • Feb. 15, 2010

Toyota Loyalists Likely Unfazed By Recall, Fence Sitters Another Matter

NADA forecasts improved new-vehicle sales in 2010 of about 11.9 million units, compared with 10.4 million in 2009.

By James M. Amend • Feb. 14, 2010

Chrysler Dealers Place Faith in Sergio

“Sergio Marchionne is one of the smartest, toughest auto executives I ever met,” dealer Chuck Eddy Jr. says.

By Steve Finlay • Feb. 14, 2010

Lutz Says Pontiac G8 Not Entirely Dead, But Destination a Dilemma

Buick lacks a RWD sedan, and the division has the performance heritage to sell such a car.

By James M. Amend • Feb. 13, 2010

On Stopping a Prius – and Maybe Some of the Panic

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.Amid all the frenzy surrounding the growing spate of Toyota recalls, comes the voice of calm – from a victim no less of the ʼ10 model Prius ...

By David Zoia • Feb. 11, 2010

New Odyssey Fits Three Car Seats in Second Row

Honda’s research suggests younger, Generation Y buyers are embracing minivans similar to the way their parents once did.

By Christie Schweinsberg • Feb. 10, 2010

Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang Loses Weight, Gains Power

The Shelby GT500 is available in both coupe and convertible body styles, with the latter undergoing structural improvements to reduce the chassis shake typical of drop-tops.

By Byron Pope • Feb. 9, 2010

Ford Unveils Transit Connect EV, Taxi in Chicago

Azure Dynamics is sourcing the lithium-ion batteries for the Transit Connect EV from Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions.

By Byron Pope • Feb. 9, 2010

Toyota Blames Overly Sensitive ABS for Prius Brake Problems

The software code that will allow the brakes to override the throttle in the Camry is ready to be added.

By Christie Schweinsberg • Feb. 3, 2010