Automakers: Page
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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
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 -
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
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 -
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 -
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
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
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
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
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