Automakers: Page
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mercedes Offers New F&I Package
Since the with Chrysler Financial three years ago, Mercedes-Benz Financial has been working on a package of branded protection plans offered through Mercedes dealerships. The project now is complete and includes guaranteed auto protection as well as interior, exterior, windshield, wheel and tire protection plans sold through finance and insurance offices. Another F&I offering, a first for a luxury
Oct. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
States Need Detroit 3’s Medicine
Detroit's Big Three got there first. They were brought to their knees by management that was either unwilling or unable to make painful decisions. Now almost every state, municipality and school system in the U.S. is about to go through the same kind of crisis. General Motors, Ford and Chrysler got in trouble because they were incapable of keeping a lid on their pension costs. They lacked the discipline
By John McElroy • Oct. 1, 2010 -
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
New ’12 Ford Focus ‘Upscale and Aspirational’
The ’12 Ford Focus equipped with special-edition Super-Fuel Economy package will get roughly 40 mpg on the highway.
By Byron Pope • Sept. 29, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
The Ruthless Pursuit of Perfection
At Hyundai, there is no watchful waiting and hoping to see if conditions will improve. Executives and vehicles prove themselves immediately, or they are gone.
By Drew Winter • Sept. 29, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Workers Take High Road; Critics Take Low
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.A Fox TV probe that showed Chrysler workers quaffing liquid lunches (some spiced with herb) and then returning to the assembly line has done...
Sept. 24, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Perception Trumps Reality in Acceleration Duel
The GMC Sierra’s Duramax diesel beats the competition on paper, but would its higher ratings prove out head-to-head on the test track? Yes and no.
By David E. Zoia • Sept. 20, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ram Cummins Wins Maintenance Battle
Chrysler’s 6.7L turbodiesel placed last in the competition in acceleration times behind Ford and GM but nabs the top spot outright in terms of lower maintenance lifecycle costs.
By Sean Kilcarr • Sept. 20, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Power Stroke Triumphs With Technology
The minimal-lag turbocharger and reverse-flow cylinder heads help explain why the Ford engine’s power delivery felt and sounded more linear and effortless during our tests.
By Drew Winter • Sept. 20, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Bentley Making Cheaper, Stronger Carbon-Fiber Parts
So far, production applications remain few. But the luxury auto maker did leverage the process for a carbon-fiber wheel well on its all-new Mulsanne flagship sedan.
By James M. Amend • Sept. 16, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Sebring Renamed 200 for ’11; New Chrysler Badge Unveiled
The announcement ends months of speculation about the influence of Fiat, which assumed management control of the auto maker after it emerged from bankruptcy.
By Eric Mayne • Sept. 14, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
A123 Systems Building Stake in Auto Sector
Programs include development projects with GM and Chrysler, on top of supply agreements with BMW, Daimler, Fisker Automotive, Eaton, Navistar and China’s SAIC.
By James M. Amend • Sept. 14, 2010 -
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Honda Targets Gen X, Y With New Odyssey Minivan
The auto maker says Odyssey buyers are better educated, and more affluent than Chrysler minivan customers.
By Byron Pope • Sept. 10, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Styling Aside, Nissan Juke Almost Perfect
A face that is out of the ordinary, and not in a good way, sullies the small cross/utility vehicle’s otherwise great attributes.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Sept. 8, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
‘11 Mazda2: Fun Meets Frugality
It isn't fast, is limited on space and comfort and lacks the flash of some B-cars already on the market, but the new '11 Mazda2 is a blast to drive and will limit trips to the gas station. The Mazda2, sold in other markets for years but new to North America, joins an increasingly crowded B-car segment in the U.S. It faces longtime leaders such as the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit and Nissan Versa, as well
By Byron Pope • Sept. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
The Sour Taste of Victory
The Chrysler dealer arbitrations have been completed. Out of 108 arbitration hearings Chrysler won 73 of the decisions to 32 in favor of dealers. Those dealers were among the original 789 to lose their franchises. The ones who prevailed in the congressionally ordered arbitration hearings get a Letter of Intent, which still makes them subject to the nefarious whims of Chrysler when it comes to re-establishing
By David Ruggles • Sept. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Some Dealers Savor Arbitration Wins, But Concerns Linger
Chrysler Group LLC won a large majority of cases appearing before arbitrators in American Arbitration Assn. hearings. But in a number of dealer wins, arbitrators looked beyond Chrysler and General Motors Co.'s post-bankruptcy business cases for restructuring their dealer networks. Considerations of the public interest weighed heavily when an arbitrator in Eagle Auto Mall's termination appeal against
By Lillie Guyer • Sept. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai Chief Says Lots of Ideas Come From Dealers
TRAVERSE CITY, MI Hyunda Motor America's chief says the firm gets lots of ideas from its dealers, including a new valet program for owners of the upscale Genesis and impending top-line Equus cars, due out this year. We like to innovate, because polls show that our extended warranties and appealing new products raise us on customer new-car shopping lists, says John Krafcik, president and CEO. Plus,
By Mac Gordon • Sept. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Eyes Profit-Sharing if Earnings Remain Strong
If Ford Motor Co. continues to post strong earnings during the remainder of 2010, a return to profit-sharing for United Auto Workers union members may be in the works. Ford made $2.6 billion in the second quarter, and through July its light-vehicle sales were up 22.9%. As long as we continue making profits, everybody will benefit, Mark Fields, Ford executive vice president and president-Americas,
By David C. Smith • Sept. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Fiat’s World-Class Manufacturing Key to Chrysler Turnaround
Even though its finances were unraveling before being forced into reorganization last year, the former Chrysler LLC was not a manufacturing basket case. While it once ranked dead last by the Harbour Report in productivity, in 2008 it tied Toyota Motor Engineering & Mfg. North America Inc. for the No.1 spot. Four Chrysler assembly plants ranked in the Harbour Report's top-10 most efficient plants that
By Drew Winter • Sept. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Thinking Inside the Box
Past U.S. Navy and Air Force flight students will warmly recall their first trainer, the T-34 Mentor. Most of these two-place, bubble-canopied, prop-driven Beechcrafts were powered by a 225-hp Continental flat-six engine. Smooth, sonorous and (thankfully) reliable, this compact opposed-piston beauty struck some as a little like an airborn Porsche mill. Today, Porsche and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.
By Gary Witzenburg • Sept. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mercedes Gives Dealers iPads
When Apple Inc. came out with its innovative iPad this year, Mercedes-Benz Financial quickly saw how the device could benefit auto dealers and their customers. Consequently, the firm has become the first automotive captive finance firm to equip dealerships with the tablet computers, providing mobile access to a proprietary point-of-sale system called MB Advantage. So far, 40 Mercedes dealers in the
By Steve Finlay • Sept. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Santa Fe Production Won’t Derail Kia Output Plans
Kia officials say West Point will add a second shift to support Santa Fe production.
By James M. Amend • Aug. 31, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
BMW Urges Dealers to Do More Repair Inspections
The goal is to boost repair orders, increase service and parts profits and enhance customer satisfaction by keeping clients’ cars in running order.
By Steve Finlay • Aug. 30, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Cruise Control Among Additions to Fiat 500 Destined for N.A.
While Chrysler declines comment on the car’s specs, it has said the 500 would meet the expectations of North American consumers.
By Eric Mayne • Aug. 27, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Uzbekistan Launches Spark Production
Uzbekistan is a major CKD export market for GM Daewoo, which shipped 199,000 CKD kits there last year.
By Vince Courtenay • Aug. 27, 2010
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