Automakers: Page 308
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford’s New Police Interceptor Will Replace Crown Victoria
Ford Motor Co. confirms development of a new Ford Police Interceptor is under way to replace the aging Ford Crown Victoria, scheduled to be phased out in 2011. The auto maker is mum on details, such as what model the new law-enforcement vehicle will be based on, saying only that it will an all-new purpose-built Police Interceptor. However, earlier media reports indicated Ford was looking to convert
By Christie Schweinsberg • Dec. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Credit: Business as Usual
One major credit arm claims it stands out from the crowd of automotive lenders whose policies reportedly tightened up over the last year or so. Ford Credit, lending arm of Ford Motor Co., says it did not change practices during the credit crunch because its business models have helped it more accurately predict payment behavior compared with generic models. That allowed the captive lender to extend
By Lillie Guyer • Dec. 1, 2009 -
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
System Aids Parts Shipment Information for GM Dealers
A new system is intended to help General Motors Co. dealers with parts shipment information. Auto/Mate Dealership Systems has integrated GM's Parts WorkBench upgrade with its Automotive Management Productivity Suite. The enhanced OEM interface allows GM vehicle invoices, as well as weekly and monthly parts statements, to automatically download to the dealership management system, eliminating time
Dec. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM’s Clean-Sheet Approach Picks Up Speed
To say General Motors Co. President and CEO Fritz Henderson would like to put 2009 in his rearview mirror would be an understatement. Certainly not alone in his disdain for a year when the auto industry witnessed its sharpest and most prolonged downturn in the post-war era, as head of the now-defunct General Motors Corp. it's unlikely anyone saw the carnage more closely or came under greater scrutiny
By James M. Amend • Dec. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Skepticism Persists as Nissan’s Ghosn Leads Charge Into EV Age
When Nissan asked people for their first choice between a hybrid, electric or internal-combustion car, 9% of the Japanese and 8% of the Americans queried opted for electric.
By Roger Schreffler and Mack Chrysler • Dec. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Benchmarking Shows Toyota, Honda Follow Different Paths to Hybridization
While Toyota has worked to constantly improve hybrid performance, Honda’s strategy has been to cut costs, a French analyst says during a technical presentation.
By William Diem • Nov. 30, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealers Caught Off-Guard by Toyota Recall
NHTSA says Toyota also intends to install a brake override system on the Camry, Avalon, ES 350, IS 350 and IS 250 models as an “extra measure of confidence.”
By Byron Pope • Nov. 25, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Oshawa Wins Buick Regal; Facility Poised for Additional Product
The extra vehicle could be the Regal hybrid, which Ward’s reported earlier this month as a variant scheduled for Oshawa in the second half of 2011.
By Ward's Staff • Nov. 25, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lexus Sees New GX Taking Large Share in Shrinking Segment
It is important Lexus continue to offer a midsize utility vehicle with three rows of seating, a top executive says, but the future of the body-on-frame GX appears murky.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Nov. 23, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealers Remember Firebrand on Ford Alliance’s Anniversary
“We dealers all needed an Ed Mullane to champion our cause in those Congressional bankruptcy hearings and bankruptcy courts. He would have blown them away.”
By Mac Gordon • Nov. 19, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Romania Loan Approval Highlights Shift in EU Policy
In a close vote, the European Commission puts its stamp of approval on a loan that will help finance low-emission engine and vehicle production at Ford’s Craiova, Romania, plant.
By Keith Nuthall • Nov. 16, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Honda to Add Dealerships in China to Meet Increased Demand
The auto maker says it is at full production capacity at its plants in China, as vehicle sales soar due to government stimulus measures designed to minimize the effects of the global economic crisis.
By Alan Harman • Nov. 13, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Sends Nick Reilly to Opel; Search for Permanent CEO Continues
Reilly brings a measure of experience in the region, having bounced between management positions with Vauxhall and GM Europe for more than 25 years.
By Ward's Staff • Nov. 10, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Jaguar Design Chief Says Time for Auto Maker to ‘Grow Up’
Ian Callum says the auto maker was “coddled” under Ford management, and an “entrepreneurial spirit” now is driving the company.
By Byron Pope • Nov. 9, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Volvo Demos Pedestrian Protection System
The new system, which is engineered to automatically stop cars from hitting pedestrians at speeds of up to 16 mph, will be introduced in the ’11 Volvo S60.
By Herb Shuldiner • Nov. 6, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ad Blitz Launches Ram Brand; 7-Passenger Dodge CUV to Bow in 2010
The Dodge Viper will be phased out in July 2010. In its place will come a sports car likely inspired by Fiat brands, such as Alfa Romeo, Maserati or Ferrari.
By Eric Mayne • Nov. 4, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Honda Accord Crosstour: It’s What Is Inside That Counts
The No.2 Japanese auto maker’s newest CUV is a fine vehicle with a clever interior, but the styling is sure to polarize potential buyers.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Nov. 3, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Tesla Breaks Production EV World Record in Oz Global Green Challenge
Contestants in the biennial event encountered an earthquake, dust storm and sweltering conditions over seven days of endurance driving through the Australian Outback.
By Alan Harman • Nov. 3, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai Launches Kia Venga at Czech Plant
Production of a fourth model, a Hyundai MPV, will be added to the mix at the Nosovice plant in 2011.
By Peter Homola • Nov. 2, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Kizashi Best Suzuki, But Not Luxury Competitor
The brand’s new midsize sedan could woo Nissan Altima and Mazda6 intenders, but not those seeking used German or Japanese sport sedans.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Nov. 2, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Almost as Nice as Showroom
Bob Moran, dealer principal of Acton Toyota, in Littleton, MA, visited a local Mercedes-Benz store while mulling over the various equipment and workspace options that would outfit his new store. Seeing an organized service area with built-in toolboxes, he decided to do the same thing at his dealership. I loved the way everything looked and felt at that dealership, Moran says. It was not only extremely
Nov. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
The Great Divide at Dodge
Chrysler LLC's decision to divide Dodge brand administration by product line portends greater focus on the marque's underperforming car business, according to insiders and observers. The move also represents a vote of confidence in design guru Ralph Gilles, named president and CEO of the new division, and suggests a strategic departure for Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne. Historically, Marchionne favors
By Eric Mayne • Nov. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Honda V-6 Unique and Versatile
How many top-ranked V-6 engines wear two single camshafts atop 4-valve heads? Of our 2009 10 Best Engines, only Honda's 3.5L fits this description. Volkswagen AG's 2.0L I-4 turbodiesel has just one overhead cam. Another, Chrysler Group LLC's 5.7L OHV Hemi V-8, hides a single cam within its block with old-school pushrod architecture. All seven other 2009 award winners one V-8, two V-6s, two I-6s and
By Gary Witzenburg • Nov. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Saturn Dealers: Now What?
When General Motors Corp. said early this year it planned to shed its Saturn brand, Shau-wai Lam decided to do the same thing at the major dealership group he heads. After consulting with his management team, he closed the last two of his remaining Saturn stores. He once had six in New York and New Jersey. Those were closed earlier as Saturn sales fell. We had originally put hope in the future of
By Steve Finlay • Nov. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Fiat 500 Abarth U.S.-Bound
Chrysler Group LLC dealers have been advised that their first Fiat 500 car, due in the '11 model year, will be the Abarth edition, an up-contented sporty subcompact. The Abarth is similar in dimensions to BMW's Mini Cooper, but goes the Mini one better in that it has a race-car heritage dating back to the 1950s and 1960s. That's when Karl Abarth produced Fiat-based race cars and supplied parts for
By Mac Gordon • Nov. 1, 2009
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