Automakers: Page 309
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
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
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
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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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
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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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
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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 -
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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 -
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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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
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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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
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Upcoming Renault Roadster to Be Built Solely in Slovenia
A total of €47.5 million is being invested to adapt the plant for the Renault Wind, including €14.3 million in state aid provided by the Slovenian government.
By Peter Homola • Feb. 3, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Nissan’s Flexible Manufacturing Moves to India, Other JVs
Nissan has lowered its breakeven point to 60%-70% of capacity in Japan, or less than 1 million vehicles annually, the auto maker’s top manufacturing executive says.
By Roger Schreffler • Feb. 3, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota Residual Values Likely to Take Temporary Hit
Toyota vehicles currently have the highest residual values, followed by Honda, according to Kelley Blue Book.
By Byron Pope • Feb. 2, 2010
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