Automakers: Page 311
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Chrysler Pins Hopes on HD Ram, Grand Cherokee, Feature Content
Highlighting the new content Chrysler is using to buy time is a new diesel engine for international markets and “Interactive Decel Fuel Shut-Off.”
By Eric Mayne • Sept. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota’s Decision to Abandon NUMMI Closes Book on 25-Year Experiment
The move by Toyota to exit NUMMI likely will result in the loss of more than 4,000 jobs unless the plant is able to find new work.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Aug. 28, 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
New Chrysler to Accept Product Liability Claims of Former Entity
Chrysler is more confident “the future viability of the company will not be threatened if we accept these claims,” Vice President John Bozzella says.
By Ward's Staff • Aug. 28, 2009 -
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Toyota 3.5L DOHC V-6 Delivers Best of Both Worlds
The engine’s most interesting feature is a unique and happy marriage of two complementary fuel-injection systems.
By Gary Witzenburg • Aug. 20, 2009 -
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Tesla Taps Into Silicon Valley Brain Power
Electric powertrains are “as much an electrical engineering and software-integration task as (they are) a mechanical engineering and automotive task,” says Tesla’s chief technical officer.
By Eric Mayne • Aug. 19, 2009 -
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Ford, VW See Big Gain in U. of M. Customer Satisfaction Survey
The second-quarter measurement of durable goods and e-business shows consumers’ approval of their new vehicles rose a combined 2% to 84 points on a 100-point scale, marking a record high.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Aug. 18, 2009 -
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Prof Tells How GM Can Reinvent Itself
To restore consumer confidence, emphasis must be on the vehicles themselves.
By Steve Finlay • Aug. 17, 2009 -
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Renault-Nissan to Explore EV Development in Oz
The alliance partners have formed partnerships with nearly 30 governments, cities and other organizations around the world to advance the deployment of EVs.
By Alan Harman • Aug. 17, 2009 -
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GM Product Blitz Calls for 25 Cars and CUVs in 24 Months
Cadillac continues the “Art & Science” renaissance it began 10 years ago, stretching the design theme to a new entry-level sports car and a fullsize sedan.
By James M. Amend • Aug. 12, 2009 -
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GM Bets Reinvented Image on eBay Partnership; Holds Cadillac From Program
GM Vice President Mark LaNeve says the luxury brand will jump in later, if the program proves successful.
By James M. Amend • Aug. 10, 2009 -
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Ford’s ‘Top Hat’ Strategy Unfolding in Oakville
The MKT benefits from upgraded materials and added technology, but assembly tasks differ from the Flex and required some “unique” worker training.
By Byron Pope • Aug. 10, 2009 -
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Lexus LF-A Coming, Affordable Sports Car, Too, Toyoda Says
In his first appearance on U.S. soil since becoming Toyota CEO, Akio Toyoda cites strong optimism for the future of the U.S. new-vehicle market.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Aug. 5, 2009 -
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BMW Paint Shop Breaks New Ground
The South Carolina plant is getting an advanced new paint shop as part of an expansion project that takes annual capacity from 150,000 to 200,000 units.
By Tom Murphy • Aug. 4, 2009 -
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The Perfect Boomer Drop-top
After Nearly Four Years on the market, Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus IS sport sedan has garnered much attention for the brand from consumers and reviewers alike, including Ward's, which has honored the car's 306-hp 3.5L V-6 as a 10 Best Engine for four years running. But sales of 49,432 vehicles last year still lag those of Lexus' luxury arch-nemesis, BMW AG, and its 3-Series, which sold 112,464 units
By Christie Schweinsberg • Aug. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Turbo, GDI I-4 Epitomizes Future
The History of Audi AG's Mighty Mite I-4 Goes Back to the early '90s with development of the 1.8L turbo-four (dubbed 1.8T) that arrived on U.S. shores in 1996 in the '97 A4 compact sedan. According to Mark Trahan, Audi of America's director-aftersales and technical service, the engine was designed in Ingolstadt, Germany, by a relatively small engineering team and intended to be shared across a variety
By Gary Witzenburg • Aug. 1, 2009 -
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Chief Pontiac on the Warpath
Editor's Note: Ward's David C. Smith channels the long-dead Indian chief who has an ill-fated General Motors division named after him, and finds him spinning in his grave. I'll smoke no peace pipes with General Motors Corp. For 83 years GM took advantage of my name by putting it on millions of cars without sending a single royalty check. Now they're killing my namesake division off, and it looks like
By David C. Smith • Aug. 1, 2009 -
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Everybody’s Battle
Kudos to the Virginia Automotive Dealers Assn. (there may be others) whose board of directors recently voted unanimously to fight for dealers eliminated by Chrysler and General Motors. And if your state association voted to stay in the fight, kudos to you also. On the other hand, there are some state associations that voted to stay on the sidelines and not support their brethren. (I won't name names,
By Cliff Banks • Aug. 1, 2009 -
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Chrysler: Rough Ride Over
While the Road Ahead Remains bumpy for Chrysler Group LLC, customers can expect a smoother ride from the '10 Dodge Ram heavy-duty pickup than from the outgoing model. The Ram 2500 and 3500, available for the first time in crew-cab configuration, features the auto maker's inaugural application of fluid-filled body mounts. Positioned under the C-pillar, the glycol-filled mounts are supplied by Cooper
By Eric Mayne • Aug. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM to Take Over Some Delphi Plants
GM intends to maintain its control of the component operations but indicates it could seek a buyer for the steering business in the future.
By Ward's Staff • July 31, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Says Six More VPs to Go
Among those leaving are OnStar head Chet Huber, pickup-truck engineer Gary White and global-engineering boss Jim Queen.
By Ward's Staff • July 30, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
LaCrosse Breathes Life Into Buick
The new entry-luxury sedan offers two fine direct-injection gasoline V-6s, as well as a firm ride your grandfather won’t recognize. The LaCrosse proves Buick still has a pulse.
By Tom Murphy • July 28, 2009 -
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CEO’s Retirement to Leave Big Shoes to Fill at GM Daewoo
Michael Grimaldi is well respected by employees at GM’s Korean subsidiary and has been instrumental in furthering management-union relations in his brief three years at the helm.
By Vince Courtenay • July 28, 2009 -
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Ford Aims to Slash Hybrid-Development Costs 30%
The cost reduction is in addition to the 30% already taken out since Ford launched its first HEV, the Ford Escape Hybrid, in 2004 as a ’05 model.
By Byron Pope • July 24, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM to Name Brent Dewar Head of Chevrolet
Dewar’s return stateside, confirmed by a person familiar with the plan, also marks a return for the executive to the Chevy brand, which he took over in 2003.
By Ward's Staff • July 23, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
EC Approves €112 Million in Aid to Daimler for New Hungarian Plant
The facility initially will produce next-generation Mercedes-Benz A- and B-Class models.
By Keith Nuthall • July 20, 2009
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