Automakers: Page 312
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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 -
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
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
The Color of Money
HIGHLAND, MI Battling backlash from its controversial plan to shutter thousands of dealerships this year, General Motors Co. points to LaFontaine Buick-Pontiac-GMC and Cadillac as the sort of store to which restructuring survivors should aspire. Located some 60 miles (97 km) north of GM's world headquarters in Detroit, the 63,000 sq.-ft. (5,853 sq.-m) LaFontaine Green Auto Campus opened about a year
By James M. Amend • Nov. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Sees Trouble Ahead for Suppliers
The new purchasing chief at gen- eral Motors Co. expects more turmoil in the supply base as production volumes gain steam and says his shrunken organization is learning to do more with less. Bob Socia, a 34-year veteran of GM who took over from Bo Andersson earlier this summer, also hints GM will start bringing in some suppliers earlier on product programs and says changes he has implemented to the
By James M. Amend • Nov. 1, 2009 -
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Intake
Regarding Jerry Flint's column about culture change at GM (see WAW — Aug. '09, p.32): I remember working at Toyota's Engineering Center in Ann Arbor in the late 1990s as a product engineer and having to prepare for design reviews with the president of the company.
Nov. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mercedes-Financial First To Let Customers Pay by iPhone
Mercedes-Benz Financial becomes the first automotive financial services company to let customers pay their car loans using hand-held iPhone and iPod Touch devices. It's the next step in a trend of more consumers using the Internet for banking and bill-paying, says Jennifer Springer, manager-dealer and consumer point of sale for Mercedes-Benz Financial. Fifty percent of our loan payments come from
By Steve Finlay • Nov. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Unlike Competitors, Ford Avoided Reinventing Itself
Unlike its distressed U.S. counterparts, Ford Motor Co. has not resorted to itself, making it more attractive to consumers, says Jim Farley, Ford's group vice president-marketing and communications. It's nothing against our competitors; I'd be doing the same thing if I were in their position, Farley says, referring to General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC, auto makers that went in and out of bankruptcy
By Steve Finlay • Nov. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GMC Covers New Terrain
A few short years ago, the thought of a GMC Terrain based on the Chevrolet Equinox would have made us cringe with low expectations of badge engineering, a now infamous practice allowing the former General Motors Corp. to share vehicle platforms across eight divisions with little or no differentiation. The strategy often watered down the auto maker's brands, leaving little to distinguish a particular
By James M. Amend • Nov. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
From Midnight Factory Worker To New GM Sales Chief
Susan Docherty, a longtime General Motors Co. executive who cut her teeth working midnights at one of the manufacturer's transmission plants, will take over the auto maker's U.S. sales operation. Docherty, 46, was general manager of Buick-GMC. Her new appointment will place her among the highest-ranking women in the industry. The Windsor, ON, Canada, native replaces Mark LaNeve, who leaves the auto
By James Amend • Nov. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford: Maybe Driving and Cell Phones Not Such a Bad Mix
Using handheld devices such as cell phones or iPods while driving is less dangerous than commonly believed, Ford Motor Co. research indicates. Since 1995, cell phone subscriptions have skyrocketed from 28 million users to 270 million. But during that time period, auto fatalities have declined, says Louis Tijerina, technical specialist-Ford Research and Advanced Engineering. The seemingly contradictive
By Byron Pope • Nov. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Digital Content Must Click
All automotive advertising matters, including established forms such as television, even though 20% of people watching prime-time TV are either drunk or asleep, quips Jim Farley, Ford Motor Co.'s communications and marketing guru. While not abandoning traditional media, Farley is spurring a drive to digital, with about 25% of Ford's media buys now going online. About 50% goes to television. The auto
By Steven Finlay • Nov. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Harsh Words for Chrysler from One Angry Woman Dealer
Colleen McDonald thinks it was about her and 46 other women. They are among 789 Chrysler brand dealers that Chrysler LLC cut as part of an effort to reduce its distribution network. The auto maker says the eliminations were done using a data-based matrix. McDonald, daughter of a longtime metro-Detroit Ford dealer, Tom McDonald, is unconvinced. She contends her gender played a role in Chrysler's decision
By Mac Gordon • Nov. 1, 2009
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