Automakers: Page 314
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Raytheon: Ready, Aim, Train
A defense contractor will offer new web-based simulated training to Chrysler dealership sales and service employees. Raytheon Co. first did simulation training to help Air Force technicians repair and maintain bombers and fighter planes. It extended its training to General Motors service dealership staffers 10 years ago. The expanded program for Chrysler dealerships begins next year. As the co-developer
By Mac Gordon • June 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Honda Plans Hybrid Push
Insight Chief Engineer Yasunari Seki notes the Insight’s model life will be five years and that Honda will have five hybrids in its lineup by 2015.
By Roger Schreffler • June 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
GM, Magna Close to Finalizing Opel Deal
Magna in a statement last week said GM would maintain a 35% equity stake in the German auto maker, while Magna would control 20%; Russian lender OAO Sberbank 35%; and Opel employees 10%.
By Byron Pope • May 29, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Unique Styling, Competitive Pricing Support Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, SRX Launches
Both models carry forward the dramatic exterior design of the CTS sedan, as well as many of the car’s interior appointments and infotainment options.
By James M. Amend • May 29, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
VW, China’s BYD Probe Possible EV Partnership
The auto makers’ recent accord leaves all the details to future negotiation, but it most likely will lead to Volkswagen using BYD batteries.
By William Diem • May 26, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
UAW Says Reaches VEBA Deal with Treasury, GM
The labor union says it is withholding details of the deal until explanation and ratification meetings for UAW GM members can be set.
By Ward's Staff • May 21, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Service Dept. Makes Store a Star
Mike Anderson Chevrolet consistently has finished first or second in metro Chicago sales despite stiff competition from many same-brand dealers in the market.
By Mac Gordon • May 21, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Skoda to Produce Transmissions for VW’s New Minicars
The MQ100 requires 20% fewer components and weighs less than the higher-capacity MQ200 transmission made by Skoda.
By Peter Homola • May 20, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lincoln MKT Bolsters Luxury Lineup
Lincoln’s new entry is meant to appeal to consumers seeking a 3-row CUV. Its primary competition likely will be the Audi Q7 and Acura MDX, Ford says.
By Byron Pope • May 20, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Aims to Remain Safety Leader Following Volvo Sale
Ford reveals tests used to develop safety systems it says go beyond the industry norm, many of which determine when to deploy airbags.
By Byron Pope • May 18, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
New Lexus GX SUV Due This Fall
The smaller of the luxury brand's two body-on-frame SUVs will be updated for the first time since its debut in 2003, receiving a smaller but more-powerful V-8.
By Christie Schweinsberg • May 15, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Genesis Coupe Serious Sport Contender
Hyundai’s new rear-wheel-drive 2-door is an above-average first effort, destined to steal market share from competitors costing thousands more.
By Christie Schweinsberg • May 14, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler’s Valued-Dealer List to Be Preliminary Filing
The auto maker must submit a list to the bankruptcy court and inform its dealers of their status at least 13 days prior to its assets sale hearing scheduled for May 27.
By Cliff Banks • May 13, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Daimler to Take Over Ford’s Stake in NuCellSys
NuCellSys currently is part of the Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation JV between Ford and Daimler that is centered on the former automotive division of Canadian fuel-cell developer Ballard Power Systems.
By Peter Homola • May 12, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GMAC Woes Unlikely to Torpedo GM, Chrysler
Solvency issues heighten around GMAC, with the U.S. Treasury Dept. revealing earlier this week the bank must raise $11.5 billion to shore up its capital reserves
By James M. Amend • May 8, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Opel Considers Revival of Wartburg Brand
The Wartburg potentially would have a base price of about E7,000 ($9,400) in Germany.
By Peter Homola • May 7, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Renault, TomTom Have High Expectations for Low-Cost Nav System
About 80% of people who buy GPS systems opt for a nomadic device, with only about 10% purchasing integrated systems currently offered by auto makers.
By William Diem • May 5, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Don’t Call Cube Cute or Mistake It for Scion xB
Nissan expects the new Cube’s “bulldog wearing sunglasses” look will appeal to a main customer base of Generation Y buyers, age 18 to 25.
By Steve Finlay • May 4, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler Australia Says Not Part of U.S. Bankruptcy Proceedings
“We are a solid, profitable business and here to stay,” Chrysler Australia Managing Director Gerry Jenkins says, although the company’s 60 dealers may run short of some models while U.S. plants are idled.
By Alan Harman • May 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler Dealers Sell, Despite Bankruptcy
“After the president’s announcement, we received 16 leads, which never happens at the end of the month,” says dealer Tom Vann.
By Steve Finlay • May 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM’s ‘Main Street’ Bondholders Back Big-Bank Counteroffer
The Main Street bondholders call the big-bank counteroffer a “fair” and “respectable” deal that could save GM from bankruptcy.
By Ward's Staff • May 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
G37 Drops its Top
Some fans have begged for a new Infiniti convertible, even though the first one was less than a success for Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.'s luxury division. That was the Infiniti M30, which had a 3-year run ending in 1992, due to sales so poor it holds the dubious title as the rarest Infiniti ever made. In a second effort at open-air motoring, Infiniti debuts the sleek and technologically impressive '09 Infiniti
By Steve Finlay • May 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Kia’s Whole Lotta Soul
Kia Motors Corp. has waited anxiously for the Soul for three years and now is hoping the subcompact cross/utility vehicle will put the budget South Korean brand on more buyers' radar screens, both in the U.S. and abroad. The boxy model is not unique in concept, with the Honda Element and Scion xB already on sale for years, and the Nissan Cube arrives this month. All aim to blur the lines between car,
By Christie Schweinsberg • May 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
BMW Focuses on Keeping Its Dealership Network Strong
BMW of North America LLC is focusing on keeping its dealer network strong and also increasing sales of pre-owned vehicles, which rose 16.4% last year, says Jim O'Donnell, president of the company. BMW's total used-vehicle business is up 18% so far this year, helping dealers stay solvent. BMW dealers have invested $21.5 million in technical training and facilities improvements in the last three years
May 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Four Mistakes Dealers Make with Their Internet Customers
What are the big mistakes a typical auto dealer makes in dealing with Internet customers? Matthew Valentine, former owner of Valentine Honda in Richmond, KY, who now runs an outsourcing Internet-oriented business development center service, cites four failings. They are: Not tracking Internet lead-provider results. You want to know what your average cost per sale is, he says. Phone follow-up is lacking.
May 1, 2009
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