Automakers: Page
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford to Bring C-Max to North America
At the Frankfurt auto show, Ford also pulls the wraps off a European version of its Focus electric vehicle, which will be used in a U.K. demonstration initiative next year.
By Byron Pope • Sept. 15, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealer Dodges 3 Bullets
Dealer Bob Shuman says the three Chrysler brands – Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep – have shown great resilience.
By Mac Gordon • Sept. 14, 2009 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Toyota Motor North America
TrendlineTop 5 stories from WardsAuto
Automakers are evaluating their long-term strategies, revisiting their product mix, and approach to both retail and manufacturing approach along the way.
By WardsAuto staff -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
New Ford C-Max to Bow in Frankfurt
The C-Max, which borrows styling cues from the Iosis Max concept car shown at this year’s Geneva auto show, will be launched in Europe in the second half of 2010.
By Ward's Staff • Sept. 4, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Names Michael Robinson to Top Environmental Post
In his new position, Robinson arguably becomes the face of GM’s push to remake itself into a more environmentally friendly company.
By Ward's Staff • Sept. 3, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
New Nissan Quest, Infiniti QX56 Due Next Year
The Quest was last new in 2003, while the QX56 debuted in 2004.
By Eric Mayne • Sept. 3, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Despite Beefs, Small-Town Dealer Likes the Clunkers Plan
Kalkaska is a small northern Michigan town (pop. 2,300) where the two franchised auto dealers are accustomed to delivering new cars out of inventory and taking in trades or off-lease units with few if any questions asked. The Ford-Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep dealership is owned and managed by Dan McCormick, Sr. and Dan Jr. All is going relatively well at the McCormick store, located on M-72 next to Voice
By Mac Gordon • Sept. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lexus Turns 20
It's Difficult to Imagine a Motoring world without Lexus. But when Toyota Motor Corp. launched its premium brand in the U.S. on Sept. 1, 1989, most industry watchers were skeptical Lexus could compete with the Germans, the uncrowned kings of luxury, or the sales-leading Americans. I remember reading comments made by the likes of Eberhard von Kuenheim (managing director) from BMW (AG) back then, says
By Christie Schweinsberg • Sept. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
No Bull Behind GM’s Customer-First Pledge, Exec Says
General Motors Co.'s pledge to put the customer first may sound like fodder for a press release, Kevin Williams admits. But he says the auto maker's recent downsizing will sharpen its focus and help it carry through on the promise. We know that it sounds like corporate speak, says Williams, GM vice president and general manager-North America Service and Parts Operations. GM has become a smaller, more
By James M. Amend • Sept. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Reinventing General Motors
From the tribulations of bankruptcy, General Motors Co. must remake and remarket itself as a strong auto manufacturer, says Jeff Bennett, an automotive marketing professor at Northwood University in Midland, MI. Though Bennett says GM's situation is not so pyrotechnically severe, he likens it to the Phoenix, a mythological bird that bursts into flames, burns up and reemerges from the ashes. How can
Sept. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Old Dealer Isn’t Fading Away
Having lost his Buick and Dodge franchises during the domestic auto makers' battle for survival, World War II combat veteran Marvin Tamaroff has turned philosophical about his survivability as an import car dealer in the Detroit suburb of Southfield, MI. Still a daily presence at the Honda and Nissan stores along busy Telegraph Rd.'s auto row, which he spearheaded, Tamaroff, age 83, has chalked up
By Mac Gordon • Sept. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Agile or Adrift?
Eager to Show the World That bankruptcy had not dulled its ability to fast-track a good product, General Motors Co. Vice Chairman Tom Stephens announced plans at an industry conference for a new Buick plug-in hybrid cross/utility vehicle. Less than two weeks later, GM pulled the plug on the program, raising concerns that a whirlwind 39-day tour through bankruptcy court had left management unable to
By James M. Amend • Sept. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyoda Wants Product Passion
The Lexus LF-A Supercar is on, Says Toyota Motor Corp. President and CEO Akio Toyoda, who also reveals an sports car is on tap for the auto maker. Speaking at the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, MI, Toyoda reveals the auto maker will soon bring to market the LF-A, although he doesn't say what countries will retail the model. The LF-A has appeared in concept
By Christie Schweinsberg • Sept. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
How Have GM Models Performed in Secondary Lease Market?
Until now, General Motors Co. effectively has been out of auto leasing for a year. But how have its vehicles done on the secondary lease market? Keeping track has been LeaseTrader.com, a firm that brokers deals in which people wanting to get out of leases early hooks up with other consumers who take possession of the vehicles and cover the remainder of the monthly payments. Following is a performance
Sept. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Prof Tells How GM Can Reinvent Itself
To restore consumer confidence, emphasis must be on the vehicles themselves.
By Steve Finlay • Aug. 17, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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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