New Lexus RX More Serious Competitor

Despite resembling the model it replaces, the new Lexus RX is much changed under its skin and now is ready to face off with new competitors in the luxury CUV sector.

By Christie Schweinsberg • Jan. 7, 2009

BMW AG: 3.0L DOHC Twin-Turbo I-6

Adding Another Pair of Turbochargers, as well as six cylinders to this year's rankings, BMW AG's 3.0L twin-turbocharged I-6 achieves its third-consecutive spot on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list. Arguably one of the best volume internal-combustion engines ever produced, the wonderful straight-6 turbo, along with BMW's 10 Best Engines-winning 3.0L clean diesel, support the auto maker's new direction

By Ward's Staff • Jan. 1, 2009

Explore the Trendline➔

Artificial 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

Dealership Streamlines Getting Rental Cars for Customers

Surroz Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Visalia, CA, one of the largest dealerships in the state's Central Valley, lowered its rental-car costs for service loaners by as much as 30% while improving service to customers. Service Manager Jim Steelman credits Enterprise Rent-A-Car's software system that integrates with a dealership's own technology system. Called Automated Rental Management System, or ARMS, the

Jan. 1, 2009

Is It Over?

As Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) stood in the U.S. Senate late Friday evening December 12 and declared congressional efforts to secure a bridge-loan for General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC had failed, the thought that the entire automotive industry could collapse igniting a second Great Depression suddenly seemed realistic.The situation, was, and continues to be dire. GM and Chrysler executives somberly argued their case before Congress stating their cash would be below operating levels by the end of the year.

By Cliff Banks • Jan. 1, 2009

Toyota Projecting Loss, Monitoring Plant Construction

Toyota Motor Corp. says it will see its first-ever operating loss in its 70-year history. After calling for an operating profit of 600 billion ($6.68 billion) in early November, Japan's No.1 auto maker says it will see a loss for its fiscal year, ending March 31, of 150 billion ($1.67 billion). We are facing an unprecedented emergency, Reuters quotes Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe as saying at

Jan. 1, 2009

Mercedes on Right Track

Mercedes-Benz likes to call its '10 GLK compact cross/utility vehicle the right product for the right time. The first part is true. But the second part is an understatement. The GLK represents the way of the future. Last summer's record-high gasoline prices jolted American consumers out of their Monster Truck fantasy. Yes, there is legitimate demand for the high-fashion functionality found in the

By Eric Mayne • Jan. 1, 2009

Motor City Chrysler Dealers Going All In

Standing strong in the Motor City is a theme of Southeast Michigan's Chrysler Jeep Superstores in its support of Chrysler LLC and the Detroit auto makers. The dealerships have ordered more than 5,100 new vehicles between October and December, intended as a message of confidence and support in Chrysler LLC. The auto maker, citing a lack of consumer credit for car buyers, has suspended all production

Jan. 1, 2009

3 Brothers, 7 Dealerships

The Riverside Auto Group in Michigan's rugged Upper Peninsula and the Dagenais family has carved a niche for itself in rural America. Riverside partners with the Dodge, Jeep, Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Honda, Nissan, Toyota and Chrysler nameplates, a group started over 40 years ago when Robert Dagenais became a partner in a small Chrysler store in Escanaba. Their seven dealerships in four cities bear

By Derek Stark • Jan. 1, 2009

Ford’s Mulally Plans to Stay the Course

Dearborn, MI Looking out over southeast Michigan from atop Ford Motor Co.'s headquarters here, CEO Alan Mulally keeps a laser-like focus on the plan he has laid out to turn around the ailing auto maker. Nothing will veer Ford off course, not even an economic tsunami that has driven down automotive sales to levels not seen in decades a downturn that forced Mulally and the other leaders of the Detroit

By Byron Pope • Jan. 1, 2009

Mercedes-Benz Backing U.S. Dealers With Customer-Lending Cushion

About 48% of Mercedes dealers are covered by the auto maker’s financial services. They account for 62% of the brand’s sales volume.

By Herb Shuldiner • Dec. 31, 2008

Chrysler Pulls Out All Stops in 2008

A survey of headline-grabbing developments shows the auto maker garnered more than its share of ink in 2008.

By Eric Mayne • Dec. 30, 2008

Toyota Names New N.A. Planning Chief

Robert C. Daly will be in charge of the Toyota Customer Services division and the company’s AirFlite subsidiary, in addition to running the North American Planning department.

By Ward's Staff • Dec. 24, 2008

Toyota’s Watanabe to Vacate President Post in 2009

The Japanese auto maker’s top executive will assume the chairmanship next year due to the failing health of the current chairman.

By Ward's Staff From Wires • Dec. 23, 2008

China’s BYD Rolls Out Plug-In Hybrid

The Chinese auto maker says the F3 DM sedan is able to travel 62 miles in electric-only mode, after which it can be recharged via a 220-volt household outlet in seven hours.

By Ward's Staff • Dec. 22, 2008

GM Holden Confirms Small-Car Project; Oz to Provide Financial Aid

“The government that I lead will do everything physically possible to continue to support this great industry and this great company into the future,” says Australia Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

By Alan Harman • Dec. 22, 2008

BMW AG: 3.0L DOHC Turbocharged I-6

Powerful, efficient and stimulating to drive, BMW’s 3.0L turbo-6 proves the only replacement for displacement is a pair of turbochargers and advanced fuel-injection.

By Ward's Staff • Dec. 19, 2008

Honda Motor

Honda’s 3.5L V-6 in the moderately priced Accord coupe speaks to the enthusiast buyer who wants practicality most of the time, but superior performance all of the time.

By Tom Murphy • Dec. 19, 2008

Ford to Extend Holiday Shutdown in North American Plants

Ford will implement a “line-speed reduction” at its AutoAlliance International joint-venture plant with Mazda in Flat Rock, MI, which builds the Mazda6 and Ford Mustang.

By Ward's Staff • Dec. 18, 2008

Ford Weathers Tumultuous 2008

Ford vowed to return to profitability by 2009, but little did it know the perfect economic storm was brewing that would force it to seek billions in federal aid by year’s end.

By Byron Pope • Dec. 18, 2008

VW to Move Brazilian CV Arm to MAN

MAN’s acquisition of VWCO is expected to be completed in first-quarter 2009.

By Alan Harman • Dec. 16, 2008

Fiat Begins Extended Holiday Shutdown

CEO Sergio Marchionne already has said Fiat won’t survive long term without a partner, and reports surfaced in Italy over the weekend a tie-up with PSA Peugeot Citroen is under discussion.

By Giancarlo Perini • Dec. 16, 2008

SEAT Cuts CO2 With New Ibiza Ecomotive

Ecomotive achieves 64 mpg and best-in-class CO2 emissions with 1.4L diesel, SEAT says.

By Jorge Palacios • Dec. 9, 2008

Chrysler Could Lose 500 Dealers Due to Floor Plan Issues

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.Chrysler has lost 240 dealers this year to bankruptcy because Chrysler Financial has not been able to access TARP funds to use for providing...

Dec. 5, 2008

Nissan Explores New Electronics Strategy

The strategy shift would mark a reversal of sorts from the one Nissan launched in 2001, when it began to consolidate multiple functions in a standard body control module (BCM) used throughout its lineup.

By Roger Schreffler • Dec. 3, 2008

Chrysler Starts Online Dealership Job Program for Veterans

A federally-approved online military training program for dealership and corporate jobs has been launched by Chrysler LLC with better than expected results. The program, open to all veterans of the armed forces and their spouses, has already placed 387 Iraq veterans at dealerships and 67 in Chrysler corporate departments, says Kurt Crisman, marketing director of the program's creator, Latitude Consulting

By Mac Gordon • Dec. 1, 2008