Ford Shuffles Manufacturing Ranks

James Tetreault, Ford of Europe’ vice president-manufacturing, will return to the U.S. to become vice president-North American manufacturing.

By Ward's Staff • Nov. 20, 2008

Infiniti’s New G37 Convertible Boast Advances Beyond Coupe

Improvements include unique body panels from the A-pillars back, a widened rear track, structural reinforcement and a stiffer, but less bulky multilink rear suspension.

By Christie Schweinsberg • Nov. 19, 2008

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

Nissan Creates New Infiniti Organization; Igo to Exit

Called the Infiniti Business Unit, the new group will be headed by Ben Poore, currently vice president-Infiniti marketing.

By Ward's Staff • Nov. 18, 2008

BMW Uses CRM to Supercharge Service Sales

German auto maker is using corporate and dealership data to better target customers and enhance service promotions.

By Steve Finlay • Nov. 17, 2008

Accessories Ensure Kia Won’t Bare Soul

Kia launches a new aftermarket strategy allowing customers to accessorize their vehicles, particularly the new Soul small car arriving in spring that will offer 53 aftermarket parts.

By Tom Murphy • Nov. 17, 2008

Ford Bets on Bond as Product Placement Gains Traction

Although car companies’ product placement in movies and TV shows is nothing new, the practice is accelerating, growing 33.7% in 2007 and outpacing a 25.8% increase in Internet advertising.

By Byron Pope • Nov. 13, 2008

Hyundai Sees Higher Than Expected V-8 Demand for Genesis

Hyundai will launch a face-lifted Santa Fe CUV next fall in which a 4-cyl. engine replaces the current V-6 as standard and a next-generation Tucson CUV that will drop its V-6 engine entirely.

By Tom Murphy • Nov. 5, 2008

Effects of GM-Chrysler Merger

Lot would happen if the two auto makers become one

By James M. Amend • Nov. 5, 2008

Mercedes Offers Buyouts as Prepares to Cut Alabama Output

Mercedes isn’t saying how many job cuts it is targeting or whether it will begin involuntary layoffs if it doesn’t meet its goal.

By Ward's Staff • Nov. 3, 2008

Suit: New Cars on Used Lot

The intramural conflict between franchised and independent car dealers has flared up again in the Miami suburb of Coral Gables, FL. The Mercedes-Benz dealer in Coral Gables, Bill Ussery Motors, has taken legal action against a nearby independent, Palmetto Sports Cars Inc., for selling like new 2008-model Mercedes vehicles with as few as 57 miles on their odometers. The Ussery store charged that up

By Mac Gordon • Nov. 1, 2008

Infiniti Is All In With AWD

Napa, CA In the 1990s, Subaru of America Inc., desperate to jump start sales, switched its entire lineup to all-wheel drive. The tactic worked. Nissan North America Inc.'s luxury Infiniti division, not out of desperation but looking to sell more vehicles, has just finished making AWD available on all of its models. The move is intended to meet a consumer demand, John Weiner, Infiniti's director-product

By Steve Finlay • Nov. 1, 2008

Meet the Billionaire Dealers’ Club

Five billionaires with extensive auto dealership holdings are on the Forbes Magazine roster of the 400 wealthiest Americans. B.J. (Red) McCombs, 80, oversees an eight-dealership group of Ford, Lexus and Toyota stores headquartered in San Antonio, TX. Early in 2008 he bought $100 million worth of stock in China's Brilliance Automotive Holdings, whose prime activity is producing Brilliance cars, trucks

Nov. 1, 2008

Dying Dealerships

On Steven Landry's desk sits a folder with paperwork of Chrysler-branded dealerships close to going out of business.Landry, Chrysler LLC's vice president-North American sales, calls it his SOS folder. These are dealerships in the critical stage, he says. “They need surgery.”

By Cliff Banks • Nov. 1, 2008

GM Won’t Rule Out Plastic Panels

General Motors Corp.'s Saturn Division used dent-resistant thermoplastic body panels as a selling point when the import-fighting brand launched in 1990. But in a bid to revitalize Saturn with more dramatic styling and tighter body-panel gaps as well as to commonize vehicle architectures globally GM opted for steel when it launched the new Saturn Sky roadster, Aura sedan and Outlook cross/utility vehicle

By Tom Murphy • Nov. 1, 2008

Renault Reveals New Meganes

Renault SA Launches Its Revamped Megane family with a 2-pronged design approach. A racy coupe with windows that recall the original Koleos concept replaces the traditional 3-door Megane, while the 5-door Megane is less daring than the generation it replaces. The Megane is the heart of the Renault range, and the Scenic compact minivan has been a key source of profit. The new Meganes will offer four

By William Diem, Drew Winter and Christie Schweinsberg • Nov. 1, 2008

Ford to Add Shift at Dearborn Truck Plant

The plant recently underwent a $148 million renovation to accommodate production of the new ‘09 F-150 fullsize pickup

By Ward's Staff • Oct. 30, 2008

Five Axis, Street Image Toyota Venzas Debuting at SEMA

Five Axis’ AS V geared to winter-sports enthusiasts, with special storage for skis and snowboards.

By Christie Schweinsberg • Oct. 28, 2008

Super-Duty Buyers Downsizing to F-150s, Ford Says

The auto maker says fuel economy has been increased an average 8% across the entire F-150 lineup, with a 12% improvement on high-volume 5.4L V-8 models.

By Byron Pope • Oct. 27, 2008

AvtoVAZ, Renault Define Platform Strategy for Future Ladas

The latest plan includes a low-cost model range based on Renault’s Logan platform, as well as entry in the C-segment.

By Peter Homola • Oct. 24, 2008

Ford Launching Systems to Rival GM’s OnStar

The 911 Assist system automatically is activated when airbags are deployed in a collision, or if an inertia monitor in the rear of the vehicle detects a severe impact.

By Byron Pope • Oct. 23, 2008

Opel Gets Hella’s Sign-Detection Camera

The optional “Opel Eye” camera system on the European ’09 Opel Insignia will read traffic signs and warn of unintended lane departures.

By Ward's Staff • Oct. 21, 2008

Buehler Supplying Custom Water Pumps for Chevy Volt, GM Hybrids

The $50 million contract includes 12- and 50-volt water pumps and stems from the two companies' mid-2007 joint-development effort for the components.

By Mike Sutton • Oct. 20, 2008

Chrysler to Drop AWD on Some ’09 Models

Chrysler began offering all-wheel drive on the Sebring and Dodge Avenger in late 2007, but the option really never caught on with consumers.

By Byron Pope • Oct. 16, 2008

China Stops Flow of Hyundai, Kia Imports

The government move reportedly is in response to complaints from Kia dealers they are being pressured to accept more vehicles from the auto maker even though they already have bloated inventories.

By Vince Courtenay • Oct. 16, 2008

Ford Aims to Increase Common Sourcing

In some cases, the global sourcing strategy may require suppliers to establish new facilities closer to Ford assembly plants.

By Byron Pope • Oct. 15, 2008