Automakers: Page

Toyota: No Plans to Restart Camry Solara Drop-Top Production

The Japanese auto maker’s midsize convertible joins other departing open-air competitors, such as the Honda S2000, Chrysler PT Cruiser and Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky twins.

By Christie Schweinsberg • June 8, 2009

Ford Sync Passes 1 Million Mark on Way to Global Rollout

Ford aims to make Sync compatible with 15 different languages.

By Byron Pope • June 5, 2009

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 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

GM’s U.S. Small-Car Plan Won’t Hurt GMDAT

The new U.S. model “would be an addition to (the lineup) and not a replacement for what we have planned in Korea,” CEO Michael Grimaldi tells local media.

By Vince Courtenay • June 3, 2009

Saturn Dealers Might Want to Study Smart

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.Amidst the frenzied activity surrounding General Motors's bankruptcy filing yesterday, Saturn also filed chapter 11. Saturn Spokesman Stev...

June 2, 2009

Chrysler Could Exit Bankruptcy This Week; Production Restart Imminent

Union sources tell Ward’s the auto maker has targeted June 29 to restart production at its plants in Sterling Heights, MI; Belvidere, IL; Windsor, ON, and Brampton, ON.

By Eric Mayne • June 1, 2009

Dealers Wonder If GM Will Be Meaner, Not Just Leaner

Despite varied reactions, GM dealers interviewed today express a conviction that GM will come out of bankruptcy stronger and trimmed down to a fight weight.

By Steve Finlay • June 1, 2009

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

Ins and Outs of Those Surveys

When J.D. Power & Associates recently announced a first-place tie between the Buick and Jaguar brands, overtaking Toyota and Lexus in its closely watched Vehicle Dependability Study, many industry observers were left scratching their heads. It's like I woke up in Bizarro Land this morning, wrote one poster on an auto fansite. Jaguar on top of ANY dependability study?! Others noted the poor finish

By Christie Schweinsberg • June 1, 2009

VW Credit, Audi Financial Boost Support for Their Dealers

Volkswagen Credit (VCI) and Audi Financial Services (AFS) recently kicked off a United We Drive plan to support dealers with flexible financing solutions. We're continuously in dialogue with our dealers, says Kevin Kelly, VW Credit Inc. President. Together we've been adjusting to the challenges of this historic economy. The United We Drive plan helps VW and Audi dealerships compete and win in tough

June 1, 2009

A 1st: Award for Lexus Collision Shop

A special recognition dinner was held to honor Westside Lexus as the recipient of the 2008 Toyota/Lexus Certified Collision Center of the Year. Westside, a Houston, TX, dealership was selected from among the 168 nationwide Toyota and Lexus Certified Collision Center dealers. It is the first Lexus dealer collision center to have won the award. This award goes to the dealer that best exemplifies the

June 1, 2009

Service Makes Store a Star

Merrillville, In Mike Anderson Chevrolet consistently has finished first or second in metro Chicago sales despite stiff competition from many same-brand dealers in the market. Anderson's CEO, Mike Anderson Jr., 31, set No. 1 or No. 2 as his goal four years ago when he took command of this family-owned store in a suburb south of the Windy City. Service satisfaction would be his route to the top rungs.

By Mac Gordon • June 1, 2009

Whoopee, We’re Bankrupt!

Every dealer advocate I know is reeling from the news alerts about Chrysler and GM cutting dealers' throats to right their failing businesses. May 14, 2009 will go down in history as the day our government and Chrysler tore the heart out of our franchise system by endorsing the termination of 789 duly franchised dealers without paying them a dime for cars, parts, tools or goodwill. GM followed that

By Peter Brandow • June 1, 2009

Ford Advances But Honda Tops Supplier Relations Study

Ford Motor Co. Continues to Improve its working relationship with its North American suppliers, while Toyota Motor Corp.'s and Honda Motor Co. Ltd.'s dealings have slipped, a recent study reveals. The latest study by Birmingham, MI-based Planning Perspectives Inc. compiles the Working Relations Index of North America's six largest auto makers Toyota, Honda, Ford, General Motors Corp., Chrysler LLC

By Byron Pope • June 1, 2009

Preparing for a Factory Audit

I was looking at a dealer's plans for a new building a few years ago. The blueprints showed a small room about the size of a broom closet with a simple light fixture and no heat or air conditioning vents. I asked the dealer what the room was for. That's where we're going to stick the manufacturer's auditors, he said. He wasn't joking. Manufacturer dealership audits both for sales incentives and warranty

By Michael Charapp • June 1, 2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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