Automakers: Page 322
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
BMW AG’s 3.0L DOHC Turbocharged I-6: Powerful, Efficient, Stimulating
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
Feb. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Year of E-Car at North American International Auto Show
It could be called the year of the electric vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. E-vehicle unveilings were plentiful although none quite ready for prime time. They do indicate the direction the auto industry is headed. Here are show highlights: Chrysler Hints at Future Electric-Range Technology The unveiled Chrysler 200C EV electric-drive sedan represents a coming-out
Feb. 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
BMW AG’s 3.0L DOHC I-6 Turbodiesel: Clean Engineering
To say BMW AG's new 3.0L inline-6-cyl. turbodiesel checks all the boxes for greatness would be putting it lightly. Introduced in the '09 335d sedan, as well as the X5 xDrive 35d cross/utility vehicle, no other engine this year captivated our seasoned panel of Ward's 10 Best Engines judges the way BMW's clean-burning diesel did. From its ability to lay down a gutsy 425 lb.-ft. (576 Nm) of torque at
Feb. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Taps LG Chem for Chevy Volt Battery
General Motors Corp. selects South Korea's LG Chem Ltd. and its Compact Power Inc. subsidiary in Troy, MI, to supply lithium-ion cells for the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle. GM also will locate a plant in Michigan to assemble the cells into the t-shaped battery pack for the Volt, pending the approval of state incentives. GM is back in the battery business, says GM Chairman and CEO
By James M. Amend • Feb. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota Motor Corp.’s 3.5L DOHC V-6: Premium Engineering
Laying claim to its fourth-consecutive slot on the Ward's 10 Best Engines roster, Toyota Motor Corp.'s 3.5L Lexus V-6 once again emerges as the engine to beat among a field of excellent V-6 competitors. With a delectable balance of power, grace and technology, the engine powering the Lexus IS 350 is a favorite of several judges and impresses all with its class-leading horsepower, torque and fuel economy.
Feb. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Volkswagen AG’s 2.0L SOHC I-4 Turbodiesel: Affordable Diesel
The last time an affordable diesel landed on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list, in 1997, a gallon of regular unleaded cost less than $1.25 and Americans were discovering the functionality of gas-guzzling SUVs and personal-use pickups. At the time, diesels were as relevant as hybrids, which hadn't even arrived yet in the U.S. True, VW diesels of the day were capable of 45 mpg (5.2 L/100 km) when the
Feb. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
AIADA Head Darrow Wants Bank Oversight
Russ Darrow's first store was a Chrysler dealership he purchased in 1965 when he was 25 years old in West Bend, WI. Now he is the incoming chairman of the American International Automobile Dealers Assn. Out of his 15 dealerships, 11 are import stores. The Darrow group ranked 85th on last year's Ward's Megadealer 100 with $410 million in total revenue. His focus the next few months, at least, is less
By Cliff Banks • Feb. 1, 2009 -
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Honda Motor Co. Ltd.’s 3.5L SOHC V-6: Superior Performance
The word rocket ship is rarely proffered on behalf of the Honda Accord, a fine car, to be sure, but known for reliability and practicality rather than sweaty-palm titillation. Yet, more than one Ward's judge used that supercharged term to describe the 3.5L SOHC V-6 that powers the Accord coupe to its second-consecutive 10 Best Engines award. This 271-hp V-6 does so many things well. Its steady road
Feb. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Exec: We Never Finished Job with Saturn
General Motors Corp. built one of the industry's greatest brands with its Saturn division, but never properly cultivated it to where it could earn its own way, the auto maker's head of North American operations acknowledges. We created a heck of a brand, GM North America President Troy Clarke tells journalists during a roundtable discussion at the North American International Auto Show here. We created
By James M. Amend • Feb. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Audi AG’s 2.0L TFSI DOHC Turbocharged I-4: Four Times a Winner
Audi AG's 2.0L TFSI turbocharged 4-cyl. has had little trouble in the past winning over Ward's 10 Best Engines judges, garnering a spot on the list each of the last three years. However, with the introduction of the all-new '09 A4 range, the auto maker tempted fate by trying to improve upon what already is one of the best I-4s in production. Fear not, as the revised TFSI turbo-4 once again fortifies
Feb. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Tau V-8 Leads Hyundai’s Upscale Push
Tau’s destiny is to launch Hyundai into the world’s luxury and performance markets and into the U.S. light-truck segment – if that beleaguered sector ever recovers.
By Drew Winter • Jan. 28, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Turbo Placement on BMW V-8 May be New Design Trend
Efficient and capable of meeting Euro 5 and U.S. ultra-low emissions (ULEV) standards, experts say the new engine also is capable of producing far more than its current 400 hp without breaking a sweat.
By Drew Winter • Jan. 28, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Routan Black Sheep of VW Family
The Routan is VW’s interpretation of Chrysler’s interpretation of a modern people-mover.
By Eric Mayne • Jan. 28, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Draws Support From Chevy, B-P-G Dealers for Core-Brand Strategy
“We all know we’ll come out of this, and there will be a ton of pent-up demand,” says one dealer “We’ll be ready for it.”
By Derek Stark • Jan. 26, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Nissan 370Z Spiffy Enough; Will Market Respond?
The 370Z pays homage to a legacy of Z cars that have defined Nissan. Sales volumes won’t make or break the auto maker, but the snappy good looks are sure to generate showroom traffic.
By Tom Murphy • Jan. 26, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler Dealers Respond Positively to Tough Message
Chrysler is asking dealers for help in getting its manufacturing plants moving again, seen as critical to securing more government loans.
By Cliff Banks • Jan. 25, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Kenny Kent Compensates With Service, Body Shop Success
Butch Hancock says his upgraded facility will take the Toyota dealership into the next decade.
By Derek Stark • Jan. 25, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Working to Forge Closer Relationship With Dealers
One important change is earlier involvement in product development. Instead of seeing vehicles a year from launch, retailers now have a say in which products Ford will introduce.
By Derek Stark • Jan. 24, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Holden Puts Brakes on Cadillac’s Return Down Under
Cadillac was to become the 47th vehicle brand in the Australian market, returning after a 40-year absence.
By Alan Harman • Jan. 23, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Braman Honda Trumpets Success in Local Florida Market
Braman Honda steps up its advertising to adjust to changing market conditions.
By Derek Stark • Jan. 23, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Jimmy Gray Chevrolet’s BDC Helps Spur New-Vehicle Sales
Gray’s dealership was profitable in 2008, and he doesn’t think it will get any worse this year.
By Derek Stark • Jan. 22, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai to Extend Assurance Program
Currently, the program offers to repurchase the car during the first year of ownership, but the extended program will cover buyers for two or three years.
By Herb Shuldiner • Jan. 21, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Reports of Acura’s Death Greatly Exaggerated, Says Exec
The Internet rumor mill has been buzzing with talk of the future viability of the brand, whose sales declined 19.8% in the U.S. in 2008 to 144,504 units, Ward’s data shows.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Jan. 21, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Cadillac Converj Prompts Branding of Chevy Volt Electric Propulsion System
GM’s Bob Lutz says the auto maker might go with a larger battery for future applications outside of the Chevy Volt, or a larger range-extending engine.
By James M. Amend • Jan. 20, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler Sees Quick Lift From New Federal Loan
Chrysler says it will take additional incentive action within the next 48 hours to boost sales.
By David E. Zoia • Jan. 16, 2009
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