Hyundai to Bring Full I-Series Small Cars to India

The i20 will launch in India by December and in two years the i30 and i40 will be available.

By Sudhakar Shah • Sept. 16, 2008

’09 Cadillac CTS-V Ready For a Fight

After several good-but-not-great V-Series attempts, Cadillac’s bold reprise of the CTS-V confirms GM is serious about the brand’s world-class performance.

By Mike Sutton • Sept. 15, 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

Toyota to Unveil Lexus Convertible in Paris

Dealer sources say the car is U.S. bound and should help Toyota’s sports-sedan lineup win sales from rivals BMW and Mercedes.

By Christie Schweinsberg • Sept. 15, 2008

VW Happily Goes Where Some Fear to Tread With New Routan

VW hasn’t ruled out a diesel for the Routan, but there isn’t one in the product plan, says an executive.

By Tom Murphy • Sept. 11, 2008

Kia Union Rejects Second Tentative Agreement

Management suspects rejection of a similar labor agreement with Hyundai last week may have influenced union recommendations.

By Vince Courtenay • Sept. 11, 2008

Ford to Slash 500 Jobs at Oakville Assembly

The move is not expected to result in layoffs, as Ford first will offer retirement packages to eligible employees.

By Byron Pope • Sept. 10, 2008

GM to Unveil 7-Seat Chevy Orlando Concept in Paris

The auto maker does not provide a timetable for the vehicle but says it is built on the same global architecture as the new Chevy Cruze compact car due in 2009.

By Ward's Staff • Sept. 9, 2008

Ford Not Seeking Government Bailout, Mulally Says

Ford’s CEO is confident the auto industry will secure government loans.

By Byron Pope • Sept. 8, 2008

’09 Cadillac CTS-V Nears Launch

Although official pricing has yet to be announced, the average transaction price for the ’09 model is expected in the low- to the mid-$60,000 range.

By Herb Shuldiner • Sept. 3, 2008

Leuliette Takes Own Advice, Expands Dura’s Global Reach

Tim Leuliette has been Preaching the need for change for years, and he takes his own advice: He was CEO or president of five automotive companies and his own investment firm before taking the top job at Dura Automotive Systems in July. Today, preaching about change is preaching to the choir. Most companies seem to know the old business models don't work. General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler

By William Diem • Sept. 1, 2008

Is Hoot Wise as an Owl?

Veteran dealer Hoot McInerney has done the unheard-of after selling Cadillacs for half of his nearly 60 years in auto retail. The impending octogenarian and confidante of a bevy of past and present automotive senior executives sold his Cadillac franchise. It had been dualed with Toyota and Scion at a McInerney dealership in Clinton Township, MI, northeast of Detroit. I can remember when Cadillac was

By Mac Gordon • Sept. 1, 2008

Ford’s Warranty Costs Drop

Ford Motor Co.'s warranty costs are dropping rapidly as the auto maker seeks to meet an internal objective of besting the levels of its top Asian competitors, says Curt Yun, Ford's director-global warranty analysis. Ford's warranty cost as a percent of revenue last year was slightly more than 2%, a level that bests the auto maker's domestic competitors and is closing in on the likes of Toyota Motor

By Byron Pope • Sept. 1, 2008

Penske Opens Used-Car Store

Penske Automotive Group is expanding again in the pre-owned sector. In late 2007, the Bloomfield Hills, MI-based group opened two stand-alone used-vehicle buildings in Indianapolis. They are annexes to Penske Honda and Penske Chevrolet. Now, Penske has opened the Scottsdale Wholesale Outlet to serve its 23 dealerships in the Phoenix-Scottsdale, AZ market. The Scottsdale outlet, near the group's 11-store

By Mac Gordon • Sept. 1, 2008

Mazda’s Cure for the Common Car

Options Have Been Woefully Limited for U.S. buyers seeking that unique combination of 4-door practicality and sporty, dynamic handling, all for a moderate price. The affordable sport sedan has been remarkably elusive for years as a few brands have nibbled the edges. The V-6-powered Nissan Altima and Honda Accord are fine entries, but their conservative styling is suitable for less-inspired, high-volume

By Tom Murphy • Sept. 1, 2008

Tracinda’s 18-Year Attraction to Big Three

Chrysler 1990: Kirk Kerkorian's Tracinda Corp. acquires 9.9% of Chrysler Corp. 1995: Kerkorian, joined by retired Chrysler Chairman Lee Iacocca, proposes taking Chrysler private. Ups stake to 14%, but proposal fails. Shortly after, Jerry York joins Kerkorian as Tracinda vice chairman. 1998: Chrysler goes on the block. Tracinda and Iacocca once again try takeover but lack adequate outside financing.

By David C. Smith • Sept. 1, 2008

L.A. BMW Dealers End New-Store Protest

Clearing the way for a new BMW dealership to be built in the Los Angeles market, the California New Motor Vehicle Board has dismissed protests filed by other BMW dealers, including the lead opponent, Nick Alexander Imports. The new store is to be located in the affluent Hancock Park area on Wilshire Blvd. The Nick Alexander store is located on Alameda Street. Elizabeth Alexander is general manager

By Mac Gordon • Sept. 1, 2008

U.S. Market Very Unlikely to See Hyundai i10

A Senior Hyundai Motor America official says that contrary to published reports, the U.S. sales arm probably will not bring the i10 minicar here. It's very unlikely we'll bring the i10 to the U.S., John Krafcik, vice president-product development and strategic planning for HMA, tells media at a recent event for the Genesis sedan. Hyundai already sells the fuel-sipping A-car in South Korea and Europe.

By Christie Schweinsberg • Sept. 1, 2008

Lucky Number Seven

Getrag GMBH & CIE KG Becomes the latest high-profile player in the dual-clutch-transmission segment as BMW AG and Ferrari Automobiles SpA rush to incorporate the German supplier's new drivetrain technology in their newest performance cars. Many praise-worthy headlines are to be expected of these new transmission systems, which deliver more than ever the performance benefits of a sequential-manual

By Peter Robinson • Sept. 1, 2008

Ford Hopes To Go Up, Up and Away with Small-Car Plan

When feeling the stress caused by the sharp downturn in U.S. sales and accelerated shift in demand from trucks to cars, Ford Motor Co.'s Mark Fields finds inspiration from an automotive leader who preceded him. Henry Ford said When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it, Fields, president-The Americas, says at the Management Briefing

By Derek Stark • Sept. 1, 2008

Saturn Shoots for the Moon

Brushing aside rumors that his brand will be orphaned by General Motors Corp., dealer Todd Ingersoll proudly shows off his new Saturn of Danbury (CT) dealership as a vote of confidence in the division's future. Ingersoll, who started as a salesman at the dealership and went on to purchase it six years ago, says that constructing the new facility was done because a lease expired on an original building

By Herb Shuldiner • Sept. 1, 2008

Toyota Trims Sales Goal, Speeds Up Plug-In Intro

That news follows speculation the auto maker would be forced to chop its goal and, in doing so, may fail to surpass General Motors Corp. as the No.1 seller of vehicles worldwide.

By Ward's Staff From Wires • Aug. 29, 2008

BMW Adds X5 to Armored Line

In testing the X5 Security, 600 rounds of varying caliber size were fired at the cross/utility vehicle from a variety of angles.

By Byron Pope • Aug. 27, 2008

Ford Connected Services Organization to Operate as Standalone Unit

The group’s primary objective is to keep Ford ahead of the curve in cutting-edge technologies, which are viewed as essential in the quest to attract the so-called Millennial Generation.

By Byron Pope • Aug. 26, 2008

Honda Fits Big Car in Small Package

With enhanced driving dynamics, the fun factor that makes this subcompact such a standout in its segment continues to impress as it exceeds the previous-generation by nearly every measure.

By Barbara McClellan • Aug. 25, 2008

VW Averts Mexico Plant Strike by Increasing Wages, Benefits

The annual pay increases demanded by the Mexican workers eventually could affect the country’s status as a desirable place to assemble vehicles, warns a labor expert.

By Byron Pope • Aug. 22, 2008