Chrysler Financial Enhances Contract-Origination Process

Chrysler Financial is enhancing its automated contract-origination process called AutOrigination. Billed as an industry first, the exclusive contract data-validation system edits more than 300 fields and guarantees a contract is valid at the point-of-sale, eliminating errors and associated customer issues. It is now available through 12 dealer service providers covering nearly all Chrysler, Jeep and

Aug. 1, 2008

Battle of Titans Shapes Up

General Motors Corp. has added DealerTrack Holdings Inc.'s Arkona to its stable of vendors selling its integrated dealer-management system to dealers. Other vendors participating in the initiative include Automatic Data Processing's Dealer Services Group, AutoSoft International and Quorum Information Technologies Inc. Arkona replaces Reynolds and Reynolds, who withdrew from the initiative in February

Aug. 1, 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

Veteran Dealers Run New Thrifty Stores

Thrifty Car Sales, a subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc., is adding seven new locations in six states to its national network of franchised used-car dealerships. Industry veterans are running the new stores. In Scottsdale, AZ, Shawn Silver of Scottsdale Motor Co. is a third-generation Ford dealer from El Monte CA, who is opening his first Thrifty sales location. A Santa Clara, CA,

Aug. 1, 2008

Doing What Dealers Know To Do, But Forget

In tough economic times, with many dealerships fighting for every sale, the Sam Swope Auto Group is doing much more than just Especially its Honda World store in Louisville, KY. The Swope group represents 14 brands in the Louisville market. Honda is the group's largest volume brand. A lot of people come in saying that they think the car business is slow, but we don't ever say it is, because it isn't,

By Derek Stark • Aug. 1, 2008

Banks Expected to Fill Chrysler’s Leasing Void

Chrysler dealerships are “flooded with people” in what appears to be a run on leasing before Chrysler Financial pulls the plug Aug. 1.

By Derek Stark • July 31, 2008

Chrysler Financial Pulls Plug on Leasing

Chrysler dealers can continue to offer leasing through independent sources.

By Eric Mayne and James M. Amend • July 25, 2008

BMW Appoints New North American Executive Vice President

Miles most recently served as regional vice president of BMW’s central sales region in Chicago.

By Ward's Staff • July 25, 2008

Chrysler Looking to Cut 1,000 White-Collar Jobs

The move marks the fourth time in 18 months the auto maker has undertaken significant staff reductions.

By Ward's Staff From Wires • July 23, 2008

Ford Puts Stop to Third Shift at Flex Plant

Some 350 new hires expected to staff the third shift have been told their jobs now are on indefinite hold.

By Ward's Staff From Wires • July 23, 2008

GM Dealership One of Nation’s First ‘Green’ Facilities

LaFontaine, which recently unveiled its $15 million Buick-Pontiac-GMC-Cadillac store in Highland Township, MI, will achieve a “Gold Leadership” designation for its earth friendly design.

By Derek Stark • July 23, 2008

New Ford Focus RS Debuts With 296 hp

The ‘09 Focus RS builds on the current ST model with aggressive styling, more turbo boost and a unique front suspension meant to reduce torque steer.

By Mike Sutton • July 23, 2008

Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart a Welcome Middle Child

The ‘09 Lancer Ralliart confronts the Subaru Impreza WRX with Evolution X technology and sub-$30,000 pricing.

By Mike Sutton • July 22, 2008

BMW Turbocharges its Future

After steering clear of turbocharging gasoline engines for a quarter century, BMW is embracing forced induction with a vengeance.

By Gary Witzenburg • July 18, 2008

Buick, Pontiac, GMC Channel Working

The 1,600 dealers currently aligned with the channel account for approximately 80% of sales from the trio of GM nameplates.

By Derek Stark • July 17, 2008

Ford, GM, Nissan to Supply Hybrid Taxis in New York

New York already has 1,286 hybrid taxis, about 10% of the 13,227 cabs that cruise the city daily.

By Herb Shuldiner • July 16, 2008

’09 SL65 AMG Black Series Tops Mercedes Lineup

The new V-12 coupe gets a track-focused diet of carbon fiber and a boost in power to make it one of the most aggressive Mercedes vehicles to date.

By Mike Sutton • July 15, 2008

Volkswagen Research Underscores Positive Impact of Electronic Stability Control

VW’s database includes information from more than 10,000 crashes.

By James M. Amend • July 14, 2008

Toyota to Build Prius in Mississippi, Shifting All Tundra Output to Texas

The midsize car will become the second HEV to be built in the U.S., following the Camry Hybrid in Georgetown, KY.

By Ward's Staff • July 10, 2008

GM Denies Reports Saturn Faces Elimination in New Restructuring Round

Saturn sales last month fell 1.9% and deliveries so far this year are off 18.6%, according to Ward’s data.

By James M. Amend • July 7, 2008

Audi Unveils Supercharged 3.0L TFSI V-6

The belt-driven, roots-type compressor allows the premium V-6 to make 290 hp and 310 lb.-ft. of torque, while also improving throttle response and packaging.

By Mike Sutton • July 7, 2008

Chrysler Realigns Human Resources Staff

Nancy Rae will lead the integration of the auto maker’s human resources, employee relations and communications functions.

By Ward's Staff • July 3, 2008

Audi Sets September Launch for New A4

Audi predicts 80% of the A4s sold will be equipped with the 4-cyl. engine, which generates 211 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque.

By Herb Shuldiner • July 3, 2008

VW Minivan Plans Unhindered by Chrysler Production Move

Chrysler dominated the U.S. minivan market in 2007 with 315,000 deliveries, falling just short of the combined totals of Toyota and Honda.

By James M. Amend • July 1, 2008

Ford Advances Global Purchasing Strategy

Ford Motor Co.'s Purchasing Operations are Being transformed under CEO Alan Mulally's One Ford strategy, which calls for all divisions of the auto maker to operate on a collaborative global basis. To align North American purchasing with the rest of the world, Ford last year called on Paul Stokes, former head of European purchasing. Stokes succeeds Andrew Hinkly, who has left the company, and reports

By Byron Pope • July 1, 2008

One Ford Strategy Streamlines Purchasing Operations

Ford Motor Co.'s One Ford strategy, implemented by CEO Alan Mulally to better align the auto maker's global resources, has had profound impact on the company's purchasing operations and its suppliers, two top-level managers say. Key to the strategy is the formation of the system, which teams product-development personnel with those from purchasing. In the case of vehicle interiors, Mike Taylor, director-global

By Byron Pope • July 1, 2008