Automakers: Page
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Financing Firm Free to Roam as GM Ends Its Long-Time Exclusive Ties with GMAC
General Motors Corp. ends its exclusive decades-long ties with GMAC as a condition of the bailout loans extended by the U.S. Treasury Department. The first-of-its-kind agreement includes Federal mandates that GM can access third-party lenders in addition to GMAC, while freeing the once-captive lender from its obligation to finance GMAC leases exclusively. The addition of non-GMAC lessors extends a
By Mac Gordon • Feb. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealer on Dodge Ram: It’s Just Been a Nightmare Launch
The suspense is over for doubters of the new Dodge Ram's radical rear suspension. If I get someone to drive it, and they've driven a Ford or a Chevy, they're blown away, says Brad Johnson, general sales manager at Bob Hoss Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Kansas City, KS. I've never had anyone that didn't come away pretty amazed at how it rides and handles. If only the '09 truck's breakthrough coil-spring setup
By Eric Mayne • Feb. 1, 2009 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Toyota Motor North America
TrendlineTop 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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford, Getrag Partner for Dual-Clutch Transmission
Ford Motor Co. and German supplier Getrag GmbH & Cie KG are teaming up to produce a new dual-clutch 6-speed transmission dubbed that will be used next year in North America in the auto maker's B- and C-segment cars. The transmission is being designed and developed by Getrag Ford Transmissions GmbH, a joint venture that produces both manual and automated manual transmissions, a top Ford engineer says.
By Byron Pope • 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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Moving Tools From Struggling Suppliers
Bo Andersson describes GM’s supplier relationships, overall, as more constructive than three or four years ago, due in part, ironically, to the enormous challenges facing suppliers.
By Tom Murphy • Jan. 16, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Magna Steyr to Suspend Chrysler, Jeep Production Again
The decision comes only days after Magna Steyr restarted Chrysler and Jeep production this week, following a suspension that began in early November.
By Peter Homola • Jan. 16, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Launches Fiesta Production in China
Further capacity for the Fiesta will be added later this month, as output begins at Ford’s Valencia, Spain, assembly plant.
By Ward's Staff • Jan. 15, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hybrid Audi Q5 on Schedule; Stop-Start Systems to Proliferate at VW Group
Dual-clutch transmissions, in demand since their launch six years ago, ultimately will all-but replace conventional automatics and manuals in most models and regions, VW’s top powertrain executive says.
By David E. Zoia • Jan. 15, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Tesla Battery to Power Smart EV
Tesla is anxious to partner with other auto makers as electric-drive programs proliferate.
By Eric Mayne • Jan. 13, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota Rethinking Third Row in RAV4
When it debuted in 2006, the current-generation Toyota RAV4 CUV was the first vehicle of its size in the U.S. with the optional feature.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Jan. 13, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
BMW Survives 2008 With 4% Sales Loss
BMW executives feel luckier than most to escape last year with a sales loss in the single digits.
By Drew Winter • Jan. 13, 2009
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