Automakers: Page
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Top Designer Says Outgoing Ford Taurus ‘Too Conservative’
Ford designer J Mays says the original Taurus, launched in 1986, did not inspire the design of the new sedan.
By Byron Pope • Jan. 12, 2009 -
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GM Admits Attempts to Groom Saturn Unsuccessful
GMNA President Troy Clarke says it remains unclear exactly how GM might detach itself from Saturn, given the expensive lesson it learned when it killed the Oldsmobile brand several years ago.
By James M. Amend • Jan. 12, 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
Lincoln MKT Further Establishes Brand’s Identity
The exterior of the MKT boasts Lincoln’s signature split waterfall grille, which has helped the brand forge a “family resemblance” in the showroom.
By Byron Pope • Jan. 12, 2009 -
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BMW Unveils Z4 With Retractable Hardtop
The new roof is comprised of two aluminum shells that fold into the trunk in 20 seconds, while allowing enough room for a medium-size suitcase or one golf bag.
By Drew Winter • Jan. 11, 2009 -
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Ford Hopes ’10 Taurus Recaptures Magic of Original
To further differentiate it from other midsize sedans, Ford engineers went to considerable lengths to imbue the ’10 Taurus with sporty driving dynamics.
By Byron Pope • Jan. 11, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Skoda Shifts to 4-Day Week for Some Operations
The Skoda Superb and the Yeti, Skoda’s new small cross/utility vehicle scheduled for Job One launch in late May, are not affected by the production cutbacks.
By Peter Homola • Jan. 9, 2009 -
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Ford to Market Sync Globally; Offers Glimpse of Future HMI Technology
Ford’s Sync multimedia system will go global, starting in 2010. And Best Buy’s Geek Squad will provide customer support in North America.
By Byron Pope • Jan. 9, 2009 -
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Subaru Stands Alone in Posting 2008 Sales Gain
Subaru still is a minor player, but its unique 2008 sales accomplishment was major considering the harsh economy.
By Steve Finlay • Jan. 8, 2009 -
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Toyota Asking Workers to Take Pay Cut
Toyota plans to eliminate 3,000 of its temporary workforce in Japan at the end of March, but so far none of the auto maker’s 70,000 full-time employees have lost their jobs.
By Ward's Staff • Jan. 8, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
’10 Buick LaCrosse ‘Next Step’ in GM Division’s Revitalization
The exterior design of the new LaCrosse draws heavily from the well-received Buick Invicta concept car GM introduced at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show.
By James M. Amend • Jan. 8, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota Jumping Into Telematics With Proprietary Systems
After several years in development, the top-selling Japanese auto maker in the U.S. will begin offering telematics services in its Toyota and Lexus models.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Jan. 7, 2009 -
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GM Confirms Pontiac G8 ST Dead; Other Derivatives Still on Track
The Sport Truck would have stretched the division’s lineup to eight models, and GM told Congress it intends to shrink Pontiac into a niche brand.
By James M. Amend • Jan. 7, 2009 -
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New Lexus RX More Serious Competitor
Despite resembling the model it replaces, the new Lexus RX is much changed under its skin and now is ready to face off with new competitors in the luxury CUV sector.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Jan. 7, 2009 -
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Ford’s Mulally Plans to Stay the Course
Dearborn, MI Looking out over southeast Michigan from atop Ford Motor Co.'s headquarters here, CEO Alan Mulally keeps a laser-like focus on the plan he has laid out to turn around the ailing auto maker. Nothing will veer Ford off course, not even an economic tsunami that has driven down automotive sales to levels not seen in decades a downturn that forced Mulally and the other leaders of the Detroit
By Byron Pope • Jan. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
3 Brothers, 7 Dealerships
The Riverside Auto Group in Michigan's rugged Upper Peninsula and the Dagenais family has carved a niche for itself in rural America. Riverside partners with the Dodge, Jeep, Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Honda, Nissan, Toyota and Chrysler nameplates, a group started over 40 years ago when Robert Dagenais became a partner in a small Chrysler store in Escanaba. Their seven dealerships in four cities bear
By Derek Stark • Jan. 1, 2009 -
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Motor City Chrysler Dealers Going All In
Standing strong in the Motor City is a theme of Southeast Michigan's Chrysler Jeep Superstores in its support of Chrysler LLC and the Detroit auto makers. The dealerships have ordered more than 5,100 new vehicles between October and December, intended as a message of confidence and support in Chrysler LLC. The auto maker, citing a lack of consumer credit for car buyers, has suspended all production
Jan. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mercedes on Right Track
Mercedes-Benz likes to call its '10 GLK compact cross/utility vehicle the right product for the right time. The first part is true. But the second part is an understatement. The GLK represents the way of the future. Last summer's record-high gasoline prices jolted American consumers out of their Monster Truck fantasy. Yes, there is legitimate demand for the high-fashion functionality found in the
By Eric Mayne • Jan. 1, 2009 -
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Toyota Projecting Loss, Monitoring Plant Construction
Toyota Motor Corp. says it will see its first-ever operating loss in its 70-year history. After calling for an operating profit of 600 billion ($6.68 billion) in early November, Japan's No.1 auto maker says it will see a loss for its fiscal year, ending March 31, of 150 billion ($1.67 billion). We are facing an unprecedented emergency, Reuters quotes Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe as saying at
Jan. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Is It Over?
As Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) stood in the U.S. Senate late Friday evening December 12 and declared congressional efforts to secure a bridge-loan for General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC had failed, the thought that the entire automotive industry could collapse igniting a second Great Depression suddenly seemed realistic.The situation, was, and continues to be dire. GM and Chrysler executives somberly argued their case before Congress stating their cash would be below operating levels by the end of the year.
By Cliff Banks • Jan. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealership Streamlines Getting Rental Cars for Customers
Surroz Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Visalia, CA, one of the largest dealerships in the state's Central Valley, lowered its rental-car costs for service loaners by as much as 30% while improving service to customers. Service Manager Jim Steelman credits Enterprise Rent-A-Car's software system that integrates with a dealership's own technology system. Called Automated Rental Management System, or ARMS, the
Jan. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
BMW AG: 3.0L DOHC Twin-Turbo I-6
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
By Ward's Staff • Jan. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mercedes-Benz Backing U.S. Dealers With Customer-Lending Cushion
About 48% of Mercedes dealers are covered by the auto maker’s financial services. They account for 62% of the brand’s sales volume.
By Herb Shuldiner • Dec. 31, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler Pulls Out All Stops in 2008
A survey of headline-grabbing developments shows the auto maker garnered more than its share of ink in 2008.
By Eric Mayne • Dec. 30, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota Names New N.A. Planning Chief
Robert C. Daly will be in charge of the Toyota Customer Services division and the company’s AirFlite subsidiary, in addition to running the North American Planning department.
By Ward's Staff • Dec. 24, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota’s Watanabe to Vacate President Post in 2009
The Japanese auto maker’s top executive will assume the chairmanship next year due to the failing health of the current chairman.
By Ward's Staff From Wires • Dec. 23, 2008
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