Automakers: Page
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VW Prods Suppliers to Open Black Boxes
A VW researcher believes it’s possible to eliminate 50% of today’s processing units, even while increasing the complexity of vehicles.
By Herb Shuldiner • Dec. 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Brand Elimination?
Editor's note: This story is part of the WardsAuto digital archive, which may include content that was first published in print, or in different web layouts.The Big Three restructuring plans are due to Congress Tuesday December 2. So here's a question, will General Motors' plan include the cuttin...
Nov. 26, 2008 -
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Courtesy of Toyota Motor North America
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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
GM Swears Off Bankruptcy in Fight for Survival
The auto maker also sticks with its thinking that, despite record-low gasoline prices, consumers have made a long-term shift away from gas-guzzling trucks.
By James M. Amend • Nov. 26, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Honda Maintains Focus on Safety
Penetration of the safety systems throughout the auto maker’s lineup will be gradual, as prices decline over the next five to 10 years, an executive says.
By Roger Schreffler • Nov. 26, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
VW May Extend Holiday Downtime at Wolfsburg Factory
VW reportedly is mulling plans to shut the Wolfsburg plant Dec. 18-Jan. 11, and may close part of the plant as early as Dec. 5.
By Ward's Staff From Wires • Nov. 25, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lexus U.S. Chief Says Luxury Sales Crown Not Priority
With BMW’s sales declining 8.5% in October, compared with Lexus’ 37.6% slump, it’s unclear whether the Japanese auto maker will be able to maintain its 8-year crown.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Nov. 25, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mercedes Takes V2V to Higher Level
The German auto maker shows off its traffic-signal detection system and Mindlab testing that evaluates driver stress with brainwave measurements at the ITS congress.
By Herb Shuldiner • Nov. 25, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
SPE Names 2008 Innovation Award Winners
Plastics advancements are plentiful as BMW wins top honors for its cleverly assembled fuel tank, a dozen features are recognized in the Ford Flex and several other awards are given as well.
By Ward's Staff • Nov. 21, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mazda Builds 2 Millionth Mazda3
The Mazda3 is the first Mazda vehicle to exceed its annual production volume for four consecutive years since output of the model began in 2003.
By Ward's Staff • Nov. 21, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM-Chrysler Merger Bad Idea
Let’s hope merger talks don’t resume. Almost no automotive OEM merger has worked in recent history.
By John McElroy • Nov. 21, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Nissan Stages World Debut of Backup-Collision-Prevention System
Backup accident prevention is one of two new technologies in the auto maker’s All-Around Collision Free prototype displayed in the U.S. for the first time in conjunction with the ITS world congress.
By Herb Shuldiner • Nov. 21, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Shuffles Manufacturing Ranks
James Tetreault, Ford of Europe’ vice president-manufacturing, will return to the U.S. to become vice president-North American manufacturing.
By Ward's Staff • Nov. 20, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Infiniti’s New G37 Convertible Boast Advances Beyond Coupe
Improvements include unique body panels from the A-pillars back, a widened rear track, structural reinforcement and a stiffer, but less bulky multilink rear suspension.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Nov. 19, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Nissan Creates New Infiniti Organization; Igo to Exit
Called the Infiniti Business Unit, the new group will be headed by Ben Poore, currently vice president-Infiniti marketing.
By Ward's Staff • Nov. 18, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
BMW Uses CRM to Supercharge Service Sales
German auto maker is using corporate and dealership data to better target customers and enhance service promotions.
By Steve Finlay • Nov. 17, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Accessories Ensure Kia Won’t Bare Soul
Kia launches a new aftermarket strategy allowing customers to accessorize their vehicles, particularly the new Soul small car arriving in spring that will offer 53 aftermarket parts.
By Tom Murphy • Nov. 17, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Bets on Bond as Product Placement Gains Traction
Although car companies’ product placement in movies and TV shows is nothing new, the practice is accelerating, growing 33.7% in 2007 and outpacing a 25.8% increase in Internet advertising.
By Byron Pope • Nov. 13, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai Sees Higher Than Expected V-8 Demand for Genesis
Hyundai will launch a face-lifted Santa Fe CUV next fall in which a 4-cyl. engine replaces the current V-6 as standard and a next-generation Tucson CUV that will drop its V-6 engine entirely.
By Tom Murphy • Nov. 5, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Effects of GM-Chrysler Merger
Lot would happen if the two auto makers become one
By James M. Amend • Nov. 5, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mercedes Offers Buyouts as Prepares to Cut Alabama Output
Mercedes isn’t saying how many job cuts it is targeting or whether it will begin involuntary layoffs if it doesn’t meet its goal.
By Ward's Staff • Nov. 3, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Renault Reveals New Meganes
Renault SA Launches Its Revamped Megane family with a 2-pronged design approach. A racy coupe with windows that recall the original Koleos concept replaces the traditional 3-door Megane, while the 5-door Megane is less daring than the generation it replaces. The Megane is the heart of the Renault range, and the Scenic compact minivan has been a key source of profit. The new Meganes will offer four
By William Diem, Drew Winter and Christie Schweinsberg • Nov. 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Won’t Rule Out Plastic Panels
General Motors Corp.'s Saturn Division used dent-resistant thermoplastic body panels as a selling point when the import-fighting brand launched in 1990. But in a bid to revitalize Saturn with more dramatic styling and tighter body-panel gaps as well as to commonize vehicle architectures globally GM opted for steel when it launched the new Saturn Sky roadster, Aura sedan and Outlook cross/utility vehicle
By Tom Murphy • Nov. 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dying Dealerships
On Steven Landry's desk sits a folder with paperwork of Chrysler-branded dealerships close to going out of business.Landry, Chrysler LLC's vice president-North American sales, calls it his SOS folder. These are dealerships in the critical stage, he says. “They need surgery.”
By Cliff Banks • Nov. 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Meet the Billionaire Dealers’ Club
Five billionaires with extensive auto dealership holdings are on the Forbes Magazine roster of the 400 wealthiest Americans. B.J. (Red) McCombs, 80, oversees an eight-dealership group of Ford, Lexus and Toyota stores headquartered in San Antonio, TX. Early in 2008 he bought $100 million worth of stock in China's Brilliance Automotive Holdings, whose prime activity is producing Brilliance cars, trucks
Nov. 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Suit: New Cars on Used Lot
The intramural conflict between franchised and independent car dealers has flared up again in the Miami suburb of Coral Gables, FL. The Mercedes-Benz dealer in Coral Gables, Bill Ussery Motors, has taken legal action against a nearby independent, Palmetto Sports Cars Inc., for selling like new 2008-model Mercedes vehicles with as few as 57 miles on their odometers. The Ussery store charged that up
By Mac Gordon • Nov. 1, 2008
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