Automakers: Page

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    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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    Ford to Add Shift at Dearborn Truck Plant

    The plant recently underwent a $148 million renovation to accommodate production of the new ‘09 F-150 fullsize pickup

    By Ward's Staff • Oct. 30, 2008
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    Trendline

    Top 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
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    Five Axis, Street Image Toyota Venzas Debuting at SEMA

    Five Axis’ AS V geared to winter-sports enthusiasts, with special storage for skis and snowboards.

    By • Oct. 28, 2008
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    Super-Duty Buyers Downsizing to F-150s, Ford Says

    The auto maker says fuel economy has been increased an average 8% across the entire F-150 lineup, with a 12% improvement on high-volume 5.4L V-8 models.

    By Byron Pope • Oct. 27, 2008
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    AvtoVAZ, Renault Define Platform Strategy for Future Ladas

    The latest plan includes a low-cost model range based on Renault’s Logan platform, as well as entry in the C-segment.

    By Peter Homola • Oct. 24, 2008
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    Ford Launching Systems to Rival GM’s OnStar

    The 911 Assist system automatically is activated when airbags are deployed in a collision, or if an inertia monitor in the rear of the vehicle detects a severe impact.

    By Byron Pope • Oct. 23, 2008
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    Opel Gets Hella’s Sign-Detection Camera

    The optional “Opel Eye” camera system on the European ’09 Opel Insignia will read traffic signs and warn of unintended lane departures.

    By Ward's Staff • Oct. 21, 2008
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    Buehler Supplying Custom Water Pumps for Chevy Volt, GM Hybrids

    The $50 million contract includes 12- and 50-volt water pumps and stems from the two companies' mid-2007 joint-development effort for the components.

    By Mike Sutton • Oct. 20, 2008
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    Chrysler to Drop AWD on Some ’09 Models

    Chrysler began offering all-wheel drive on the Sebring and Dodge Avenger in late 2007, but the option really never caught on with consumers.

    By Byron Pope • Oct. 16, 2008
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    China Stops Flow of Hyundai, Kia Imports

    The government move reportedly is in response to complaints from Kia dealers they are being pressured to accept more vehicles from the auto maker even though they already have bloated inventories.

    By Vince Courtenay • Oct. 16, 2008
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    Ford Aims to Increase Common Sourcing

    In some cases, the global sourcing strategy may require suppliers to establish new facilities closer to Ford assembly plants.

    By Byron Pope • Oct. 15, 2008
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    Daimler to Dump Sterling Truck Brand

    Suffering the effects of Sterling’s demise will be plants in St. Thomas, ON, Canada, and Portland, OR, both of which will be shut down by mid-2010.

    By Ward's Staff • Oct. 14, 2008
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    Yontrakit to Reintroduce Peugeot Vehicles in Thailand

    Yontrakit will assemble the Peugeot Expert van using semi-knocked-down kits imported from France.

    By Alan Harman • Oct. 14, 2008
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    Japan’s Aisin Maintains Low Profile While Growing Global Supplier Business

    Japan’s third most-profitable parts maker and second-largest member of Toyota’s keiretsu, with nearly 150 associated companies and subsidiaries, slowly has built a global business that includes $3.7 billion annual revenues in North America.

    By Roger Schreffler and Mack Chrysler • Oct. 14, 2008
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    Magna to Curb Chrysler, Jeep Output

    Production of Chrysler 300C cars and Jeep Commander and Grand Cherokee SUVs will shut down temporarily sometime in November.

    By Peter Homola • Oct. 10, 2008
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    Pelata Named Renault COO

    CEO Carlos Ghosn will continue to oversee directly all strategic decision making and finance and public affairs functions.

    By Ward's Staff • Oct. 10, 2008
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    GM Won’t Rule Out Plastic Body Panels

    “If ever there was a time to get back into plastic, now is the time,” General Motors executive Maureen Midgley says at an automotive conference, in response to exorbitant increases in steel.

    By Tom Murphy • Oct. 10, 2008
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    Lincoln MKS Holding Own in Difficult Market

    Lincoln paid particular attention to instructing dealers how to sell the MKS, launching a nationwide training program seven months before Job One.

    By Byron Pope • Oct. 10, 2008
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    Toyota Opens New Tech Center Campus in Michigan

    Despite having other tech centers in California, the two Michigan sites make the region Toyota’s “center for automotive R&D in North America,” TTC President Shigeki Terashi says.

    By • Oct. 9, 2008
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    Ford’s MyKey No Replacement for Parental Involvement, Safety Advocates Warn

    The MyKey system allows parents of teen drivers to program a key that can limit a vehicle’s top speed and restrict audio-system volume.

    By Byron Pope • Oct. 8, 2008
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    Mitsubishi Workers Accept Concessions in Close Vote

    Of the workers to cast ballots, 54% approved the deal, while 46% were opposed, says a terse posting on a UAW website.

    By Ward's Staff • Oct. 6, 2008
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    Renault Reveals New Meganes in Paris

    The new Meganes will offer four diesel options, with 90- and 110-hp versions emitting less than 120 g/km of carbon-dioxide.

    By William Diem • Oct. 2, 2008
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    Volkswagen Debuts New Golf, GTI Concept in Paris

    Volkwagen’s restyled Golf moves touts fuel economy and offers numerous upscale electronic and safety features.

    By • Oct. 2, 2008
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    Citroen CUV May Hint at C6 Replacement

    Citroen and Peugeot will begin spreading a new generation of stop/start micro hybrid technology across its range of gasoline and diesel engines in 2010.

    By William Diem • Oct. 2, 2008
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    Head-Restraint Tweak Boosts Crash Ratings

    A tweak earlier this year to the head restraint design of General Motors Corp.'s midsize cross/utility vehicles help the quartet earn a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The insurance group's highest safety ratings for the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook, Buick Enclave and newly launched Chevrolet Traverse arrived less than a week after two of the auto maker's small CUVs

    By James M. Amend • Oct. 1, 2008