GM Unwraps Pontiac Solstice Coupe in New York

GM says designers drew inspiration for the coupe from the Solstice coupe concept shown at the 2002 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

By James M. Amend • March 19, 2008

Hyundai Genesis Coupe Revealed on Internet

After its unveiling at the New York show this week, the Genesis coupe, along with the sedan, will head to the Beijing auto show that runs April 20-28.

By Vince Courtenay • March 18, 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

Toyota Pares Tundra, Sequoia Output

The reduction in output at the two plants is not being specified by Toyota but won’t result in any layoffs, a spokeswoman says.

By Christie Schweinsberg • March 14, 2008

Ford Streamlines Executive Ranks

Under the new structure, corporate officers with global responsibilities who report directly to Alan Mulally will carry the title of group vice president.

By Ward's Staff • March 14, 2008

BMW to Add 500 Jobs at Spartanburg

The investment will add some 1.5 million sq.-ft. of floor space and bring annual capacity to 240,000 vehicles by 2012.

By Ward's Staff • March 10, 2008

VW Taps Siemens as PLM Provider

VW will roll the system out across all subsidiaries, including Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT and Skoda.

By Byron Pope • March 10, 2008

Promotion Means $500,000 Raise for GM’s Henderson

GM also returns Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner’s salary to its 2003 level of $2.2 million.

By James M. Amend • March 6, 2008

Ford, GM Battle With Barrage of New Australian Cars

Ford leads the charge with the public debut of its make-or-break all-new Ford FG Falcon sedan, while GM Holden shoots back with the unveiling of its Coupe 60 performance concept.

By Alan Harman • March 6, 2008

Mercedes C63 Key to AMG Lineup in U.S.

The premium auto maker is in the process of opening seven pilot AMG performance centers in the U.S. to elevate the ownership experience.

By Herb Shuldiner • March 5, 2008

Europe to Get Nissan Supercar; Murano Surpasses Sales Expectations

As with the smaller 350Z, the GTR’s strategy is to offer great performance at a much lower price than its competitors.

By William Diem • March 4, 2008

Jaguar, Land Rover Sale Pushed Back to Q2

A Ford executive emphasizes the importance of selling the two iconic marques to a buyer that will continue to support and grow the brands.

By Byron Pope • March 4, 2008

Dodge Unveils Journey for Europe; Chrysler Sees Sales Doubling by 2012

Chrysler says the European Journey will play an important role in helping the auto maker boost international sales to 400,000 units.

By Christie Schweinsberg • March 4, 2008

GM Ready to Take Next Big Hybrid Leap

Unlike the current mild-hybrid system, the new version is designed to be compatible with any GM vehicle and powertrain – gasoline, diesel, 4-cyl. and V-8 – around the world.

By David E. Zoia • March 4, 2008

GM Names Henderson President, COO

In assuming his new position, Henderson, 49, in effect succeeds GM CEO Rick Wagoner, who was the last COO in 2000 and the last to have the title of president in 2003.

By Ward's Staff • March 3, 2008

Sources: Cheeky Ad Campaign Didn’t Spark Kia Firings

Last month's firing of Kia Motors America's top two executives had nothing to do with a cheeky new advertising campaign but everything to do with the desire by its new top official to clean house, sources close to the matter tell Ward's. When all this (firings) went down, Ahn (Byung-mo, KMA's newly appointed chairman, president and CEO) had never even seen that ad, says a person familiar with events

By Christie Schweinsberg • March 1, 2008

Best-Kept Secret in Industry’

Remarketing is the best kept-secret in the industry, says Mark Mathews, director of General Motors Corp.'s used-vehicle operations. Not much attention is paid to used-car sales, which totaled about 43.7 million units in 2007. The ad money and the excitement go to new cars, but the dynamics and profit potential of the used-car arena is he says. Coming from GM's finance and manufacturing side, Mathews

By Steve Finlay • March 1, 2008

Coskata to Produce Cellulosic Ethanol

If General Motors Corp.'s technology plan comes together, fuel derived from some unlikely sources, including garbage, manure, wood, old tires and factory waste, will power ethanol-capable vehicles in the future. GM has a new partnership with and is taking an undisclosed equity stake in Chicago-based Coskata Inc., a biology-based renewable-energy company working to commercialize a unique technology,

By Barbara McClellan • March 1, 2008

VW Dealers Set to Sell Minivan

San Francisco Although Volkswagen AG's new minivan will be built by Chrysler LLC and looks nothing like the concept vehicle shown to enthused dealers six years ago, many VW retailers are welcoming it to the lineup. I think there's a market for it, Houston-based VW dealer Carl Barnett says here at the National Automobile Dealers Assn. convention. The more vehicles we have, the more opportunities we

By Steve Finlay • March 1, 2008

Last Mercury-Only Store Closes

Once a separate franchise with hundreds of dealers, Ford Motor Co.'s Mercury brand now is without any stand-alone stores in the U.S. The last solo Mercury dealership, Community Motors in Canonsburg, PA, has given up its franchise and now is devoted only to used vehicles. The dealership was opened in 1950 by Joseph P. Mastrangioli, Sr., who died in 1958 and was succeeded as principal by his son, Joseph,

By Mac Gordon • March 1, 2008

JCI Loses Jeep Seat Contract to India

Jeep Wrangler seats will be sourced from India starting in 2010 because Chrysler LLC pulled the plug on a Johnson Controls Inc. plant in Northwood, OH. Chrysler declines comment, but a United Auto Workers union official, who represents hourly employees at the affected site as well as the nearby Wrangler assembly plant in Toledo, confirms the move. Chrysler has violated the spirit of the union's ongoing

By Eric Mayne • March 1, 2008

I’m Not Thinking of Selling

Shortly after the Dodge brothers founded their namesake car company in July 1914, they gave franchises to 25 dealers to sell their first car, the Model 30, billed as a more upscale competitor to the ubiquitous Ford Model T that cost $100 less. All but one of those franchises have either folded or been sold to non-family members. The last one that is still owned and operated by the original family

By Herb Shuldiner • March 1, 2008

NHTSA Wants Defective Ford Cruise-Control Switches Disconnected

The safety group has received 60 complaints of alleged vehicle fires, as well as some dwelling fires, related to the defective switch.

By James M. Amend • Feb. 29, 2008

Alfa Romeo’s Risotto Rocket

Hopes are the 8C will whet the appetites of a new generation of Americans for whom Italian technology represents romance, not recalls.

By Eric Mayne • Feb. 28, 2008

Ford Flex Pricing to Start Under $30,000

The ’09 Flex will launch with Ford’s Duratec 35 3.5L V-6, one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines in 2007.

By Ward's Staff • Feb. 27, 2008

BMW to Cut 8,100 Jobs Worldwide

The German auto maker is looking to cut €6 billion in costs, including about €4 billion from materials purchasing and €2 billion in job reductions and productivity improvements.

By David E. Zoia • Feb. 27, 2008