Automakers: Page 332
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Beijing Hyundai’s New Plant Vital to Success in China
At the Recent Beijing International Motor Show, Beijing Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd. made it clear its new ultramodern plant is key to its game plan in China. Our new plant will produce 100,000 Elantra Yuedong models in its first year, and in 2009 it will begin producing the i30 that is now being made in Ulsan, (South) Korea, and at a new plant in Czech Republic, President Noh Jae-man says. The Chinese
By Vince Courtenay • June 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealer’s In-Store Diner Helps Center
Another example of an auto dealer helping the community: Dan Quirk's Quirk Chevrolet Buick in Manchester, NH, includes a new 1950s-style diner that operates through a partnership between the dealer and the Moore Center Services, which helps people with developmental disabilities. Moore clients staff the eatery that features chrome fixtures, neon lights and a breakfast and lunch menu for the dealership's
June 1, 2008 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Kia Corporation
TrendlineArtificial 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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealers: We Want a Heads-Up
San Francisco Auto dealers want fair warning when lenders change standards and practices in response to tougher credit market conditions. Dealers are big boys, we understand change, says Jeff Hodge, operating partner at Honda World in Downey, CA. What hurts most is when a lender makes a structural change without communicating it. More such changes could be forthcoming as financial institutions deal
By Steve Finlay • June 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
OnStar Boss Plugs Portable Nav Boom
OnStar President Chet Huber Says the boom in portable navigation systems is good for his business too, but he downplays chances of Internet programs, such as email, working their way into General Motors Corp. vehicles anytime soon. (In) the used-vehicles market, where the alternatives are very limited(a portable system) is a wonderful next step for somebody who wants to move beyond paper maps, Huber
By James M. Amend • June 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota’s Twofold Strategy
The Ward's 10 Best Engines competition celebrates 14 years of recognizing outstanding powertrain development. In the fifth of our 2008 series, Ward's looks at the design philosophy behind Toyota's 3.5L DOHC V-6.
By Gary Witzenburg • June 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Bentley Motors Opens Dealerships in Minnesota, Hawaii
Bentley Motors Ltd. maintains a relatively small dealership network, but it is growing. Bentley dealerships in the U.S. now stand at 46, with the addition of two new outlets: Bentley Minneapolis and Bentley Honolulu. The U.K. maker of ultra-luxury vehicles has seen its global sales increase from 1,000 cars five years ago to more than 10,000 last year. Annual sales won't go much higher than that, because
By Steve Finlay • June 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler Targets 25% Cost Reduction From Suppliers
Chrysler LLC Expects a 25% Cost reduction from suppliers over the next three years, but not before the OEM gets its own house in order, says John Campi, executive vice president-procurement. But in so doing, I do not want to negatively impact $1 or a percent of profitability out of the supply base, Campi vows. And Chrysler will impose harsh penalties on itself if it fails to live up to its end of
By Eric Mayne • June 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Honda Hit With Higher U.S. Steel Prices
Honda’s CEO says the auto maker likely will have to pay the increased costs, despite having stood its ground against similar tactics earlier in the decade.
By Ward's Staff • May 29, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai Set to Break Ground on Russian Plant
The planned $400 million plant will be a freestanding facility capable of producing 100,000 vehicles annually.
By Vince Courtenay • May 29, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Honda Designer Believes ’09 Pilot’s Boxy Look Will Grow on Consumers
“I think it’s evolved into something more modern; it’s just going to have to be in the public eye to get it more identified,” Dave Marek says of the ’09 model going on sale this week.
By Christie Schweinsberg • May 23, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Tiguan Has Heart of a Tiger
VW Tiguan is a stylish, purposeful CUV that reinforces VW’s edgy brand image, while injecting European-style handling into a segment not known for performance.
By Tom Murphy • May 22, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Putting Fresh Spin on Iconic Chrysler 300 Presents Challenge
Not wanting to mess too much with success means the new 300 will have an “evolutionary” exterior. However, the interior will make a “huge leap,” one product designer says.
By Christie Schweinsberg • May 22, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai Chairman to Face Resentencing for Embezzlement Conviction
Chung Mong-koo on Tuesday faced the tribunal of judges who will decide the new sentence for a hearing on the matter, during which state prosecutors demanded a new, 6-year prison term.
By Vince Courtenay • May 21, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Jaguar Learns From Past While Looking to Future
Under Ford’s leadership, the essence of the brand became diluted when the auto maker’s focus shifted to increasing volume rather than remaining true to its roots as a manufacturer of exclusive sports cars.
By Byron Pope • May 16, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Renault to Add Sandero at Russia’s Avtoframos
The Sandero, which already is manufactured in Brazil and Romania, will be the plant’s second model.
By Peter Homola • May 15, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
AAM Strike Costs GM 230,000 Vehicles Through April
GM resumed some of the previously restricted operations at four North American assembly plants yesterday.
By Ward's Staff • May 13, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Infiniti G37 to Drop Its Top
The G37, with Nissan’s new 3.7L V-6 VQ series engine – winner of a Ward’s 10 Best Engine award in 2008 – has outpaced sales of its predecessor.
By Christie Schweinsberg • May 13, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Kerkorian to Increase Stake in Ford; Auto Maker Asks Investors to Hold Onto Shares
The announcement by Ford reverses a sentiment the auto maker expressed yesterday, when it called Kerkorian’s interest a welcome sign that its turnaround was progressing.
By Ward's Staff From Wires • May 9, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Top Hyundai Official Confirms Small Car for Kia Georgia Plant
Kia America officials already have said the second-generation Sorrento SUV will be produced at the facility, but decline to comment on a possible second model.
By Drew Winter • May 9, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Holden Elizabeth Plant Marks 50-Year Anniversary
In 1924, the coach maker launched a manufacturing plant and became the sole supplier of bodies for the Buick, Chevrolet, Oakland and Oldsmobile brands.
By Alan Harman • May 9, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
G8 GT Recalls Era of Affordable V-8 Motoring
The Pontiac G8’s rear-wheel drive setup lends the vehicle wonderful proportions. Designers added big fender flares and a high beltline to convey pent-up power.
By James M. Amend • May 7, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Pilot Proves Looks Aren’t Everything
The all-new Honda Pilot might not be the best looking CUV, but it is well-mannered, versatile and loaded with cargo space.
By Tom Murphy • May 6, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
UAW Strikes GM Fairfax Plant
The UAW threatened to strike the plant last month but agreed to extend the contract deadline as negotiations to forge a new plant-level labor deal continued.
By Ward's Staff • May 5, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler’s Time Machine
Although based on Chrysler’s LX sedans, the ’08 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is an emotional recreation of a legendary muscle car that exemplifies the historic influence of Detroit’s auto makers.
By Mike Sutton • May 5, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
For Infiniti, Nothing Lasts Forever
Dealership chain Lithia Motors Inc. has stopped selling Infinitis at its Johnston, IA, outlet near Des Moines. Nissan North America Inc.'s Infiniti luxury division wanted the dealership to invest about $2 million for a facility expansion. Lithia declined. It came down to a business decision, general manager Brad Pietzsch tells the Des Moines Register. The dealership sold about 240 Infinitis a year.
May 1, 2008
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