Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.: 3.7L DOHC V-6

Nissan adds some displacement to shoot its vaunted VQ V-6 well north of 300 hp.

By Bill Visnic • Jan. 2, 2008

SAIC, Nanjing to Form Car Company; Fiat Quits JV

China's SAIC Motor Corp. and Nanjing Automobile Corp. sign an agreement intended to create a national car company and challenge foreign auto makers in China. The two state-owned car companies originally announced in July their intent to form a complete union via business cooperation and restructuring. SAIC, China's largest auto maker, reportedly is paying RMB2 billion ($285 million) for Nanjing's

By Alan Harman • Jan. 1, 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

Nissan Sales Chief Shuns Volume for Volume’s Sake

Nissan North America Inc. is entering an era of promise, says its newly appointed sales chief. Multiple product launches in 2007, piggybacked on the momentum of late-year debuts in 2006, point toward success in 2008, says Mark McNabb. We'll continue to see the growth that we're at today, McNabb says of Nissan's 5.5% January-October U.S. sales increase to 898,194 units. Nissan expects to surpass 1

By Christie Schweinsberg • Jan. 1, 2008

Chrysler Opens Supplier Park in Toluca, Mexico

Chrysler LLC CELEBRATES THE OPENING of a supplier park adjacent to its Toluca, Mexico, assembly plant. Dubbed Chrysler Park, the project is a $1 billion joint collaboration between the privately held auto maker and supplier partners. It will provide parts for the Chrysler PT Cruiser and upcoming Dodge Journey cross/utility vehicle. Journey is set to hit dealerships in early 2008. Chrysler Park will

Jan. 1, 2008

Chinese Cars for N. America Will Be Sold in Mexico First

Mexico will be the first North American country where Chinese-built cars will go on sale, although five brands from China are to be displayed at Detroit's North American International Automotive Show this month. The long-awaited Chinese entry into North America is being made by the China FAW (First Auto Works) Group, through its Mexican partner, Grupo Salinas. Export of FAW cars to Mexico was scheduled

By Mac Gordon • Jan. 1, 2008

In Dealer Termination Case, the Gun Incident Didn’t Help

Subaru of America Inc. won a key round in its battle to get rid of one of its oldest and most profitable dealerships, Forty-Niner Subaru in Angels Camp, CA. The California New Motor Vehicle Board unanimously upheld Subaru's termination notice against the store. Owner Richard E. Wilmshurst has tangled off and on with the importer's representatives including an incident involving a gun ever since getting

By Mac Gordon • Jan. 1, 2008

1-Series Embraces BMW Roots

Barreling around Sweden's Gotland Ring racetrack in BMW AG's new 1-Series clearly demonstrates the new coupe doesn't deserve its entry-level label. Far from it. If anything, the '08 1-Series is one of the best-performing BMWs not to wear an badge. The 135i tested is powered by the more potent of two engines available in the 1-Series a twin-turbo 3.0L inline-6 producing 300 hp and 300 lb.-ft. (407

By Byron Pope • Jan. 1, 2008

Volt’s Exterior Design Extends Range

As General Motor Corp. engineers work to solve the mechanical riddle of the upcoming Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, the auto maker tasks designers with creating an aerodynamic body that optimizes the vehicle's efficiency while also resonating with consumers. To speed the process along, the auto maker recently established a studio on the campus of its Warren, MI, research and development center dedicated

By James M. Amend • Jan. 1, 2008

GM Dealer Outlook: Robust Product Lineup Should Help

If the market stays above 16 million units in 2008, GM dealers should be okay. Conditions, though, will continue to force some dealers out of the business. GM sold about 400,000 fewer vehicles in the U.S. in 2007 than in 2006, but much of that was due to cutting sales to daily rental fleets. Through November, Chevrolet was on pace to maintain its best-selling brand title over Toyota, although the

By Cliff Banks • Jan. 1, 2008

Toyota Prius Turns 10

When Toyota Motor Corp. launched the Prius hybrid-electric vehicle a little over 10 years ago on Dec. 10, 1997, a good helping of skepticism was dished out along with all the accolades the car received. No one thought the Prius would succeed in the marketplace so soon, says Tokyo analyst Koji Endo, director-equity research at Credit Suisse First Boston Securities (Japan) Ltd. We had a rough timeframe

By Roger Schreffler • Jan. 1, 2008

I’m Taking It to the Grave

Roger Bonham Smith was not a CEO out of central casting. Standing at medium height and with blond-reddish hair, a ruddy complexion and a rather high-pitched voice, he hardly fit the stereotype of a boardroom tycoon. But that's precisely what he was as chairman of General Motors Corp. from 1981-1990. He died at age 82 on Nov.30, and to the end remained silent about his 42-year GM career. I'm taking

By Dave C. Smith • Jan. 1, 2008

Robert Nardelli Has a 1-Page Game Plan for Chrysler

It's called an override card. If you're a top officer at Chrysler LLC, it enables you to commandeer an elevator in the auto maker's headquarters building and turn it into an express to the top-floor executive suites.It's a nice perk if you're in a hurry, or just not interested in making small talk with underlings from the lower floors.

By Drew Winter, Daivd E. Zoia • Jan. 1, 2008

FAW Group Names New General Manager

Jianyi Xu replaces former FAW General Manager Zhu Yanfeng, who recently was appointed vice governor of northeast Jilin province.

By Alan Harman • Dec. 28, 2007

Chery to Build Assembly Plant in Jordan

Construction is expected to be completed in early 2008 and start rolling out vehicles by year-end to meet demand in regional markets, such as Saudi Arabia, Syria and Iraq.

By Alan Harman • Dec. 27, 2007

GM Witnesses Historic 2007 With UAW Deal, Higher CAFE Rules

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. Special Report 2007 Year in Review In a year stamped by lackluster vehicle sales in its home market and a topsy-turvy financial perfor...

By James M. Amend • Dec. 27, 2007

Hyundai Taps Jong Eun Kim for North American Unit

Kim succeeds Ok Suk Koh, who will lead operations in China for Hyundai’s sister company Kia Motors.

By Ward's Staff • Dec. 26, 2007

Thailand Approves Suzuki, Nissan Plans for EcoCars

Thai Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras says four other auto makers are seeking investment privileges for ventures worth a combined TB40 billion to develop new eco-cars.

By Alan Harman • Dec. 26, 2007

Mercedes Begins Delivery of SLR Sports Car

Mercedes offers buyers and a guest a trip to Woking for expert instruction on how to drive the SLR, capable of a top speed of 206 mph.

By Herb Shuldiner • Dec. 26, 2007

Toyota Opens First Russian Plant

The plant has initial annual production capacity for 50,000 cars, with first-full-year output set at 20,000 units.

By Peter Homola • Dec. 21, 2007

Navistar Adds TopKick, Kodiak Brands Through GM Division Acquisition

For GM, the deal signals increased focus on its core light-vehicle business. For Navistar, it portends expansion for its commercial truck business.

By Ward's Staff • Dec. 20, 2007

Ford Australia Christens New R&D Center

The R&D center is part of a plan to invest more than A$1.8 billion in projects and facilities over the next decade.

By Alan Harman • Dec. 19, 2007

BMW Embraces Roots With New 1-Series

The rear of the 1-Series benefits from horizontally positioned light-emitting diodes integrated into the tail lamps, giving the coupe a futuristic appearance at night.

By Byron Pope • Dec. 19, 2007

MBUSA Headed for Another Record Year

Rising sales are nice, but MBUSA chief Ernst Lieb says he’s most proud of having revitalized Mercedes’ relationship with its 334 dealers.

By Herb Shuldiner • Dec. 19, 2007

GM Offers First Wave of Buyouts to UAW Employees

GM will conduct another round of buyouts early next year.

By James M. Amend • Dec. 18, 2007

Ford TwinForce Name Likely Scuttled

The TwinForce moniker caused confusion from the onset, as it was immediately associated with twin-turbocharging rather than a blend of fuel economy and performance, the auto maker says.

By Byron Pope • Dec. 18, 2007