The Light Bulb Went On

General Motors Corp. decided six years ago to overhaul its accessories strategy. At the time, accessory sales in North America totaled $26 billion, but it was growing. In 2006, according to data from the Specialty Equipment Market Assn., accessory sales reached $36 billion. The light bulb went on at GM in 2001, says Nancy Philippart, executive director-GM accessories business channel. The auto maker

By Cliff Banks • Dec. 1, 2007

Haldex Lands Prototype Order From Hyundai

The deal marks the first interest in the supplier’s all-wheel-drive technology from an Asian car manufacturer.

By Herb Shuldiner • Nov. 30, 2007

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

Ford to Settle Explorer Class-Action Lawsuit

Plaintiffs in the case allege that Ford falsely advertised the SUV as safe, although the auto maker knew they had a tendency to flip.

By Ward's Staff From Wires • Nov. 29, 2007

Guangzhou Auto Rolls Out Concept Cars; Prepares to Launch Own Brand

The state-owned company, which is partnered in joint-venture plants with Honda and Toyota, says the show cars are the first step in introducing the auto maker’s own brand.

By Peter Homola • Nov. 29, 2007

Volvo Won’t Vanish in Ford’s Shadow, Arp Promises

Volvo’s destiny under the Blue Oval was sealed when Ford CEO Alan Mulally confirmed the Swedish brand will not be sold along with its Premier Automotive Group stablemates, Jaguar and Land Rover.

By Byron Pope • Nov. 28, 2007

GM Turnaround Barrels Ahead, Despite Speed Bumps

The U.S. could show more strength in the second half of the year, CEO Rick Wagoner says, but warns much depends on the direction of financial markets presently befuddled by the housing crisis.

By James M. Amend • Nov. 27, 2007

Mazda Leveraging Relationship With Ford

Mazda is on pace for a record sales year and expects substantial growth next year.

By Byron Pope • Nov. 26, 2007

Audi Australia to Build HQ in Sydney

The auto maker says the facility is due to open in early 2009 and represents one of the most significant overseas investments made to date by parent Audi AG.

By Alan Harman • Nov. 21, 2007

Ford’s ACH Chief to Retire

Ver will be succeeded by Bill Connelly, who currently serves as ACH chief financial officer.

By Ward's Staff • Nov. 20, 2007

Ford Reveals Second Verve Concept

A third Verve concept will be shown in Detroit in January.

By Ward's Staff • Nov. 20, 2007

Unusual Dealership Pairing

Dealer John Leese runs side-by-side Cadillac and Lexus stores.

By Mac Gordon • Nov. 20, 2007

Bentley Expects Record Sales

Despite its position at the upper end of the market, Bentley isn’t immune to the growing trend toward more fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly powertrains.

By Byron Pope • Nov. 16, 2007

Nissan’s McNabb Says Fixing Sentra Top of List

The Japanese auto maker’s U.S. sales chief will look into packaging and marketing to determine why the compact sedan isn’t faring better.

By Christie Schweinsberg • Nov. 13, 2007

Environment Much on Mind of Honda’s R&D Chief

Ward’s discusses trends with Honda R&D chief Masaaki Kato.

By Roger Schreffler • Nov. 13, 2007

Ford Australia Revives Cobra Badge

Two new Cobra models recall a memorable victory in one of Australia’s most famous motor races.

By Alan Harman • Nov. 12, 2007

Mustang, Jetta Track Ready

Ford and Volkswagen have created separate race series and will supply track-ready versions of the Mustang and Jetta turbodiesel straight from the factory.

By Tom Murphy • Nov. 12, 2007

Ford UAW Members Voting on Tentative Contract

Voting on a new 4-year labor agreement will conclude Nov. 12, the UAW says.

By Ward's Staff • Nov. 9, 2007

Bullitt Ricochets Into Ford’s ’08 Lineup

Ford’s ’08 Mustang Bullitt will sticker for $31,075. Production will be limited to 7,700 units.

By Byron Pope • Nov. 7, 2007

Kia Borrego to Debut at NAIAS

The Borrego, to be built in South Korea, will offer V-6 and V-8 engines, the latter marking the first time a V-8 will have been offered in a Kia.

By Ward's Staff • Nov. 6, 2007

Toyota Promotes Lentz

A new round of promotions also sees a TMS executive moving to Toyota’s U.S. holding unit in New York.

By Ward's Staff • Nov. 6, 2007

Ssangyong, SAIC Plant in China Set to Launch Kyron

The two companies announced a deal in 2005 to produce the Kyron in China, but the plan stalled due to strong resistance from Ssangyong’s union.

By Vince Courtenay • Nov. 2, 2007

Mazda Plants Switching to Water-Based Paints

Mazda Motor Corp. will begin transitioning to water-based paints at its global manufacturing facilities starting next year, with its plants in Japan the first of Mazda's to completely do away with solvent-based paints, officials say. We are developing the technology to apply water-based paint in our 3-coat (wet-paint) system, which currently uses low-solvent paint, senior research engineer Takakazu

By Christie Schweinsberg • Nov. 1, 2007

They’re on the Road to Victory

Blue balloons, amusing commercials, Midnight Madness sales and frequent raffle giveaways keep the sales numbers and customer satisfaction ratings aloft at the 22 dealerships of the Victory Automotive Group. Ranked 31st on the Ward's Dealer Business Megadealer 100, Victory's stores are unique among megadealers by their dedication to mostly single-point Honda, Nissan and Toyota franchises. Owner-president

By Mac Gordon • Nov. 1, 2007

Industry Loses Robert Lund, W. Wayne Booker

Two high-ranking automotive executives died in late October former Ford Motor Co. Vice Chairman W. Wayne Booker and Robert Lund, who rose within General Motors Corp. and then retired to co-own three successful Cadillac dealerships in Phoenix. Booker began his career at Ford in 1959 as a cost analyst and was best known for expanding the auto maker's presence in Asia. Booker was named a company vice

By Mac Gordon and Byron Pope • Nov. 1, 2007

How to Get CEO’s Attention: Write Book about the Company

Clifton Lambreth feared he'd be axed as a Ford Motor Co. manager after he sent CEO Alan Mulally a copy of his book, an insider's account of what went wrong at the ailing auto maker. I told my wife, The book may save Ford, but it may cost me my job, says Lambreth, a customer-service division zone manager in Memphis, TN. Instead, he got a call from Mulally, asking him to lunch, where they spent two

By Steve Finlay • Nov. 1, 2007