Automakers: Page

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    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 • March 4, 2008
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    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
  • Carmy sedans and move on the assembly line at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky next to a row of colored front bumpers with Toyota badges. Explore the Trendline➔
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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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    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
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    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 • March 1, 2008
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    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
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    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 • March 1, 2008
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    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 • March 1, 2008
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    GM Tweaks Pontiac G6 Retractable Hardtop During Production Hiatus

    The auto maker uses downtime to fully integrate its production with the sedan and coupe variants.

    By James M. Amend • Feb. 25, 2008
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    Former VW Manager, Labor Leader Convicted in Bribery Scandal

    The trial was the culmination of an investigation into claims VW managers bribed labor leaders in exchange for favorable policy votes from 1995 to 2005.

    By Ward's Staff From Wires • Feb. 22, 2008
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    Selwa Leaves Maserati North America; CEO Search Begins

    During his three years with Maserati North America, the unit doubled its sales and increased its distribution network 18%.

    By Ward's Staff • Feb. 22, 2008
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    Bentley Taps Naim for High-End Audio

    The exclusive agreement will provide the luxury auto maker with vehicle-specific sound systems that are the most powerful in the industry.

    By Mike Sutton • Feb. 22, 2008
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    No Plans to Build Upcoming Kia Soul in Europe

    Three design variations of the CUV will be exhibited at next month’s Geneva auto show.

    By Vince Courtenay • Feb. 21, 2008
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    Parts Shortage Resolved at Chrysler’s Belvidere Plant

    Lost production means Chrysler will delay a planned shift reduction.

    By Ward's Staff • Feb. 15, 2008
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    Navistar Prepares to Make GM Medium-Duty Trucks

    GM is selling its medium-duty truck business to raise money and concentrate more on its light-duty vehicle operations.

    By • Feb. 15, 2008
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    Porsche Taps Marti to Lead Revamped Canadian Unit

    As a separate subsidiary with dedicated leadership, Porsche Cars Canada Ltd. will now exercise complete market and financial accountability as an independent importer.

    By Ward's Staff • Feb. 14, 2008
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    ’09 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG Previewed With New 7-Speed Gearbox

    The high-end performance convertible sports the auto maker’s most powerful V-8, quickest-shifting automatic transmission and an optional track-day package.

    By Mike Sutton • Feb. 13, 2008
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    Jaguar Dealer Welcomes New Ownership

    Jag Dealer David Stephens says he feels good about Ford’s future under CEO Alan Mulally, calling him a “real quick learner.”

    By Byron Pope • Feb. 11, 2008
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    Hyundai Launches Production at Second Indian Plant

    The factory, located adjacent to Hyundai India’s original facility, has capacity for 300,000 units annually and doubles the auto maker’s domestic output to 600,000.

    By Vince Courtenay • Feb. 11, 2008