Automakers: Page
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
$13 Per Gallon Will Get Their Attention
Gasoline prices must quadruple to motivate consumers enough to demand the types of expensive technologies auto makers require to comply with upcoming tougher fuel-economy standards, a Chrysler LLC economist warns. Assuming Americans will want the same utility and performance they enjoy in today's vehicles, Chrysler ran a computer simulation of conditions required to generate market in 2020, when a
By Eric Mayne • Feb. 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler Sourcing Too NAFTA-Centric
Chrysler LLC's new global purchasing chief wants financially healthy parts producers and will look beyond North American shores for high-quality, cost-competitive components, as well as vehicle-engineering services. John Campi became Chrysler's executive vice president-procurement Jan. 3 after spending more than 35 years in sourcing, some of it in automotive. He spent the last three years at Home
By Tom Murphy • Feb. 1, 2008 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Toyota Motor North America
TrendlineTop 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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
New Ram Boasts More Power and Storage Room
Chrysler LLC was thinking out of the box during development of its flagship Dodge Ram pickup for '09. The vehicle not only features an upgraded 380-hp 5.7L Hemi V-8 with a Cummins turbodiesel promised after 2009 and a 2-mode hybrid system scheduled for model-year '10 it also boasts a segment-first coil-spring multi-link rear suspension, styling and innovative storage options. How innovative? The Rambox,
By Eric Mayne • Feb. 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
What’s the Matter With Kids?
It started out innocently enough as a conversation about Christmas gifts. People my age value experiences over material things, my 21-year-old told me. I assumed he was just politely asking for cash and didn't think much of it. Then, during a recent meeting with Ward's editors, Ford sales analyst George Pipas used almost exactly the same words to explain the entire Millennial generation, people born
By Drew Winter • Feb. 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
5 Product Teams for Chrysler
Detroit Chrysler LLC is expanding its product-development process, internally and externally, in an aggressive bid to satisfy consumer demands in an increasingly competitive environment, the auto maker's top executive says. Internally, Chrysler has replaced its architecture-oriented product-development structure with five product teams that feature a segment or brand focus. Externally, the auto maker
By Eric Mayne • Feb. 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Manufacturing Flexibility Key to Honda’s Surprising 3Q Profit
Despite media headlines claiming Honda’s fuel-efficient cars led to a surprising third-quarter profit, its flexible plants deserve at least 50% of the credit.
By Drew Winter • Feb. 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
LED Headlamps Provide Cadillac Escalade Technical Innovation, Design Character
The technology marks another step in regaining the brand’s reputation as a technical innovator, while providing another flourish to its design renaissance.
By James M. Amend • Jan. 31, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM South Africa Sees Opportunity for Growth in 2008
A key growth area remains the light-commercial vehicle segment, where the auto maker holds a 23% share.
By Richard Hurst • Jan. 25, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Sees Silver Lining in $2.7 Billion Loss
CEO Alan Mulally says he expects a boost in North America in the year’s second half, when the Ford Flex CUV and ’09 F-150 pickup hit the market.
By Byron Pope • Jan. 24, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lexus to Borrow From Scion to Transform Showroom Experience
What Scion buyers want – and future Lexus customers will desire, as well – is a quicker purchasing and no-fuss service experience.
By David E. Zoia • Jan. 24, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler ‘Scouring World’ for Competitive Advantage
Chrysler’s planned centers of excellence could spawn assembly operations in China, Russia, India and Brazil, Robert Nardelli hints.
By Eric Mayne • Jan. 23, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
VW Stands by Routan Name for New Minivan
While most dealers contacted by Ward’s say they are just happy to have a new product to drive traffic into their showrooms, some are bewildered over VW’s naming strategy.
By Byron Pope • Jan. 23, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler Moves Boag Again
Simon Boag now is on his second job in two weeks and third position since rejoining Chrysler from Mercedes-Benz in May.
By Ward's Staff • Jan. 18, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
BMW Says No Drastic Job Cuts as Battles Rising Costs, Weak Dollar
Stefan Krause, BMW’s top sales executive, dismisses reports of growing friction between the auto maker and its suppliers as a result of cost-cutting initiatives.
By David E. Zoia • Jan. 18, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
No Time to Pause for Rolls-Royce
The next step involves expanded capacity, first with a tweak meant to squeeze out more Phantom convertibles, then with a more ambitious program to launch the new RR4 model.
By David E. Zoia • Jan. 16, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lutz Says Toyota Can Have the Sales, Production Crown
“I think there is a certain benefit to the internal culture in being No.2,” GM’s Bob Lutz tells journalists.
By James M. Amend • Jan. 16, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM, Toyota Rivalry Heats Up Over Plug-In Hybrids
Toyota, which with its popular Prius hybrid is perceived by consumers as the greenest of auto makers, now says it is speeding up its PHEV plans.
By James M. Amend • Jan. 15, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Geely Returns to Detroit But Mum on U.S. Plans
By 2015, the auto maker is targeting global capacity of 1.7 million units and annual sales of 2 million vehicles, with two-thirds coming from export markets.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Jan. 15, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Attrition Could ‘Quickly’ Reshape Workforce
The auto maker will conduct another round of buyouts in the coming weeks, Rick Wagoner says, for which all other UAW-represented employees will be eligible.
By James M. Amend • Jan. 15, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Surprises Show Media With CTS Coupe Concept
The auto maker says the concept accommodates a new 2.9L turbodiesel the auto maker is developing for international markets.
By James M. Amend • Jan. 15, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mercedes Makes Niche Markets Strategic Focus
Reconciling real-world market performance with public perception takes time, the auto maker’s sale and marketing chief says.
By Eric Mayne • Jan. 14, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Subaru Looks to Next-Gen Forester to Regain CUV Leadership
Subaru of America hopes the new Forester CUV will help the auto maker reach total sales of 200,000 units in 2008.
By Steve Finlay • Jan. 14, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota Exec Says Venza CUV Very American
Toyota’s new people hauler will replace the slow-selling Camry Solara coupe at the auto maker’s Georgetown, KY, plant.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Jan. 14, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM North America Chief Offers Bullish Sales Forecast
New product cadence should drive new sales and help keep GM’s incentive spending lower in 2008, Troy Clarke says.
By James M. Amend • Jan. 14, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Passat CC Kicks Off VW’s Drive to 800,000 Sales in U.S.
“The U.S. has top priority for VW,” CEO Martin Winterkorn says, adding the best people have been sent to the U.S. to achieve the auto maker’s aggressive sales target.
By David E. Zoia • Jan. 13, 2008
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