Automakers: Page
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Takes Wraps Off New F-150
In all, more than 1,000 engineers, designers, researchers and other personnel contributed to the development of the new F-150.
By Byron Pope • Jan. 13, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Aims High With 550-hp ’09 Cadillac CTS-V
Debuting next week at the North American International Auto Show, the new CTS-V targets BMW’s M5 with a supercharged 6.2L V-8 based on the engine in the ’09 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.
By Mike Sutton • Jan. 11, 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
Cadillac CTS Continues Hot Sales Pace
While the redesigned CTS has received excellent reviews, a reputation tarnished during the 1980s and 1990s continues to prove challenging as Cadillac attempts to win over more mature consumers.
By James M. Amend • Jan. 10, 2008 -
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Acura Aghast at Consumer Reports’ Last-Place Ranking
Magazine survey suggests Honda’s premium brand is not top-of-mind among consumers.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Jan. 9, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Strives for In-Vehicle Communication Leadership
Like GM’s OnStar in-vehicle communications system, 911 Assist will alert authorities in the case of airbag deployment.
By Byron Pope • Jan. 8, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai Details Genesis on Eve of Domestic, Detroit Launch
The South Korean auto maker says its first foray into the luxury segment will have the features of a $60,000-car but begin below $30,000 when it goes on sale in the U.S.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Jan. 8, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Looks to Higher Ground
The 10th-generation ’08 Lancer Evolution retains its rallycar heritage yet adds refinements aimed at competing with German performance sedans.
By Mike Sutton • Jan. 7, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Government Give-and-Take Needed to Make Advanced Technology Fly, GM Says
Direct injection is one of the keys in GM’s strategy to improve fleet fuel economy.
By Eric Mayne and David E. Zoia • Jan. 4, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Audi Names U.S. COO
The appointment of Mark Del Rosso, former general manager of Toyota’s Portland, OR, region, is effective immediately and plugs a hole that’s existed since the departure of Tom Del Franco in June.
By Ward's Staff • Jan. 3, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Audi AG: FSI 2.0L Turbocharged DOHC I-4
Audi’s innovative FSI gasoline direct injection is the highlight of Audi’s technology-packed 4-cyl. powerhouse.
By Bill Visnic • Jan. 2, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
BMW AG: 3.0L Turbocharged DOHC I-6
Take one of the world’s greatest engines, add twin turbochargers, enjoy.
By Bill Visnic • Jan. 2, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
General Motors Corp.: 6.0L OHV V-8 Hybrid
GM widens the hybrid landscape with its world-first 2-Mode system, bringing HEV technology to fullsize SUVs.
By Bill Visnic • Jan. 2, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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
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