Ford Dealers Get Lead Help

FordDirect is offering a referral service designed to help Ford dealers sell more vehicles.

April 1, 2007

GM Pushes Truck-Tow Standard

The Society of Automotive Engineers plans to create a single benchmark for measuring towing performance, an issue that for years has been a bone of contention among auto makers.

By Scott Anderson and Byron Pope • April 1, 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

BMW Financial Forms F&I Subsidiary to Go After Other Brands

BMW Financial Services, rated first in customer satisfaction in surveys for years, now has a subsidiary dedicated to other brands handled by BMW's 339 stores in the U.S. With Alphara Financial Services, the lender is launching an drive for non-BMW brands handled by BMW dealers, says Edward A. Robinson, CEO of the American region of BMW Financial. Nearly 200 of our U.S. dealers have other brands located

By Mac Gordon • April 1, 2007

Internet Action in Acton

At first glance, Acton Toyota is not the likeliest of candidates for the Ward's e-Dealer 100.One, it is an independently-owned dealership on a list dominated by dealer groups.A second obstacle is the market, which has powerhouses such as Ernie Boch's group, Group 1 Automotive's Ira's dealerships and the Herb Chambers Co.'s stores.

By Cliff Banks • April 1, 2007

Ford OKs Jet for Mulally’s Family, Guests

Ford Motor Co. is raising President and CEO Alan Mulally's annual compensation of nonqualified stock options from $5 million to $6 million, citing his 2006 performance results and his role in “progressing his key priorities.”

By Byron Pope • April 1, 2007

AutoSoft and ADP Added to GM’s List

AutoSoft Inc. and Automated Data Processing Inc. are the latest information technology firms to contract with General Motors Corp. to deliver Integrated Dealership Management Systems (IDMS) on behalf of GM.

April 1, 2007

Turning New Key

Former Ford President Nick Scheele is the latest retired auto executive to resurface in the industry, this time as chairman of the board of Key Safety Systems Inc., a supplier of airbags, seatbelts and steering wheels.

By Drew Winter • April 1, 2007

Rise and Fall of Jennings Ford

As a veteran automotive writer, I've always been fascinated by the countless examples of multi-generational families in the automotive business.

By Mike Davis • April 1, 2007

Iowa Dealer Is GM Certified Used-Vehicle Sales Leader

Karl Chevrolet, a relatively new entrant to certified pre-owned vehicle operations, climbed to the top of the sales charts by practicing the same general principles instilled by owner Karl Moyer nearly 30 years ago.

By Emily Prawdzik Genoff • April 1, 2007

Direct Injection, Turbo Pay Off For BMW

The Ward's 10 Best Engines competition celebrates 13 years of recognizing outstanding powertrain development. In this second of a series, Ward's highlights BMW's coupling of turbocharging with direct injection for its gasoline I-6. Watch for features on the other 2007 winners throughout the year.Iconic” is an adjective often used when speaking of BMW AG's inline 6-cyl. engine. Few engine types are as closely associated with their auto makers' brand as is BMW's legendary “straight six.”

By Bill Visnic • April 1, 2007

GM Offers Deal to Tuned-Out OnStar Subscribers

Despite vows from a top General Motors Corp. executive not to “walk away” from customers impacted by next year's shift from analog to digital signals, OnStar says it's unable to provide a technical solution for 500,000 subscribers left stranded with outdated technology.

By Scott Anderson • April 1, 2007

It Was Just a Niche We Found

Ciener-Woods Ford made $100,000 in front-end profit in one month last fall, selling approximately 25 high-performance specialty vehicles from brands such as Saleen, Roush, Foose, Steeda, Shelby and LA West.

By Cliff Banks • April 1, 2007

Erhard BMW Offers Size, Glitz

Nothing is too lavish, or beyond reach, for what is possibly the nation's largest BMW dealership especially the often-neglected area of customer satisfaction. We're growing in volume on a steady basis, advises Alan D. Graham, general manager of the 180,000-sq.-ft. Erhard BMW dealership in metro Detroit, but the sales leadership is not as important as our No.1 rating in customer satisfaction. Graham,

By Mac Gordon • April 1, 2007

How About Some Respect?

Brian McVeigh says he doesn't have the best job at General Motors Corp., but to him it is the most enjoyable.

By Steve Finlay • April 1, 2007

From One Struggling Dealership to Another

In metro Dallas, Charlie Nixon, former general manager of struggling Prestige Ford, has bought struggling Bankston Dodge.

April 1, 2007

GM Dealers Get Lead-Ranking System

General Motors Corp. will begin using a lead-ranking system from retail consultant Urban Science.

April 1, 2007

Dodge Sprinter Gets Around Tariff

DaimlerChrysler introduces a redesigned ’07 Sprinter, touting it as a vehicle that breaks the mold on current domestic van offerings.

By Steve Finlay • March 30, 2007

Ford to Close Leamington Foundry

Leamington workers will be offered early retirement, voluntary redundancy or redeployment to other Ford facilities.

By Ward's Staff • March 29, 2007

Ford Teams Up With Sony

Partnering with Sony will give Ford vehicles added cachet, the auto maker says, citing a Harris Interactive survey that ranks Sony as the top consumer brand in the U.S.

By Ward's Staff • March 29, 2007

Ford Treasurer Resigns, Successor Named

Neil Schloss, formerly assistant treasurer for Ford, will report to Don Leclair, executive vice president and CFO.

By Ward's Staff • March 29, 2007

GM Mulls Equipping Product Portfolio With V2V Technology

V2V has a sixth sense that allows drivers to react and take evasive action more quickly than today’s vehicles permit.

By Herb Shuldiner • March 28, 2007

STS Gets New Cadillac Look

Under the hood is the first application of GM’s new 3.6L direct-injected V-6. It delivers 298 hp and 268 lb.-ft. (371 Nm) of torque.

By Ward's Staff • March 28, 2007

Infiniti Enters X3, RDX Territory With New CUV

Nissan should be able to easily make its mark in the entry luxury CUV segment because it still is in its infancy, an analyst says.

By Christie Schweinsberg • March 28, 2007

Ford Begins Production of C-Max

The Saarlouis plant is currently operating at its maximum daily capacity of three shifts producing 1,920 units.

By Ward's Staff • March 27, 2007

Buick ‘Super’ Class Revived in ’08 LaCrosse, Lucerne

Not seen on a Buick for 50 years, the Super badge arrives as the brand readies the launch of its new Enclave and tries to create buzz ahead of next month’s New York Auto Show.

By Ward's Staff • March 27, 2007