Automakers: Page

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    Chrysler Handcuffed by UAW Dissidents’ Product Demands

    Creation of a 2-tier wage structure redefines the plant worker’s role in the system, one expert says.

    By Eric Mayne • Oct. 24, 2007
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    Robert Lund, Top GM Exec Turned Dealer, Dies at 87

    As a corporate leader and an innovative dealer, GM blood always ran through his veins.

    By Mac Gordon • Oct. 23, 2007
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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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    XM Radio, Cadillac Enlist Generational Icon Bob Dylan

    The advertising campaign kicks off with a 30-second television spot called “Detour” that features Dylan driving an Escalade through a desert landscape.

    By Ward's Staff • Oct. 22, 2007
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    Former Ford Vice Chairman Wayne Booker Dies

    Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. credits Wayne Booker with expanding the auto maker’s presence in growing markets.

    By Ward's Staff • Oct. 19, 2007
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    Lexus SUV; Subaru EV, Daihatsu Off-Roader Join Tokyo Lineup

    Daihatsu’s offerings include the Mud Master-C , characterized as a compact, lightweight transporter that provides special off-road agility.

    By Roger Schreffler • Oct. 17, 2007
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    Toyota Stumbles in Consumer Reports’ Reliability Rankings

    Transmission issues are plaguing the Camry V-6, while there are reliability issues with the 4WD Tundra, magazine says.

    By David E. Zoia • Oct. 16, 2007
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    GM’s 2-Tier Wage May Trump VEBA as Game Changer

    The auto maker expects the new 2-tier wage structure to begin paying the greatest dividends after 2011, when 75% of its workforce becomes eligible for retirement.

    By James M. Amend • Oct. 16, 2007
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    Dissent Among UAW Over Chrysler Deal

    Ratification of the tentative agreement is expected, but a rift suggests the deal’s dramatic changes are unsettling.

    By Eric Mayne • Oct. 15, 2007
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    Ford Snags Toyota Exec; Beattie Exits Land Rover

    The move represents a coup for Ford CEO Alan Mulally and another blow from Toyota, which recently saw two top executives defect to Chrysler.

    By Byron Pope • Oct. 11, 2007
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    Infiniti Lane Departure Prevention to Debut on New M, EX

    The new collision-avoidance technology takes Nissan’s lane departure warning system to the next steop.

    By • Oct. 10, 2007
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    Chrysler Shutdowns Not Meant to Blunt Impact of UAW Strike, Experts Say

    Chrysler is facing a strike deadline of 11 a.m., Oct. 10.

    By Eric Mayne and Byron Pope • Oct. 9, 2007
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    Large Inventories of Sonata Result in Downtime at Hyundai’s Alabama Plant

    A HMMA spokesman says production at the plant was down today, and is set to be down Oct. 12 and 19, as well.

    By Ward's Staff • Oct. 5, 2007
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    GM Poised for Record Year in Used-Car Sales

    GM’s U.S. retailers are not required to participate in the auto maker’s certified used-vehicle program, but more than half of the 7,000 U.S. dealers do.

    By Herb Shuldiner • Oct. 5, 2007
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    Ford Oz to Showcase Falcon XR Sedans, Ute at Sydney

    Ford says the limited-edition “XR by Craig Lowndes” Falcon Ute offers almost A$6,000 in additional equipment for A$1,000 above the recommended retail price of the standard XR Ute.

    By Alan Harman • Oct. 5, 2007
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    Benz Gets Second Billing in Daimler Name Change

    The Benz name will be used to designate divisions within Daimler AG.

    By Eric Mayne • Oct. 5, 2007
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    GM Wentzville Plant’s Future ‘Business-Case Dependent’ Past 2012

    GM says the next-generation large van will go to its Wentzville, MO, plant if there is enough demand and a strong enough business case.

    By Byron Pope • Oct. 5, 2007
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    Ford ‘Whiz Kid’ Lundy Dies

    Lundy retired in 1979, but stayed on as a member of the board of directors until 1985.

    By Ward's Staff • Oct. 4, 2007
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    Citroen Opens Brand Showroom on Champs Elysees

    Citroen’s 6-story tower resembles a geodesic dome made of glass, except the glass windows aren’t so regular and many of them look like the dual chevrons of the Citroen logo.

    By William Diem • Oct. 4, 2007
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    Mazda CX-9 Attracting Luxury Buyers

    The upgraded engine will be made in Hiroshima, Japan, rather than Ford’s Lima, OH, engine plant where the previous mill was produced.

    By Byron Pope • Oct. 3, 2007
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    Mazda Taiki Set for Tokyo

    Mazda’s fourth “flow”-oriented concept car is powered by a new version of the auto maker’s Renesis rotary engine.

    By • Oct. 2, 2007
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    Nissan, Jatco Team Up On Automatic Transmission

    Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. and its subsidiary, Japanese transmission supplier Jatco Inc., are developing an advanced automatic transmission, a company source tells Ward’s.

    By • Oct. 1, 2007
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    Nardelli Told to Avoid Fighting With Dealers

    Chrysler LLC dealers are awaiting minor franchise changes in connection with the sale of the auto maker to the Cerberus Capital Management Group. So says Dan Feeny, owner of a Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep dealership in the Chicago suburb of Elgin, IL. Most state franchise laws prohibit use of auto maker ownership changes as a pretext for altering terms in the franchise agreement that could be inimical to dealer

    By Mac Gordon • Oct. 1, 2007
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    Megadealer Bill Heard and Georgia Feud Over Ad Mailer

    Chevrolet megadealer Bill Heard Enterprises is sparring with the Georgia state government over charges of deceptive advertising that was allegedly intended to scare consumers into bringing in their vehicles for service work. The state's Office of Consumer Affairs has filed a civil suit seeking $50 million in damages against the four Bill Heard dealerships in Georgia, including its flagship store in

    By Mac Gordon • Oct. 1, 2007
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    GM Gets VEBA, Modified Jobs Bank

    Production resumes at General Motors Corp.’s 80 strikebound U.S. plants after the United Auto Workers union “recessed” its 2-day walkout by some 73,000 workers following the close of contract talks. GM lost about 12,300 units of scheduled production per day during the shutdowns, Ward’s data shows.

    By Eric Mayne and James M. Amend • Oct. 1, 2007
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    New Way to Turn In Leases

    Chrysler Financial has redesigned its lease turn-in process.The firm says enhancements will simplify the vehicle turn-in inspection process, providing the customer a smooth transition into their next vehicle.

    Oct. 1, 2007