Automakers: Page
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Goodbye Toyota, Hello Chrysler
The departure of Toyota Motor North America President Jim Press from the No.1 Japanese auto maker may come as a shock, but won't slow the company's growth, analysts tell Ward's. Toyota's No.1 American executive likely wanted to get back to his roots by being involved in the sales and marketing side of the business, dealers and analysts say. Press, who joined Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. in 1970,
By Christie Schweinsberg • Oct. 1, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Suzuki Is Getting Emotional
TRAVERSE CITY, MI American Suzuki Motor Corp. planners looked upon the rolling landscape of the compact-sedan segment and detected a vacant spot in the middle. In the high-rent hills, they saw relatively pricey performance cars such as the Volkswagen Jetta and Mazda3. On low ground, they saw more affordable, but basic commuter cars such as the Kia Spectra and Toyota Corolla. What was missing was an
By Steve Finlay • Oct. 1, 2007 -
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
Barely Legal And Unapologetic
By taking the ’08 Dodge Viper SRT10 up to 600 hp, the folks at Chrysler LLC haven’t just swiped the power crown in American sports cars from the venerable Chevrolet Corvette, they’ve stomped on it, given it a swift kick to the curb and finished with a chin flick to their Detroit rivals.
By James M. Amend • Oct. 1, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
North Carolina Is First State to Topple Chrysler Auction Ban
The North Carolina Automotive Dealers Assn. has added another controversial auto maker policy to the list of no-no's in the state's franchise law. Priding itself on being the association most protective of its members against factory restrictions, the Raleigh-based NCADA has won from the state legislature the nation's first ban on any policy preventing attendance at factory-only auctions by dealers
By Mac Gordon • Oct. 1, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Small-Town Dealer Speaks Out
At age 80, Duane Schultz still goes to work every day at his Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep store across the street from a row of homes in this small southeastern Michigan town of Milan, population 4,500. The dealership with a 2-vehicle showroom has served the area for 60 years. Schultz' father, Leland Schultz, opened Schultz Motors of Milan right after World War II. Included today among its 13 employees are
By Mac Gordon • Oct. 1, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hired Guns
Fireworks are going off at Chrysler these days, and while it’s not July 4, it is about independence.
By Ward's Staff • Oct. 1, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM’s New N. American Design Chief
Chevrolet’s redesigned ’08 Malibu will get a big sendoff this fall as General Motors Corp. tries to convince buyers it is a worthy alternative to Toyota Motor Corp.’s Camry and Honda Motor Co. Ltd.’s Accord.
By David C. Smith • Oct. 1, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Malibu Heart of GM’s Lineup?
General Motors Corp. is gambling the Chevrolet Malibu, a car it has redesigned practically from the ground up to challenge perennial midsize segment leaders Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, will become the key vehicle in its 2008 lineup. GM dealers, however, have heard this story before. Four years ago, the auto maker promised a similar feat from the '04 Malibu and the disappointing Malibu Maxx 5-door,
By James M. Amend • Oct. 1, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
New Chrysler Scores a Coup
Dealers, who sometimes complain auto executives don't listen to them, had something to do with Chrysler's huge coup of hiring industry titan Jim Press away from Toyota.
By Steve Finlay • Oct. 1, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Conti, Microsoft Target Telematics
Continental AG, a partner with Ford Motor Co. and Microsoft Corp. for the collaborative development of an in-vehicle multimedia system dubbed Sync, says it plans to offer similar systems to other auto makers as industry interest in in-vehicle telematics heats up.
By Byron Pope • Oct. 1, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
UAW Local Leaders Approve Landmark GM Contract
The deal includes a new health-care trust for retirees that GM will fund with an up-front contribution of $29.9 billion.
By James M. Amend • Sept. 28, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chrysler’s Press to Empower Employees, Dealers
Press says the foresight of Chrysler owner Cerberus Capital Management gives the auto maker a great advantage.
By Byron Pope • Sept. 28, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Fearing the Ax, Instead He Had Lunch With Ford CEO
A veteran Ford manager writes a candid book about what’s wrong with the auto maker.
By Steve Finlay • Sept. 28, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Celebrates F-Series Anniversary With Special-Edition Trucks
The 60th anniversary F-150 and Super Duty will boast a 2-tone paint scheme of dark shadow gray over ebony, or a reverse color scheme.
By Ward's Staff • Sept. 27, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Cadillac Ready for Right-Hand Drive CTS Production
Among markets slated to get right-hand-drive CTS sedans are Australia and South Africa, both set to offer the car for the first time.
By Herb Shuldiner • Sept. 26, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
UAW Strikes GM Nationwide for First Time in 30 Years
The UAW blames the strike on GM, claiming the auto maker is not adequately addressing the issue of job security.
By James M. Amend and Eric Mayne • Sept. 24, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Rolls Out Fresh Incentive Program Across Lineup
Called “Time to Buy,” the new program comes despite GM efforts to distance itself from incentives.
By Ward's Staff • Sept. 21, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Shakes Up Executive Ranks
Francisco Codina, group vice president, North American marketing, sales and service, will retire after 30 years of service.
By Ward's Staff • Sept. 20, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
New Toyota Corolla, Matrix to Debut at SEMA
November’s Los Angeles auto show will see the debut of the ’08 Sequoia fullsize SUV.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Sept. 19, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Strike Shuts Down VW S. Africa Plant
Workers reportedly are demanding a 9% pay hike, while employers are offering 8.5%.
By Ward's Staff From Wires • Sept. 19, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Indian JVs Push Nissan’s Global LCV Strategy
Nissan has the credentials to plug the gaps in Ashok Leyland’s market standing, as well as an opportunity to participate in India’s light commercial vehicle market.
By Sudhakar Shah • Sept. 18, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
EC Investigates Aid to Volvo’s Gent Plant
The EC is investigating whether the grant encourages Volvo to undertake additional training activities in support of a new medium-size vehicle platform to build Ford, Jaguar and Volvo cars.
By Alan Osborn • Sept. 17, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hyundai, Kia Address Sales Decline in China
Year-to-date, Hyundai’s sales are off 18.2% at 128,587 units, while Kia’s deliveries are down 17.6% to 64,937.
By Vince Courtenay • Sept. 13, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Awaits Public Reaction to Verve Concept
The Verve will be joined by two other B-car concepts that will be unveiled later this year, including one in Asia and one in the U.S.
By Byron Pope • Sept. 12, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Winterkorn Outlines VW Plan for 12 New Vehicles
The U.S. market is Volkswagen Group’s “top strategic priority” going forward.
By Eric Mayne • Sept. 12, 2007
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