Automakers: Page

Dealers Want Good Taglines

Advertising taglines help connect customers to a car (such as BMW: The Ultimate Driving Machine) or a brand (Toyota: Oh, What a Feeling).

By Lillie Guyer • Aug. 1, 2007

Honda Builds Eco-Car at Thai Plant

Asian Honda Motor Co., Honda Motor Co. Ltd.'s Bangkok-based Asia-Oceania regional division, plans to spend 6.2 billion baht ($207 million), on its second manufacturing plant in Thailand, a move that will double its production capacity to 240,000 units annually.

By Alan Harman • Aug. 1, 2007

Explore the 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

Volkswagen Says Earnings Gains Running Ahead of Schedule

The German auto maker expects to earn E5.1 billion in 2007 but warns of soft demand this year in Europe and North America.

By Ward's Staff • July 27, 2007

Court Again Delays Decision on Hyundai CEO Prison Appeal

The judges want time to study last week’s bribery conviction of Chung Dae-kun, who figures prominently in the illegal Hyundai slush fund case for which Chung Mong-koo was found guilty.

By Vince Courtenay • July 27, 2007

BMW M3 Grows Up; Gets Complicated

BMW’s new 414-hp ’08 M3 coupe is a capable and thrilling sports car blanketed with a thick veil of electronic controls and luxury features.

By Mike Sutton • July 25, 2007

Ford Doesn’t See Strike As Possibility in UAW Negotiations

During an impassioned speech, Gettelfinger says the UAW not only is fighting for its members but for the American middle class.

By Byron Pope • July 24, 2007

GM Considering Sourcing Windshields from China

Editor's note: This story is part of the WardsAuto digital archive, which may include content that was first published in print, or in different web layouts. You would think there were at least some car parts that you can’t source from China, but today’s relentless pursuit of lower costs has put...

By Drew Winter • July 19, 2007

VW Shanghai Car Headed for North America

New model will be follow-up to Passat Lingyu, produced by the JV owned by VW and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp.

By Ward's Staff From Wires • July 18, 2007

Heizmann to Oversee Production of VW Brand

Management board member Jochem Heizmann will assume his new duties effective Oct. 1.

By Ward's Staff • July 10, 2007

Ford Struggles With Massive Upheaval in 2006

The most momentous event was the Sept. 5 appointment of Alan Mulally as company chairman and CEO, replacing Bill Ford.

By Byron Pope • July 9, 2007

U.S. Auto Market Hits Skids in 2006; GM, Ford, Chrysler Suffer

Economic difficulties and higher energy costs prompted a slowdown in the U.S. auto market in 2006.

By Al Binder • July 9, 2007

Boardroom Drama Overshadows VW’s Solid Sales, Financial Performance

The world’s fourth-largest auto maker exceeded analysts’ expectations with an after-tax profit of €75 billion, more than twice that in 2005.

By Eric Mayne • July 9, 2007

Visteon Expanding Presence in Asia/Pacific

The former Ford parts division sees the region as an area of growth for its products, as well as an opportunity to diversify its customer base.

By Byron Pope • July 9, 2007

Renault Samsung’s SM Series to Ditch Nissan Platform

The just-released SM5 New Impression model will be replaced by a new car built on the same platform as Renault’s Laguna III, a published report says.

By Vince Courtenay • July 5, 2007

Porsche Pulls Out Of NAIAS

Organizers of the North American International Auto Show are not pushing Porsche Cars North America Inc. to reconsider its pullout from the 2008 event in Detroit.

By Eric Mayne • July 1, 2007

Young Hero Receives Car at Dealership

Potamkin Chrysler Jeep in Miami hosted a special vehicle delivery event honoring Briana Castillo, a youngster who fought off a carjacker.

July 1, 2007

Union Organizing the Easy Way

Years ago, the first week I hired in as a member of the United Auto Workers union at Ford's Rouge Plant in Dearborn, MI, three big galoots crowded around me.

By John McElroy • July 1, 2007

GM, Ford in Warranty Dogfight

NOVI, MI General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. are in a dogfight.

By Emily Prawdzik Genoff • July 1, 2007

Stingy on Style

Folks wandering into Toyota Motor Sales Inc. showrooms this summer may mistake the all-new '08 Highlander for a big body-on-frame SUV, given the girth the cross/utility vehicle has added in its second iteration, as well as its boxy styling cues.

By Christie Schweinsberg • July 1, 2007

WANTED: MORE WOMEN WORKERS

At an automotive conference on women working at dealerships, it was an evening of stories — some inspiring the attendees, some illustrating the importance of persistence, some highlighting changing times.Mary Lou Rocco recalls that 20 years ago, when she began working at Volvoville USA in Massapequa, NY, women didn't work in the service department. Now she is the service manager.

By Steve Finlay • July 1, 2007

Porsche Withdraws VW Bid

Under German law, once a shareholder acquires 30% of a company’s stock it is required to make an offer to acquire total control.

By Ward's Staff From Wires • June 28, 2007

Volkswagen’s Affordable Exotic

Wherever you fall in its cross-generational buyer demographic, VW’s R32 is immensely satisfying to drive, despite its humble roots.

By Drew Winter • June 27, 2007

Hino to Build Trucks in West Virginia

Hino will invest $8.6 million to upgrade and tool up a former Walker Systems facility for the production of 2,500 trucks annually beginning in November.

By Ward's Staff • June 26, 2007

GM Considers Asian Windshield Sourcing

In Europe, GM is experimenting with a 7-day fixed vehicle production schedule, meaning automotive seats could be transported long distances rather than assembled nearby.

By Tom Murphy • June 26, 2007

Elena Ford Takes Position at Ford Credit

Elena Ford, cousin of Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford, currently serves as director-North American product marketing, planning and strategy.

By Ward's Staff • June 22, 2007