GM Trucks Advance by Sum of Their Parts

With a game of inches in mind, GM leaves little to chance in its redesigned Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra.

By Scott Anderson • Nov. 20, 2006

Mazda to Debut Nagare Concept in L.A.

Van den Acker says the Nagare “examines light and shadow” and carries design cues that will be present on future Mazda models.

By Ward's Staff • Nov. 17, 2006

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

Cadillac Unveils Stretched SLS in China

The SLS will be produced at the Shanghai GM plant and sold in China beginning in the first quarter.

By Vince Courtenay • Nov. 17, 2006

GM Launches Truck Production at Indiana Plant

GM expects to produce 260,000 trucks annually at the Fort Wayne facility.

By Ward's Staff • Nov. 16, 2006

Kia to Launch New China Plant in 2007

The Rio will replace the TianLiMa and be produced at Dongfeng Yueda Kia Motors’ existing facility.

By Vince Courtenay • Nov. 15, 2006

BMW Expands Nurburgring Facility

The famed German race circuit has served as the auto maker’s vehicle proving grounds for nearly 40 years.

By Mike Sutton • Nov. 14, 2006

Service Technicians Vie for Prizes, Bragging Rights

It’s not a typical day in the bay when service technicians compete against themselves and the clock while an audience watches.

By Steve Finlay • Nov. 13, 2006

Cadillac Adding SLS in China

The new sedan and Escalade SUV are fresh entries for China.

By Ward's Staff • Nov. 10, 2006

New Volvo S80 Boasts Scandinavian Luxury

Volvo expects the ’07 S80 to sell about 25,000-30,000 units per year.

By Byron Pope • Nov. 10, 2006

Nissan Says Needs More Time to Break Into Minivan Segment

The auto maker says it will maintain a presence in the U.S. minivan market despite the Quest’s low sales volume.

By Christie Schweinsberg • Nov. 9, 2006

China’s Top-10 Best-Selling Auto Makers See Rankings Shift

Making an impressive leap this year, Chery pushed Beijing Hyundai aside for fourth place from seventh, with sales surging 59% to 212,500.

By Mack Chrysler • Nov. 8, 2006

Ford Australia to Cut Workforce 10%

The job losses were signaled in October when Ford cut output 20%, with sales hurt by rising fuel prices and competition.

By Alan Harman • Nov. 3, 2006

’07 Altima Still Best Non-Luxury Sport Sedan

Nissan’s all-new sedan, with a revamped 3.5L VQ V-6 – a 12-time Ward’s 10 Best Engines winner – is a good car made even better.

By Christie Schweinsberg • Nov. 3, 2006

Ford Cuts Benefits, Suspends Raises

Although salaried workers will not receive merit pay raises next year, Ford is reinstating matching contributions for 401(k) retirement plans.

By Ward's Staff From Wires • Nov. 2, 2006

Chrysler’s Unreported ‘Sales Bank’ Now About 22,000, Analysis Shows

Maintaining a stockpile of unsold vehicles is "not part of our business plan," the auto maker says.

By Eric Mayne • Nov. 2, 2006

Time Ripe for DC to Consider Third Partner

Schrempp may have read the handwriting on the wall correctly when he lobbied for a third leg to the DaimlerChrysler stool and a footprint in the hottest emerging markets of Asia.

By David E. Zoia • Nov. 1, 2006

Ford Edge Solid Entry, But Will That Be Enough?

Ford believes the Edge’s bold styling will tip the scales in its favor in a growing, but increasingly crowded, market sector.

By Byron Pope • Nov. 1, 2006

Selling Cars Made These Guys Billionaires

Six megadealer CEOs or former CEOs remain on the annual Forbes 400 list of the richest Americans. Leading the auto-dealer entries is James Moran, 88, Deerfield Beach, FL, co-owner and founder of the Southeast Toyota distributorship and owner of the No. 1 Lexus store, JM Lexus, in Margate, FL. He also owns the JM&A finance and insurance company. Moran's net worth is put at $2.4 billion. Runner-up is

Nov. 1, 2006

BMW Ramps Up X5

Production of the '07 X5 cross/utility vehicle at BMW Mfg. Co.'s plant in Spartanburg, SC, is ramping up slowly, but the auto maker expects to have its pipeline full by the time the CUV goes on sale this month.

Nov. 1, 2006

Inventory Glut

Reeling after an anticipated third-quarter loss of $1.5 billion and squirming under the hot spotlight of a new cost-cutting initiative, Chrysler Group admits its vehicle stocks were higher than reported.

Nov. 1, 2006

Beware of BDC Pitfalls

You stop by the dealership on your way home after attending the latest dealer 20-Group meeting, where a fellow dealer touted the great results his store was getting with a business development center. The presentation fired you up, and convinced you putting in such a call center will propel your store to untold riches. You yank your general manager into your office and give him his marching orders.

By Cliff Banks • Nov. 1, 2006

Shootout at OC Corral?

Is it a shootout at the OC Corral? In this city in California's Orange County, a new $75 million Lexus dealership now sits almost squarely across the street from Fletcher Jones Motorcars, the nation's top-selling Mercedes-Benz dealership. Some observers have characterized it as a battle of the luxury brands in an ultra-rich municipality, population 83,120, where the median household

By Steve Finlay • Nov. 1, 2006

Sporty Sibling

After a 5-year absence, American Honda Motor Co. Inc.'s Acura premium division has put the performance-enhanced '07 TL Type-S sedan back in the lineup. Granted, the Type-S lacks rear-wheel drive which can be said of all Acuras and its 286 hp does not lead its class. But the return of the performance variant of the front-wheel-drive TL no doubt will please Acura enthusiasts who are licking their wounds

By Christie Schweinsberg • Nov. 1, 2006

Group 1 Buys 1 Domestic, 14 Import Stores

Group 1 Automotive Inc. has expanded its presence in the Northeast by acquiring several import automobile dealerships. The Houston-based automotive retailer has acquired Marty Sussman Acura of Maple Shade, N.J., serving the Philadelphia market area; as well as Sussman Honda/Marty Sussman BMW and Sussman Acura of Atlantic City. The dealerships have been renamed Elite Acura, Boardwalk Honda/BMW of Atlantic

Nov. 1, 2006

Goes Forth in the North

Innovative marketing has kept Scott McNamara's three small-town northern Michigan dealerships on course during the trials that have beset Ford Motor Company this year.

By Mac Gordon • Nov. 1, 2006