More Chrysler Group Dealers Plan to Use e-Contracts

Moving to eliminate errors in processing point-of-sale buyer contracts and improving customer satisfaction, Chrysler Financial plans to expand its paperless electronic system called at its dealerships. Chrysler Financial is a business unit of DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Americas (DCFSA), with assets totaling nearly $64 billion and serving 3,868 dealerships. Kelly L. Mankin, vice president-Chrysler

By David C. Smith • Sept. 1, 2006

Ford Ready to Spring Jaguar Free?

Former Ford Motor Co. CEO Jacques Nasser is said to be interested in investing in the auto maker's Land Rover and Jaguar premium brands. Citing four people familiar with the discussions, a Bloomberg News report says Ford is in talks with JP Morgan Chase and Co.'s One Equity Partners LLC, where Nasser serves as the senior partner for mergers and acquisition. A deal with Nasser could result in a joint

Sept. 1, 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

Florida Dealer Claims Used-Car World Record

Ft. Myers (FL) Toyota is claiming a world record by selling 719 used vehicles in one month. It was a historic event for our town, our business and especially our people, John Marazzi, general manager, says of the July event. We're all still amazed we were able to pull it off. The record-setting event was filmed for a potential reality TV show. These guys and gals are the real King of Cars The footage

Sept. 1, 2006

Thumbs Down on Jeep Gladiator

Chrysler Group's Jeep brand will not be returning to the compact pickup arena anytime soon, the auto maker's chief operating officer says. Chrysler executives had been contemplating a production version of the Jeep Gladiator concept that debuted at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It wasn't profitable, COO Eric Ridenour tells Ward's. The decision belies an unprecedented

Sept. 1, 2006

4th Quarter Nosedive

North America production is set to take a nosedive in the fourth quarter, as demand in the U.S. stagnates and inventory at some of the bigger manufacturers overflows during the third quarter. Longer term, the outlook calls for production to pick up only slightly in 2007. The revised Ward's 2006 forecast includes more pessimistic predictions for General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. and moderate

By Haig Stoddard • Sept. 1, 2006

Breakfast in Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, CA When Harold Meek holds the official grand opening of his new Chevrolet dealership here Sept. 28, he will score a coup: The new-generation, 2007 Chevrolet Silverado will be on display for all to see. The appearance of the new Silverado, not scheduled to go on sale until later in the fall, even upstages by a day the official public showing of the new Silverado slated for the Texas State

By Ann Job • Sept. 1, 2006

Two GM Brands Need to Shrink to Grow

General Motors Corp. is ratcheting down the number of models offered by its Buick and Pontiac brands as it combines the bulk of those retail outlets with GMC and looks to cut the market overlap between the three marques. But longer term, Pontiac and Buick once again could get broader lineups, the auto maker's top sales executive says. In a presentation to securities analysts, Mark LaNeve, GM North

By David E. Zoia • Sept. 1, 2006

AWD Goes In-House

The '07 S-Class arrives in showrooms this fall, and it will be the first passenger car to feature a 4Matic-brand all-wheel-drive system conceived and built by Mercedes-Benz. The move signals a long-term trend whereby Mercedes will produce all its own AWD systems. Dubbed internally as Mercedes-Benz 4Matic, the system will migrate to the E-Class and C-Class lineups, says Bart Herring, Merced-Benz USA

By Eric Mayne • Sept. 1, 2006

Toyota’s 27% Market Share Leads California

If California's freeways look like they are jammed with Toyotas, it's not an illusion. The Japanese brand dominates the state market with 27% of sales, according to a report by the California Motor Car Dealers Assn., representing 1,350 dealers. Meanwhile, the report adds that the state's new-vehicle registrations declined 5.5% during the first half of this year versus a year earlier. The report predicts

Sept. 1, 2006

New Acura MDX Bigger, Badder, Better

The second-generation of Acura's midsize cross/utility vehicle may be the near-luxury brand's "bling-iest" vehicle ever.

By Christie Schweinsberg • Sept. 1, 2006

Ford, GM Launch Joint 6-Speed Automatic

GM and Ford vehicles with a new, jointly developed 6-speed automatic transmission will be on the road this fall.

By Herb Shuldiner • Aug. 31, 2006

Chrysler Prices Sebring, Aspen

Despite the pressure for volatile gas prices, Chrysler COO Eric Ridenour is "bullish" on large SUVs.

By Eric Mayne • Aug. 30, 2006

Camera System Gives Jeep Commanding View for ’07

Advocates are lobbying for driver-assist features in the wake of nearly 100 child fatalities.

By Eric Mayne • Aug. 30, 2006

Mazda Offers Upgraded RX-8 in Japan

The 6-speed automatic RX-8 also gets a new Active Adaptive Shift control designed to improve ride quality.

By Ward's Staff • Aug. 23, 2006

’07 Dodge Nitro Starts Under $20,000

Chrysler is confident the new Nitro will not steal sales from the Jeep Liberty, its platform-mate.

By Eric Mayne • Aug. 23, 2006

Jeep Makes Case for Improved Cost, Quality

The redesigned Wrangler boasts a 50% boost in torsional stiffness and 100% improvement in bending.

By Eric Mayne • Aug. 22, 2006

Thumbs Down on Jeep Gladiator Production

Chrysler vetoes production of the Jeep Gladiator pickup because the profit forecast was unfavorable.

By Eric Mayne • Aug. 18, 2006

Miata Retractable Hardtop to Base at $24,350

Mazda says the hardtop requires only 12 seconds to open or close and will provide the same trunk capacity as the MX-5 soft top.

By Ward's Staff • Aug. 17, 2006

Pontiac, Buick Brands to Shrink to Grow

GM's LaNeve says 65% of Pontiac-Buick-GMC sales are going through dealerships that have all three brands, with 80% the target for the end of 2007.

By David E. Zoia • Aug. 17, 2006

GM Slashes XM Satellite Radio Price 39%

GM says it will offer the factory-installed option for $199, instead of the current $325 charge, on most '07 model vehicles.

By Scott Anderson • Aug. 16, 2006

Ford to Consolidate Dealer Network

The thinning of its dealer ranks will be accomplished primarily through consolidation, a Ford spokesman says.

By Byron Pope • Aug. 16, 2006

Chrysler Sells 10,000 PT Cruiser Variants

Since 2000, the auto maker has sold an average 1,600 PT Cruiser variants a year. As an aside, Chrysler will give away nine vehicles Sept. 4.

By Tom Murphy • Aug. 16, 2006

Ford Exec Complains Media Needs New Attitude

Mark Fields says Asians view their domestic auto industry as "strategically important," and they "root them on to success."

By Barbara McClellan • Aug. 16, 2006

Convis: GM-Renault Impact on NUMMI Unlikely; Toyota Learning From Subaru

Toyota is intrigued by some of the automation at the Subaru Indiana assembly plant, the U.S. executive says.

By Christie Schweinsberg • Aug. 16, 2006

Lexus to Offer SC Pebble Beach Edition

The special edition SC pairs an exclusive exterior color, Starfire Pearl, with a Pimento Red leather interior and black birds-eye maple trim.

By Ward's Staff • Aug. 15, 2006