Automakers: Page 364
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Former Spartanburg Plant Chief to Replace Panke
Norbert Reithofer is one of three new faces on BMW's management board.
By Ward's Staff • July 21, 2006 -
Mercedes to Build C-Class Sports Coupe in Brazil
C-Class production staves off closure of the Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, plant.
By Sol Biderman • July 20, 2006 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Kia Corporation
TrendlineArtificial 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 -
Audi RS4 Bears Down On BMW
With the new RS4 super-sedan, Audi can give BMW a run for its money.
By Bill Visnic • July 19, 2006 -
GM Holden Launches Production of New Commodore Range
Holden's new 6-speed automatic transmission for its upcoming V-8 models will be shared with GM's Cadillacs and Chevrolet Corvette.
By Alan Harman • July 19, 2006 -
Changan Ford Mazda Begins Volvo S40 Output in China
Production is a result of an agreement to produce the S40 via a technological transfer.
By Ward's Staff • July 18, 2006 -
Visibility Lacking But Way Forward Working, Ford’s Stevens Says
Engineering a turnaround “isn't like making instant pudding,” Ford’s chief operating officer-The Americas says.
By Jim Mateja • July 18, 2006 -
Magnificent Torque Propels BMW 330d
Only Europeans enjoy what may be the best diesel-engined vehicle on earth.
By Bill Visnic • July 17, 2006 -
Ford of Canada Inks Deal with Sirius Satellite
The agreement covers the majority of Ford brands sold in Canada, including Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Land Rover, Jaguar, Volvo and Aston Martin.
By Ward's Staff • July 14, 2006 -
Toyota Recalling Lexus RX, Highlander Models
The majority of the vehicles being recalled were sold in the U.S., including 130,000 Lexus RXs and 280,000 Toyota Highlanders.
By Ward's Staff From Wires • July 12, 2006 -
GM to Close Plant in Portugal, Consolidate in Spain
GM says Azambuja is a small facility with high overhead, contributing to increased costs of €500 ($638) per vehicle.
By Ward's Staff From Wires • July 12, 2006 -
Ford Develops AWD System In-House
Cost and capacity also were factors in Ford's decision to develop its own AWD system.
By Byron Pope • July 10, 2006 -
Freightliner Executive to Lead DaimlerChrysler Canada
Reid Bigland's appointment is the third leadership change at DaimlerChrysler Canada in eight months.
By Ward's Staff • July 7, 2006 -
GM, Kroger Team to Add E85 Sites in Ohio
Ohio will be home to five ethanol production plants expected to collectively produce up to 270 million gallons of ethanol each year.
By Ward's Staff • July 6, 2006 -
Chrysler in Groove With Sebring, Pacifica, Not 300
Chrysler will be judicious when choosing which vehicles will get the new hood design.
By Eric Mayne • July 6, 2006 -
Ford Out to ‘De-Risk’ Supplier Contracts
Although some Ford North American vehicle programs have not hit production targets, Andrew Hinkly says some programs elsewhere have over-performed.
By Tom Murphy • July 6, 2006 -
VWA Sees Upward Sales Trend After 2007
To offset an anticipated sales decline spurred by its diesel hiatus, VWA will push cars such as the Rabbit.
By Eric Mayne • July 6, 2006 -
Chrysler Financial Branches Out
CF is part of the $120 billion DaimlerChrysler Financial Services, the third-largest captive financial services company in the industry.
By Herb Shuldiner • July 5, 2006 -
Nissan NA Purchasing Becoming More Global
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.Nissan North America Inc.'s move from Gardena, CA, to Franklin, TN, represents a number of unique challenges for John Miller. True, the vice...
By Tom Murphy • July 1, 2006 -
Aligned Business Framework Agreements On Track
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.Ford Motor Co. is nearly complete with phase one of its plan to enlist suppliers into its “Aligned Business Framework” program, Andrew Hinkl...
By Byron Pope • July 1, 2006 -
Hyundai Boss OK’d Slush Fund
Contrary to earlier testimony, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo now says he takes full responsibility for raising an illegal slush fund in a new bail petition submitted by his lawyers to the Seoul central district court. Published reports say Chung admits in the petition that Hyundai executives did advise him of the need for a slush fund to make payments outside of the company. He says
July 1, 2006 -
Sore Dealer Sounds Off
A West Coast Buick-Pontiac-GMC dealer, with an interest in a foreign brand near his main showroom, agreed to a candid discussion with Ward's Dealer Business. His identity is withheld, except to note the dealership's roots in an affluent suburb date to 1960. WDB: How's business? Terrible. We once sold 60 new Pontiacs a month. Now we're lucky to sell 15. Our Buick line has been whittled down from four
By Mac Gordon • July 1, 2006 -
Dealers Wear White Hats
I'm concerned. That's the answer I gave a friend in the zone office when he asked how I was. I'm concerned that nobody is going long on domestic franchises. Investment bankers have already begun risk rating any dealership group too concentrated in domestics. So, if you're a Toyota dealer everything is fine, save maybe that nagging question as to whether your showroom will be big enough in 2008, the
By Peter Brandow • July 1, 2006 -
Oh Yeah, She Runs a Dealership, Too
WASHINGTON As fellow Californian dealer John Hawkins began listing the accomplishments of Cheri Fleming of Valencia Acura, there was little doubt whom this year's American International Automobile Dealers Assn. Dealer of the Year would be. Hawkins was at the microphone a long time. The long list of charities and community organizations Fleming is involved with prompted good-natured laughter from the
By Cliff Banks • July 1, 2006 -
Ford Electronics Parts Catalog Dispute Sparks Lawsuit
Ford Motor Co. and Lincoln Mercury dealerships using an electronic parts catalog provided by Dealer Computer Systems likely will need to find a new source for such data, because of a parting of the ways that's led to a lawsuit. For more than 10 years Ford has licensed its parts data to DCS, which then provided the information to dealers in a catalog called CPD. The contract ended in December. Sources
By Cliff Banks • July 1, 2006 -
Dealer Sues Benz Over $1.7-Million Lemon
It's unusual for a car to cost $1.7 million and more unusual for it not to travel more than 10 blocks without breaking down. Despite such odds, that's what allegedly happened to Los Angeles dealer Mark Johnston of Grand Prix Motors, an exotic-car store. He purchased a Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK-GTR Limited Edition Roadster, only five of which were reportedly built. The car is listed in the Guinness Book
July 1, 2006