Automakers: Page
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Honda Says NA Tool Industry Viable
Honda of America launched an initiative in 2002 designed to help the North American tooling industry thrive by collaborating with suppliers and tooling companies.
By David C. Smith • Aug. 7, 2006 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Learned Cost-Cutting Tool and Die Tricks From Mazda
By implementing Mazda, Volvo and Ford of Europe processes, Ford's North American operations were able to cut 45% off die-development lead time.
By Byron Pope • Aug. 7, 2006 -
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
Chrysler Aspen Rolls Off Assembly Line
Aspen is the first-ever Chrysler-badged SUV.
By Ward's Staff • Aug. 4, 2006 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Infiniti’s Studio on Wheels Bows
The sound system reproduces music in a way that virtually puts the listener in the studio with the band.
By Herb Shuldiner • Aug. 3, 2006 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford’s Crazy Marathon: Two Steps Forward, One Back
Faster footsteps are necessary to address circumstances the auto maker says are beyond its control.
By Alisa Priddle • Aug. 2, 2006 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
What’s in a Name? VW Dealers Want to Know
T-I-G-U-A-N. Word from Volkswagen AG headquarters in Germany, says that's the name of the so-called Baby Touareg a smaller, Golf-based version of the auto maker's cross/utility vehicle scheduled for production in 2008. What do U.S. dealers think of the designation? They are, uh, speechless. T-I-G? U-A-N? says Long Nguyen, sales manager of Volkswagen Pasadena, in Pasadena, CA. It sounds like Pronounced
By Eric Mayne • Aug. 1, 2006 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
A Woman’s Place Is Park Place
Scoot over, Jack. At Park Place Lexus in an affluent northern suburb of Dallas, you're just as likely to find Jill in the driver's seat and on the showroom floor. In an industry where men have traditionally dominated, the Plano, TX, dealership encourages women to excel in the automotive field. People don't think of women in prominent positions in the automobile industry, says Sherry Miller, vice president
Aug. 1, 2006 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Solid, But Lacking
It's likely a coincidence. Just as Honda Motor Co. Ltd.'s Acura luxury brand prepares to launch its RDX small cross/utility vehicle with a 2.3L turbocharged 4-cyl. and all-wheel drive, Mazda Motor Corp. rolls out its all-new CUV with the same attributes. While Acura officials insist the real competition for the '07 RDX is BMW AG's 6-cyl. X3, the timing couldn't be worse, with the Mazda CX-7 already
By Christie Schweinsberg • Aug. 1, 2006 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Create Your Own Brand
Branding is an auto industry buzzword long detested, rightfully so at times. Dealers have had a hard time determining its use in the retail environment. But those who understand branding's marketing relevance embrace it. Take Palm Springs (CA) Motors, a Ford, Lincoln-Mercury dealership. From a branding perspective, this store was full of potential nightmares. First, its name excluded any product identity,
By Cheril Hendry • Aug. 1, 2006 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Kindness Pays In Service Lanes
Service advisor Sandi Nguyen of Courtesy Toyota in Tampa, FL, spots a white-haired woman stepping out of her blue Camry and planting her four-pronged cane on the service-lane floor. Clipboard in hand, Nguyen escorts the oldster to an air-conditioned service lounge, offers her a seat and asks her what needs to be done for her vehicle. Oil change? Why not review the printed service menu, suggests Nguyen
By Maureen McDonald • Aug. 1, 2006 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
An Exciting New Chapter
As Cerberus Capital Management moves to acquire a 51% stake in the General Motors Acceptance Corp., GM's financing arm is pursuing business expansion strategies appealing to both GM and non-GM dealers. For GM dealers, concerned whether the financing subsidiary will remain as committed to GM products as it has been since its founding in 1919, GMAC will remain the exclusive provider of GM's subvented
By Mac Gordon • Aug. 1, 2006 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Consolidation Copout
The best way to sell cars and trucks is through a dealer with just one brand in the showroom. No others. Exclusive. One hundred years of history prove it. When new makes such as Hyundai and Kia debut in a market, they often start out with other brands at a retail outlet, but as soon as they can, they try to line up exclusive dealers. Two Detroit companies are ignoring all this history: General Motors
By Jerry Flint • Aug. 1, 2006 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mega Alliance
Asked at the New York auto show in April what advice he has for struggling General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co., Renault SA-Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. CEO Carlos Ghosn fires off a quick response. he says. Sent on a rescue mission from Renault to Nissan in 1999, Ghosn says he didn't follow any outside advice himself, mainly because it came from people lacking intimate knowledge of Nissan's staggering
By Scott Anderson • Aug. 1, 2006 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford to Withdraw from NYSE Arca
Ford will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange and other exchanges outside the U.S.
By Ward's Staff • July 28, 2006 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Toyota, Suppliers Struggle to Fill San Antonio Jobs
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. With just four months to go before production starts, sources say the pace for filling jobs at Toyota’s newest plant site has been slower ...
By Drew Winter • July 27, 2006 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GKN Expanding Driveline Technologies
New offerings include power transfer units for the ’07 Jeep Compass and Patriot and locking differentials for the ’07 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.
By Mike Sutton • July 26, 2006 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mercedes Adopts Dual Strategy for E-Class
Despite content additions, the E-Class starting sticker is unchanged for ’07.
By Eric Mayne • July 25, 2006 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Nissan to Open Thailand Parts Center for Exports
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 Motor Co. Ltd. will open an export center for parts in Thailand next January that eventually will supply components for the auto make...
By Alan Harman • July 24, 2006 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
What’s in a Name? VW Dealers Want to Know
VW introduces another tongue twister: the Tiguan.
By Eric Mayne • July 21, 2006 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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
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