Automakers: Page 380

Michelin Gains PAX Customers in N. America

DETROIT – Michelin Group says its PAX tire/wheel system is gaining traction in North America, where two new vehicles will offer the device later this year. PAX, which debuted in North America on the ’05 Honda Odyssey minivan, will launch on the two vehicles from non-Big Three auto makers this year, and it is in development for an additional two or three vehicles, says Erwin Wall, executive vice president-Michelin

By David E. Zoia • Jan. 9, 2005

Ford Aims to Top 900,000 F-Series Trucks

DETROIT – Ford Motor Co. plans to maintain its leadership in fullsize pickup sales in 2005, following a record year in F-Series sales in 2004. “We said we’d like to do at least 900,000 in the coming year,” Ford Div. President Steve Lyons says during a press conference here following the company’s North American International Auto Show press conference. The auto maker sold 939,511 units in 2004, topping

By John D. Stoll • Jan. 9, 2005

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

Chrysler, Ford Win Car, Truck Awards

DETROIT – In a signal that Detroit-based auto makers may be injecting more competitive energy into their latest models, domestically made models from the Chrysler Group and Ford Motor Co. respectively win the North American Car and Truck of the Year honors. Chrysler’s 300 Series sedan wins the 2005 North American Car of the Year award, adding the NACOTY crown to a string of industry accolades won

By Bill Visnic • Jan. 9, 2005

Ford Pulls Mercury Hybrid Ahead; Plans Additional Models

Ford Motor Co.’s Lincoln Mercury Div. will get its hybrid sooner than expected as part of the auto maker’s push toward having at least five hybrid nameplates on the road by 2008, Ward’s learns. The auto maker is pulling forward the launch of the planned hybrid version of the Mariner cross/utility vehicle to later this year, moving the vehicle up from the initial ’07 model-year debut, Mary Ann Wright,

By John D. Stoll • Jan. 9, 2005

Fusion Looks to Weather Summer Waiting Period

DETROIT – Ford Motor Co.’s North American International Auto Show headliner introduction of the Fusion sedan could be followed by a significant summer lull if the auto maker fails to play its cards right. “There’s a huge spike in awareness for a product when it’s shown at an auto show,” Marty Collins, Ford Div. general marketing managing, tells Ward’s. “And there is a huge spike in traffic on the

By John D. Stoll • Jan. 9, 2005

Higher Interest Rates Could Affect GMAC

DETRIOT – Rising interest rates will make it difficult for General Motors Acceptance Corp. to hit profit targets this year, General Motors Corp.’s top executive says here at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. GMAC has been vital to GM’s earnings during recent years, accounting for $2.8 billion of the auto maker’s $3.8 billion profit in 2003. GM will release its 2004 fourth quarter financial

By Brian Corbett • Jan. 9, 2005

Saturn Shoots for the Sky

DETROIT – It just might turn out to be this year’s showstopper. General Motors Corp. plans to take the wraps off its ’07 Saturn Sky roadster – a galactically styled sonic land speeder that obliterates the division’s humdrum design reputation – here Jan. 9 at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. While it is named after a less dramatic Saturn roadster concept from 2002, the Sky is inspired

By Brian Corbett • Jan. 7, 2005

Lutz Guarantees HHR’s Success

LOS ANGELES – Call it a Chrysler PT Cruiser clone, call it late to the party, just don’t call it a guaranteed flop. As media comparisons between General Motors Corp.’s new HHR and Chrysler Group’s successful PT Cruiser begin surfacing, top GM executives answer the criticism during the Greater L.A. Auto Show, where the HHR was unveiled. (See related story: Chevy Unveils HHR in LA) “I would only say

By John D. Stoll • Jan. 7, 2005

Mercedes Turbo Wagon Coming to U.S.

LOS ANGELES – Mercedes-Benz USA unveils a 469-hp station wagon here at the Greater L.A. Auto Show, intended for sale in the U.S. in low volumes. The importer, known for offering seemingly infinite performance versions of its vehicles – many under the AMG moniker – will add the E55 AMG Estate to the stable this year. The vehicle joins the $80,220 E55 sedan in Mercedes’ U.S. midsize car lineup. In addition

By John D. Stoll • Jan. 6, 2005

Drop-Top Joins Mustang Stable

LOS ANGELES – For many, a convertible is simply a car with a folding top. However, for the majority of people who own them, a convertible is the equivalent of motorized Elvis Presley – plenty of shake, rattle and roll to go along with the sex appeal. Ford Motor Co. looks to leave the Elvis principle behind with its latest drop top – the ’05 Mustang convertible, unveiled at the Greater L.A. Auto Show

By John D. Stoll • Jan. 6, 2005

Pontiac Torrent Appears in the Flesh at LA

After showing a sketch and providing scant official details at the California International Auto Show in Anaheim, CA, in October, General Motors Corp. takes the wraps off its ’06 Pontiac Torrent cross/utility vehicle at the 2005 Greater L.A. Auto Show. “The Torrent broadens Pontiac’s performance parameters by taking them in a whole new direction,” says Jim Bunnell, Pontiac-GMC general manager. “It

By Brian Corbett • Jan. 5, 2005

Dodge Magnum Gets More Power

Chrysler Group’s Dodge brand takes center stage at the Greater Los Angeles International Auto Show with the introduction of its performance-oriented ’06 Magnum SRT8. While sharing its overall shape with other members of the Magnum family, the SRT8 has some distinguishing features, including a unique front and rear fascia, larger exhaust tips, 20-in. wheels and tires and a body-colored spoiler. Designers

By Kevin Kelly • Jan. 5, 2005

HHR Concept Debuts at LA Show

Wasting no time suggesting it will become a favorite of aftermarket aficionados, the ’06 Chevrolet HHR crossover’s debut at the 2005 Greater L.A. Auto Show is joined by a souped-up concept version built by West Coast Customs. “We are lucky to work on all kinds of cool rides, and add the WCC touch in a variety of ways,” says Ryan Friedlinghaus, WCC owner. “The HHR is one of those vehicles that allows

By Brian Corbett • Jan. 5, 2005

Honda 3L SOHC V-6/IMA Hybrid

Back in the day, hybrid-electric vehicles were quirky research projects that seemed to have some powertrain engineers unduly distracted. The first prototype HEV drivelines were whiny, sniveling, evil things, bucking and wheezing and constantly laboring. Honda Motor Co. Ltd. smacks down that image forever with the all-new Accord Hybrid. Its 3L SOHC V-6 already was a 10 Best Engines winner on its own

By Bill Visnic • Jan. 4, 2005

Acura 3.5L DOHC V-6

A decade ago, a normally aspirated 6-cyl. engine developing 300 hp would have stopped the industry in its tracks. Suddenly, that genus is flourishing, and Honda Motor Co. Ltd.’s new Acura 3.5L DOHC V-6 is at the top of the food chain. For its all-new ’05 RL flagship, Acura threw out the longitudinal 90-degree 3.5L V-6 from the old 3.5RL and replaced it with this first-time 10 Best Engines winner,

By Bill Visnic • Jan. 4, 2005

Audi FSI 3.2L DOHC V-6

Audi AG’s direct gasoline injection (DGI) system is the first volume-oriented application of the fuel-saving, power-enhancing direct-injection technology to be used in North America. It may be the start of something big. We’re aware BMW, Rolls-Royce and even Isuzu already are in the U.S. market with DGI engines. None, really, are representative of the mainstream; only one, Isuzu’s DGI-wielding 3.5L

By Bill Visnic • Jan. 4, 2005

Ford 4.6L SOHC V-8

Engineers sometimes say developing a contemporary muscle-car engine is a challenge like no other. Everybody – most importantly, the buyer – expects it to be powerful. But how far should you go with refinement? Muscle-car “authenticity” is crucial – particularly for a V-8 powering the latest incarnation of a fabled Detroit ponycar – yet customers will not accept any ’60s-era unruliness today, even

By Bill Visnic • Jan. 4, 2005

General Motors Vortec 4.2L DOHC I-6

The industry’s population of inline 6-cyl. engines is dwindling, their chief environment – rear-wheel-drive platforms with yards of hood length to accommodate their typical north/south orientation – disappearing at a rate akin to that of tropical rain forests. The one application for which the I-6 layout – renowned for its smoothness and perfect internal balance – seems perfect: light trucks. Yet

By Bill Visnic • Jan. 4, 2005

Mazda 1.3L Renesis Rotary

Wanna know what Mazda’s 1.3L Renesis rotary is? It’s the powertrain sector’s intriguing little indie movie, bobbing about in a vast ocean made up of “Spiderman” and “Independence Day.” Just a couple of gearshifts at that glorious 9,000-rpm redline would make Henry Ford himself admit there’s plenty that’s special – necessary, if you will – in what Mazda Motor Corp. has done with its new-age rotary.

By Bill Visnic • Jan. 4, 2005

Sweet Smell of Success

Automobiles Citroen's introduction in France of a factory-installed air freshener in its new C4 is a story of risk-taking. Not only did the marque introduce a feature previously the domain of the aftermarket, it also took a chance with a tiny company of 24 people and 7.2 million ($9.7 million) in annual sales. It was scary for them to work with us, says Gregory Mager, the managing director of Parfum

By William Diem • Jan. 1, 2005

Whe-e-e-e-e-e-e-e!

Perhaps this should begin with a disclaimer written by a lawyer. It might go something like this: In the presentation that follows and in related comments by General Motors Corp. management, the use of words and are intended to identify forward-looking statements. While these statements represent GM's current outlook which the auto maker believes to be reasonable actual results may differ materially

By Brian Corbett • Jan. 1, 2005

Honda Eyes 80 Million Kids

The growth in U.S. automotive sales may have slowed in 2004, but there is no black crepe hanging in Honda showrooms. Short term, the U.S. market may be somewhat saturated, says American Honda Motor Co. Inc. Executive Vice President Tom Elliott. But not long term. Elliott, who's retiring this year after working for Honda since hiring on in 1970 as a young sales assistant, adds: Seventy-five to 80 million

By Mack Chrysler • Jan. 1, 2005

Nissan CEO To Get Auto Hall of Fame Award

The Automotive Hall of Fame's Industry Leader of the Year is Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., who's credited with the auto maker's turnaround. He'll be honored at a Jan. 30 awards luncheon in conjunction with the 2005 National Automobile Dealers Assn. convention in New Orleans. The well-documented turnaround of Nissan, led by Carlos Ghosn, has become one of the auto industry's

Jan. 1, 2005

Chrysler Considers Stretched 300

Chrysler Group says it is looking at providing de-contented versions of its popular Chrysler 300 sedan to coach-builders for conversion into long-wheelbase (LWB) models. Chrysler does not expect a final decision soon because retail demand for the car remains strong, a top executive says. Talk of a LWB 300 started when Accubilt Inc. and Quality Metalcraft Inc. approached Chrysler with a version of

Jan. 1, 2005

VW Dealers Were Roaring

Volkswagen and its luxury Audi brand, which saw sales slow in 2004, are poised to rebound in the U.S. this year and next, thanks to new products on tap, says retiring VW of America Inc. President and CEO Gerd Klauss. The sales (declines) were not just all our fault, he says. We couldn't get product from Germany; we had some quality issues; we had exchange rate issues. We will show growth, I am telling

Jan. 1, 2005