Automakers: Page 381

Horticulture and Hemis

Dealer A. William Golling III resists the temptation of daily walking about the building site of his impending Golling Chrysler Jeep Dodge superstore to see how work is progressing. I drive by it every day, he says. But I only stop in about once a week. I don't want to get in the way. Golling succumbed to temptation by giving a visitor a tour of the project site, pointing out what will go where and

By Steve Finlay • 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

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 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

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

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

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

Volvo Trumps Ferrari at L.A. Show

The car company best known for keeping drivers safe will push the performance envelop to the limit with a supercar-like cross/utility vehicle slated to bow as a concept at next week’s Greater L.A. Auto Show. Volvo Car Corp. will unleash a supercharged version of its V-8-powered XC90, which a spokesman says is capable of 600 hp. The XC90 is dressed in a specialized body kit that is painted yellow and

By John D. Stoll • Dec. 29, 2004

Hyundai NTT or “Entity” Concept Drawing Unveiled

Hyundai Motor America releases a sketch of its NTT or “Entity” concept, which is part of the Design Los Angeles creative competition, to be held in conjunction with next month’s Los Angeles auto show Jan. 6. Hyundai says the drawing shows a vehicle that is “part surfboard, skateboard and boombox, and embodies the ultimate street cruiser.” Hyundai NTT concept A built-in surfboard in the vehicle’s roofline

By Ward's Staff • Dec. 22, 2004

Acura to Show RD-X Concept at Detroit Show

American Honda Motor Co. Inc.’s Acura luxury division will show the RD-X concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month. The RD-X is the concept version of Acura’s entry-level small cross/utility vehicle, set to launch in 2006 in the U.S. and be slotted beneath the current MDX CUV. Acura says the vehicle is aimed at “active urban professionals” and combines sports car

By Ward's Staff • Dec. 17, 2004

Mercedes Debuts ’06 M-Class

Mercedes-Benz USA releases the first official photos of its much-anticipated all-new ’06 M-Class SUV. The auto maker will debut the vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month, with sales starting in spring 2005. Since hitting the market seven years ago, the M-Class has been one of Mercedes’ most important models. While sales of the SUV are down 12% through the first

By Kevin Kelly • Dec. 8, 2004

Working Those Residuals Pays Off for Volvo

Two years ago, Volvo Cars finished dead last in a ranking of premium car brands' residual values. Today, the Volvo XC90 crossover/utility is tied for first with the Mini Cooper as a vehicle that's expected to retain the highest percentage (52%) of their new-car prices by 2010. It's not a coincidence that Volvo residuals went from the bottom of one list to the top of another. Before the XC90 hit the

By Steve Finlay • Dec. 1, 2004

From Orlando to Orient

Frank Rodriguez is a pioneer as an American new-car dealer who now owns a Ford dealership in China. Although analysts predict the world's most populous country with 1.3 billion people is on the verge of becoming the largest automotive market, opening a dealership in a country where capitalism still is in its infancy is a gamble. Rodriguez, president of Greenway Ford and Greenway Dodge Chrysler Jeep

By Cliff Banks • Dec. 1, 2004

No Stowable 2nd Row For Odyssey

Although it revolutionized stowable seating in minivans with the third row in the first-generation Odyssey in 1995, and improved it with the 1998 redesign, Honda Motor Co. Ltd. says it saw no need to follow the lead of Chrysler Group's Stow 'n Go minivan seating for the new-generation Odyssey. The Odyssey, which set a benchmark with its Magic Seat, does not have the same second-row stowable seating

Dec. 1, 2004

Coming on Strong

We've got car nuts in China just like in the States 50 years ago really superb product guys who are so focused on product excellence they could easily have a future outside China. Bob Lutz, General Motors Corp. vice chairman and product development chief. Bob Lutz may have had James Shyr, director of design at the GM China Group, in mind when he made that observation. Asked what he thinks of the Cadillac

By David C. Smith • Dec. 1, 2004

Old Ford Blue Oval Isn’t What It Used to Be

In renewing its Ford dealer Blue Oval awards program, Ford will avoid the two-tier issue that riled many dealers in 2000 when the certification initiative got under way. The new program, effective next April, will reward all Ford dealers certified or uncertified with sales volume-related bonuses. The existing program pays only certified dealers about $330 per vehicle, or 1% of base sticker price per

Dec. 1, 2004

Viagra or Starbucks?

The '05 Buick LaCrosse races down a quiet road in Petoskey, MI, known as the Tunnel of Trees. A scenic route with tight turns, the sedan slithers past slower traffic and hugs the road. Leaves, blazing with color, tumble down as the LaCrosse speeds past. This will show my age, but I've never driven a Buick like this. It's downright fun, which is surprising considering the car's platform is old enough

By Brian Corbett • Dec. 1, 2004

Focus Droptop

The Ford Focus small-car lineup will get a coupe with a retractable hardtop in about two years in certain markets. Ford Motor Co. will partner with Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina SpA to build a car similar to the Ford Focus Vignale concept shown in September at the Paris auto show. Ford says the decision to make a convertible Focus was based on public reaction following the one-off's Parisian debut.

Dec. 1, 2004

Chrysler Firepower

Chrysler Group takes aim at some of America's most treasured sports coupes with the Firepower, one of two promising concept vehicles that will debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month. Derived from the Dodge Viper platform, the Firepower (a working name that could be replaced) steals cues from the radical ME Four-Twelve concept car and Crossfire coupe/roadster. Chrysler

Dec. 1, 2004

Lucky Golfer, Lucky Dealer

Sun State Ford in Orlando, FL, is a beneficiary of pro golfer Craig Parry getting a new Ford GT for a Ford Championship win at Doral Golf Resort in Miami. His playoff victory came from holing out with an amazing 176-yard eagle shot. He accepted the super car in the winner's circle in March, but his travel schedule prevents him from taking actual delivery until February. So he's having Sun State keep

By Steve Finlay • Dec. 1, 2004

Motor City West?

When Ford Motor Co. moved its North American Premier Automotive Group to California's up-and-coming city of Irvine in 2000, people took to calling the community Motor City West and began forecasting the day Detroit would be dubbed Irvine East. While eight auto makers and a handful of firms that service the industry, such as Kelly Blue Book, have located in Irvine in some capacity, the Orange County

By John D. Stoll • Dec. 1, 2004

Honda Plans $100M GA Tranny Plant

American Honda Motor Co. Inc. will build a $100 million plant in Tallapoosa, GA, to produce automatic transmissions for its North American-built vehicles. The plant, to be located some 40 miles (64 km) west of Atlanta, will begin production in fall 2006, with expected output of 300,000 transmissions annually. It will employ 400 workers at full capacity. The plant is part of a larger, $270 million

Dec. 1, 2004

More Stores and More Minority Dealers for Volvo

Volvo plans a more ethnically diverse dealership network to resemble the cultural makeup of its marketplaces, says Walt Langley, vice president-product marketing for Volvo Cars of North America (VCNA). The idea is to augment, not replace, he says of the initiative. There now are 350 Volvo stores in North America. VCNA wants to add more points, but in a controlled and limited manner as the company

By Steve Finlay • Dec. 1, 2004

Champion Group Gets New VP

Bob Carmendy, former general manager of Desert Toyota in Las Vegas, is the new vice president of Champion Automotive Group, with dealerships in Colorado, Kansas and Indiana. Bob and I started at Tempe Toyota 18 years ago and I'm thrilled to welcome him as an equity partner, says Champion President John Chamberlain. In the last year, Windsor, CO-based Champion has added a Chrysler Jeep Dodge store

Dec. 1, 2004

Saturn Shows Sky Roadster

General Motors Corp. releases the first visual rendering of its upcoming Saturn roadster, and announces the 2-seat sportscar will be called the Sky. The rear-wheel drive small car will debut in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show in January. It will arrive at Saturn retailers in early 2006. (See related story: H3 Due in ’05; Curve Due By ’07) Sketch of the Saturn Sky. “The new design

By Brian Corbett • Nov. 29, 2004

Let Dealers Do What They Do Best: Sell Cars

Here's an opposing opinion to Mac Gordon's October, 2004 Ward's Dealer Business column (This One's a No-Brainer) advocating changes in laws so dealerships can sell vehicle insurance: As a fleet manager (for seven years) with a Ford dealer, and with a background in property and liability insurance (for over 23 years), I found the column interesting but thin on the realities of offering auto and truck

By John Steere, Commercial and Fleet Manager Duthler Ford Sales, Grand Rapids, MI • Nov. 1, 2004