Automakers: Page 383

Nissan Considers Russian Plant

PARIS Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. says it could make a decision within the next 18 months on whether to build a vehicle manufacturing plant in Russia. The auto maker has seen its sales in the former communist country rise more than 200% within the past year, which is forcing it to look at new ventures to support growth there. “At the end of last year we sold 9,000 cars, and this year we (will sell) nearly

By Kevin Kelly • Sept. 28, 2004

GM Downplays Meeting With Fiat

PARIS Officials from General Motors Corp. are downplaying their meeting here this week with Fiat Auto SpA regarding the Italian auto maker’s money-losing operations. “We meet with them on a regular basis,” GM Chief Financial Officer John Devine tells Ward’s at the Paris auto show. “So typically, at an auto show we do get together (to) look at how (our joint venture is) going and what we want to do

By Brian Corbett • Sept. 24, 2004

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

BMW 1-Series, M5 Debut

PARIS – Continuing its move down market, BMW AG uses the auto show here for the official world debut of its 1-Series compact car. “This car is a major milestone in the expansion of the BMW Group,” says BMW Chairman Helmut Panke. “So it is fair to say that the BMW 1-Series marks the re-entry of the BMW brand into the compact class. We are back.” Panke says BMW is making the move into the segment because

By Brian Corbett • Sept. 24, 2004

GM Debuts Korean-Built Chevys in Paris

PARIS General Motors Corp. is moving forward with plans to make Chevrolet its biggest worldwide brand, unveiling several new models here at the Mondial de l’Automobile 2004. They include two concepts and two products derived from South Korea-based GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. architectures. GM announced earlier this month it will phase out use of the Daewoo nameplate in Europe and replace it with

By Brian Corbett • Sept. 24, 2004

Mitsubishi Could Hurt Platform Profitability

PARIS Incremental profitability targets and cost savings for the jointly developed D-segment platform between Chrysler Group and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. could be missed if the Japanese auto maker changes volume projections and usage, a Chrysler executive tells Ward’s. Eric Ridenour, Chrysler head of product development, tells Ward’s it remains open whether Mitsubishi will use the D-segment platform

By Kevin Kelly • Sept. 23, 2004

Citroen Accents Safety, Environmental Features in Paris

PARIS – Automobiles Citroen filled out another position in its letter-number lineup, presenting the C4 at the Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris. The car, which will compete with models such as the Renault Megane, Peugeot 307 and Volkswagen Golf, offers a technology that’s a first for any segment – a lane-departure warning system. The device puts a virtual rumble strip under the driver’s flank when

By William Diem • Sept. 23, 2004

Fiat’s Stilo Range Expands

PARIS – Fiat Auto SpA hopes to jump-start interest in its ailing Fiat Stilo product range by adding two new variants to the lineup, both of which go on sale in 2005. The Italian auto maker expands Stilo’s reach via the Multi Wagon Uproad, which features a more rugged appearance than other Stilo Wagon models thanks to its revised front and rear fascias, new alloy wheels and revamped interior. Stilo

By Kevin Kelly • Sept. 23, 2004

Rolling Chassis Contract Sets Record

South Korean supplier Hyundai Mobis says its long-term contract with Chrysler Group in the U.S. to provide rolling chassis for Jeep models beginning in 2006 is the largest volume parts order ever signed by a Korean automotive company. The contract is worth 180 billion won ($154 million) annually. Chrysler announced its supplier selection for the new Toledo, OH, plant in August. Construction is set

By Vince Courtenay, Tom Murphy • Sept. 1, 2004

Advice From Late, Great Job Interviewer

The late Brian Wolfe was one of the best at hiring top-notch showroom sales people. Mr. Wolfe, 29, who died July 5, was sales manager at Pace BMW in Mamaroneck, NY. His success at hiring the right people stemmed from going about it the right way. He offered advice on that during an interview a few months before his death. Here's what he said: If the prospect is good at interviewing, it's like a sailor

By Dave Donelson • Sept. 1, 2004

Magna Gets GM Pickup Integrator Role?

General Motors Corp., for several years, has been pursuing a strategy to appoint supplier to oversee development of interiors for future vehicles. The strategy remains in place, but the players appear to be changing. GM announced in January 2002 that Magna International Inc.'s Intier division would coordinate the interiors for the next-generation fullsize SUVs, while Lear Corp. would integrate interiors

Sept. 1, 2004

New-Wave Look for Mazda

About 30 more dealerships nationwide will adopt Mazda's Retail Revolution new design look by early next year, with another 35 to follow soon after, says James O'Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). Since the first such store opened (Bountiful Mazda in Bountiful, UT) in early 2003, five more have followed. The latest is Sterling Mazda, moving to its new digs in Sterling

By Cliff Banks • Sept. 1, 2004

Why GM, Ford Can’t Catch Toyota

Try as they might, General Motors and Ford will not catch up to Toyota's level of profitability before 2020 if then. Both of the American auto makers are scrambling to put as many of their vehicles on common platforms as possible, sharing as many components as they can. Yes, even in the 21st Century, economy of scale still is the key to making money in this business. But with all the brands and with

By John McElroy • Sept. 1, 2004

Made in the U.S.A.

The year was 1979. Gasoline prices were soaring, the U.S. was in a tense showdown with Middle Eastern extremists, Chrysler Corp. was awash in red ink but on the verge of a strong product revival, and Starsky & Hutch had come and gone from the screen as quickly as their tomato-red '76 Ford Gran Torino muscle car. U.S. consumers were appalled to spend more than $1 for a gallon of gasoline. The aging

By Tom Murphy • Sept. 1, 2004

United States’ Rolls-Royce Dealers on a Roll

Rolls-Royce dealers in the U.S. are doing a better job at selling the ultra-luxury British car than their counterparts elsewhere in the world, and consequently are getting a larger allotment than originally planned. Rolls-Royce is on track to sell 500 cars in the U.S. this year, a spokesman says. The company's target was originally 400 units, but because other Rolls-Royce markets are lagging the U.S.

By Herb Shuldiner • Sept. 1, 2004

Bose Knows Shocks?

One of the world's foremost audio innovators has its eye on the suspension business. It started with a '58 Pontiac's air-suspension system, recalls Massachusetts Institute of Technology Prof. Amar G. Bose. I owned the car 10 years and got to know its suspension, he says. I spent as much time under the car as in the driver's seat. That triggered a life-long fascination with the dynamics of vehicle

By Herb Shuldiner • Sept. 1, 2004

New Tacoma: Big Toy for Big Boys

Toyota's Scion brand pursues buyers who are young and urbane, but marketers of a new-generation '05 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck will target a different youth group: boys who like their toys. Tacoma is the prime source of bringing young male buyers into the Toyota family, says Robert Carter, vice president of sales for Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.'s Toyota Div. He says the Tacoma is an extremely important

By Steve Finlay • Sept. 1, 2004

Cadillac’s Charm

The third time is a charm, as the saying goes. For General Motors Corp.'s Cadillac Div., it's definitely true. The '05 STS midsize sedan, which replaces the Seville, is the third all-new vehicle based on GM's luxury rear-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive Sigma platform. The CTS entry-luxury sedan was Sigma's debut and has been a huge sales hit. The SRX cross/utility vehicle's public reception has not been

By Brian Corbett • Sept. 1, 2004

Detroit’s Only Ford Dealership Stays Upbeat

A $5 million bet on downtown Detroit's revitalization is paying off for the newly opened Bob Maxey Ford on Jefferson Ave. Detroit's only Ford dealership has already reported increased sales and service department visits. The 40,000-sq.-ft. facility features a new grand showroom, enhanced service areas (including 30 bays), drive-through car wash, customer parking, private sales offices, state-of-the-art

Sept. 1, 2004

Nissan Plans 600k Units From F-Alpha

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. says the body-on-frame platform underlying the new Pathfinder SUV will generate 600,000 units of production annually. F-Alpha is one of five key global architectures remaining in Nissan's platform consolidation plan with alliance partner Renault SA. Other Nissan vehicles using F-Alpha include the '04 Titan fullsize pickup, '04 Armada SUV, '04 Infiniti QX56 SUV, '05 Frontier small

Sept. 1, 2004

Ford Escape Hybrid Gets 33 MPG

TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Claiming the ’05 Ford Escape Hybrid is “the cleanest and most fuel-efficient SUV on the planet,” Jim Padilla, Ford Motor Co. chief operating officer and chairman-Automotive Operations, announces here on Thursday U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy ratings for the cross/utility vehicle. The EPA has certified the front-wheel-drive Escape Hybrid at 36/31 mpg (6.5L-7.6L/100

By Drew Winter • Aug. 5, 2004

Ford’s Padilla Wins Politically Incorrect Comment of Week Award

TRAVERSE CITY, MI It’s almost guaranteed that sometime during the week at the Management Briefing Seminars here, somebody is going to say something politically incorrect on the podium. A trunk Tony Soprano will love? Jim Padilla, Ford Motor Co. chief operating officer and chairman-Automotive Operations, appears to have locked up this year’s award for the best faux pas. With comments that no doubt

Aug. 5, 2004

109-Year-Old GM Retiree Still Collecting Benefits

TRAVERSE CITY He retired in 1958 from General Motors Corp. after 32 years service, he’s now 109 and he’s still collecting GM pension and health-insurance benefits. That amazing story was revealed at Tuesday’s 2004 Management Briefing Seminars by Jerry Elson, GM vice president and general manager-vehicle operations, to underscore why GM’s health costs are running $1,400 per vehicle. Elson didn’t reveal

By David C. Smith • Aug. 4, 2004

OnStar Expands Crash Notification

TRAVERSE CITY, MI General Motors Corp.’s OnStar telematics division is planning to significantly expand use in the ’05 model year of its advanced automatic crash notification (AACN) system that provides vital crash information to emergency response centers. “We launched it last year, but in a very low-volume way on the (Chevy) Malibu,” OnStar President Chet Huber tells Ward’s at the Management Briefing

By Brian Corbett • Aug. 4, 2004

Chrysler Outlines New Toledo Plant, Suppliers

TRAVERSE CITY, MI After months of planning, Chrysler Group executives unveil the final structure for the auto maker’s all-new Toledo, OH, Jeep plant, which will begin production in 2006. The plant features a unique partnership with suppliers that puts them in charge of running the paint and body shops and developing rolling-chassis systems. The plant will replace the Jeep Parkway and Stickney Avenue

By Kevin Kelly • Aug. 3, 2004

Supplier: GM Still Not Lean Enough

TRAVERSE CITY, MI – How much courage does it take for a supplier to suggest its biggest customer isn’t as lean as it should be? He is tactful in doing so, but Michael Vella, vice president and general manager of TI Automotive’s Global Fluid Carrying Systems unit in Warren, MI, refers to General Motors Corp. at least twice in his speech here at the Management Briefing Seminars. Although he sees GM

By Tom Murphy • Aug. 2, 2004