Automakers: Page 403

Hooray for Back to Basics

To me, first and foremost, we're in the car and truck business. We're designing, developing, building and selling cars and trucks. If you're going to do that, you've got to have the process that delivers things on time, at quality, and on cost. Those are the basics of the business. Ford COO Nick Scheele The outlook is a little bleak at Ford Motor Co. right now, but the new back to basics man tra Ford

By Drew Winter • Dec. 1, 2001

Resurrected Ford Thunderbird grabs Motor Trend’s Car of the Year honors

The Ford Thunderbird -- a resurrected version of the famous roadster from the 1950s -- is Motor Trend's 2002 Car of the Year. Motor Trend's editorial staff selected this year's winner after conducting 10 rigorous tests on the largest group of contenders ever to compete - 27 cars. Judging included design, engineering, quality, interior, special features, fun, everyday livability, safety, performance

Nov. 21, 2001

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

Volvo under pressure to boost Ford group

The pressure's on Volvo Car. As the volume leader among the luxury marques that make up Ford's Premier Automotive Group (PAG), much of the onus is on Volvo to carry the ball if the automaker's ultimate annual worldwide sales target of 1 million Lincolns, Volvos, Jaguars, Aston Martins and Land Rovers is to be met. "Since we are the biggest brand within PAG, the success of PAG is very much dependent

By Dave Zoia • Nov. 19, 2001

Toyota Camry about to lose best-selling car title to Honda Accord

The Toyota Camry – America’s best-selling car for three years in a row – looks like it will lose that title to the Honda Accord this year. Toyota executives say that has more to do with their limiting Camry production supplies than with anything else -- such as more car-buyers liking the Accord better than the Camry. Toyota fell behind in the big race after the automaker limited production of 2001

By Steve Finlay • Nov. 16, 2001

UPDATE 2-Ford extends interest-free financing

Ford Motor Co. , following the lead of rival General Motors Corp. , said on Wednesday that it was extending interest-free loans on the purchase of some new vehicles until Jan. 14. It was the second extension of the financing program that Ford introduced in September, soon after GM launched zero interest loans to help give the economy and U.S. auto sales a lift after the Sept. 11 plane attacks in New

By Reuters • Nov. 15, 2001

Ron Zarrella leaves GM; Bob Lutz moves up the corporate ladder

Ron Zarrella, executive vice president and president, GM North America, has resigned to become chairman and CEO of Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, N.Y. Mr. Zarrella joined GM seven years ago from Bausch & Lomb where he was president. His relationship with GM dealers has been controversial for much of his tenure, but showed signs of improving. Some of the initiatives under his watch – such as a plan for

By Cliff Banks • Nov. 13, 2001

Ford’s Premier Automotive Group opens new headquarters; announces management changes

The move to Irvine, CA is now official for Ford Motor Company’s five luxury brands as Dr. Wolfgang Reitzle, group vice president, Ford Motor Company and president, Premier Automotive Group led the dedication ceremonies for the new headquarters on Friday, November 9. The facility houses the North American headquarters for Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo, as well as the global headquarters

By Cliff Banks • Nov. 12, 2001

Nissan establishing new South Carolina parts center distribution center

Nissan North America today announced it will establish a new Parts Distribution Center (PDC) in Greenville, S.C., as part of the automaker's expansion in the United States aimed at creating lasting, profitable growth worldwide. Nissan will invest about $4 million in the center housed in a leased 186,290 square-foot building situated on 14.69 acres in upstate South Carolina. Nissan's decision to select

By Wire Reports • Nov. 5, 2001

Smyrna: Another defeat for UAW

What appeared to be a legitimate chance to organize workers at Nissan Motor Mfg. Corp.'s Smyrna, TN, assembly plant crumbles into the fourth humiliating defeat at Smyrna for the United Auto Workers union after hourly workers reject unionization by more than a 2:1 margin. Some 3,103 of 4,589 eligible workers cast ballots Oct. 3 under the watchful eye of the National Labor Relations Board. UAW leaders

By Compiled by the staff of: WARD'S AUTOMOTIVE REPORTS • Nov. 1, 2001

****Nissan: We’ve got to take it to the next level

It's been an interesting 10 years as a Nissan dealer, says Vince Sheehy who observed that milestone in September. Sometimes it's been too interesting, he says referring to the tough times from which Nissan is attempting to rebound. I remember being told at the 1992 NADA convention that I came aboard Nissan at the right time because they were coming out with the Altima, says Mr. Sheehy. And the Altima

By Steve Finlay • Nov. 1, 2001

How they sell cars on the Internet in Europe

(Editor's Note: We know how cars are sold over the Internet in America. But as connected as Americans are, European car buyers are certainly using the 'Net, too. The following story gives a different perspective on how vehicle e-sales are done overseas.) When Volvo Cars, based in Stockholm, Sweden, decided to try selling cars on the Internet, it set up its test site in Belgium. If we succeed in Belgium,

Nov. 1, 2001

Rich Hartman opens new store in Tacoma, WA

Rich Hartman, president of Five Star Dealerships, opened a new store, Five Star Mitsubishi in Tacoma, WA. Other franchises in Mr. Hartman's group include Ford, Toyota, Chevrolet, Lincoln Mercury, Buick and Pontiac.

Nov. 1, 2001

**Kia’s products are the key to success

Things are looking very good for Kia Motors America. The Korean company recently named Peter Butterfield to the position of executive vice president of sales, marketing and fixed operations. He most recently was with Lincoln Mercury and comes to Kia as it is experiencing dramatic success in what is a down market. Kia Motors America has had the most success this year percentage-wise among the Korean

By Cliff Banks • Nov. 1, 2001

Still a Soft Roader

NEMACOLIN, PA There's a new Honda CR-V in this woodsy eastern Pennsylvania town. Normally, that would mean it's High Noon for the competition. It's just that town's a lot bigger place than it used to be. When Honda Motor Co. Ltd. launched the CR-V compact sport/utility vehicle (SUV) in '97, it immediately emerged as the dominant player in a fledgling segment, handily beating even Toyota's RAV4 and

By Bill Visnic • Nov. 1, 2001

Tech firm holds its breath as a dealership tests its product

Don Palombi, the general manager for AutoWest Honda in Roseville, CA, had a decision to make. It's one that virtually all dealers encounter at one point or another: which up-and-coming new technology applications to put in place at the dealership. The decision is neither simple nor cheap. If a dealer makes a bad choice, a lot of money in technology and products go unused at the dealership. Driving

By Cliff Banks • Nov. 1, 2001

I’ll TRADE MY WIFE FOR THAT COOL CORVETTE

A major auto supplier has just the car for people who like the 1953 vintage look of the original Chevrolet Corvette but want modern conveniences. It's the Commemorative Edition Corvette, produced by Magna Steyr, a division of Magna International that wants to become a contract assembler of specialty niche vehicles. To prove its capabilities, Magna engineers took a new Corvette and redesigned it to

Nov. 1, 2001

Asia/Pacific Prepares for Another Downturn

Asia/Pacific automakers already were looking to the future with cautious optimism, aware that things could get worse before they got better. Now the fallout from the Sept. 11 terrorist assault on the U.S. has the region bracing for a definite downturn. Well beforehand, road signs were indicating a slowdown. Ripple effects from a prolonged Japan Inc. stagnation coupled with aftershocks from the region's

By KATHERINE ZACHARY with Alan Harman in Australia • Nov. 1, 2001

Spotlight on Glare

The National Highway Traffic Safety Admin. (NHTSA) may need lightning in a bottle in its current bid to resolve the issue of headlamp glare. That's because, industry insiders suggest, many motorists have yet to enter the age of headlight enlightenment. And as a result, automakers and suppliers are left to contend with a wide spectrum of variables beyond their control. Nevertheless, NHTSA is subjecting

By Eric Mayne • Nov. 1, 2001

Presidential visit

Mercedes-Benz USA President and CEO Paul Halata (left) stopped at Mercedes-Benz of Laguna Niguel during a visit to Southern California. Hosting him at the 21-acre dealership, one of Mercedes-Benz' fastest growing in the nation, is dealer principal Lorelei Pingree and Pat Bolter, general manager.

Nov. 1, 2001

GM delays mammoth 6-door Suburban

Citing a lack of engineering and other resources at this time, GM quietly admits that it has dropped plans to bring out a 6-door version of the Suburban. A spokesman says that a prototype was actually built, but the company was not satisfied with the results. It is seeking other engineering solutions to give greater access to the third row of seats in the giant SUV, the spokesman says. But he declined

By Compiled by the staff of: WARD'S AUTOMOTIVE REPORTS • Nov. 1, 2001

*Volvo now stresses delight as well as safety and durability

It has been a year of change for Volvo Cars of North America. First, was the big move from New Jersey to Irvine, CA with Ford Motor Co.'s other Premier Automotive Group (PAG) brands. And, as of November 1, there is a new man at Volvo's helm. Dan Werbin has been with Volvo since 1973 and is a product guy. Then there is the evolution of Volvo's brand. Mr. Werbin explains, Since 1927, the guiding principle

By Cliff Banks • Nov. 1, 2001

Need a lift?

Rinspeed Design, the Swiss design and engineering company known primarily for souping-up German performance and luxury vehicles, has teamed with the Mopar parts division of the DaimlerChrysler Group and Stellar Industries Inc. to launch the X-Tra-Lift loading system for pickup trucks. The X-Tra-Lift debuted at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Assn. exposition in Las Vegas late last month, enhancing

By Compiled by the staff of: WARD'S ENGINE AND VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY UPDATE • Nov. 1, 2001

GM Korea chief joins policy office

David Jerome, managing director of General Motors Korea, is being reassigned to the automaker's U.S. operations at a director's level, sources tell WAW. He begins his new duties with GM's public policy office this month. The attorney will have a voice in GM's policy in international trade issues, including the automotive trade imbalance with Korea. He was involved in meetings on the issue with U.S.

By Compiled by the staff of: WARD'S AUTOMOTIVE REPORTS • Nov. 1, 2001

Brazil, Argentina Brace for Road Ahead

This was to be the year of Brazil's big comeback. Production was set to soar toward the lofty heights of 1997, when domestic automakers built 2.07 million cars, vans and trucks compared with last year's 1.67 million vehicles. The industry pinnacle was reached before the bottom fell out of Asia in 1997, the Russian economy crumpled in 1998 and the drastic free fall of Brazil's currency caused economic

By Barbara McClellan • Nov. 1, 2001

Accord Topples Camry as Best-Selling U.S. Car

In the battle for sedan supremacy, Honda Motor Co. Ltd.'s Accord knocks Toyota Motor Corp.'s Camry out of the top spot as the best-selling car in America for the '01 model year. Accord posted sales of 412,074 vs. Camry's 388,512. Ford Motor Co.'s Taurus placed third with 349,742 units sold. The '01 Honda Civic is the best-selling small car in the U.S. for the fourth straight year with sales of 323,074,

Nov. 1, 2001