Automakers: Page

Forcing Out Nasser Makes No Sense

The Dog Days of August are upon us, but I don't see many tails wagging at the Ford Motor Co. Especially not in President and Chief Executive Jacques Nasser's office on the 12th floor of Ford's World Headquarters. Rumors, gossip, and, it seems, anyone with an opinion have Mr. Nasser in deep trouble, reflecting Ford's cascading problems. Yes, the buck stops at his desk. But based on his demonstrated

By David C. Smith • Aug. 1, 2001

FORD MAKING A PUSH FOR MORE HISPANIC DEALERS

Ford Motor Co. says it hopes to expand the number of dealerships owned by Hispanic Americans by 50 over the next five years as part of a partnership between the automaker, Latino Initiatives for the Next Century (LINC) and Millennium LMI. Ford's current minority dealer program offers loans to qualified dealer candidates that cover 90% of the cost to set up shop. LINC and Millennium will put up as

Aug. 1, 2001

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 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

Internet customers create 3D models of cars they’re interested in

Internet technology is making shopping for a car easier, and here's how: Car manufacturers are helping inform and educate their prospective customers by adding interactive information to their Web sites. Car companies like Toyota and Mercedes use interactive 3D models to create virtual showrooms on their site, which allow the customer to configure a photo-realistic car model to the right color, upholstery,

Aug. 1, 2001

Big Three continue downward slide

Second quarter earnings announced recently by the U.S. Big Three automakers show a continued drop in market share and revenue. General Motors Corp. says more restructuring moves are on the way for Europe following a $154 million loss there during the second quarter. GM's global income totaled $610 million down from $1.75 billion for the second quarter a year-ago. North American income dropped to $521

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

Between Brown and Green is Leanfield

RUSSELSHEIM, Germany Like a mouse in a corner or a hawk circling the rafters, you can view every square centimeter of this all-new automotive plant with just a click of the wrist on a joystick. General Motors Corp.'s newest assembly plant here has been digitally mapped in the most excruciating three-dimensional detail down to the placement of waste bins, machinery and workers and all before the first

By MIKE ARNHOLT and BILL DIEM • Aug. 1, 2001

Nissan: Mistakes were made

The numbers were obtained under very exacting conditions, say Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. officials, following the enthusiast press' raised eyebrows regarding the company's aggressive (and widely promoted) 5.9-second 0-to-60 mph acceleration claim for the all-new 2002 Infiniti Q45 flagship (see WAW April '01, p.55). WAW sister publication, Ward's Engine & Vehicle Technology Update (WEVTU), began its own

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

VW positions latest EuroVan in high-volume segment

LAKE PLACID, NY The mid-night blue Volkswagen Jetta flies down the narrow, twisty Adiron-dack blacktop mountain road, whipping up a cloud of fine sand from the road's shoulder in its wake. Not more than a car-length behind, a somewhat gangly, rectangular, forest green EuroVan keeps up, turn for turn and twist for twist. If there is body roll, it's not detectable thanks to improved body rigidity and

By Barbara McClellan • Aug. 1, 2001

On the Road to Revival

The spin from Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. since its now-legendary turnaround plan kicked in almost two years ago is that good product is going to save the automaker. Sure, new management and parent company Renault SA may have something to do with its revival, as may global consolidation of plants, staff and platforms. But more than good business sense, Nissan declared that it would ride into its comeback

By KATHERINE ZACHARY • Aug. 1, 2001

Ford Brazil exports trucks outside of region

Ford do Brasil plans to expand its exports of pickup trucks to Venezuela, Mexico and Australia in order to reach its total export goal of $300 million this year, says Antonio Maciel Neto, president of Ford Motor Co.'s Brazilian division. Additionally, the ZetecRoCam engine and transmission systems manufactured at the Taubate, Sao Paulo, plant are being exported to seven countries, generating $91 million

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

Lovejoy says GM should help dealers find alternative sources of income

Bill Lovejoy, GM's group vice president of North American sales, service and marketing, says the company should help dealers find alternative forms of income as margins on new-vehicle sales continue to wane. "Dealers have to find other sources of income and we have to help them find other sources of income," says Mr. Lovejoy at a preview of GM's 2002 product lineup. Among the alternative sources of

By Tim Keenan • July 26, 2001

Chrysler Dealership Ordered to Pay Double Damages to Police Officer

Chrysler Dealership Ordered to Pay Double Damages to Police Officer PHILADELPHIA, July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly two years after Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Carolyn E. Temin ruled that Gary Barbera's Chryslerland had committed unfair trade practices, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania affirmed the judgment, ordering the dealership to pay $38,484.40 in damages to Philadelphia police officer Jeffrey

By PR Neswire • July 17, 2001

World’s largest Hyundai dealership opens in Las Vegas

Dealer John Staluppi has opened a new state-of-the-art Hyundai dealerhip -- believed to be the world's largest -- in Las Vegas. The facility,which will employ more than 50 people, cost close to $6 million dollars. Planet Hyundai is a fully equipped dealership with a child’s play room, a service bay with air conditioning and padded flooring for employee comfort, along with a futuristic $150,000 sign,

By Wire Reports • July 13, 2001

Nissan fires back at allegations of discrimination

Nissan fires back to allegations of discrimination In a statement released late yesterday, Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation (NMAC) responded harshly to recent charges of discrimination. The charges are based on a study conducted by Vanderbilt University’s Associate Professor Mark Cohen. The study was commissioned by attorneys for the plaintiffs in the lawsuit Cason v. NMAC, currently in federal

By Cliff Banks • July 11, 2001

First-of-its-Kind to Integrate Both New and Used Inventories on One Site

First-of-its-Kind to Integrate Both New and Used Inventories on One Site ATLANTA and DEARBORN, Mich., July 10 /PRNewswire/ -- FordDirect, the joint venture between participating Ford dealers and Ford Motor Company today announced that it has selected AutoTrader.com to power FordDirect.com's Used Vehicle Search Platform. FordDirect's selection of AutoTrader.com will enable the typical participating

By PR Newswire • July 10, 2001

Toyota prods suppliers to be green

Bill Ford gets lots of attention these days for nurturing environmental initiatives at Ford Motor Co., but the lack of spotlight hasn't deterred Toyota Motor Corp. from its goal of becoming the industry leader in environmental performance. The No. 1 Japanese automaker, which first laid out its goal in 1992 with its Earth Charter, now is imposing the same standards upon its suppliers. Toyota Motor

By KATHERINE ZACHARY • July 1, 2001

Quotes

Chevrolet! I mean, its one of the best brands in the world. I mean it's a c-a-a-a-a-a-r brand. I mean, who doesn't want to participate in the next Corvette or C/K (pickup truck)? Bryan Nesbitt, chief designer of the popular Chrysler PT Cruiser, who jumped ship to join GM as chief designer for its Chevrolet Division. This partnership is a lot like a marriage - we're finally going to make it work. John

July 1, 2001

The QUALITY CRUNCH

If you only read the headlines, it doesn't look like Ford Motor Co. can do much right these days. Besides its high-visibility fight with Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. over tire recalls and sport/utility vehicle (SUV) rollovers, it seems like the company has forgotten how to build quality cars and trucks. Ford's problems already have been well documented: Its Escape small SUV has been recalled five times

By Drew Winter, Brian Corbett, Eric Mayne, Tom Murphy, Alisa Priddle, Cliff Banks, David C. Smith • July 1, 2001

Not Just Another Small Car

LONDON Nearly 42 years ago, Alec Issigonis's Mini redefined small cars. The new, reincarnated Mini model may not inspire generations of imitators, but neither is it just another small car. This is BMW AG's Mini, a German-conceived and developed baby that's packed with contemporary technology and far from the simplicity (sliding windows, wire door handles, push-button starter) and packaging miracle

By Peter Robinson • July 1, 2001

Customers line up for DC super cars

DaimlerChrysler AG has more than 40 orders in France and the U.K. for expensive cars that won't reach the market until 2002 or 2003. The company in March started accepting $81,000 deposits for the Maybach, a Rolls-Royce competitor, and the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, a 198-mph sports car. A DC spokesman in Stuttgart won't say how many deposits have been made worldwide. The SLR McLaren will be the first

By Compiled by the staff of: WARD'S AUTOMOTIVE INTERNATIONAL • July 1, 2001

Bell & Howell moves GM parts catalog to the Internet

Bell & Howell is helping approximately 1,500 General Motors dealerships lose their old-fashioned microfiche parts catalogs by putting the parts numbers on line. Eventually, even the higher-tech compact disc and DVD parts catalogs may be replaced by the Internet-based catalog. We're trying to penetrate all segments of the market to give smaller dealers the ability to get away from microfiche, explains

By Tim Keenan • July 1, 2001

BMW Canada selects Reynolds’ ERA system for all dealers

BMW Canada has selected Reynolds and Reynolds (Canada) Ltd. as the exclusive provider of retailer management systems and related products and services. Reynolds will provide the ERA retail management system to all 32 BMW auto retailers across Canada. The ERA takes information technology to the next level, says Reynolds, powering the retailer's sales, marketing and customer retention activities. ERA

July 1, 2001

Renault’s Technocentre

PARIS Considering its expense and the fact that it is the linchpin of a new strategy aimed at chopping product development times in half and saving more than $130 million (FF 1 billion) per vehicle program, you'd think Renault SA would be eager to show off its gleaming new technology center to the world. Instead, the French automaker has chosen to be rather secretive about its giant Technocentre,

By Drew Winter • July 1, 2001

COLORADO AVALANCHE: A HOCKEY TEAM AND 2 NEW TRUCK NAMES

General Motors will rename two pickup trucks, the compact Chevy S-10 and the GMC Sierra C3 performance model, Ward's has learned. Letters and numbers are out. Rugged geographic names are in. The Sierra C3 would be redubbed the Sierra Denali, probably beginning with the 2002 model year. The S-10 is expected to be renamed the Colorado next year when an all-new 2003 model debuts. Colorado is in keeping

July 1, 2001

GM buys into hydrogen storage maker

GM cleared a hurdle in the race to make the first mass produced fuel-cell-powered vehicle with its announcement in June that it acquired 20% stake in Quantum Technologies Inc., maker of hydrogen storage tanks. The company expects to produce a tank that can hold enough hydrogen to travel 300 to 500 miles (480 to 800 km). Quantum's tank, the same size as one introduced last year, features several layers

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

Dealers weigh in on those quality issues

We asked dealers what they thought about today's vehicle quality, all those manufacturers' recalls, warranty work and such. Here's what they had to say: Don Wessel, owner, Don Wessel Oldsmobile Honda, Springfield, MO: Is there a quality problem? I'm convinced that the problems started when guys like Lopez and Nasser came in and started cutting supplier costs. The cuts have resulted in a reduction

By Cliff Banks with Maya Rhodes • July 1, 2001