Automakers: Page

Two Lexus Spots Combine for Most Auto TV Ad Impressions

Hyundai takes the overall top spot for a single ad, according to iSpot.tv.

By Wards Staff • March 17, 2023

GM, Other OEMs Connecting AI, Chatbots With Customers

GM, Ford, Toyota and Mercedes-Benz are increasingly turning to Artificial Intelligence for customer service and to develop high-profit digital services.

By David Kiley • March 17, 2023

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

Mercedes-Benz Reveals 2023 GLC Coupe

The second-generation model gets an evolutionary design update both inside and out, together with new mild- and plug-in-hybrid drivetrains and chassis technology.

By Greg Kable • March 17, 2023

Volvo Trucks Deploys First All-Electric Truck in Africa

Volvo Trucks suggests about 30 tons of CO2 could be saved yearly by replacing the existing Volvo FE diesel truck with a Volvo FE electric on a typical route.

By Paul Myles • March 17, 2023

GM Works to Protect Truck Profit Margins

Demand for General Motors’ trucks is down due to higher interest rates and slowdowns in the housing market. Idling one plant is intended to ease the oversupply and maintain light-truck profits.

By Joseph Szczesny • March 16, 2023

Honda restructures manufacturing operations for EV hub

The automaker is shifting away from gas vehicle production in Ohio and installing equipment to make EVs.

By Megan Ruggles • March 16, 2023

VW ID. 2all Concept Previews Low-Cost BEV for U.S. Market

The Polo-size offering is among 10 new battery-electric vehicles VW plans to launch by 2026 – and a GTi performance variant is in the works.

By Greg Kable • March 15, 2023

Stellantis’ Captive Financial Services Unit Comes Online

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares says 90% of the automaker’s dealers in the U.S. have signed on with Stellantis Financial Services U.S. About 80% percent of Stellantis’ sales volume in the U.S. will utilize the in-house company.

By Joseph Szczesny • March 15, 2023

VW’s 5-Year, $193B Plan Includes Scout Brand, More EVs

Battery-electric vehicle and software development will account for up to $131 billion of the German automaker's expenditure.

By Greg Kable • March 15, 2023

Volvo Incubator Will Nurture Urban Technology Solutions

Start-ups with promising technologies for electric and autonomous vehicles and digital solutions will be invited to collaborate with Volvo engineers and business experts during short validation projects.

By Paul Myles • March 14, 2023

Porsche Adds Battery-Electric Cayenne

The new model will be sold alongside facelifted versions of today’s internal-combustion-engine and plug-in hybrid Cayenne from 2026.

By Greg Kable • March 13, 2023

Mercedes Helps Ease a BEV Pain Point

BEV sales outpace the number of public charging stations, says a J.D. Power report. That’s a problem.

By Steve Finlay • March 13, 2023

Chevrolet Again Tops iSpot.tv’s Most-Seen Auto Ads Chart

Despite Chevrolet’s No.1 ranking, Lexus is the brand with the most total combined impressions from two highly-seen sales event spots.

By Wards Staff • March 10, 2023

Mercedes-Benz CLA to Go Electric But Retain Gasoline Option

The third-generation CLA will offer the choice of battery-electric and gasoline power, with internal-combustion engines to be produced in cooperation with Chinese automaker Geely.

By Greg Kable • March 10, 2023

Ford Boosting Production of 3 BEVs, 3 ICE Models

Ford did not return email inquiries from Wards about whether it has adequate supplies of microchips to support the production increases. The automaker reported a 100,000-vehicle volume deficit in fourth-quarter 2022, primarily because of the microchip shortage.

By Jim Irwin • March 9, 2023

Experts Not Sure BEVs Can Stop Ford Europe’s Tailspin

“‘Unapologetically American’ outstanding design and connected services…will differentiate Ford and delight our customers in Europe,” says Martin Sander, general manager of Ford Model e Europe, the automaker’s electrified-vehicle spin-off in the region.

By Jens Kastner • March 8, 2023

Stellantis, Honda Investing in BEV Components Plants

Stellantis will invest $155 million in three Kokomo, IN, plants to produce new electric-drive modules that will help power future BEVs made in North America. Honda is building a battery plant in Ohio in a joint venture with LG Energy Solution.

By Joseph Szczesny • March 6, 2023

Shoichiro Toyoda, 1925-2023: A Personal Remembrance

During Toyoda’s tenure as Toyota Motor president, annual global output grew from 3.2 million to 4.7 million units, with overseas production accounting for 16% of the total by 1992. That share now stands at 65%.

By Roger Schreffler • March 6, 2023

Scout Sites Plant in Columbia, South Carolina

Scout, a new division of the Volkswagen Group, selects Columbia, SC, to build a $2 billion assembly plant expected to create 4,000 jobs.

By David Kiley • March 3, 2023

Chrysler Is the Golden Goose at Stellantis

Ford earned an 8.4% profit margin in North America in 2022, GM 10.1% and Chrysler, 16.4%. Tesla’s global operating margin was 16.7%. So, from a margin standpoint, Chrysler did about as well as Tesla, which is considered the gold standard for financial performance.

By John McElroy • March 3, 2023

Chevrolet Leads iSpot.tv’s Most-Seen Auto Ads Ranking

The brand’s new spot thanks all the owners who helped make the Chevy Silverado the “No.1 best-selling retail fullsize pickup.”

By Wards Staff • March 3, 2023

Musk Sketches Tesla Plans at Investor Day

Tesla CEO Elon Musk detailed plans for a gigafactory in Mexico, improving plant efficiency and shifting the world to green electricity. Investors were not impressed.

By David Kiley • March 2, 2023

Rivian recalls more than 12,000 vehicles

The recall equals nearly half the EV company’s total production last year, as it strains to scale capacity.

By Kate Magill • March 2, 2023

BMW Embracing Hydrogen, Again

BMW is producing 100 iX5 hydrogen fuel-cell-powered utility vehicles to take advantage of Europe’s renewed build-out of hydrogen.

By David Kiley • March 2, 2023

Rivian Tops Tesla in J.D. Power BEV Study; Mini Electric Leads Volume Brands

Rivian and Mini top J.D. Power’s Electric Vehicle Experience Ownership Study, with charging complaints rising.

By David Kiley • March 1, 2023