Operations: Page
-
Oz CO2 Emissions Fall Despite Low Gasoline Quality
Federal Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg says it is not good enough that Australia’s fuel is ranked 66th in the world and last in the 35-member-country Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
By Alan Harman • June 8, 2017 -
McLaren Automotive Names Melville Design Director
In his new role, Rob Melville is responsible for developing McLaren’s design strategy, philosophy and principles, working with the engineering, manufacturing and customer-insights teams.
By Alan Harman • June 6, 2017 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Toyota
TrendlineAutomotive Manufacturing
Production strategies are changing rapidly as tariffs and shifts in consumer buying patterns affect the industry.
By WardsAuto staff -
Average Fuel Economy Down in May
Standard gasoline-powered vehicles lost share of indexed light-vehicle sales. All alternative powertrains increased in penetration.
By Erin Sunde • June 5, 2017 -
Focus RS Races to Finish Line
Ford’s enthusiast-oriented Focus RS heads into its final year of production with improved power and handling thanks to a standard limited-slip differential on the front axle.
By Bob Gritzinger • May 31, 2017 -
Ebbing Auto Sales Be Darned, Innovative Dealer Has Big Plans
In a WardsAuto Q&A, Brian Benstock tells how he plans to use an Amazon-like approach to double his business.
By Steve Finlay • May 25, 2017 -
Mustang Demand Stays Strong in Europe
The iconic Ford is the best-selling sports car in France, Sweden, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Finland, Greece and the U.K.
By Paul Myles • May 25, 2017 -
How Dealers Can Use Travel to Pump Sales
Research suggests travel incentives can help boost sales an average 21.8%. But achieving numbers like that depends on how well the incentives are implemented.
By Pav Sangha • May 23, 2017 -
WardsAuto Flashback – May 2017
Chrysler Strike; K-F Needs Help; New Studebaker Trucks; AMC Sales Up; Chevy Styling Questioned; Studebaker Small Car; Ford Plant Closings; GM Hints Subcompact; Ford ABS; Young Buyers Defined; ZEV Protested; Chrysler Capacity Short; Honda Mexico Plant; AAMA on Japan
May 22, 2017 -
Older Cars Fare Poorly in Australasian Crash Tests
The analysis of vehicles in the region comprising Australia, New Zealand and Melanesia shows that while older models built before 2000 account for just 20% of the registered vehicle fleet, but are involved in 33% of fatal crashes.
By Alan Harman • May 18, 2017 -
Intelligence Quotient
The ins and outs of competitive intelligence: How companies can work to protect their own interests while getting an edge on the competition.
By Steve Ward • May 18, 2017 -
Calling a Spade a Spade, and a CUV an SUV
Many CUV buyers think they bought SUVs, and automakers are fine with letting them believe that.
By Steven Finlay • May 18, 2017 -
Japanese-Vehicle Sales Spat Goes to Cambodian Court
Tan Chong Motor says its subsidiary ETCM signed a distribution deal for the exclusive right to distribute completely-built-up Nissan vehicles in Cambodia. Tan Chong says it took over the distributorship from Denmark-based Kjaer Group, which previously had named Narita Motorcare its non-exclusive dealer for Nissan vehicles.
By Alan Harman • May 17, 2017 -
First Car Busted for Speeding Featured at U.K. Show
Mercedes dealer Walter Arnold was traveling 8 mph, four times the speed limit, and was chased down by a policeman on a bicycle. The law at the time limited cars to 2 mph and required a man waving a red flag walk ahead of them.
By Alan Harman • May 17, 2017 -
American Axle Plans Quantum Leap Forward
American Axle, a longtime producer of rear axles for trucks, is reinventing itself as a developer and builder of highly efficient and electric drivelines for rear-, front- and all-wheel-drive applications.
By Bob Gritzinger • May 16, 2017 -
Chinese CUV Gets Enthusiastic Reception in Korea
The Chinese government is backing a boycott of Korean-made vehicles, but in Korea demand for Chinese automaker BAIC’s Kenbo 600 is outstripping supply and imports are being increased.
By Vince Courtenay • May 12, 2017 -
Canada Medium- and Heavy-Duty Trucks Up 17.4% in April
All medium-duty trucks post double-digit gains in April.
By Amy Alexander • May 11, 2017 -
Eyes Drawn to Chevy’s Equinox Ad
The brand’s “For Everybody, Everywhere” commercial drew nearly 160 million impressions for the week.
By WardsAuto Staff • May 11, 2017 -
More Chinese Taking Second Look at Secondhand Cars
China is the world’s largest new-vehicle market, but used-car sales are relatively small. They are expected to take off in the next few years as inventories rise and consumers become more comfortable buying secondhand vehicles.
By Alysha Webb • May 10, 2017 -
Rising Automobile Debt Foreshadows Impending Credit Crisis
Longer-term loans are helping consumers buy cars now, but they could take their toll on industry profitability down the road if automakers and lenders don’t find ways to reverse the trend in borrowing.
By Eric Totaro • May 8, 2017 -
Fuel Economy Index Shows Slow Improvement in April
Average car fuel economy grew 0.1%, and light trucks improved 2.2%.
By Erin Sunde • May 5, 2017 -
Newest Lotus Ready to Tackle Track or Cruise Streets
“Unlike some rivals’ cars, this is something that really can drive to a track, set the fastest lap and take the win before heading home. It’s supremely usable, yet outrageously fast,” Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales says.
By Alan Harman • May 4, 2017 -
April U.S. Light-Vehicle Sales Continue Year-to-Date Slide
April marked the second straight month that some previously strong truck segments recorded slower demand on a year-over-year basis.
By Haig Stoddard • May 2, 2017 -
April 2017 U.S. LV Sales Thread: Industry Hit 16.8 Million SAAR
(SUMMARY) U.S. automakers reported 1.42 million light-vehicle sales in April.
By Erin Sunde • May 2, 2017 -
Ram Carries FCA Load
FCA US saw overall volume drop as the automaker works to deliver new products to replace the cars and small CUVs disappearing from dealer lots.
By Bob Gritzinger • May 2, 2017 -
Hidebound No More
French supplier Lectra is taking bold steps to change the way leather and other automotive interior fabrics are cut, using forward-looking processes designed to save up to $350 per vehicle interior.
By Bob Gritzinger • May 2, 2017