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Courtesy of WardsAuto
What’s Stifling Connected Cars?
Virtually every connected device gets automatic over-the-air (OTA) updates. Phones, laptops, tablets, fitness wristbands all get patches and upgrades without your intervention - that is, everything except cars.
By Brendan O’Brien • July 6, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
The Big Story: Meet Your Friendly F&I Manager – Five States Away
New and emerging technologies are reshaping dealership finance and insurance department operations.
By Steve Finlay • July 5, 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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
McLaren Profitability, Sales Accelerated in 2016
Last year’s strong financial performance was driven by record sales, up 99% at 3,286 units, with all geographic regions achieving sales growth. North America remained McLaren’s single largest market, with deliveries up 106% at 1,139 units.
By Alan Harman • June 29, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Limited Tungsten Edition Moves Ram Further Upmarket
Many features offered in the all-new ’18 Ram Limited Tungsten also are available in premium-priced cars and SUVs. But, affluent truck buyers know the new generation of luxury pickup trucks offers hard-working capability no passenger car can match.
By Remi Murrey • June 29, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Amazon May Target U.K. for Direct-to-Consumer Sales
Amazon reportedly is recruiting car-sales executives and plans to headquarter the business in corporate-tax-friendly Luxembourg while eyeing the U.K. as its probable first market.
By Paul Myles • June 28, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Criticism Greets Spain’s Latest MOVEA Scheme
The latest MOVEA plan also subsidizes the installation of public charging stations, with aid of up to 40% the cost. However, the Spanish auto industry has been lukewarm to the program.
By Jorge Palacios • June 27, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Top Players Stay Cool, But Brace for Sales Downturn
“Good times create bad habits. and bad times create good habits,” says megadealer Joe Serra.
By Tom Beaman • June 27, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
WardsAuto Flashback – June 2017
More Coal Fallout; Ford's Huge Backlog; Kaiser Ragtop Delay; Tucker Goes Conventional; Aluminum V-8s Tested; Low Air-Spring Demand; Price Stickers Near; Makers Shun Dealer Bill; Chevy Torque-Drive; Toyota Hybrid; GMC V-6s; Urban Transport Plans; GM Reorganizes; V-8 Resurgence; Saturn Expansion
June 26, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Survey Finds Regional Flavor to Consumer Tech Tastes
Creature comforts such as sunroofs were at the top of the list of technologies survey respondents said they would be willing to pay for.
June 26, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Korean Brands Top Performers on J.D. Power Initial Quality Study
Of the 33 brands surveyed, 27 see improvement, including many domestic brands, which overall outperform imports for the second year in a row.
June 21, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Auto Colors Going Blue in ’21 Model Year
BASF unveils its top color predictions for the ’21 model year vehicles during its annual Automotive Color Trends Show. This year’s overall theme is Translucid, which represents future developments of upcoming automotive trends.
By Remi Murrey • June 20, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
U.K. Sports Car Maker Morgan Repurchases Plant Site
Thanks to a record trading year that saw revenues grow 14%, Morgan has been able to reclaim property it “pawned” 11 years ago to fund new-model development.
By Paul Myles • June 19, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Annual London Motor Show Moving to Bigger Venue
Show Chairman Alec Mumford says the move to Exhibition Center London comes after this year’s exhibition drew more than 25,000 visitors and 130 new-vehicle displays during the weekend-long event at Battersea Park.
By Alan Harman • June 16, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Consultancy Sees Flying Cars Taking Off Next Decade
Flying cars are poised to provide new business services by 2035 including aerial sightseeing, air surveillance, aerial critical aid delivery, air taxi pay-per-ride and flying-car corporate leasing, Frost & Sullivan says.
June 16, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Life With the Jetsons: Personal VTOL Aircraft Take Off
Five things mobility players should be doing to prepare for a Jetsons-type of air transportation system.
June 9, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Humans Replacing Robots in Auto-Manufacturing Roles
Bringing in humans to do the job – in collaboration with smaller-scale robots and emerging tools and technologies such as augmented reality – is an important piece in the larger shift in the roles of tech and talent taking place in automotive manufacturing.
By Paul Ryznar • June 9, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Genesis Plays Hidden-in-Plain-Sight Role in Luxury Market
Now entering its second year as a standalone premium brand for Korean automaker Hyundai, Genesis looks to make a big impression on the luxury segment in the next three years.
By Bob Gritzinger • June 8, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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
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