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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Give Up Driving? Not in My Lifetime
The new cars rolling off assembly lines today will not be completely off the road until 2037.
By John McElroy • March 14, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
U.S. Fuel Economy Up in February
Light trucks dominated the market, but all alternative-power types showed small gains in share.
By Erin Sunde • March 14, 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
When It Comes to Standardization, It Helps to Have Some Rules
Despite their best efforts at standardization, many process owners know their “standard” processes often don’t meet the requirements of those expected to apply them. If these processes can’t be applied, they may as well not exist.
By Ivan Seselj • March 10, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
WardsAuto Flashback – February 2017
Playboy Unveiled; Ford Imports U.K. Cars; GM, Ford Splits Proposed; Fewer Exports Seen; Record Stockpile Coming; Ford Plant Closures; Audio 'Explosion'; Hot AMX; Lincoln Mark III Bows; More Explorers; GM-NBC Settle; VW Courts Lopez; Magna Sets JV
By Al Binder • Feb. 24, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Canadian, EU Auto Industries Welcome Trade Pact
Tariffs on all Canada-built vehicles, including 10% on automobiles, will be phased out over seven years or, for certain types of vehicles, sooner than that. The agreement also will eliminate the EU’s 4.5% tariff on Canada-made auto parts.
By Sara Lewis • Feb. 24, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
UAW President Williams Takes Trump’s Side on Trade
Over the years, the union has maintained a running critique of NAFTA as automakers and suppliers have moved work to Mexico to capitalize on lower wages and looser regulations than are in place in the U.S.
By Joseph Szczesny • Feb. 17, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Coachbuilders Ready to Wow Crowds at Geneva Show
The Italdesign supercar is said to have much in common with the Audi R8/Lamborghini Huracan and reflects the design vision and language of Filippo Perini, who moved to the fledgling automaker from parent company Lamborghini.
By Giancarlo Perini • Feb. 15, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
I Drove a Chinese Car; American Auto Workers Have Reason to Worry
Poor quality that would hamper sales and brand acceptance is what many expected from the first made-in-China light vehicles sold in the U.S. Not a $50,000 near-luxury CUV.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Feb. 15, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Self-Driving Cars Will Save Lives But Require Reprogramming Nation
That the majority of Americans still fear autonomous-vehicle technology means transforming their habits and reprogramming a nation.
By Michal Stencl • Feb. 14, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
New Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer Lightens Up
A comprehensive lightweighting program compensates for new high-tech features including all-wheel-drive with torque vectoring and 8-speed automatic transmission.
By Paul Myles • Feb. 10, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mustang Buyers Warming to Makeover
Ford’s restyled ’18 Mustang is garnering mixed reactions, but the company says that’s to be expected whenever an icon is reshaped. Overall, Ford says the customer base is diversifying and expanding with Millennials and globally.
By Bob Gritzinger • Feb. 9, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Which Comes First in Customer Reviews, the Car Dealership or the Salesperson?
DealerRater asked people using its website, “Are you referring the dealership or the salesperson?”
By Steve Finlay • Feb. 9, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
U.K. Market Posts Best January Result Since 2005
Sales of gasoline-powered light vehicles rose 8.9% last month, while diesel deliveries fell 4.3% and alternatively fueled vehicles sold at a rate 19.9% ahead of like-2016.
By Alan Harman • Feb. 8, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Two Tidbits From CES
It was comforting for me to hear several experts predict hack-proof cars are right around the corner. And it was eye-opening to hear the cost of electric-vehicle batteries are coming down far faster than anyone expected.
By John McElroy • Feb. 7, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
U.S. Fuel Economy Up in January update from February 2017
All alternative-power types showed small gains in share, with PHEVs and EVs doubling share.
By Erin Sunde • Feb. 7, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
North American Capacity Utilization to Dip in 2017 Despite Higher Production
Despite an expected sales downturn, production will rise in 2017 due to added capacity and increased export output.
By Haig Stoddard • Feb. 6, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Record January U.S. Inventory Portends Robust February Sales
Among automakers, how market leader General Motors deals with rising inventory will have the biggest impact on whether February sales rise or fall.
By Haig Stoddard • Feb. 6, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
The Big Story: Behind the Scenes of the F&I Innovator of Year Contest
With a $25,000 prize on the line, enterprising Northwood University students go for it.
By Steve Finlay • Feb. 6, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Euro NCAP Testing Saving Lives, Backers Say
Thatcham Research, which conducts U.K. crash tests for Euro NCAP, estimates that advances driven by rigorous testing have helped deliver a 63% reduction in car occupants killed and seriously injured annually since 1997.
By Alan Harman • Feb. 2, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chinese Manufacturing Opposite What Expected; Time to End 50/50 JV
Pricey, well-appointed luxury cars may be what Chinese manufacturers start with here, while more reciprocity is needed between U.S. and China investment rules.
Feb. 2, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
U.S. Sales Start 2017 Relatively Strong in January
Midsize cars took a beating in January, with nearly every automaker recording double-digit losses in the segment
By Haig Stoddard • Feb. 1, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
January 2017 U.S. LV Sales Thread: Industry Hit 17.5 Million SAAR
(SUMMARY) U.S. automakers to sell 1.14 million light vehicles in January, down 1.7% from year-ago.
By Erin Sunde • Feb. 1, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Record U.S. Sales Seen for 2017, But There Are Hurdles
Consultant J.D. Power predicts a slight rise in light-vehicle volume this year but says automakers must keep production in check if industry health is to be maintained.
By David Zoia Editor • Jan. 26, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Clean-Air Rules Could Freshen Chilean Auto Market
The combination of motor vehicles, heavy industry and rapid population growth has increased air pollution in the Chilean capital to critical levels. By 1990, Santiago was as much a byword for choking smog as Beijing is today.
By Tom Azzopardi • Jan. 26, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealing With the NAFTA Math
Canada, the U.S. and Mexico have truly become one integrated and connected market over the last two-plus decades. It makes no economic sense to turn that market off.
By Brandon Stallard • Jan. 24, 2017
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