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    Tivoli Air Giving Embattled Ssangyong Breathing Room

    For the first quarter, 17,354 units of all Tivoli models, including the Tivoli Air (XLV and XLV Air in export markets) were sold globally, up 23.3% from like-2015. The Tivoli brand accounted for 48.4% of Ssangyong’s 33,666 worldwide LV sales in the quarter.

    By Vince Courtenay • April 15, 2016
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    U.S. Medium- and Heavy-Duty Truck Sales Down 10% in March

    The medium-duty sector was saved by gains in Class 4-6.The medium-duty sector was saved by gains in Class 4-6.

    By Erin Sunde • April 13, 2016
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    Trendline

    Automotive Manufacturing

    Production strategies are changing rapidly as tariffs and shifts in consumer buying patterns affect the industry.

    By WardsAuto staff
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    ‘Real People’ Desires Vs. ‘Tech Geek’ Assumptions

    Some traits may be good, some bad but “they are what (Americans) are articulating” about themselves, says design executive Jeff DeBoer.

    By April 13, 2016
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    French Connection Nurturing Morocco’s Auto Industry

    “The proximity of France and Morocco allows the development of a local industry with the creation of direct and indirect local jobs,” a Renault spokesman says. “It supports certain activities in Europe such as R&D.”

    By Elizia Volkmann • April 12, 2016
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    U.K. Accounts for 1,000 of 3,500 RHD Mustang Sales

    The right-hand-drive Mustang, built at Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan, has been on sale in the U.K. since late last year.

    By Alan Harman • April 4, 2016
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    Scion Commercial Tops Most Engaging Ads Rankings

    The Scion ad switches places with last week’s No.1 commercial, a Mazda spot set to the Patsy Cline classic “Back in Baby’s Arms.”

    By WardsAuto Staff • March 30, 2016
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    Penton’s IoT Institute in Education Collaboration

    Partnership to educate industry on the Internet of Things concept of connectivity.

    By WardsAuto Staff • March 29, 2016
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    Search & Destroy & Move Those A4s

    Unlike his acknowledged role model Jim Morrison, who rejected Buick’s request to use the Doors’ “Light My Fire” in a commercial circa 1967, Iggy never has had misgivings about his music being used as a capitalist tool, at least not publicly.

    By J.R. Irwin • March 29, 2016
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    Russian Import-Sales Drop Seen Accelerating

    Import sales could drop 20%-30% this year compared with 10%-15% industrywide, leaving imports with about a 15% share of the Russian market.

    By Eugene Gerden • March 28, 2016
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    Automating Accounts Receivable Maximizes Cash Flow, Minimizes Risk

    The same design ingenuity that is applied to automotive products can be used to improve the performance of back-office processes.

    By Brian Shannon • March 25, 2016
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    Navigator Concept Hints at ʼ17 Production Model

    The nautical-inspired large luxury SUV concept has over-the-top elements such as gull-wing doors, concertina steps and a “wardrobe management system.”

    March 23, 2016
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    Clock Ticking for Next Auto-Sales Drop

    “Industry cyclicality has not gone away, it hasn’t changed,” says John Humphrey of J.D. Power.

    March 22, 2016
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    WardsAuto Flashback – March 2016

    GM Strike Costly; Buyers Want 'New'; More Headlamps, Smaller Wheels; AMC V-8; Car Radio Boom; Milestone Mustang; V-8s Rise; Grand Wagoneer Axed; Reatta Dropped; Import Glut; Chrysler Trans Attacked

    March 21, 2016
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    High-Tech Coatings Smooth Way Toward Efficiency

    One of the key innovations for automakers is the use of coatings that reduce friction. This results in equipment breaking down less often, running more efficiently and using less fuel. One company singles out superchargers as beneficiaries.

    By Mark Rowe • March 18, 2016
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    Gen Z Could Make Auto Sales Zoom

    A study indicates automakers and car dealers should expect a new generation of buyers who want the product but watch their spending.

    By March 16, 2016
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    Russian Auto Dealersʼ Fortunes Sink Alongside Sales

    Russian Association of Auto Dealers President Vladimir Mozhenkov says the existing dealer network is designed to sell at least 3 million cars per year. Light-vehicle sales in 2015 totaled just 1.6 million units, down 35.7% from prior-year, WardsAuto data shows.

    By Eugene Gerden • March 15, 2016
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    FCA to Infuse New Life Into Anemic Russian Sales

    The reorganization plan includes terminating Jeep Compass sales. The automaker delivered only 72 units in Russia last year, down 89.7% from like-2014. The CUV was hurt by a 30% price increase prompted by the tumbling value of the ruble.

    By Eugene Gerden • March 14, 2016
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    Turkish-Built Dodge Neon Lights Up Again in Mexico

    Tofas, a joint venture between FCA and Turkish conglomerate Koc Holding, launched volume production of the new sedan in September. The car is sold as the Fiat Egea in Turkey, while FCA uses Fiat’s traditional Tipo model name for other markets.

    By Peter Homola • March 11, 2016
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    Pacifica Offers Sub-$30,000 Starting Price

    Chrysler says the all-new Pacifica minivan will carry a starting price of $28,595, with the range-topping model starting at $42,495. The ’17 model goes on sale this spring.

    By March 10, 2016
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    Korea’s Ssangyong May Be Headed for U.S. Market

    Although Pawan Goenka, head of global auto operations for parent Mahindra & Mahindra, seems to favor China, CEO Choi Johng-sik says Ssangyong plans to enter the U.S. market when it launches the SIV-2, a B-segment CUV.

    By Vince Courtenay • March 10, 2016
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    Georgia Confident About Auto-Sector Growth

    “Even in an industry that isn’t growing, we still believe we’ll be able to recruit suppliers from other places,” says one state official.

    By David Zoia Editor • March 9, 2016
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    U.K. Motoring Event to Feature ʼ86 Benz – As in 1886

    Besides Benz, six examples of which were featured in 2015, organizers hope to see antique cars from Adler, Bergmann, Daimler, Lutzmann, Mercedes and Opel make the 60-mile run from London’s Hyde Park to Brighton.

    By Alan Harman • March 8, 2016
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    Say ‘No’ to Saying ‘Yes’ Too Fast

    Pricing transparency has made auto dealers overly worried about losing deals.

    By Tony Noland 1 • March 8, 2016
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    It’s Best Not to Get Too Hacked-Off With Cyber Security

    Lessons the connected car industry can draw from recent white-hat hacking incidents.

    By Louis Bedigian • March 4, 2016
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    Reap Benefits of Passing Out Business Cards

    Relationship building increases the potential to close, especially if the customer goes to the car dealership and asks for a specific salesperson.

    By Richard Libin • March 4, 2016