Operations: Page 158
-
Remembering Automotive Pioneer Denise McCluggage
Editor's note: This story is part of the WardsAuto digital archive, which may include content that was first published in print, or in different web layouts.We were part of Volkswagen’s introduction of the Passat with 4Motion at the 2000 Geneva Auto Show, test driving the new full-time all-wheel-...
By Barbara McClellan 2 • May 8, 2015 -
Seeing Red Isn’t All Bad
In a car like the all-new Mercedes C-Class, the Diamond White Metallic sheet metal is the predictable, safe bet, but the soft, quilted crimson leather that appears once the door opens serves as an invitation as irresistible as the siren’s song.
May 7, 2015 -
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 -
Chinese Auto Market Cooling Down, Not Cooling Off
While China’s vehicle sales have slowed from the unsustainably torrid rate of a few years ago, they nevertheless are growing, and should grow at a healthy rate for another decade, government and private analysts say.
By Alysha Webb • May 7, 2015 -
The Minivan, Reborn
Great colors, materials, ergonomics and creature comforts (footrests!) make the ’15 Sedona quite possibly the ultimate minivan.
May 5, 2015 -
Canada April LV Sales Set Mark
Light-vehicle sales in Canada reached an April record of 188,300 units that also happened to be the market’s second-best month ever.
By Al Binder • May 4, 2015 -
Let’s Rewrite This Movie’s Script
Editor's note: This story is part of the WardsAuto digital archive, which may include content that was first published in print, or in different web layouts.In the movie “Jaws,” it was Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfus running around warning the citizens that the shark was still out there. Unfortu...
By Jim Ziegler 2 • May 4, 2015 -
Deluxe Pickups Combine Utility, Comfort
Gone are the days when truck interiors came in three trim levels: bare, barer and barest.
By Steve Finlay • May 4, 2015 -
Civic Concept Excitement Will Make it to Production; 3-Cyl. Still Under Study
The Civic lineup again will include 2- and 4-door body styles, powered by a new 1.5L turbocharged gasoline engine, as well as a hatchback for the first time in a long time and a U.S. Type R for the first time ever.
May 4, 2015 -
(FINAL) April 2015 U.S. LV Sales Thread: April Daily Sales Reach 13-Year High
U.S. automakers sold 1.45 million light vehicles in April, a 4.9% improvement from year-ago.
By John Sousanis • May 1, 2015 -
Marchionne Pleads Case for Mergers
Sergio Marchionne declines to reveal potential partners or whether he is in discussions with other OEMs, but says financial analysts must play role in promoting the need for industry consolidation.
By Byron Pope • April 29, 2015 -
Filmmaker on Mission to Find Car Designers From Industry’s Golden Age
Editor's note: This story is part of the WardsAuto digital archive, which may include content that was first published in print, or in different web layouts.Robert Edwards is a man on a mission with his collection of rare, signed studio concept-car designs that capture Detroit’s golden age of aut...
By Barbara McClellan 2 • April 29, 2015 -
WardsAuto Flashback – April 2015
Graham Launches Hollywood; CIO Wins GM; AMC, S-P Battle; T'bird Leads; Lincoln, Mercury Separate; Gladiator gets Vigilante; AMA Asks Smog Research; 8-Track Intro; Impact Lauded; Minivans Drive Sales
By Al Binder • April 28, 2015 -
Thai Auto-Testing Center Plans Shift Out of Neutral
Thailand’s automotive industry has campaigned for years for a regional testing center, in part to cut development costs. Vehicle assemblers now must have their products tested in India, Taiwan or Spain when a new series is launched.
By Alan Harman • April 28, 2015 -
Alabama Dispute Strains UAW-Lear Relationship
Lear says tests conducted by it and OSHA show air quality in the Renosol plant, which makes foam for seat cushions used by Hyundai supplier Lear, is at acceptable levels. It also contends the UAW is staging the dispute to win support for its organizing effort at Renosol.
By Joseph Szczesny • April 23, 2015 -
WardsAuto Names 2015 Design Competition Finalists
Grand prize and special award winners will be announced May 13 during the WardsAuto Interiors Conference at Cobo Center’s riverfront ballroom in Detroit.
April 22, 2015 -
One-off Graphic Distinguishes 6 Millionth Land Rover
The same graphic was projected on the wall of the Solihull manufacturing facility to mark the moment when the 6 millionth vehicle rolled off the production line. The vehicle was displayed at the Shanghai Auto Show.
By Alan Harman • April 22, 2015 -
SAE Panel: ICE, With Increasing Efficiency, Here to Stay
Technologies such as direct injection and variable valve timing have made the internal combustion engine very efficient, panelists concur.
April 21, 2015 -
New Scion Models Reflect Demographic Fine-Tuning
Group Vice President Doug Murtha says buyer demographics for the iA sedan and iM hatchback basically are the same as those for any car in the Scion lineup: people who want a high-mileage, affordable new small car that isn’t bare-bones.
By Jim Mateja • April 20, 2015 -
Students Envision Self Drivers for 2030
The assignment is to design the interior of a compact CUV or SUV aimed at active professionals who want a car that drives itself on daily commutes but who also want the option to physically drive in the country on weekends.
April 17, 2015 -
3D Printers Offer New Dimension in Manufacturing
From fabricating entire structures to specific parts, 3D printing can create most components of an innovative automobile and in the future could build an entire car.
By Kitty So • April 17, 2015 -
Inner Beauty for the Masses
Editors selected the Ward’s 10 Best Interiors after spending February and March evaluating 42 new interiors and scoring them on design aesthetics, materials, ergonomics, safety, comfort, value, fit-and-finish and driver information. Trophies will be awarded May 13.
April 16, 2015 -
U.S. Second-Quarter LV Sales Pegged at 16.8 Million SAAR
Potential headwinds could cut April’s SAAR as much as 800,000 to 900,000 units from March’s 17.1 million total.
By Haig Stoddard • April 10, 2015 -
Shell Oil Commissions Gas-Powered City Car Concept
The model will be a ground-up, total rethink of the Gordon Murray Design T.25 car developed in 2010 using specially formulated Shell lubricants.
By Alan Harman • April 9, 2015 -
March Drives Mexico LV Sales to Q1 Record
Mexican dealers posted their third consecutive monthly LV sales record in March to reach an all-time high first-quarter tally.
By Al Binder • April 9, 2015 -
Russia’s Car Sales Run Into Deeper Rut in March
Amidst Kremlin-inspired anti-American sentiment over the Ukraine crisis and subsequent sanctions, the General Motors Group of Chevrolet, Opel and Cadillac finished both March and the first quarter down 75.5%.
By Alan Harman • April 9, 2015