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    Ferrari 488 Snapped Up in Oz

    The average age of Ferrari owners in Australia is decreasing and now is at 48 years old, an executive says, with demand accelerating as confidence levels rise among small-to-medium-sized business owners.

    By Alan Harman • July 31, 2015
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    Malaysian Auto Group Looks for Second-Half Upturn

    “We have yet to discount our target of 700,000 units for 2015,” Malaysia Automotive Institute CEO Madani Sahari says.

    By Alan Harman • July 31, 2015
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    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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    UAW Loses Ground As Mitsubishi Closes Illinois Plant

    Chronically low capacity utilization, an aging, high-seniority workforce and an upcoming new contract left Mitsubishi with “a big cost bubble coming soon with little return,” says Justin West, former president of UAW Local 2488 at Normal.

    By Joseph Szczesny • July 30, 2015
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    World Vehicle Sales Up 0.5% in First Half

    Growth in North America and Europe balanced losses in South America and Asia.

    By Erin Sunde • July 30, 2015
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    Thai Sales Remain Weak, Though Slight Gain Seen for Second-Half 2015

    Toyota Thailand President Kyoichi Tanada says the sales decline is being fueled by concerns over global economic instability.

    By Alan Harman • July 30, 2015
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    U.K. First-Half Car Production Achieves 7-Year High

    With production volumes up more than 50% since 2009 and many new models going into production in the coming months, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says the region’s car industry is growing on a global scale.

    By Alan Harman • July 28, 2015
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    No Laughing Matter With Blinker Bozo at the Wheel

    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.There are worse offenses among drivers than being a Blinker Bozo. But that’s no consolation while you’re following one.Blinker Bozo-ness, th...

    By July 27, 2015
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    Luxury-Car Sales Numbers Small But on Rise in Russia

    Sales have jumped in part because most luxury automakers and their dealers have refused to raise prices while also offering additional benefits and incentives for customers.

    By Eugene Gerden • July 27, 2015
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    With TRW, ZF Shows Off ‘Wide Portfolio’

    Engineers and designers from ZF and the former TRW have been sharing notes, exchanging ideas and identifying best practices, and some of the resulting technologies will be ready for market in the near future.

    July 23, 2015
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    Celerio Leads Maruti Suzuki’s Push Into Rural India

    India’s No.1 automaker saw rural sales jump 23% in 2014, the year of the Celerio’s introduction, compared with 11% in urban areas.

    By Sudhakar Shah • July 22, 2015
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    Mcity Sets Stage for Self-Driving at Willow Run?

    Ann Arbor’s Mcity test track includes four traffic lights, an underpass, metal bridge deck, gravel roadways and parking spaces that are angled, perpendicular and parallel. Efforts are under way to open a similar but larger facility nearby in Ypsilanti.

    July 21, 2015
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    Bridgestone Launches Indonesian Joint Venture

    The tire manufacturer has hooked up with Indonesian auto-parts producer PT Astra Otoparts, holding 51% and 49% of the JV, respectively.

    By Alan Harman • July 21, 2015
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    The Long and Short of Auto Loans Now vs. Then

    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.Last week, I asked readers and car-industry Facebook folks what they thought of 84-month auto loans. Plenty of people weighed in. Here’s a s...

    By Steve Finlay 2 • July 16, 2015
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    JLR Looks to Eastern Europe to Expand Production

    The luxury automaker has signed a manufacturing agreement with contract assembler Magna Steyr to build vehicles in Austria but also is in negotiations to build a new plant in Poland or Slovakia.

    By Peter Homola • July 16, 2015
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    How to Drive Auto Sales Without Sacrificing Branding

    In an industry where TV commercials have long dominated, digital video is coming in hot on its tail.

    By Erik Schear • July 15, 2015
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    Report Forecasts Robust Hybrid Growth While EVs Lag

    The Roland Berger consultancy calls its 2025 forecast optimistic, meaning hybrid sales growth in the U.S. and Europe will depend on strict emissions and fuel-economy regulations and large investments in battery-recharging infrastructure.

    By Roger Schreffler • July 14, 2015
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    Luxury Brands Have Great Cars, and Great Salespeople

    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.Why do Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Lexus rank 1-2-3 in U.S. luxury-brand sales?Reasons vary. But one of them is that their dealership salespeople...

    By Steve Finlay 2 • July 13, 2015
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    Ukraine Duties on Car Imports Under Fire From WTO

    Japan’s complaint to the WTO claims Ukraine’s duties violate the trade organization’s agreement on safeguards and its general agreement on tariffs and trade (GATT).

    By Keith Nuthall • July 7, 2015
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    Ireland Posts Strong First Half, More of Same Expected

    June car sales were down, but industry executives say that’s because buyers were waiting for second-half 2015 license plates and manufacturer incentives to come.

    By Alan Harman • July 6, 2015
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    Russia Liberalizes Localized Auto Production Rules

    The proposal is a response to concerns expressed by many foreign automakers that the ongoing decline of the Russian automotive market may leave them unable to meet their obligations to reach 75% levels of localization by 2018.

    By Eugene Gerden • July 6, 2015
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    Fewer U.S. Households Buying New Cars

    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.New-car sales in the U.S.  are strong and could hit 17.3 million vehicles this year. That’s close to an all-time record. Everyone in th...

    By John McElroy 1 • July 1, 2015
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    Scion Planning Biggest Ad Campaign Since Brand’s Launch for iA, iM

    The Toyota youth-focused brand is targeting 30,000-40,000 sales annually of the new iM compact hatchback and 12-month volume in the mid-20,000 range for the iA.

    July 1, 2015
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    Facebook’s Great, But Conversation Sells Cars

    Social-media marketing has changed the way car dealerships interact with consumers, but hasn’t impacted sales.

    By Justin Marquardt • June 30, 2015
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    A Place to Store, Track Your Classic

    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.PONTIAC, MI – A car collection needs space, and this old hub of automotive production has it.Those with big wallets and a seemingly uncontro...

    By Tom Murphy • June 26, 2015
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    Duramax Seeks Tow-Hold Among Compact Trucks

    Block, head, pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft are among carry-over parts on 2.8L diesel slated for Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon, but unique features include an exhaust brake and torque converter with vibration-absorbing qualities.

    June 25, 2015