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Industry Group Cuts Thai Car-Sales Forecast Again
The Federation of Thai Industries is cutting this year’s projection 5.9% to 800,000 units after lowering it last month to 850,000 from 950,000.
By Alan Harman • Aug. 14, 2015 -
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JLR’s New Slovak Plant Could Hit Personnel Snag
JLR is expected to create up to 4,000 direct jobs at its Slovak plant. But its location within 100 miles of Volkswagen, PSA and Kia facilities has raised concerns the luxury automaker may have trouble finding enough qualified workers.
By Peter Homola • Aug. 13, 2015 -
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Nanogenerator Stores Energy When Rubber Meets Road
The amount of energy saved can vary depending on the vehicle, but University of Wisconsin researcher Xudong Wang predicts about a 10.4% increase in the average vehicle’s gas mileage, given a 50% friction energy conversion efficiency.
By Alan Harman • Aug. 13, 2015 -
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8-, 9-Speeds, CVTs Make ’15 Gains
Although 6-speed automatic transmissions still dominate, 8- and 9-speed automatics and CVTs make further inroads in ’15-model light-vehicles.
By Al Binder • Aug. 12, 2015 -
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Imported Impala Stickers for Less in Korea Than U.S.
Despite special processing, shipping, import duties and other regulatory costs, the fullsize Chevrolet’s sticker price in Korea is at least $3,000 less than an identical car sold in the U.S. GM Korea CEO Sergio Rocha doesn’t say how it is done.
By Vince Courtenay • Aug. 12, 2015 -
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Information Technology Making Mean Streets Less Mean
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.Information technology will make getting from Point A to Point B in increasingly congested cities manageable, with or without one’s own car,...
By Jim Irwin • Aug. 10, 2015 -
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Green-Car Patents Raise Old Issues, New Questions
An automaker that can develop or license a unique technology essentially can claim a specific market segment for itself. This is difficult in the auto business, given its high level of differentiation based on well-known common technologies.
By Andrew Burnyeat • Aug. 7, 2015 -
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In a BTW, TrueCar Tells of Scott Painter Leaving as CEO
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.Scott Painter leaves a mixed legacy when he steps down later this year as CEO of TrueCar.On the one hand, the company he founded has altered...
By Steve Finlay 2 • Aug. 6, 2015 -
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Reporter Notebook: Luxury Sales Handcuffed in China
WardsAuto writers pass along the buzz at this week’s Center for Automotive Research’s Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, MI.
Aug. 6, 2015 -
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China Taking Intellectual Property Issues More Seriously
Western companies are winning IP challenges in China as judges in the country become more knowledgeable and sophisticated on the matter.
Aug. 6, 2015 -
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Your Car Built for You – While You Wait
The first street-legal 3D-printed cars from Local Motors are expected within 24 months. Renowned Ford GT designer Camilo Pardo is lobbying to design one.
By Bill Visnic • Aug. 6, 2015 -
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Australia’s LV Market Rides SUVs to Record July
An industry group says SUV deliveries rose 13.4% during July, the segment’s fourth record month of the year, and accounted for more than 35% of the new-car market.
By Alan Harman • Aug. 6, 2015 -
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Would You Rent Your Car? You May Have No Choice
The growth in megacities and likely resulting restrictions on automobile access could force consumers into car sharing, a Ford official predicts.
By Bill Visnic • Aug. 5, 2015 -
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Green Cars No Lost Cause…Or Are They?
While broccoli is good for people, they’d rather have doughnuts, much in the same way new-car buyers would rather drive light trucks than fuel-efficient small cars or hybrids, says Honda dealer Forrest McConnell III.
Aug. 5, 2015 -
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Sales Without End, Somebody Say ‘Amen’
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.I love optimism as much as the next guy. The last thing we need in our business are perpetually negative people.I am neither an optimist nor...
By Jim Ziegler 2 • Aug. 5, 2015 -
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Mexico Emerging as Global Player
An expert says lower wages, growing technology prowess, improved quality and productivity, plus its favorable location amenable to exports, are contributing to Mexico’s success in luring automotive investment.
By David C. Smith • Aug. 5, 2015 -
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Reporter Notebook: Keeping It Simple
WardsAuto writers pass along the buzz at this week’s Center for Automotive Research’s Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, MI.
By WardsAuto Staff • Aug. 5, 2015 -
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July Sales Keep New Zealand on Pace for Record Year
Toyota remained the overall market leader with 1,856 sales for an 18% share. Ford’s and GM Holden’s shares were 10% and 9%, respectively.
By Alan Harman • Aug. 5, 2015 -
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North America Sales to Average 20 Million-Plus; Production to Top 18 Million
An irony of the 1.5 million units in new production capacity being added in North America in the next four years is that sales penetration of domestically made vehicles won’t rise significantly.
By Haig Stoddard • Aug. 4, 2015 -
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Panel: Styling Still Matters When Self-Drivers Hit in 2025-2030
Vehicle design is “still part of who you are,” Denso’s Patton says, no matter if you’re behind the wheel or asleep in the backseat.
Aug. 3, 2015 -
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Steel Fights Back With Ultra HSS
Steel already has cut weight substantially. If a ’94 Taurus were made with today’s high-strength steel, it would weigh 30% less.
By David C. Smith • Aug. 3, 2015 -
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July U.S. Sales Soar to 17.5 Million SAAR
Sales of large trucks rebounded from a June decline that ended 15 straight increases, but were uneven across segments and possibly aided by some spot incentives.
By Haig Stoddard • Aug. 3, 2015 -
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Ukrainian Auto Industry Has Nowhere to Go But Up
A Frost & Sullivan report says emerging middle classes in countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan will create a demand for more, and updated, cars.
By Mark Rowe • Aug. 3, 2015 -
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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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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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