Operations: Page 161


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    Canada LV Sales Post 2014 Record

    Despite some softening in December, Canadian new LV sales reached an all-time high in 2014, breaking a year-old record.

    By Al Binder • Jan. 7, 2015
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    Lessons From the Takata Airbag Disaster

    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.The auto industry will remember 2014 as the year it caught recall-itis. Automakers are in a full-blown panic, recalling tens of millions of ...

    By John McElroy 1 • Jan. 6, 2015
  • Robots in action on the new line at Toyota Kentucky as future Camrys seamlessly roll through the production process. Explore the Trendline
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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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    Where’s the Eco in EcoBoost?

    The F-150’s 2.7L V-6 didn’t make our list because of disappointing fuel economy, and the Mustang’s 2.3L I-4 just doesn’t sound like it belongs in a pony car.

    Jan. 6, 2015
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    U.S. Light-Vehicle Sales Hit 8-Year High in 2014

    Forecast U.S. LV sales in 2015 are pegged to beat 2014, which would make it first time on record that volume increased six straight years.

    By Haig Stoddard • Jan. 5, 2015
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    Implications of the Pursuit of the Driverless Car

    Stakeholders need to stay ahead of the regulatory curve, as laws on the state and federal levels will change in tandem with technological developments.

    By Robert Huey • Jan. 5, 2015
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    Internet Car Sales Click With Chinese Consumers

    Though consumers can buy a Geely car online, dealers still close the sale. That allows the dealer to sell additional products and give the buyer a point of contact for aftersales service.

    By Jan. 5, 2015
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    AutoNation Reinvents Itself, Again

    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.For more than fifteen years we’ve watched AutoNation continually redefining their most recent redefinition.Although I generally hold CEO Mik...

    By Jim Ziegler 2 • Dec. 30, 2014
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    World Vehicle Sales Flat in November

    Deliveries in the Asia-Pacific region remained relatively flat for the third straight month, up just 0.5% from year-ago levels to 3.5 million units.

    By Heather Rowe • Dec. 30, 2014
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    PSA Plant in Spain Lands Major LCV Assembly Program

    The Vigo plant was awarded the K9 program in part because of union concessions, including a 2-tier wage structure, that lowered labor costs relative to a competing PSA plant in Slovakia.

    By Jorge Palacios • Dec. 30, 2014
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    North American Auto Industry Headed for Banner Year in 2015

    North American production gains are forecast in each quarter in 2015, but the increases will be stronger in the second half.

    By Haig Stoddard • Dec. 29, 2014
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    WardsAuto Flashback – December 2014

    1939 Ends Strong; Wagons Gain; Soldiers Man Plants; Fishers Buy Land; Costly '55 GM Facelifts; Q1 1955 Record; Studebaker-Toyota May Link; Radial Tires Coming; Plant Shutdowns Loom; Saturn Misses Target; GM Takes Saab Stake

    By Al Binder • Dec. 23, 2014
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    Ward’s Director Bush to Retire in January

    Under Bush’s stewardship, the company in 2001 launched its highly successful WardsAuto.com subscription-based website, which has won numerous awards over the years for editorial content and design excellence.

    By David Zoia Editor • Dec. 22, 2014
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    Forecast: December Sales Set to Reach 10-Year High

    The latest WardsAuto forecast calls for U.S. automakers to sell 1.51 million light vehicles this month, equating to a 16.95 million-unit SAAR.

    By John Sousanis • Dec. 19, 2014
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    Let’s Rate the 60-Minute Car Deal

    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.Are 1-hour car deals do-able? That’s a discussion topic in an age when vehicle shoppers, especially young ones, are keenly sensitive to time...

    By Steve Finlay 2 • Dec. 15, 2014
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    Smuggling Stalls Growth of Colombia’s Auto Industry

    Large numbers of tires are smuggled into the country as a result of anti-dumping measures Colombia has taken against China, which ensure high tariffs on legal tire imports remain in place.

    By James Bargent • Dec. 15, 2014
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    Conference Examines Commerce and Car Connectivity

    A century ago, the car changed the world, Continental Vice President Ralf Lenninger says. “Now the world is changing the car.”

    By William Diem • Dec. 8, 2014
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    Cyberattacks Come to 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.I was skeptical. I’d seen videos on YouTube where young hackers pry the dashboard off a Prius, hardwire a laptop to the OBD II sensor and th...

    By John McElroy 1 • Dec. 5, 2014
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    Modest Gain Seen in Q1 Output

    As 2015 approaches, automakers have slated a modest 2.5% first-quarter production increase in North American plants.

    By Al Binder • Dec. 5, 2014
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    Game of Inches for Small-Car Importers Eyeing Korea

    Foreign automakers can import their small cars into Korea, but without city-car certification they must compete against homegrown models that meet the requirements and entice buyers with many government incentives.

    By Vince Courtenay • Dec. 5, 2014
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    Record November Canada LV Sales

    With record sales in November, Canadian LVs are assured of 2014 record.

    By Al Binder • Dec. 4, 2014
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    Inventory Could Be Limiting Factor in December U.S. Sales

    Inventory of some key segments that perform well on a seasonal basis in December could be wanting, including Large Pickups, Large and Large Luxury SUVs and Lower Luxury cars.

    By Haig Stoddard • Dec. 4, 2014
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    Lentz Still Wants Scion to Become Small-Premium Brand

    The Toyota brand fills the “affordable-car” niche while Lexus’ desire to stay above $30,000 with its models makes small-premium a good positioning, the Toyota North American CEO says.

    Dec. 3, 2014
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    (FINAL) November 2014 Sales Thread: Automakers Begin Holiday Season with a Bang

    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.November 2014 Light Vehicle Sales Volume: WardsAuto forecast LV Sales:    1.287 million unitsACTUAL November LV Sales:     1.294 million uni...

    By John Sousanis 1 • Dec. 2, 2014
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    Natural Colors Growing in Popularity, Annual Survey Says

    White is the most popular color globally, up 3% from last year to 28%, while black, silver and gray followed with 13% each.

    By Byron Pope • Dec. 2, 2014
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    4-Wheel Steering Market on Rebound

    Germany’s ZF provides rear-steering as standard equipment on four Porsche models, and four other customers will use the supplier’s technology within the next two years.

    Dec. 1, 2014