Operations: Page 179
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Conti ‘Halo’ System Refocuses Driver’s Attention
The Driver Focus concept uses a light bar to capture a distracted driver’s gaze and prevent texting, applying lipstick, reading and other dangerous behaviors.
Feb. 20, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
China’s Qoros to Take Stage at Geneva
First to hit the market later this year will be a new sedan, targeted at the BMW 3-Series. A wagon model and hybrid cross/utility vehicle will follow.
By Giancarlo Perini • Feb. 19, 2013 -
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
WardsAuto Flashback – February 2013
Work slowed temporarily on Chevrolet’s ’54-model program in order to rush tooling for the all-new Corvette sports car, WAR reports in a special Bulletin, dated Feb. 9, 1953.
By Al Binder • Feb. 15, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Alfa’s U.S.-Bound 4C to Make Another Appearance at Geneva Show
The mid-engine car is being counted on to carry the Alfa brand along until a spate of new models arrives by 2015.
By Giancarlo Perini • Feb. 12, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Topless Viper? Count On It
For the first time, Viper is launching initially as a hardtop, but SRT chief Ralph Gilles says a convertible could be only a few years away.
Feb. 12, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ram’s Small Van at Fork in Road
Chrysler’s new minivan strategy may spell an end to the model, which has been popular among fleet customers.
By Aaron Foley • Feb. 12, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Bridgestone Tire Comes Full Circle 25 Years After Buying Firestone in 1988
Bridgestone closed the Firestone deal in March 1998, beating out its European rivals. The makeup of the global tire industry would never be the same, as one by one competitors followed with their own acquisitions and mergers.
By Roger Schreffler • Feb. 11, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Reasons Vehicle Sales Will Increase This Year
NADA Chief Economist Paul Taylor lists positive indicators ranging from low credit to higher home prices.
By Steve Finlay • Feb. 9, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Slow-Recovering Economy to Help Used-Car Sales, Analyst Says
More buyers will turn toward previously owned vehicles, but prices will rise as fresh models roll in and supply will remain low.
By Aaron Foley • Feb. 9, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
North America Q1 Output Steady
North American auto plants will build 4,027,500 light vehicles, within 99.0% of year-ago, after a modest 12,100 units are added to first-quarter production schedules.
By Al Binder • Feb. 6, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dodge Looks for Sales Boost With Dart GT
SRT President and CEO Ralph Gilles says the GT will draw more young males to the compact Dart, which translates into sales. “Whatever you call it, it’s a great car. It’s not an SRT, but it’ll do for me.”
By Aaron Foley • Feb. 5, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Super Bowl, Super Social
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.First off, there probably will be a million “social media reaction” stories circulating the Internet regarding this year’s Super Bowl ads, s...
By Aaron Foley 1 • Feb. 4, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dodge Dart Sales Inch Upward; Ram 1500 Pulls Greatest Haul
Chrysler sees an overall volume increase of 16.8% from 2012, another sign the auto maker is back on the right track.
By Aaron Foley • Feb. 1, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
World Vehicle Sales Surpass 80 Million in 2012
World vehicle deliveries rose 5.2% in 2012 to 81.8 million units, on the strength of double-digit growth in the U.S. and the Asia-Pacific region.
By John Sousanis • Feb. 1, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
$3.4 Million Supercar Concept to Debut at Qatar Auto Show
The extreme 2-seat coupe features diamond-encrusted LED lighting, a gold-plated hood and a holographic display on the windshield.
By Giancarlo Perini • Jan. 28, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Believe It: Valid ID Needed to Buy Car
The Transportation Security Admin., car-rental agencies and bars require valid IDs. So should dealers.
By Gil Van Over • Jan. 28, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
More Auto Makers to Take Chicago Showgoers for Spin
Chrysler in 2005 updated an attraction at the first Chicago show held in 1901: an indoor wooden track used to introduce the novelty of the horseless carriage that most visitors never had seen before, much less driven in.
By Jim Mateja • Jan. 25, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
I Hear Distant Drums
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.“Distant Drums” with Gary Cooper has always been one of my favorite movies.It is sort of cowboys-and-Indians in the Florida Everglades durin...
By Jim Ziegler 2 • Jan. 23, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Rolls Wraith to Break Cover at Geneva Show
The new model will be positioned at the top of the Phantom lineup and features a more modern design some say may polarize opinion.
By Giancarlo Perini • Jan. 22, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Canada Big-Truck Market Finishes Year With Modest Gains
Class 7’s 30.0% slide was the highest among all segments, as Ford sales plunged 82.0% and Daimler’s tumbled 63.4%.
By Aaron Foley • Jan. 18, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
U.S. Big Trucks See Best Numbers in Five Years
Daimler dominated sales in Classes 7 and 8 in 2012. Class 5 was the best-performing of any truck group last year.
Jan. 18, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mexico Production, Sales Down in December, Up for 2012
Light-vehicle deliveries rose 9.0% to 985,851 units last year, while production gained 12.0% to 3,002,974.
By Byron Pope • Jan. 18, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Control Expenses to Protect Bottom Line
From inventory management to monthly expense-review meetings, dealers can do much to enhance their net profits.
By Tony Noland • Jan. 18, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Denso Follows OEM Growth in North America
The Japanese supplier plans to invest more than $1 billion to expand in North America and add 2,000 new jobs. Expansion is coming in powertrain, thermal systems and electronics.
Jan. 17, 2013 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
No Diet Plan for Subcompact ’14 Versa Hatchback
An internal debate ended up resolving the issue of whether the subcompact should get smaller in the name of fuel economy.
By Steve Finlay • Jan. 15, 2013
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