Operations: Page 183
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Management, Technicians Should Set Goals Together
Assigning each technician a production objective will increase shop output. But the targets must be fair and reasonable.
By David Linton • Sept. 24, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
1.0L EcoBoost 3-Cyl. Shockingly Quiet, Capable
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 have seen the future, and it’s not so bad.The looming specter of fuel economy standards doubling by 2025 is forcing auto makers to contemp...
By Tom Murphy • Sept. 21, 2012 -
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
Increase Gross Profits, Control Costs
The average dealership service absorption rate has declined 2.5% in year-to-date 2012 compared with year-ago.
By Tony Noland • Sept. 21, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
McLaren P1 Second of Three Exotics From U.K.
The dramatically shaped 2-seater to be unveiled in Paris stands as a design study, but a production version will be on sale next year.
Sept. 21, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
2-Door Paceman, Fastest Mini Ever on Tap for Paris
The Paceman offers 38.1-cu.-ft. of maximum cargo room and choice of diesel or gasoline engines. The high-performance John Cooper Works GP hits 0-62 mph in 6.3 seconds.
By WardsAuto Staff • Sept. 20, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
DrivingSales Summit Centers on Modern Car Selling
The DrivingSales Executive Summit is described as 100% dealer-driven and designed for the industry’s most advanced dealership principals.
By Steve Finlay • Sept. 20, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Fourth-Gen Range Rover First of New-Model Blitz
Scheduled to appear in dealer showrooms in early December, the fourth-generation Range Rover is the first new model developed since India’s Tata bought the British Land Rover brand from Ford in late 2008.
By Herb Shuldiner 1 • Sept. 14, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Midsize Cars, CUVs to Lead Product Turnover Through 2015
The Middle Car segment will make up 36.0% of 2013’s new-product volume, while Midsize CUVs will account for 23.3%, for a 59.3% total market share. The two segments will represent 31.2% of new-product sales in 2014 and 43.6% in 2014.
By Haig Stoddard • Sept. 14, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Financial Services Grow as Auto Sales Increase
One of the newest offerings is Ally Balloon Advantage, a retail-installment contract with reduced regular payments in exchange for a larger balloon payment at the end of the loan.
By Steve Finlay • Sept. 12, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ssangyong Releases Photos of Next-Gen XIV Concept CUV
The eXIV is powered by a battery and a range-extending auxiliary engine that takes the place of the second-generation concept’s gas- or diesel-only mill.
By Vince Courtenay • Sept. 11, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
McLaren Supercar Buyers Spend Big on Options
McLaren coupe buyers so far this year have spent on average at least $30,000 for items such as Brembo carbon brake rotors, special paint jobs, carbon paneling in the engine bay and three different wheel options.
By Herb Shuldiner 1 • Sept. 11, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Car Payment Now No.1 Priority for Borrowers
The three biggest factors affecting the validity of credit scoring are shifting demographics, changing loan-payment priorities and buyer preferences.
By Pete Radike • Sept. 11, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ride Down Memory Lane
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.Sometimes, the best way to navigate the road ahead is to understand and appreciate the path already traveled.The historical jewel that is Gr...
By Tom Murphy • Sept. 10, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
August U.S. Light-Vehicle Sales Record Best SAAR in 2012
Three high-volume manufacturers, Toyota, Honda and Volkswagen (including Audi), get most of the credit for the industry’s large double-digit gain.
By Haig Stoddard • Sept. 4, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Panic in the Premium Car Segment
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.Most of us in auto retailing deal with the day-to-day challenges of market conditions, economy issues and inventory levels.We dodge, weave a...
By Jim Ziegler 2 • Sept. 4, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Autoline After Hours
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.
Sept. 3, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Sedans, New Local Products Highlight Moscow Auto Show
The most significant vehicle premiering in Moscow may be the new-generation Mazda6. The unveiling coincides with the launch of the auto maker’s Russian assembly joint venture and may reflect sedans’ popularity in the country.
By Peter Homola • Aug. 31, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Production Set for McLaren 12C Spider
Despite a steep $265,750 base price, a McLaren executive says he has spoken with several customers who own 12C coupes and also plan to purchase convertible models.
Aug. 31, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
N. American Output on Track for 15 Million Despite Slower Growth Pace
Light-vehicle production will continue to climb on an annual basis, reaching a 12-year high in 2014, but year-over-year comparisons will begin to narrow as the industry wraps up 2012.
By Haig Stoddard • Aug. 30, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Thailand, Indonesia Vie for New Tata Assembly Plant
The auto maker says building an assembly plant in Thailand would allow it to circumvent that country’s high tariffs for CBUs imported from India.
By Alan Harman • Aug. 28, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Faurecia CEO Says North American Expansion Driving Rapid Growth
The Paris-based supplier holds the leading share of the North American interiors market thanks to its globalization strategy dating back to 2006.
By James M. Amend • Aug. 27, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
North American Auto Makers Reach 100% Capacity Utilization
Second-quarter’s utilization rate for light-vehicle production was the highest on record for any quarter since 2005, and a slight improvement on the first quarter’s 99.4%.
By Haig Stoddard • Aug. 27, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chevy’s First Subcompact Sparks 2,000 Sales in First Month
A Chevrolet executive says the Spark’s overall average transaction price is expected to be about $14,000, $3,000 less than key competitors, and its 1.25L engine requires regular fuel while the Fiat 500 calls for premium.
By Herb Shuldiner 1 • Aug. 24, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
WardsAuto Interview: ACEA Secretary General Ivan Hodac
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.
Aug. 23, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Auto Industry to Suffer Without Skilled Immigrants
Failure by the U.S. Congress to provide visas for skilled workers could result in more auto-industry jobs leaving America, immigration attorney Scott Cooper argues.
By Scott Cooper • Aug. 21, 2012
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