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Courtesy of WardsAuto
TrueCar Truly Sorry
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.When I arrive for lunch with TrueCar.com’s Scott Painter, he’s already at the table. Next to his place setting is a tall shot glass holding ...
By Steve Finlay 2 • Oct. 22, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Auto Makers Dig In as Europe Redlines, Emerging Markets Lose Luster
Global car companies count on exports to buoy their bottom line, and many build cars overseas where they sell them. But while some key markets appear to be thriving, outlooks are cautious for others that are forcing lowered expectations.
By Barbara McClellan 1 • Oct. 22, 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
Europe August Vehicle Sales Drop, But Avoid Freefall
Among the 24 countries tracked by WardsAuto, five enjoyed gains in the month, including Denmark, Norway, Russia, Slovakia and Switzerland. But Finland, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia saw losses ranging from 21% to 47%.
By Haig Stoddard • Oct. 19, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
DuPont Reboots in Detroit
DuPont has numerous prototype parts on display at its Innovation Center opening that could be future game-changers, including a plastic muffler.
Oct. 19, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
With Dream Car-Boat in Dry Dock, Firm Launches Quadski
New Zealander bills his new made-in-Detroit vehicle as the world’s first high-speed sports amphibian.
By Steve Finlay • Oct. 19, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hella Bringing Stop-Start to Next Level
The German supplier says its upcoming system can shut down the engine at speeds up to 60 mph and deliver 10% in fuel savings.
By Byron Pope • Oct. 19, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mexico Production Up in September; Sales Post Modest Gain
Light-vehicle sales in Mexico rose 3.9% to 79,802, with a 13.5% jump in light trucks and an 0.8% uptick in cars.
By Byron Pope • Oct. 18, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Light by Laser Next Headlamp Trend, Experts Say
A laser could emit headlight beams from a 0.4-in. slit in the front of the car, says a Valeo engineer, an idea that’s sure to please vehicle designers.
By William Diem • Oct. 17, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Driving Repeat Sales: CRM Strategies for Today’s Savvy Consumer
OEs need to be involved in customer-relationship management, writes Rebecca Herwitt, a CRM specialist for Chicago-based Plan B. Leverage solid data, and build brand advocates among consumers, she advises.
By Rebecca Herwitt • Oct. 12, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
White Takes Top Spot in Automotive Colors for Second Year, PPG Says
White wins again because it is the most readily available paint color, offered by nearly every vehicle segment, the supplier says. It also is the most-popular choice for midsize sedans.
By Byron Pope • Oct. 10, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Most Over-Hyped Automotive Trends of Past 25 Years
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 the 25th anniversary of the Society of Automotive Analysts, I recently had the honor of moderating a panel of auto industry luminaries t...
By Drew Winter • Oct. 9, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Performance-Oriented B-Cars Storming U.S. Market
Unlike the hot hatches of the last decade, the new breed is smaller, cheaper and more fuel-efficient. At the same time, it delivers on the promise of genuinely superior driving dynamics.
By James M. Amend • Oct. 9, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
‘Green Tires’ Gaining Traction
Low-rolling-resistance tires already are common on U.S. models that stress fuel-efficiency, such as hybrid-electric and battery electric vehicles.
Oct. 8, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
September Sales Thread: SAAR Best Since Spring 2008
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.September 2012 Light Vehicle Sales Volume:WardsAuto forecast: 1.16 million unitsActual: 1.184 millionDifferential: 1.8% Sep...
By John Sousanis 1 • Oct. 2, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Small, Midsize Cars Push U.S. Sales to Long-Time High
September’s 14.9 million SAAR marks the highest tally since a similar result in March 2008.
By Haig Stoddard • Oct. 2, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Meet the New Boss
Ford’s Boss 302 is remarkable because it achieves its prodigious output without forced induction and is a surprisingly pleasant daily driver.
By Gary Witzenburg • Oct. 1, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Jaguar Land Rover Looking to Escape Niche, Go Global
Jaguar’s brand manager calls the supercharged F-type fullsize sports car “a vivid symbol of our future ambitions.”
By William Diem • Sept. 27, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
PSA Brands Strut Their Stuff, Despite European Woes
The big event on the Peugeot stand is the Onyx concept supercar. With a V-8 engine behind the front seats, it’s aimed at imagination, not production.
By William Diem • Sept. 27, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Fisker Secures $100 Million Equity Funding After Federal Loan Stalls
The startup auto maker already has received a federal loan for $193 million to build the Karma plug-in hybrid and has said it requires another $351 million to produce its next model. The DOE has delayed approval of the latter amount.
By Herb Shuldiner 1 • Sept. 27, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Is It Illegal to Sell F&I Products?
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.Let’s get a couple of things out of the way.It is wrong for a car dealership’s finance and insurance staffer to pack payments. That’s a disc...
By Steve Finlay 2 • Sept. 25, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Japanese Auto Makers Report on Sustainability Measures
Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Mazda all say they are building on existing technology and developing new hardware to make their vehicles more environmentally friendly and safer.
By Roger Schreffler • Sept. 25, 2012 -
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 -
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
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