Operations: Page 191
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mulally Says Segment Leadership Attainable With New Fusion Midsize Sedan
The Fusion ended 2011 with 248,067 deliveries, behind the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry, which led the Middle Car Group as defined by WardsAuto.
By Byron Pope • Jan. 9, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chevy Concept Cars Seek to Inspire America’s Youth
Both vehicles share traits young buyers told GM they are looking for, such as sedan-sized functionality in a performance coupe seating four people.
By James M. Amend • Jan. 9, 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
Asians Again Lose U.S. Share
Asian auto makers took a 43.9% share of total U.S. light-vehicle sales in 2011, down from 46.5% in 2010.
Jan. 6, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
U.S. Luxury-Vehicle Sales Up 10.4% in 2011
BMW was the nation’s top-selling luxury brand, ending a 10-year reign by Lexus. Mercedes finished second.
By Eric Mayne 1 • Jan. 6, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Why Innovation Is Dying in America
Unlike most countries, all new inventions in the U.S. are assigned a political party. Then partisans destroy each other’s innovations for political gain.
Jan. 6, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
December U.S. Light-Vehicle Sales Give Strong Finish to 2011
The market in the final month posted a 13.5 million-unit SAAR, building on third-quarter daily sales of 13.4 million.
By Haig Stoddard • Jan. 5, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Kids Can Influence Parents’ Luxury Car Purchases
“We discovered some adults who don’t want to grow old let their kids pick out the luxury car they are buying,” says Mark Templin of Lexus.
By Steve Finlay • Jan. 4, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Gas Guzzler Group Grows
Fifty-two ’12 nameplates fail to meet the fuel-economy threshold needed to escape the penalty. Factor in all the variations of each and that number swells to 71.
By Eric Mayne 1 • Jan. 3, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
What’s New on WardsAuto?
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.What is new about the new WardsAuto.com website?We have not changed our content, however, we have now added these new features:One unified s...
Dec. 31, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Eco Model to Comprise 10%-15% of Chevy Malibu Mix
The dealer order mix for the Buick LaCrosse eAssist system was 30% in October and November. Demand is expected to taper off after GM launches two new engines.
By James M. Amend • Dec. 30, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
In Search of Perfect Pay Plan
Whatever compensation plan a dealership decides on, make sure customer interests are taken care of.
By Chris Cochran • Dec. 28, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Plastic Omnium Developing Paint Shop From Shipping Containers
The project, under way at the French supplier’s Sigmatech technical center is aimed at cutting the average E50 million cost of a paint shop, says Jean-Michel Szczerba, deputy managing director.
By William Diem • Dec. 27, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chevy Sonic RS Performance Take on Small Car
GM says the Sonic RS, which the auto maker first showed as a “hot-hatch” concept car two years ago, will go on sale in late 2012.
By WardsAuto Staff • Dec. 19, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
‘Bullish’ LaSorda Joins Fisker
The former Chrysler CEO’s decision to join Fisker also sees him become chairman of the board’s strategy council and an “executive advisor” on day-to-day operation, reporting directly to co-founder and CEO, Henrik Fisker.
By Eric Mayne 1 • Dec. 15, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mentors Needed for Automotive Inventors
Auto makers, especially those in Detroit, need to create programs to help outsiders bring their ideas inside the castle walls.
By John McElroy • Dec. 15, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
November Big-Truck Sales Down From October
Total deliveries increased 39.1% from like-2010, but they paled in comparison with October’s 62.8% surge, the biggest year-on-year jump in 2011.
Dec. 14, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Canada Big-Truck Sales Rise 36.1% in November
All groups but Class 4 posted increases last month, including Class 8, up 44.6%, and Class 7, rising 42.4%.
Dec. 14, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dodge Dart Amenities In Tune With Consumer Demand
Interior comfort ranks second among vehicle attributes most valued by would-be buyers, says Mike VanNieuwkuyk, J.D. Power and Assocates’ executive director of global vehicle research.
By Eric Mayne 1 • Dec. 14, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chevy Cruze Could Dictate Direction of Compact-Car Segment in 2012
Just how aggressive pricing in the segment will become likely hinges on the fortunes of the leading Cruze and how desperate both domestic and Asian auto makers are to regain share.
By James M. Amend • Dec. 13, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
And I Thought I Was Mad at Scott Painter
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.My interview with Scott Painter went OK, though I wondered why I had to drag myself into the office early one morning in 2007 for what ended...
By Steve Finlay 2 • Dec. 13, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Small-Car Segment Getting Crowded
Government fuel-economy mandates are spurring auto makers to build more small cars, despite limited consumer demand, says Jonathan Banks of NADA.
By Steve Finlay • Dec. 13, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dart Nameplate Revival Bull’s-Eye With Dodge Dealers
Chrysler’s new compact car will feature a choice of three new engines: a 1.4L intercooled turbocharged I-4 with MultiAir and a pair derived from the World Engine family dubbed Tigershark.
By Eric Mayne 1 • Dec. 6, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Canada Sales Show Slight Improvement
Car sales fell 2.6% in November, while light-truck deliveries gained 2.5%.
By Byron Pope • Dec. 2, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
November SAAR Best of Year
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.U.S. Sales Summary table WardsAuto forecast SAAR: 13.7 million Current Estimated SAAR: 13.6 million Selling days: The seasonally adjust...
By John Sousanis 1 • Dec. 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Detroit OEMs Embrace ‘Alternative Work Schedules’ to UAW’s Consternation
As the U.S. light-vehicle SAAR approaches 15 million, the auto makers will be challenged to meet demand without investing in new plants.
By Eric Mayne • Nov. 29, 2011
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