Operations: Page 201
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Sebring Nameplate May Vanish
The Sebring disappointed many critics right out of the gate following its redesign for ’07.
By Eric Mayne • Jan. 13, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Automotive earworm
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. Ever get a song stuck in your head? How about an exhaust note? It's been some six weeks since we wrapped up testing for Ward's 10 Best En...
Jan. 7, 2010 -
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
Center of Gravity Shifting in India’s Small-Car Market
Market-leader Maruti Suzuki currently offers seven small-car models with 30 variants that it believes provide car buyers an ample choice. But these soon will be challenged by rivals.
By Sudhakar Shah • Jan. 6, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Thailand Launches Ambitious Plan to Increase Ethanol Usage
More than 300,000 E20-compatible vehicles have been sold in Thailand since 2006. Refiner Bangchak Petroleum this year plans to increase the number of E20 pumps to 300 from 130.
By Alan Harman • Jan. 5, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Great Tips on Selling Tires
I received an overwhelming response to a recent column on selling tires at car dealerships. We've developed a collection of ideas to help you sell more tires. From our company's wealth of experience, here are tips that may help you. Establish Sales Objectives We have objectives for car sales, labor sales and parts sales, why not tire sales? About one service customer in five needs, or will need, tires
By Lee Harkins • Jan. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Strong Yen May Force Japanese Auto Makers to Rethink Export Strategies
For more than 30 years, Japanese auto makers have exported half or more of all vehicles they produce at home. The most obvious way to reduce their foreign-currency risks would be to move more production overseas.
By Mack Chrysler • Dec. 28, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ditch the Hard Service Sell
Life in the service department has changed forever. Some say for the better and others believe for the worst; either way, there is no arguing it has changed. Your technicians and advisors require leadership to lead them to the new ways of interacting and providing service to your customers. The tactical methods employed in your stores must embrace a higher level of customer service to earn the customer's
By Lee Harkins • Dec. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Certified Used-Car Sales Rescue Dealers
U.S. dealers in 2008 sold 1.7 million units through auto makers’ certified used-car programs.
By Steve Finlay • Nov. 5, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Oz Researchers Develop ‘Greener’ Alternative for Protecting Galvanized Components
Queen Coat’s developers say the cost and performance of the material are similar to chromate, without the additional costs associated with the disposal of hazardous chromium wastes.
By Alan Harman • Nov. 5, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Oops, They Forgot One Thing
Auto makers are under enormous pressure to reduce the world's dependence on oil and cut carbon-dioxide emissions. But it sure looks like we're reaching the limit of what they can do. Now it's up to others to put the infrastructure in place to make it all happen. But who will do it? Whether you're talking about charging stations for electric vehicles or compressed natural gas stations for cars running
By John McElroy • Nov. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lancia Pulls Ahead in Europe’s Luxury-Vehicle Sales
The success of the Fiat group must be encouraging to Chrysler, especially because Lancia CEO Olivier Francois has been named to run the Chrysler brand, as well.
By William Diem • Oct. 27, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
New World Order: Auto Industry’s Road to Recovery
Major auto makers were blindsided by the global financial storm that hit full force in October 2008. Yet, few had any notion of how bad the consequences would be.
By Barbara McClellan • Oct. 26, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Think Global Names New Board
The company, which emerged from bankruptcy in August, will continue to be under the day-to-day direction of CEO Richard Canny, a 25-year industry veteran.
By Ward's Staff • Oct. 12, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ssangyong Union Officials Get Jail Time
One union member receives an 18-month prison term for damages to the Ssangyong plant totaling more than $2 million.
By Vince Courtenay • Oct. 9, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
It’s Not Just Sales Anymore
If U.S. light-vehicle sales for August are any indication, investors might get comfortable again with the auto industry. Spurred by Cash for Clunkers incentives, August sales of 1.2 million units broke the 1-million mark for the first time in 12 months, boosting the seasonably adjusted annual rate to 14 million. That follows a relatively stable retail SAAR since October of last year, ranging from
By Steve Finlay • Oct. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
It’s Not So Hard to Say Sorry
The one word guaranteed to make the hair on the necks of technicians stand on end all over the country is: COMEBACK! Quality workmanship is always a challenge when we deal with anything mechanical. Murphy's Law always seems to prevail when we least expect it, but it's a reality of our business we will make mistakes. Most customers are willing to give us a pass, and two, when they understand how hard
By Lee Harkins • Oct. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
SEMA’s Dealer Day Aims To Spur Accessory Sales
The Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Assn.'s annual trade show will include a dedicated program called Dealer Day to help auto retailers tap into the $31.9 billion automotive accessories market. The program, which debuted last year, is scheduled 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, site of the SEMA show. The first annual Dealer Day program proved to be a success in helping
Oct. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Subprime Lender Introduces Its Own Stimulus Program
New subprime lending programs have been a rarity of late, but a North Carolina firm is bucking that trend. Ace Motor Acceptance Corp. is rolling out its new Dealer Stimulus Program, touting it as an initiative that gives auto dealers more sales and profit opportunities by expanding their customer base to include consumers with a 520 or higher Beacon score. The company's standard program has no minimum
Oct. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Peterbilt Closing Tennessee Plant
The closure of the Nashville-area plant, which has not produced any trucks since July 2008, is part of the truck maker’s North American capacity realignment.
By Ward's Staff • Sept. 28, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
William “Skipper” Beck Dies in Plane Crash
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.William "Skipper" Beck died Friday, September 11, when his Cirrus SR22 crashed at the Rock Hill/York County Airport in North Carolina. Beck ...
Sept. 14, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
OnStar Exclusivity Under Review
With industry sales slumping and GM’s decision to jettison four brands, OnStar is hungry for new subscribers. Talks about maintaining service continue with the proposed buyers of Saturn, Saab and Hummer.
By James M. Amend • Sept. 9, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Compact Power Nailing Down More Business, Site for U.S. Plant
CEO Prabhakar Patil is optimistic his company can continue to drive Li-ion battery costs down by a factor of two within five to 10 years.
By James M. Amend • Sept. 3, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Pontiac Nearing Finish Line
A little more than 16,000 Pontiacs remain in stock, a GM executive says.
By Jim Mateja • Sept. 3, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Japan’s August Vehicle Sales See First Gain in 13 Months
The auto industry is waiting to see if federal tax incentives will continue under the incoming Democratic Party, which last week won a crushing victory in the country’s general election.
By Alan Harman • Sept. 2, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealers Keen on Used Minivans, SUVs
Dealer interest in used SUVs and minivans is increasing, putting prices for those vehicles at their highest level since January 2008, according to OPENLANE's Market Index report. SUV prices exceeded June 2008 levels by 18 percentage points and minivan prices exceeded June 2008 levels by 27 percentage points. Car prices remain slightly below June 2008 levels. Minivan interest climbed 19 points in June,
Sept. 1, 2009
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