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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Don’t Shoot; the Messenger’s Really an Environmentalist
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.Johan de Nysschen may not be anti-hybrid, but he has been saddled with that reputation. More than once the Audi of America chief has been ...
By David Zoia • March 19, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Suzuki Takes 50% Stake in Russian Importer
Through February, Suzuki sold 3,394 vehicles in Russia, up 9.2% from like-2009.
By Peter Homola • March 19, 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
Chevy Hits Road With Social-Media Campaign
GM says social media campaigns don’t result in immediate sales, but cultivate future customers.
By Byron Pope • March 12, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Brazil Picks Up Speed Driving Out of 2009 Global Recession
A promise from GM Brazil to introduce a series of new cars to the market this year, including the Chevy Malibu, is prompting the country’s auto manufacturers group to expect 2010 to be another record-breaking year.
By Barbara McClellan • March 10, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Determined Chinese Car Brand to Debut in U.S. Next 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.American car buyers have heard the hue and cry, “the Chinese are coming” for so long, they mostly turn a deaf ear. But we ignore these auto ...
By Barbara McClellan 2 • March 8, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
JATCO Returns to Profitability; Mulls Indian CVT Production
CEO Shigeo Ishida says the company cut temporary workers, lowered fixed costs 15% and slashed business travel by almost half in order to reduce costs.
By Roger Schreffler • March 4, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GDI, Zero-Emission Tanks Drive TI Growth
A restructured TI Automotive has a new company logo and bold product strategy that targets fuel rails for high-pressure GDI engines, as well as zero-emission plastic fuel tanks designed to replace steel.
By Tom Murphy • March 2, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mitsubishi Assures Dealers It Plan to Stay in the U.S. Market
Mitsubishi Motors North America is setting its sights on a return to 100,000-unit sales in a calendar year, after suffering a severe drop in volume in recent years, a top executive says. I'd say (we'll hit the mark) probably within three years, John Koenig, executive vice president-MMNA, tells Ward's. Mitsubishi sold 53,986 vehicles in the U.S. last year, 44.5% below 97,257 in 2008, Ward's data shows.
By Christie Schweinsberg • March 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Education vs. Training
What is the difference between education and training? Education develops the faculties and powers of (a person) by teaching, instruction, or schooling; to qualify by instruction or training for a particular calling, practice, etc. It focuses on the individual and his or her ability to make a contribution. Training gives the discipline and instruction, drill, practice, etc., designed to impart proficiency
By Richard F. Libin • March 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
What’s After Automageddon?
What's the new ? That question came up a lot at the National Automobile Dealers Assn. convention in Orlando, FL, where the weather was mostly sunny but chilly, which pretty much describes the forecast for the auto industry this year. After 2009's bleak vehicle sales, better days seem ahead, but nothing spectacular at least not compared with a few short years ago. The old normal for annual sales typically
By Steve Finlay • March 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Fisker Provides Peek Under Skin
The frame incorporates a tunnel down the centerline to house the batteries and act as a structural backbone that connects the front and rear sections of the car.
By Ward's Staff • March 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Labor Stance Leaves Fisker Well-Positioned
Fisker Automotive reveals details of the Karma’s spaceframe at this week’s Geneva auto show
By Eric Mayne • March 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
370Z More Than Blip on Roadster Radar
Unlike its predecessor’s trunk, the new roadster can accommodate a set of golf clubs. But no matter, because driving 370Z is more engaging than driving a Titleist.
By Eric Mayne • Feb. 25, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Internet Leads Increase Dramatically
A current industry debate centers on whether it is wise for dealerships to maintain designated Internet departments or have the entire sales staff take e-leads.
By Steve Finlay • Feb. 24, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Tighter Subprime Lending Stymies Auto Sales
“We’re not seeing enough of anyone, but especially subprime customers,” says dealer Ed Tonkin, the 2010 chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Assn.
By Steve Finlay • Feb. 24, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
New ASEAN-China Trade Pact Leaves Out Auto Industry, for Now
The aim is to lower tariffs to zero on some 7,000 different products when the deal is fully implemented by 2015, but each country has the right to exclude and protect hundreds of sensitive products until 2020 or longer.
By Mack Chrysler • Feb. 11, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealers Leaner and Meaner
Domestic-brand dealers who survive the downsizing of ranks will be stronger competitors against foreign brands. So say participants at an annual conference on dealership financial issues sponsored by the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants. Sales per domestic-car dealer will move up with the rebounding market, especially in metro areas, says Chip Maher, a former Lincoln-Mercury dealer
By Mac Gordon • Feb. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
DMS Vendors Vow to Do Better
Dealers already are plenty dissatisfied, what with plummeting sales, store closures and depleted inventories. Now you can add to that list less satisfaction with their dealership-management system vendors. Overall dealer satisfaction with DMS vendors' products and services declined this year. The National Automobile Dealers Assn. tracks satisfaction with these vendors in a bi-annual survey. NADA's
By Ralph Kisiel • Feb. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Treat Them as Individuals
No two snowflakes are exactly alike. The fingerprints of no two people are alike. The customers who step onto your lot are not exactly alike either. So why are you still treating them as though they were? Perhaps you're not capturing more product sales for this very reason. Effective closes are based on effective rationale, and the underlying principal of selling to all of your unique customers is
By Rebecca Chernek • Feb. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
How to Fight Embezzlers
A $1 million embezzlement at Caliber Motors in Anaheim Hills, CA, stunned the local dealership community when it became public this past spring. Sheryl Lynn Law, 46, and her sister-in-law, Jessica Louise Newark, 64, of Whittier, were arrested on suspicion of embezzling the funds during the more than 10 years that Law worked for the store as a contracts clerk in the financial department. The Orange
By Alan Richman • Feb. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Breaking a Taboo
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.The Democratic Party changed the face of political ads with its “Daisy” TV spots in the ʼ64 presidential race between Lyndon Johnson and Bar...
By David Zoia • Jan. 28, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Phoenix Rising
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.Several dozen members of the U.S. Congress and the Obama administration attended the press preview at the North American International Auto ...
By Barbara McClellan 2 • Jan. 19, 2010 -
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 -
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
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