Operations: Page 207
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Taiwan’s CMC Lands Military Contract With New Outlander
Analysts say CMC's cut-rate bid of NT$500,000 per unit was a tactical move designed to garner publicity for the recently introduced model.
By John Westbrook • July 25, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
University of Michigan Team Savors Victory in North American Solar Challenge
The race is a competition to design, build and drive solar-powered cars in a cross-country time/distance rally event.
By Alan Harman • July 25, 2008 -
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
Remembering Auto Journalist, Humorist Al Fleming
A respected reporter, writer and editor for several publications, including Ward’s, Fleming was especially known for his humorous, witty columns and biting satire.
By Ward's Staff • July 22, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GMDAT Halts Aveo Output Over Tire Price-Increase Demand
The long-term agreement allows for periodic increases that are specified in the contract language, but beyond that it is not negotiable, the auto maker says.
By Vince Courtenay • July 18, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
’08 Saleen Sterling Mustang: Corruptive Power in the Hands of 25
Based on the 620-hp S302E for Saleen’s 25th anniversary, just 25 Sterling Edition Mustangs will be produced at $100,000 each.
By Mike Sutton • July 17, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Spectra Name Change Unlikely; Rondo Sales Rise
The hatchback variant likely will be axed when the new Spectra lineup debuts next year as ’10 models.
By Christie Schweinsberg • July 2, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Free Trade Is Misunderstood
The negative rhetoric in Washington, D.C. about trade has reached a fever pitch as three trade agreements stand untouched in Congress and some presidential candidates threaten to renegotiate deals or take a time out from trade if they are elected into office. This type of talk comes as we mark the 69th anniversary of one of America's most respected and influential presidents dedicating a full week
By CODY LUSK • July 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Universal Special Auto Finance Expands to Prime Lending
Subprime automotive lender Universal Special Auto Finance is diversifying into the prime market. The firm's Universal Prime program is new and for consumers with strong credit ratings. With many other financial institutions restricting lending at this time, Universal is moving forward aggressively, says CEO John Scordo. He adds: Our new prime lending model is innovative, efficient, and generates consistent
July 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealers Are Resilient as Ever
Is a gloom-and-doom scenario really threatening to engulf the domestic Detroit Three? Hard-nosed auto have opined their Gloomy Gus forecasts, much to the dismay of veteran industry executives who can't begin to believe what they are reading. Here are some headlines in June trade weeklies and business magazines: GM: Burning Cash Like Rubber: The carmaker will need to dig up capital just to keep the
By Mac Gordon • July 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
The Vanishing Minority Dealer
Damon Lester has a tough assignment — help the nation's minority-owned dealerships survive.He is the president of the National Assn. of Minority Automobile Dealers at a time that is particularly dangerous to his constituents' business future.Domestic manufacturers' efforts to reduce their dealer bodies coupled with plummeting auto sales along with a lack of access to much-needed capital threaten the existence of many minority-owned dealerships.
By Cliff Banks • July 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Use Technology To Sell More
Every dealer is looking to improve showroom closing ratios. Closing just 2% more deals will add major dollars to the bottom line. How do you do that? Well, it means work, coupled with a consistently performed sales process. Add sales process technology and you've increased your odds. A sales process is a roadmap that has to be traveled through the dealership; if you put checks and balances along the
By Jim Leman • July 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
F&I Can Aid Internet Sales
Today's consumers still don't know as much as you do about auto finance and insurance. But they know a lot more than before. With vast amounts of information available to the consumer, the F&I department must be managed to remain a profit center while helping promote vehicle sales earlier in the shopping process. As studies keep showing, virtually all consumers today do vehicle and purchase research
By BRYAN DORFLER • July 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
China Flexing Muscle to Become World’s Largest Car Market
China will surpass the U.S. to become the world’s largest auto market by 2020, J.D. Power analysts predict.
By Mack Chrysler • June 27, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Taiwan’s Sanyang to Build Pickups in Vietnam
The T880 is to be sold in Vietnam under the SYM brand, making Sanyang the first Taiwanese auto maker to produce vehicles overseas under its own brand.
By John Westbrook • June 25, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Tata Appoints New Distributor for Jag, Land Rover in Taiwan
Chiuoho Motor served as the local distributor for the two brands prior to the creation of Jaguar Taiwan and Land Rover Asia.
By John Westbrook • June 24, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
New EU Legislation Targets Tire Noise
The new guidelines would require all passenger cars from 2012 to have tire-pressure monitoring systems and lower rolling-resistance tires with increased wet grip and a 67% reduction in noise levels.
By Deirdre Mason • June 19, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Hummer Dealers Stoic in Face of Brand Review
Hammered by skyrocketing gas prices, Hummer sales have declined in 2008 more than any other GM brand.
By Derek Stark • June 6, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chinese ‘More Particular’ than Americans
Chinese consumers don’t purchase an item merely for its use but also to admire, study its fit-and-finish and examine the manufacturing technology behind it.
By Tom Murphy • June 5, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
6 Ways to Recession-Proof
Are we in a recession? Who knows? Even the experts disagree. Fact is, we don't have a perfectly clear way to identify a recession. For discussion purposes, let's assume we're in one now. So what to do when your local market economics wither? You need to make sure your ad campaign generates an even higher return on investment to compensate for fewer market opportunities. How do you do it? Simple. You
By Adam Armbruster • June 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Fleet Sales: Dismal to Just OK
Las Vegas In past years, when retail auto sales went soft, auto makers upped their rental-fleet deliveries to compensate for the losses. Some industry experts predict that may be the case this year in the face of a current sales slump. Perhaps, but not at General Motors Corp., vows Brian McVeigh, general manager-GM Fleet and Commercial Operations. We will not ramp up rental sales, he tells Ward's
By Steve Finlay • June 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ain’t Buying It
More and more I find myself thinking, I ain't buying it. Maybe it's because I've become a skeptical journalist but I doubt that's the case. In my position, I get to hear about all of the and products or solutions that will help you sell more cars. Us journalists hear it from the p.r. folks while you and your management team get the pitch from the vendor's sales people. Often, I'm unimpressed. Other
By Cliff Banks Editorial Director [email protected] 248-799-2649 • June 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Telematics Standardization Key to Consumer Personalization
New infotainment technology must be flexible enough to satisfy computer-savvy buyers’ desires to tailor systems to their individual tastes.
By Mike Sutton • May 30, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
U.S. Oil Independence Within Reach, Scientist Says
Oak Ridge National Laboratory Corporate Fellow David Greene estimates the U.S would need to bring the cost of oil dependence down to less than 1% of GDP by 2030.
By James M. Amend • May 30, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Rolls Provides First Hint of New RR4
Rolls’ U.K. plant is undergoing expansion to accommodate the new model, due in 2010.
By Ward's Staff • May 27, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Tata Joins 70 Teams in X Prize Competition
Beginning in September 2009, the Automotive X Prize will kick off its cross-country race in New York, followed by nine other major markets throughout the U.S.
By Alan Harman • May 20, 2008
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