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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Cash-for-Clunkers Good for SAAR
The sales jump sparked by CARS “seems to confirm a very large degree of pent-up demand in the U.S.,” J.P. Morgan’s Himanshu Patel writes today in a research note.
By Eric Mayne and James M. Amend • July 31, 2009 -
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Accord Closing In on Camry
The first-half 2009 margin of 19,199 units is the smallest gap between the two since 2003.
By Christie Schweinsberg • July 14, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Navigation Preferences Differ in U.S., Europe, Study Shows
German drivers may have stronger preferences for in-dash navigation systems because “Germans love expensive cars,” and they expect such equipment.
By Byron Pope • July 10, 2009 -
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‘10 Jaguar XJ Signals New Direction
The '10 Jaguar XJ boasts extensive use of lightweight aluminum in its body structure, which makes it some 300 lbs. lighter than a standard steel body structure.
By Byron Pope • July 10, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Bridgestone’s New Run-Flat Tires Offer Smoother Ride
Bridgestone expects the new tires will boost sales and expand the use of run-flats.
By Steve Finlay • July 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
World’s Auto Makers Slammed by Financial Crisis in 2008
In nearly every market at some point in 2008, vehicle manufacturers faced a similar problem: a dearth of buyers either holding tight to their cash as a hedge against possible job loss or unable to obtain loans from banks fearful of collapse.
By Al Binder • June 24, 2009 -
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Handheld PDA Helps Sell Cars
The Collier dealership group was able to reduce its sales staff 20%, no longer needing to have extra hands around “just in case Saturdays got busy.”
By Cliff Banks • June 23, 2009 -
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GS Yuasa Ready to Enter Li-Ion Battle
CEO MakotoYoda admits many unanswered questions remain regarding electric vehicles, including the minimum range drivers will accept. “Even if we develop a battery that can run 300 km, will that be enough?”
By Roger Schreffler • June 4, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Never Had Year Like This
Orlando, Fl The value of a car is like a block of ice on the pavement. It's always melting, always depreciating, says Charlie Vogelheim, an auto-industry analyst and former executive editor of used-car value guide Kelley Blue Book. The price never goes up. But ice melts faster when the outside temperature is 98 F (36 C) opposed to 33 F (0.5 C). Likewise, the vagaries of market conditions affect used-car
By Steve Finlay • June 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
From Inefficient to Efficient
I was invited to speak at a recent manufacturer conference in Las Vegas. With me were some of the best trainers and vendors in the business, all bringing insight and solutions to the daily process of managing the modern pre-owned vehicle department. One speaker of note was my friend, Dale Pollak, founder and chairman of VAuto. Dale is so smart, if Harvard ever decides to offer a doctorate degree in
By Tony Albertson • June 1, 2009 -
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Tough to Forecast Vehicle Values in Volatile Times
As much as residual setters try to be analytical, they never know when the equivalent of a heat wave or cold front may move in to mess up their calculations.
By Steve Finlay • May 21, 2009 -
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Luxury Cars on Repo Hit Lists, Too
The repossession industry has been busy lately doing work that is not particularly rewarding.
By Steve Finlay • May 12, 2009 -
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Today’s Forecast: No Blue Skies
Despite a short-term forecast for the nation's top dealer groups calling for stormy weather, disappearing “blue sky” and uncertain operating conditions, the future promises to be bright for savvy dealers.Public dealer groups will watch their stock prices skyrocket, while well-capitalized and financially disciplined private dealer groups will add to their empires and become rich beyond their wildest dreams.
By Cliff Banks • May 1, 2009 -
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Criticism of Tata Nano Wrong-Headed
A few weeks ago, a machine that will save tens of thousands of lives every year many of them young children officially went on sale in India, beginning a journey that promises to improve the living standard of millions of families in one of the world's most impoverished nations. And yet, many environmentalists who profess to be on a mission to save mankind are condemning this new device as an environmental
By Drew Winter • May 1, 2009 -
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How To Be a Smart Buyer
Given the economic conditions surrounding not only the car business but the wider range global economy, it is no surprise dealers are looking for ways to increase revenue. That's great. But consider that most dealerships get less than 2% of each sales dollar down to the bottom line. An even more valuable way to increase profits is to cut expenses. That is a dollar-for-dollar way to improve the bottom
By Don Ray • May 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Bioplastic Research Accelerating
Making cars truly sustainable means developing not only new energy sources, but also finding a replacement for petroleum-based plastics. To strengthen plastics, Europeans have been at the forefront of using hemp and linen fibers, among others, to replace glass fibers in composite panels. The two trends came together at the recent JEC European composites show in Paris when CRST SA, a small French research
By William Diem • May 1, 2009 -
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Recession Unlike Past Downturns, NADA Economist Says
The severity of the recession is reflected in a Commerce Dept. report this week showing the U.S. gross domestic product fell at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.1% in the first quarter.
By Byron Pope • May 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Aston Martin Opens First Showroom in Czech Republic
Ten new Aston Martins were registered in Czech Republic last year, all of them imported.
By Peter Homola • May 1, 2009 -
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Union Practice of Pattern Bargaining Endangered, Experts Say
If it “takes specialized bargaining, I think the UAW is aware enough to do that,” says one union local official.
By Byron Pope • April 29, 2009 -
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‘Ethical Consumption,’ ‘Careful Consumption’ New Buzzwords
Appealing to these consumers with green-themed products requires a different approach than what attracts early adopters, who are more impressed with technology and environmental benefits.
By Drew Winter • April 24, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Reporter’s Notebook: These Boots Were Made for Walking
Ward’s writers pass along the buzz at this week’s SAE 2009 World Congress in Detroit.
By Ward's Staff • April 21, 2009 -
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FEV, Raser Display 100-MPG Hummer H3
FEV says the E-REV concept is best applied in large CUVs, SUVs and pickups, rather than compact cars, and can drive 40 miles on all electricity.
By Tom Murphy • April 21, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Trilogy to Acquire Autobytel?
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.Is the end near for Autobytel? In what best can be described as a hostile takeover attempt, Trilogy Enterprises today made an cash tender ...
April 20, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
California, Michigan Governors Savor New AVL Investment in Green Technologies
AVL says its new energy-management and systems-integration facility in the Los Angeles area showcases capabilities not currently offered at any other North American center of its kind.
By Drew Winter • April 20, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Russ Darrow’s New Career in Rap
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.Apparently Russ Darrow, the owner of the Russ Darrow Group in Wisconsin, and the current chairman of the American International Automobile D...
April 17, 2009
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