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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lenders Deactivate Automated Decision-Making
Lenders still rely on automated decision-making to reject loan requests. But many loan approvals are back in human hands.
By Steve Finlay • May 2, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Top Dealer Groups Set New Records
Despite an 11% decline in new-vehicle sales over 2006 and 2007, the nation's top dealer groups continue to establish new records, both in total revenue and vehicles sold.Publicly and privately owned dealer groups on the Ward's Megadealer 100 increased the list's overall revenue by $6.5 billion to a whopping $138.9 billion from 2006 to 2007.The Ward's Megadealer 100, now in its 20th year, is a ranking of top automotive dealer groups of multiple stores and locations by total revenue, including new- and used-car, finance and insurance, parts, body shop and service sales.
By Cliff Banks • May 1, 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
Adam’s A-1 Advertising Advice
I received a call from the head of a megadealer group in the Southeast who was considering TV advertising. With radio, print, direct mail and Internet use, his advertising cost had climbed to almost $600 per unit sold. He had to do something to reduce his overall ad costs without giving up his 1,000-unit per month total sales volume. The good news for him was that his collection of 11 stores in three
By Adam Armbruster • May 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Former Ward’s Art Director Inducted Into Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame
Dick Mayer’s cover paintings and inside graphics for Ward’s AutoWorld contributed significantly to the magazine’s exceptionally high readership year-after-year.
By Ward's Staff • April 30, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Pennsylvania Site of Cellulosic Ethanol Pilot Plant
The pilot plant will be located at the Westinghouse Plasma Center, current site of a pilot-plant gasifier needed to make ethanol via the Coskata manufacturing process.
By Ward's Staff • April 25, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Saturn Astra to Turn Some Heads, But Not Snap Any Necks
GM did not tinker with the European-tuned suspension and, ironically, it may prove the determining factor behind Astra’s success or failure in the U.S.
By James M. Amend • April 24, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Fortwo Introduced in China, With Caveat
The establishment of intellectual property rights in China is “a slow process,” U.S. lawyer Jim Singer says.
By Eric Mayne • April 22, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Inflation: the Auto Industry’s Latest Woe
The future for auto makers looks tough. But while do-gooders talk about mass transit, in most of the world mass transit is a bus, and anything is better than taking a bus.
By Jerry Flint • April 22, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
TomTom Looks to Auto Industry for Future Growth
TomTom claims using an in-vehicle navigation system can cut the number of miles driven 16%, thereby reducing tailpipe emissions.
By Byron Pope • April 17, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
DOE Calls on Auto Industry to ‘Fix’ U.S. Energy Outlook
The U.S. needs to get public policy on energy right – and pretty quickly, a government official says.
By David E. Zoia • April 15, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealers Love Leads, Hate Costs
Quality of online sales leads varies, with some low-level ones coming from people who turn out not to be particularly serious buyers.
By Steve Finlay • April 14, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
OnStar Not Sweating Ambitious Plans of Hughes Telematics
“It’s not like they’re going to wake up tomorrow and be OnStar,” Chet Huber says of competitor Hughes Telematics.
By James M. Amend • April 2, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Big Change for Small Trucks
Some things you can always count on. The other line always moves faster than the one you're in. The Oscars always run late. Your fingers. But that list is getting shorter. The day is coming when pickup trucks no longer will be body-on-frame vehicles. Not small pickups, anyway. As auto makers ponder weight-reduction strategies in a bid to comply with 2020's 35-mpg (6.7 L/100 km) fleet fuel-economy
By Eric Mayne • April 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealership Staffers Accused of Aiding Illegal Immigrants
Employees of three used-car dealerships in southern Ohio face charges of selling fake IDs to illegal immigrants and forging documents to help them buy cars. About 20 law enforcement vehicles raided Credit Auto Sales and Paul's Auto Sales and Service and Pay Less Auto Sales in Hamilton, as well as Pay Less Auto Salvage in Middletown. They arrested seven people accused in 34 grand-jury indictments of
April 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
California Should Follow Europe’s Lead
Europe has a better idea. And if state politicians followed its lead on curbing carbon-dioxide emissions, they could avoid a lengthy, pointless tug of war and greatly impact how Americans view and ultimately do their part to combat global warming. Here in the U.S., Washington regulators, the auto industry and nearly a dozen states are locked in a battle over who has ownership of CO2 emissions standards.
By David E. Zoia • April 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Internet Myths Are Debunked
Think again if your image of a typical Internet car shopper is someone in the market for a shiny new vehicle. The chances are more than twice as great such a consumer is looking online for a used car. So say two industry veterans, Chip Perry and Joe Lescota, citing data they say contradict some popular misconceptions. Perry is president and CEO of AutoTrader.com. Lescota is a dealership consultant
By Steve Finlay • April 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Samoa Plans Switch to Right-Hand Drive
An organization named People Against Switching Sides has filed suit to stop the change, claiming it will cause loss of life and harm the local economy.
By Alan Harman • April 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Cobalt SS Has Right Chemistry for Street Cred
Cobalt may rank 27th on the periodic table, but with Chevy’s SS badge attached, it has all the elements of a winner.
By Eric Mayne • March 31, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Oz Auto Makers Drop Out of Sydney Show
Citing rising costs, a number of auto makers have been pushing for one show to be held in Australia each year that would alternate between Melbourne and Sydney.
By Alan Harman • March 31, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mini Star Performer in Lackluster Market
U.S. Mini chief Jim McDowell predicts already low dealer stocks will become minuscule once summer arrives.
By Herb Shuldiner • March 26, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Japan’s Omron Looks to New Technologies for Further Growth
Three main products, ECUs, radio-frequency components and relays, account for 70% of Omron’s automotive business.
By Roger Schreffler and Mack Chrysler • March 25, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Warring Factions Spark Chamco Split
The turmoil at Chamco marks the latest glitch for China-based auto makers with an eye toward the lucrative North American market.
By Christie Schweinsberg • March 24, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Suzuki Re-Enters Midsize Sedan Segment
Set for production by 2010, the Kizashi concept makes a bold styling statement, with a dramatic waterfall grille, high beltline and an upscale, aspirational flair.
By Tom Murphy • March 20, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Pontiac Urged to Adopt El Camino Name
The 2-door, rear-wheel-drive car-based pickup doesn’t have an official name yet, and GM is inviting the public to have a say.
By Tom Murphy • March 20, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
New Malibu Powers Chevy Car Sales
Chevrolet’s marketing director says 12,600 Malibus were sold in February, bringing the year-to-date total to 27,001 and putting the Malibu on track for an annual rate of 154,000 units.
By Herb Shuldiner • March 7, 2008
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