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Steering Parity
Electrically assisted power steering arrived first on small cars in Europe in the mid-1990s and rapidly ramped up on high-volume, low-priced models. Despite the growth, a decade later some 80% of new cars worldwide still employ conventional hydraulic steering. That soon will change. By 2010, about half of new cars will come with electrically assisted steering, an executive with No.2 steering supplier
By Tom Murphy • Aug. 1, 2006 -
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Milking the System
Somewhere in the world, at any given hour, on any given day, an auto plant supervisor is reaching for antacid. For the start of every shift brings the gut-searing realization that millions of dollars worth of tooling could sit idle because work stations are vacant. Most of the missing employees are on authorized leave. Some are on vacation, or attending funerals, or celebrating weddings. Others are
By Eric Mayne • Aug. 1, 2006 -
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How to Make It Online
Can dealerships make money selling cars online? I'm asked that a lot at Internet-related conferences. It's surprising how many dealers still think Internet sales either are not as profitable as the so-called traditional sale, or worse, they lose money. In fact, many dealers make a lot of money from their Internet departments. The real question is not Can we make money? but How can we make money? To
By Cliff Banks • Aug. 1, 2006 -
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Mitsubishi Outlander Could Be Contender
The vehicle is well packaged, but the downtrodden auto maker needs to figure out how to market it.
By Christie Schweinsberg • July 27, 2006 -
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GMAC Buyers Off Hook for Pensions
The deal allows the planned $14 billion deal for a 51% stake in GMAC to move forward.
By Ward's Staff • July 25, 2006 -
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Chery to Launch Small Sedan in August
Customers 20-30 years of age and purchasing their first car are seen as typical buyers of the QQ6.
By Peter Homola • July 13, 2006 -
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Centrix and Bar None Automotive Form Partnership
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.Centrix Financial is partnering with Bar None Automotive to provide auto loans to credit-challenged borrowers. Centrix says the partnership ...
July 1, 2006 -
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Newt Is Not So Nutty
When advising Americans to drive slower is the best solution to high oil prices Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist can offer, then this country is in trouble. And when the best idea (a short-lived one, thankfully) Republican leadership has to offer is a $100 check to all Americans at the end of the summer to compensate for gas prices, America is in trouble. The Democratic answer, raising gas taxes
By Cliff Banks • July 1, 2006 -
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Wilbur Ross
If Wilbur L. Ross comes to town, you know your company and likely the market it serves has hit rock bottom. An expert at navigating the complexity of U.S. bankruptcy law, the CEO and chairman of W.L. Ross & Co. LLC has made a career study of why some businesses fail as others prosper. The Harvard MBA has helped restructure more than $200 billion worth of corporate liabilities in various sectors, including
By Tom Murphy • July 1, 2006 -
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Materials: Price Increases and Innovations
Steel remained the most used material, by far, in automobile production in 2005.
By Mike Sutton • June 29, 2006 -
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CAW Negotiations Framed Future of Canadian Auto Industry
Job losses were the net result of Big Three negotiations, while Japanese auto makers focused on new products to be built in Canada.
By Alisa Priddle • June 28, 2006 -
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Land Rover Unveils LR2 Compact CUV
The LR2 combines attributes of a premium sedan and a robust SUV, the truck maker says.
By Ward's Staff • June 23, 2006 -
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‘07 Range Rover Receives Enhancements
Upgrades include the Terrain Response system that allows the driver to choose different settings for optimum performance on a variety of terrains.
By Byron Pope • June 19, 2006 -
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Staluppi Group is in Buy Mode
The Staluppi Automotive Group is looking to add more stores to help offset increased interest rates and advertising expenses.
By Cliff Banks • June 15, 2006 -
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Cupholders an Emotional Issue for Car Buyers
Car cupholders are important to car owners, even though many are reluctant to admit it.
By Steve Finlay • June 9, 2006 -
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Airbags Getting Smaller, Going New Places
Nearly all new vehicles in North America will be equipped with side impact and side curtain airbags by the end of the decade, CSM Worldwide says.
By Mike Sutton • June 9, 2006 -
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New Clio RS to Appeal to Upscale Sports-Driving Enthusiasts
Sales of the hatchback begin June 23 in France and will spread throughout Europe.
By William Diem • June 8, 2006 -
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Azerbaijan to Assemble Iranian, Chinese cars
The new factory initially will assemble 6,000 cars per year and increase annual output to 18,000 units within three years, says an official.
By Peter Homola • June 5, 2006 -
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Used-Car Sales Help In This Competitive Market
With 13 Chevrolet dealerships within a 20-minute drive of each other, the Portland, OR, market is highly competitive. I know there are other areas that have more dealers, says Brad Preble, vice president of the Carr Chevrolet Inc. in Beaverton, OR. But we don't have the population to support that many. Preble says he tells stories about what goes on in the market to members of his 20-Group (a dealership
By Cliff Banks • June 1, 2006 -
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Getting Rid of Bad Habits Means More Sales
John Staluppi has 12 dealerships (one more than last year) on this year's Ward's Dealer 500 ranking, spread throughout New York and Las Vegas. The overall organization generated $1.8 billion in revenue in 2005, ranking 14th on the Ward's Megadealer 100. Sales at the Staluppi Auto Group's New York stores were down slightly this year, although his Atlantic Automall dealership, 17th on this year's Ward's
By Cliff Banks • June 1, 2006 -
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Oldsmobile Store 1st on 1st Ward’s 500
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.Digging through some old boxes, we came across a magazine containing the first Ward's 500 list. It was published in October 1987, using data...
By Cliff Banks • May 31, 2006 -
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Dropping Hummer H1 Shrewd Business Move
Dropping the H1 and focusing on new, smaller SUVs is a better business move than ditching the brand altogether.
By Alisa Priddle • May 31, 2006 -
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France SUV Sales Expected to Get Boost From New Models
Combined, PSA and Renault plan on selling at least 30,000 of their new SUVs in France.
By William Diem • May 30, 2006 -
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Taiwan Researchers Near New LED for Headlamps
The new LED headlight is expected to have a lifespan that is at least 10 times longer than that of most conventional headlights.
By John Westbrook • May 25, 2006 -
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How to Make Money Selling Cars Online
While many dealers still think Internet sales either lose money or are not as profitable as traditional sales, the reality is some are making money.
By Cliff Banks • May 16, 2006
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