Vehicles: Page 164
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
GM Shaves 1 MPG Off Chevy Malibu Eco Fuel-Economy Estimates
The mild hybrid will achieve an estimated 25-37 mpg city/highway, down from the 26-38 mpg the auto maker estimated at the car’s debut.
By James M. Amend • Jan. 3, 2012 -
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Who’s Getting What Dealer Data?
Dealers have allowed vendors unlimited information access instead of specific information for specified purposes.
By Jim Ziegler 1 • Dec. 30, 2011 -
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Mazda Aims High With Soft-Touch Heavy CX-5 Interior
The all-new small CUV sports a silver chrome trim finish that the auto maker claims is an industry-first. “It’s more expensive than paint, more expensive than chrome,” the chief designer says.
Dec. 19, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Puts Workhorse Engine Out to Pasture
Ford’s Cologne engine, which was installed in many of the auto maker’s most popular models, including the Explorer SUV in the 1990s, ends its production run.
By Byron Pope • Dec. 16, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GDI Dominates Ward’s 10 Best Engines List
Now in its 18th year, the Ward’s 10 Best Engines list for 2012 is well-populated with five all-new 4-cyl. engines, four of them with forced induction. Direct fuel injection is on seven of the winning engines.
Dec. 8, 2011 -
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Mini Sees Future in New Segments, Varied Styling
It would seem the brand has left no stone unturned with a convertible version of the Hardtop, followed by the Clubman, Countryman and now the new 2-seat Coupe and upcoming Roadster. But there are paths still to be explored.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Dec. 1, 2011 -
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Downsizing Evident in Ward’s 10 Best Engines Nominees
Years ago, a specific output of 100 hp/L seemed a stretch. But today, auto makers routinely blow past that threshold. Does 150 hp/L represent the next benchmark?
By Tom Murphy • Dec. 1, 2011 -
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GM’s New Production Discipline Fueling Comeback
Every executive with a stake in GM’s inventory attends monthly meetings chaired by North America President Mark Reuss. If adjustments are needed, “all the right people are in the room,” sales chief Don Johnson says.
By James M. Amend • Nov. 30, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GKN Phasing Out Forklifts
The supplier will migrate to hand-trucks and, where feasible, automated guided vehicles. “You have to re-engineer the whole site,” Global Communications Director Paul Dinwiddy says.
By Eric Mayne • Nov. 28, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Tokyo to Feature EVs, Hybrids and Fuel-Cell Vehicles
The event will be smaller than in the past, in part because of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Nevertheless, it will showcase the latest in Japanese automotive technology.
By Roger Schreffler • Nov. 17, 2011 -
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CR-V Carries Over Styling, Engine – And Mom Appeal
The Honda CUV’s current customers should appreciate the better fuel economy and greater roominess, despite a carryover engine and transmission and hard-plastic interior.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Nov. 16, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Data-Driven Inventory-Management System Debuts
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 topic turned to data – a treasure trove of it – when I interviewed AutoTrader.com Chief Marketing Officer Clark Wood earlier this year. ...
By Steve Finlay 2 • Nov. 11, 2011 -
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Federal-Mogul Taking Ambient Lighting to Next Level
Just as great engines create passion and enthusiasm for vehicles, Federal-Mogul is looking at how lighting can create positive emotions among consumers.
By Drew Winter • Nov. 9, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Consumers Moving Closer to Buying Cars Online
Auto retailing is moving closer to the day when many customers will completely, or almost completely, purchase cars online, predicts Mark O'Neil, CEO of DealerTrack, an automotive software provider. The online car purchase will become main stream, but it won't happen overnight, he says during a CEO panel discussion at the conference. Two years from now, 75 million Generation Y shoppers will be in
By Steve Finlay • Nov. 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chevy Sonic Rolls Out to Dealers; Expected to Attract Young Buyers
Joaquin Nuno-Whelan, chief engineer for small cars and Sonic vehicle line director, predicts sedans will account for 60% of sales and hatchbacks the rest. “But I think it will level off at 50/50 as time passes.”
By Herb Shuldiner • Oct. 28, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Vauxhall Wins U.K. Police-Vehicle Contract
The auto maker has supplied more than 7,000 vehicles to U.K. police, fire and ambulance services since in-house production began in 2007, and will deliver 7,000 more under its newly awarded contract.
By Alan Harman • Oct. 21, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
S-Class Diesel to Find U.S. Niche, Mercedes Exec Says
Mercedes expects diesel penetration for S-Class purchases in the U.S. will correspond to the 5%-10% range in the less-expensive E-Class models. Diesel penetration of the GL model is 25% and is 15% for the ML.
By Herb Shuldiner • Oct. 20, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
France Cuts High-Mileage Car Bonuses, Hikes Gas-Hog Levies
The government says adjustments to the incentives program will not affect its support of electric- and hybrid-vehicle purchases.
By William Diem • Oct. 18, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
SkyActiv Engine Broadens Refreshed Mazda3’s Appeal
The C-segment car is the auto maker’s highest-volume model in the U.S., accounting for 40% of its business, with half of sales in the Northeast and Western regions.
By Byron Pope • Oct. 17, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dearth of Small Cars Pulls Down Q3 LV Fuel-Efficiency Rating
Despite the recent fall in quarterly fuel efficiency, the ’11 model-year (October 2010-September 2011) ended with an overall rating of 22.4 mpg, a 1% increase over year-ago results.
By John Sousanis • Oct. 14, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Origin of Future U.S. Chevy EV Minicar Sparks Debate
Some media are reporting the EV will come from South Korea, where gasoline- and diesel-powered Sparks currently are produced. If so, that’s news to the folks at GM Korea.
By Vince Courtenay • Oct. 14, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chevy Says Sales Record in Sight; Announces Engine, EV Programs
Every 6.7 seconds, Chevrolet sells a vehicle somewhere in the world, says global marketing chief Chris Perry. Some 60% of the brand’s sales are outside the U.S.
By Eric Mayne • Oct. 12, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mitsubishi Calls for Low Initial U.S. Volume of i EV
The rear-wheel-drive i, coming out of Mitsubishi’s Mizushima, Japan, plant, will be built to order and the auto maker says it can handle demand should it exceed 1,500 units.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Oct. 10, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
No SS in Cards for Chevy Sonic
Sportier versions are coming, just not an SS, says the car’s lead engineer.
By Jim Mateja • Oct. 7, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Report Predicts Shortfall in Cellulosic Biofuels Production
Experts say the absence of refineries, low feedstock volumes and federal subsidies for corn-ethanol producers are roadblocks to increased output of cellulosic biofuels.
By Alan Harman • Oct. 7, 2011
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