GM’s Reilly Says Opel Must Slash Capacity 20% to 25% Nov 20, 2009 4:32 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Ward’s Staff The executive expects to have a new plan, estimated to cost €3.3 billion and hinging on government support, presented to interested parties by mid-December.
Chevy Spark Ready for U.S., But GM Still Mulling Minicar Demand Nov 20, 2009 9:05 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Vince Courtenay “North America has been an on-and-off thing for (the Spark),” says GM’s Global Vehicle Line Executive Jack Keaton. “At the present time, though, it is very much on.”
Good, Bad News on Domestic Front Nov 20, 2009 9:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Jerry Flint The GM board of directors actually did something: They told management they were wrong to sell the Opel unit in Germany, and they cancelled the deal.
Dealership Still Going Strong at Age 100 Nov 20, 2009 8:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Mac Gordon Through the years, the store has weathered all kinds of setbacks, including the Great Depression, the closing of Oldsmobile, GM’s current cash problems and layoffs at several big Toledo auto parts plants.
Marchionne to Turn Attention to Fiat Nov 19, 2009 9:02 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Giancarlo Perini A new plan, which could include job cuts in Italy, more details on collaboration with Chrysler and strategies for new partnerships in Asia, could be delivered in first-quarter 2010.
Dealers Remember Firebrand on Ford Alliance’s Anniversary Nov 19, 2009 8:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Mac Gordon “We dealers all needed an Ed Mullane to champion our cause in those Congressional bankruptcy hearings and bankruptcy courts. He would have blown them away.”
Mazda Releases Mazda2 in Thailand, ASEAN Markets to Follow Nov 19, 2009 8:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Alan Harman Mazda dealers say the hatchback is the car that truly matches Thai consumers’ needs and will best the competition in the segment in terms of quality, refinement, design and performance.
Give Dealers, as Well as Customers, What They Want Nov 19, 2009 8:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay Auto makers can’t uncaringly ignore dealers’ wholesale wants, and then expect dealers to gently fulfill customer retail wishes.
GM Holden to Add Second Shift at V-6 Engine Plant Nov 18, 2009 8:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Alan Harman The auto maker says the daily rate will rise to 440 engines by the end of the year and hold steady through February.
Lutz Says Proper Exchange Rates Take Luster Off Asian Auto Makers Nov 17, 2009 3:02 PM, WardsAuto.com, By James M. Amend It’s unclear whether the dollar will remain as weak as today, given recent remarks by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to the Economic Club of New York.
Kia Launches Output at U.S. Plant Nov 17, 2009 10:50 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Ward’s Staff The on-schedule launch comes some three years after start of construction on the $1 billion, 650-acre plant.
Chinese Auto Maker Courts Saturn Dealers Nov 17, 2009 10:19 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Mac Gordon Several of the impending Brilliance retailers have agreed to put the Brilliance line on sale at their former Saturn locations.
Nissan Dealers Seen as One-Stop EV Shop Nov 17, 2009 9:53 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Christie Schweinsberg Solar panels, lithium-ion car batteries and information on where to find a utility company to install a home-charging device may be offered at the brand’s dealerships.
Ford Romania Loan Approval Highlights Shift in EU Policy Nov 16, 2009 1:42 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Keith Nuthall In a close vote, the European Commission puts its stamp of approval on a loan that will help finance low-emission engine and vehicle production at Ford’s Craiova, Romania, plant.
Debt-Plagued Former Dealer Wonders What Happened Nov 16, 2009 8:00 AM, By Lillie Guyer In this era of dealership cuts, many minority-owned dealers are the most vulnerable because they tend to run smaller operations representing only one or two brands.
Fiat Delays Signing of Final Contract for Serbian JV Nov 13, 2009 1:06 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Peter Homola Fiat has yet to announce the first model to be manufactured at the former Zastava Vozila plant in Kragujevac, which currently assembles only the Fiat Punto Classic from complete-knocked-down kits.
Ford Developing New Police Interceptor Nov 13, 2009 11:49 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Ward’s Staff Ford, which controls approximately 75% of the police pursuit-vehicle business in the U.S., says it has invested significantly in designing the new car.
Honda to Add Dealerships in China to Meet Increased Demand Nov 13, 2009 11:36 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Alan Harman The auto maker says it is at full production capacity at its plants in China, as vehicle sales soar due to government stimulus measures designed to minimize the effects of the global economic crisis.
Toyota’s Lentz: Prius May Usurp Camry in Next Decade Nov 13, 2009 8:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Christie Schweinsberg The Prius has a long way to go to overtake the No.1 Camry, which traditionally exceeds 400,000 sales annually in the U.S.
Dealers Face Up to Facebook and Friends Nov 13, 2009 8:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay Don’t expect instant results, says dealer Todd Caputo, who is “experimenting” with social networking to enhance business at his stores.
Online Rating Can Rattle Dealers Nov 13, 2009 8:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay Whether it’s good, bad or ugly, customers always have discussed dealership experiences.
Dealership Shoppers Prefer Chat Over Email Nov 13, 2009 8:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay The main reason people engage a dealership online is to learn about product availability. Next is pricing, then incentives and rebate information.
‘Get Consumer Into Ad to Play and Explore’ Nov 13, 2009 8:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay So-called rich media featuring sight, sound and motion also might be called Internet Advertising 2.0.
Mercedes Thinking Big With Small Cars Nov 12, 2009 4:38 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Eric Mayne The new Mercedes models would not compete with Daimler’s Smart Fortwo microcar. U.S.-market products could include an electric A-segment vehicle.
GM’s Reilly Says Opel Must Slash Capacity 20% to 25% 
Chevy Spark Ready for U.S., But GM Still Mulling Minicar Demand 
Dealers Remember Firebrand on Ford Alliance’s Anniversary 
Mazda Releases Mazda2 in Thailand, ASEAN Markets to Follow 
Give Dealers, as Well as Customers, What They Want 
GM Holden to Add Second Shift at V-6 Engine Plant 
Lutz Says Proper Exchange Rates Take Luster Off Asian Auto Makers 
Nissan Dealers Seen as One-Stop EV Shop 
GM Prepared to Repay U.S. Taxpayers Early; New Opel Leader Months Away 
Toyota’s Lentz: Prius May Usurp Camry in Next Decade 
