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David C. Smith

Correspondent
WardsAuto

A long-time WardsAuto editor and veteran newsman, Dave focuses on management issues.

Articles by David C. Smith
Fisker Woes Won’t Dash Destino Plans
Bob Lutz tells WardsAuto VL has received hundreds of inquiries from Karma owners who may have an interest in converting their cars to V-8 power.
Niche Maker Rebuilds Fisker EV With Corvette Engine 2
VLP purchased two used Karmas, removed the electric-propulsion system and batteries and installed LS9 supercharged 650-hp engines and drivetrains supplied by the Chevrolet Racing unit.
VIA Adds SUV to Lineup of Electric-Powered Trucks
Board member Bob Lutz likens the VIA trucks to the Chevrolet Volt extended-range EV he pushed into production while head of product development at General Motors.
Bentley Not Worried About Higher Taxes on Wealthy
“It’s a question of confidence and not money, and confidence has been up over the last two years,” Bentley Motors President and COO Christophe Georges says.
Yes, There Was a Man Named Ward
A brief history of Ward's beginnings.
The Gap Between Detroit and Washington
The challenge of meeting the technical and economic costs of building safer vehicles with increasingly tough regulatory targets is not something highly appreciated in Washington circles, a former Ford executive says.
Product Development Efficiency Gets More Attention
Although manufacturing efficiency will remain important, a recent Oliver Wyman study shows it will become less prominent between now and 2017.
Brose North America Nurtures Innovation
The supplier’s top U.S. executive credits much of the company’s success to a strategy of nurturing new thinking, but reminds that “innovation is not innovation until it produces sales.”
GM Targets Millenials to Meet Hiring Goals
The auto maker knows it must appeal to under-30 Millenials that now number 40 million Americans, with another 40 million “coming up behind them.”
Steady Climb Seen for U.S. New-Vehicle Sales
An aging automotive fleet and strong used-car prices will help drive demand in the new-vehicle market, says an analyst with R.L. Polk.
Automotive Among Best-Performing Sectors
The U.S. will turn in the third consecutive year of double-digit sales gains to more than 14 million vehicles this year, Ford’s chief economist says, and “the long-term outlook is good.”
‘Skyactiv’ Meaning Cloudy
Mazda uses the branding to denote its effort to go after “grams” to reduce vehicle weight, improve fuel economy and lower emissions.
New Hydraulic Hybrid System Claims Big MPG Boost
The unit is designed to be installed easily on existing automatic transmission lines, is lighter weight than electric-hybrid systems and said to be half the cost.
J.D. Power: The Man Behind Famous Awards
Thanks largely to JDP surveys, competition among all auto makers to boost their scores, win bragging rights and increase sales has raised the bar to the point of near-parity in many rankings.
Dropping Ford Ranger Big Mistake
Ford is missing the fact that size, perceived fuel economy and price still count with a lot of buyers. The Ranger is lighter and costs thousands less than the F-150.

Interest in autonomous vehicles continues to grow, but technical, legal, regulatory and cost hurdles remain. When will true driverless cars reach the U.S. market?

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  • May Sales Should Return to Trend
    A WardsAuto forecast calls for the month’s SAAR to return to 15.2 million light vehicles after slipping to 14.9 million in April.

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