Archive for the ‘Editorials’ Category

Catching up on their Z’s

Japanese design lion Yoshihiko Matsuo, creator of the first Nissan Z sports car in 1969, eyes his young visitor warily.

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GM’s new pitch

Joel Ewanick, General Motors Co.’s new marketing chief, says he’ll keep bringing in new blood until the automaker gets its marketing messages right.

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With new crossover, TV ads, Mini thinks bigger

Mini USA’s lineup is rapidly expanding; it’s adding models and entering new segments.

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WORTHLESS NO MORE

Eight months ago, Frank Bork sold his Ford dealership near Buffalo, N.Y., to Ford Motor Co. “I regret it,” says Bork, 59. “Ford has become a better company. Had we kept it and new products came out, we might have been OK.”

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Mercedes, BMW think small; Volvo, Jag aim upmarket

While Mercedes-Benz and BMW move into smaller and less expensive segments in the United States, aspiring lower-volume Europeans plan bigger and more luxurious models.

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Production flattens as economy starts to slow

After a year of big gains, a new forecast shows North American production flattening in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, August sales numbers, due this week, are expected to be lackluster.

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New Nissan marketing chief seeks consistent message

Jon Brancheau was named vice president of Nissan marketing at Nissan North America in March. He was new to the brand, but not the company.

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Ford marketing ready to go global

With the launch of seven new, restyled or redesigned vehicles this year, Ford Motor Co. is placing more resources into marketing as it tries to build on its return to profitability and higher market share.

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Just a few years after some Ford dealers wanted to sell or split, blue-sky values rise

Eight months ago, Frank Bork sold his Ford dealership near Buffalo, N.Y., to Ford Motor Co. “I regret it,” says Bork, 59. “Ford has become a better company. Had we kept it and new products came out, we might have been OK.”

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2010 Market Data: North America Sales

Automotive News’ annual guide to North America sales data. Prepared by the Automotive News Data Center, the statistics cover 2009 light-vehicles in the U.S., Canada and Mexico and sales histories.

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Guide to Industry Executives – August 2010

Automotive News’ annual guide to executives in the North American automotive industry.

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Florida’s JM Lexus is painting luxury green

Florida Lexus dealer Jim Dunn winced a few weeks ago when he had to write a check for $200,000 — for light bulbs. But they are light bulbs with a mission. Dunn is installing energy-efficient LED bulbs throughout his 3.

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New Explorer’s message: Utility with mpg

Ford Motor Co. initially will use only social media to advertise its redesigned 2011 Ford Explorer.

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GM rebuilds credit, readies IPO

General Motors Co.’s acquisition of subprime lender AmeriCredit Corp. for $3.5 billion later this year could be the first step toward creating a full-blown captive finance company.

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After 30 years, Fiat ready for U.S. return

The Fiat brand returns to North America in December after an absence of nearly three decades. Depending on the source providing the information, Fiat wants to sell between 50,000 and 100,000 vehicles in North America in 2011.

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Chrysler’s product plan: Tweaks, then tidal wave

Chrysler Group’s product renaissance is a drama in two acts. First, the company is breathing new life into its existing lineup.

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Former dealer crafted software to fit his car-retailing vision

Dale Pollak’s journey has taken him from Cadillac-GMC dealer to technology pioneer. He has written two books, earned a law degree and founded vAuto Inc., a software company that specializes in used-vehicle inventory management.

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At Tesla, no dealers? No problem

As Tesla Motors seeks to fuel growth with the cash from its successful stock offering, it’s moving into unexplored territory. The Silicon Valley electric car maker remains largely unknown to U.S. consumers.

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Infiniti means . . . . what?

Ever since Infiniti was launched with mystifying advertising images of rocks and trees 21 years ago, Nissan Motor Co.’s luxury brand has been hard to pin down.

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Matchmaker links heavy-duty cash, lightweight engines

With a little help from his powerful friends, Vinod Khosla is out to reinvent the internal combustion engine.

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Products rule as finance revenue fades

Dealerships across the country face the same challenge: How to boost product sales as finance revenue fades.

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Chinese enter U.S. by acquiring U.S. suppliers

After years of breakneck growth at home, China’s parts makers are starting to reinvent themselves as global suppliers. No longer content with shipping parts to North America, Chinese suppliers are acquiring U.S.

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Chrysler: Five Star out, cash in

Chrysler Group is scrapping its Five Star dealer reward program in favor of cash incentives meant to encourage dealers to improve customer service, management and facilities.

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Toyota shifts to U.S. chief engineers

Aiming to give more autonomy to its U.S. operations, Toyota has intensified efforts to appoint Americans to the powerful job of chief engineer for vehicles sold here. The elevation of three U.S.

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Mitsubishi has plan to end the skid

Struggling to revive his dwindling U.S. business, Mitsubishi Motors President Osamu Masuko has outlined a two-pronged plan that hinges on introducing new products and building a new vehicle at an underused Illinois assembly plant.

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