November 15, 2011

Honda to Expand Light Truck, Engine Output at Alabama Plant
Honda Motor Co. will spend $84 million and hire 100 more workers to expand production of light trucks and engines at its assembly plant in Alabama, reports Automotive News. The investment will boost annual capacity for the Lincoln, Ala., plant to 340,000 vehicles and engines by 2013 from 300,000 now, Honda said. Read more about the plant and others like it at www.whatisanamericancar.com. Asian automakers, including Honda, are expanding output capacity in North America as U.S. sales recover from a recession in 2008 and 2009. "We're confident in our associates' ability to build the products Americans want," Honda spokesman Ed Miler said. The Alabama plant, which opened in 2001, makes Odyssey minivans, Pilot sport-utility vehicles, and Ridgeline pickups, and the six-cylinder engines they use. The investment is part of the company's plan to shift production of Acura MDX luxury SUVs to the factory, Honda said. Separately, Honda said on Monday it will operate normal production shifts at plants in the United States and Canada on Dec. 1 and 2 as it continues to recover from shortages of parts from Thailand. Read more about Honda’s production plans at its Lincoln, Ala., plant here.

For New-Car Buyers, Taking a Test Drive Now Seems So 1995
At a time when consumers have become accustomed to buying flat-screen televisions from Amazon.com without ever seeing the picture quality and ordering shoes through Zappos.com without trying them on, is it any wonder that some would buy a vehicle without ever taking a test drive? It’s not a simple task to undo the sale of a car or a truck. So, reports The New York Times, there were raised eyebrows at LeaseTrader.com when it discovered a significant increase in the number of people who closed a deal through its web site without so much as sliding behind the steering wheel of their new vehicles. Oren Weintraub, founder of a car-buying consultancy Authority Auto, estimated, as many as a third of his customers just do not think test driving a vehicle is that important. “Generally these are people who know what they want, whether it’s because they’re very brand-loyal or they’ve fallen in love with the styling of a particular model,” he said. “Same goes for buyers who are strictly interested in getting the best deal, and those with limited choices like a big family that needs a nine-passenger vehicle with 4-wheel drive.” Click here to read more about car shoppers who are opting out of the test driving experience.

Audi Names Director of Customer Experience
According to Auto Remarketing, Audi of America revealed Monday that it has named its first-ever director of customer experience, and filling the newly created position is Jeri Ward. Her most recent post with the company was as general manager of customer advocacy, interactive marketing, and launch strategy. Ward joined Audi in March 2007 as general manager of marketing communications and product launch. In her new position, Ward reports to Audi of America president Johan de Nysschen and is a member of the company’s executive management team. Her responsibilities include leading strategy and programs for improving customer experience and loyalty, while also heading up consumer insights activities and the Audi Drivers Circle online owner panel. Ward’s duties also consist of heading the new Voice of the Customer program’s launch and leading all enthusiast clubs and the Audi Customer Care Call Center operations. “Jeri is a proven leader and will be an exceptional addition to our executive management team," noted de Nysschen. “She brings a decade of management experience in consumer marketing and customer strategies, and I am looking forward to her vision and guidance as Audi continues to innovate and refine the customer experience." Click here to read more about Audi’s new director of customer experience.

No New U.S. Plant for Maxed-Out Hyundai
With explosive U.S.-market sales virtually demanding the company find a way to get more cars into customers’ hands, Hyundai Motor America isn’t ready to commit to a second assembly plant in the United States, president and CEO John Krafcik told reporters at a media event at the company’s technical center near Ann Arbor, Mich., last week. Edmunds Auto Observer reports that Krafcik insisted that despite a meteoric post-recession sales climb and excruciatingly thin inventories for many models, Hyundai hasn’t made the decision to build another U.S. assembly plant to add to its current site in Montgomery, Ala. Along with the Korea-based Hyundai Group’s affiliated Kia Motors America’s assembly plant in West Point, Georgia, the company currently has capacity to build about 400,000 vehicles in the United States. Both Hyundai and Kia have been setting monthly and annual sales and market-share gains for several years. “We’ve got a lot of headwind, a lot of opportunity to grow the brand in the U.S.,” Krafcik said – while simultaneously sticking to the story that Hyundai, acutely concerned about maintaining quality, isn’t considering another U.S. assembly plant. Read more about demand for Hyundai vehicles in the U.S. here.

10 Cars That Make Us Thankful
After several years of a recession-induced drought, MSN Autos reports that the automotive industry is once again fertile, spilling forth a cornucopia of great cars for buyers to feast on. And that's perfect, because with Thanksgiving near, it's the time of year to feast till you drop. Whether your budget is big or small, the caliber of new offerings is so impressive that it's almost hard to go wrong, no matter what car you choose. But some vehicles stand out for one reason or another, whether for their looks, performance, or what they represent. MSN Autos is featuring its selection of 10 new vehicles for which they are thankful. They're not necessarily the absolute best in their respective categories, but life would be a lot worse without them. The Nissan Altima brings sporty flair to the family category. You don’t have to go all out to have fun in the sedan; the base 4-cylinder engine is plenty punchy, and the Altima Hybrid is a good time as well. In the small car segment, MSN Autos notes the Mazda3 for its great value and fun factor. Check out the other cars to be thankful for this month by clicking here.

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Around the Web 
Behold! The Top Gear Intro That Jeremy Clarkson Nixed [Autoblog]
First Drive: 2013 Scion FR-S [Edmunds Inside Line]
Consumer Reports Poll Shows Support for Stronger Fuel Economy Standards [Wheels]
EVs Require Firefighter Training in New Safety Tools [Detroit Free Press]