Magna Will Find Better Targets for Their Attention and Their Cash
November 6, 2009
Magna Ends Hunt for Automaker, Eyes Suppliers | www.autonews.com
Magna may have risked alienating certain customers, especially in regards to component technology development, if they had succeeded with the Opel partial purchase.Magna is developing good partnerships in the growth segments of electronic, software, sensor, battery, and power management, so a growing interest in shopping for those suppliers that can be added to Magna's electronics or eletrical component product portfolio makes very good sense.
June 8, 2009
Ford to Face Tougher Rivals Following U.S. Rescue | online.wsj.com
The WSJ article focuses on the immediate and medium term financial improvement that GM and Chrysler will enjoy as a result of the U.S. taxpayer bailout. But this does not necessaily translate into sales. Toyota and Ford still have the potential to take significant market share from GM and Chrysler. If you can't sell the cars to consumers, then profits are not in the cards.
May 4, 2009
Germany's Edscha to be Sold in 2-4 Months | uk.reuters.com
While we see most of the press regarding the fate of Chrysler and GM, there are many Tier suppliers to the automotive OEM's that will be transformed in the next several months as well. How can these targets for acquisition be best recognized?
Automotive Manufacturers Will Sell Where the Buyers Are - So Follow the Market Maturity
April 22, 2009
China Influence Grows With Car Sales | www.nytimes.com
As emerging market consumers grow their incomes, and as their countries grow their road infrastructure, the automotive companies will be there to provide vehicles. With very high populations in China, India, and Russia without vehicles, the markets are ripe for offering vehicles to those who have the income to purchase at all price points.
Support for Automotive Suppliers Means More Than Just Incidental Support for GM, Chrysler, and Ford
March 23, 2009
Auto Suppliers TARPed, But Questions Remain | www.forbes.com
Although it may not be transparent to many Americans, automotive Tier suppliers are usually linked to multiple OEM's. The failure of some of these Tier suppliers could interrupt component supply not only to GM and Chrysler, but to Toyota, Volkswagen, Nissan, Hyundai, and others. So, it is crucial that these suppliers are supported and find appropriate financing during these very tough economic times.
The End of Chrysler as We Have Known It
February 23, 2009
Chrysler Unlikely to Stand Alone | www.autonews.com
Chrysler has submitted a plan for a stand alone survival that is based upon the market yielding unrealistics sales, market share, and concessions from the supplier base. If Chrysler does have a partner moving forward, it makes more sense that it is Fiat, a Chinese manufacturer seeking a delaership and logistics network in the U.S. market. A GM merger makes the least sense, and most likely would mean further resource drain for GM.
Honda's Announcement Is No Surprise - Now the Task Is To Identify the Best Positioned
February 2, 2009
Honda Lowers Profit Forecast for 4th Time | www.iht.com
Honda and most other OEM's will forecast lower sales and lower profits, if any, for 2009 and most likely 2010. The indicators of future success will be those OEM's remaining steadfast in their investment in fuel efficiency technology, hybrid technology, and globally positioned world car platforms. Not all OEM's will demonstrate this. Most likely, more brands will disappear in the next two years.
The Downturn in the Automotive Industry Will End, and the Survivors Can Be Predicted
January 12, 2009
U.S. Drivers Keep Autos Longer, Shun Showrooms on Job-Loss Risk | www.bloomberg.com
This article regarding automotive sales is very accurate. Consumer confidence in their income and wealth growth prospects drive automotive sales. But we can predict the OEM's and Tier Suppliers and technologies that will emerge as survivors and as investment potentials. Also, historically similar downturns are followed by a surge in replacement demand for new vehicles.
November 10, 2008
Running on Fumes: GM could soon run out of cash | www.forbes.com
Detroit's Big Three have several obstacles to overcome; the question is will they have the ability to withstand this perfect storm? Consumer confidence is shaken, financing is impossible or difficult, product mix doesn't meet market demands, alternative energy development and emission compliance is tremendously expensive, and the cutbacks and draw downs affect employee morale and leads to a loss of talent. Who, if any, will survive as a stand alone company?
Renault's Move Is Right; Right Size the Company For Striking and Non-Striking Employees
September 16, 2008
Job Cuts at Renault Spark Strike | news.bbc.co.uk
As a result of soft sales, and soft volume projections, Renault must reach lower labor numbers through voluntary reductions. The pressures at Renault have been more intense than at other European OEM's as Carlos Ghosn applies pressure on vehicle development and launch timelines. The pressures, along with the labor reduction news, have reached a boiling point for the Renault employees.
Switzerland sues Google over Street View privacy concerns
November 13, 2009
Here Come the Droids! A brief review of Verizon Wireless' new Droid line-up.
November 11, 2009
October 30, 2009
Vodafone Orange Iphone Deal Ends Two Years Exclusivity Of O2 In UK
October 5, 2009
IPhone Coma Mode puts Apple in the ICU
September 19, 2009