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Car Manufacturers, Suppliers Get Together to Aid Japan

16/05/2011 – 22:38

Japan’s earthquake and tsunami had a devastating affect on several of the country’s carmakers functions locally as well as internationally. Nevertheless still in the midst of the catastrophe, the Japanese carmakers, as well as Korean auto manufacturer Hyundai have promised backing to the relief attempts. Following are the details of various car companies’ donations:

BorgWarner will donate $100,000 to the Red Cross. BorgWarner the Power train supplier has five installations in Japan plus another plant with a joint venture partner. The company will also try to match all contributions from its employees all over the world.

BMW, having around 800 local Japanese employees, will donate one million euros that is $1.41 million in emergency support. The contribution will be divided uniformly between the Japanese Red Cross and the non-profit organization “Save the Children.”

Chrysler will donate $100,000 to the American Red Cross for Japan catastrophe alleviation attempts by the Chrysler Foundation. Apart from this contributions from employee and dealers will be matched by Chrysler up to $100,000.

Daimler, which has about 13,000 employees in Japan along with its subsidiary companies, will donate two million euros ($2.82 million). The company has plans to contribute with supplies later on.

General Motors are planning to donate $500,000 to the American Red Cross relief fund for those impacted by the earthquake in Japan. The car maker has previously donated $250,000 to the Red Cross as a backing up member of the Disaster Responder program.

Volkswagen is also to make substantial contributions to back up the people of Japan. Dr. Horst Neumann, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft for Human Resources announced this, in Wolfsburg on March 22nd. A million euros are to be contributed by group brands Volkswagen and Audi each for humanitarian assistance thru organizations like the German Red Cross. Neumann emphasized: “There is tremendous willingness within the Volkswagen Group to help the population of Japan, which has been affected so dramatically, especially in the North-East of the country. Every day, we receive emails from employees expressing great sympathy and a determination to assist people in Japan.”
Bernd Osterloh the President of the Volkswagen Group Works Council, declared: “This week, we will be calling on the workforce to contribute to a major donation campaign. Preparations are already well underway. The strong feeling of solidarity demonstrated by our colleagues is overwhelming. We are standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of Japan who have experienced such indescribable suffering.”

He further added that “The German Red Cross has close links with the Japanese Red Cross, which is organizing aid through a well-developed infrastructure. We took up this proposal and established contact with the local Red Cross in Wolfsburg and the German Red Cross headquarters in Berlin. It was agreed that donations from the Volkswagen workforce should support humanitarian aid in Japan and the work of the Red Cross.”

Porsche declared that that it would be donating half a million euros to alleviate the effects of the disaster for inhabitants of the areas concerned.

Honda has donated 300 million yen which is roughly $3.7 million, in addition to 1,000 generators, along with 5,000 gas canisters. Honda also will send in their staff to clarify the use of this equipment.

Hyundai Motor Group has confirmed that it will donate 100 million yen which is roughly $1.3 million.

Magna International, having about 180 employees in Japan, will donate $250,000 to the Japan Red Cross. It has also created a catastrophe relief fund to help its employees in Japan.

The Board of Directors of the Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc., has collectively agreed a contribution of $150,000.00 to the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund.

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) will donate $100,000 to the Red Cross’ special Japan fund.

Nissan Americas has promised $1 million which is 80 million yen to the American Red Cross in relief effort support for the country.

The Toyota corporate office in Japan is giving 300 million yen which is around $3.75 million to back up respite efforts.

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Deficit in Japanese Supplying Chain Strikes Delivery of Cars

02/05/2011 – 17:16

Nearly a month after a 9 scale earthquake and tsunami affected its northeast coast; Japan — a fundamental worldwide car manufacturer and dealer of parts utilized in the car developing industry — is even now clambering to find explanations to a collapse in its supply chain in the midst of aftershocks of the catastrophe. As most lately as Thursday, another earthquake, a scale 7.4, struck Japan, and a tsunami vigilant was published for the devastated northeastern coast.
The destructive March 11 earthquake and tsunami covered a foremost blow to the country’s substructure, while the Toyota Motor Corporation, the Honda Motor Company and the Nissan Motor Company, three Japanese companies that have a comparatively bigger share in the Turkish automobile market with all Japanese car and part producers, were mainly struck by the catastrophe, either stopping or cutting down on production. Turkey which has many Japanese car factories reckons on the delivery of parts from Japan.
Supply deficits in parts have already contributed to a stop or reduction of vehicle manufacturing in Germany, Spain, France and the US. France’s Peugeot and the US’s General Motors are the major clients of Japan’s Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. Honda last week declared it had determined to lessen production of its Civic model in Turkey by 50 %. Honda Turkey CEO Hideto Yamasaki said “we are ready to work overtime to realize their year-end production target as soon as the problems are worked out.”
Secretary-General, Özlem Gülşen Arkan Association of Automotive Parts and Components Manufacturers (TAYSAD) said that “Europe is the first place that comes to mind. Now that car manufacturers know there will be delays in the delivery of cars, they are trying to compensate for losses from other manufacturing hubs in Europe. … They have already asked European suppliers to increase their production capacity.” She further explains that “there will be delays in the delivery of cars and components from Japan due to current congestion at the country’s ports. She argues this could lead to a 20-30 percent decline in production in the medium term.”
Infiniti Turkey General Manager Murat Gürünlü assures Today’s Zaman that “there could be delays in the delivery of cars from Japan due to current congestion at the country’s ports. He says Infiniti halted operations at its Tochigi plant as part of safety measures. We think current inventory will be adequate to meet the demand for Infiniti in the European market, including Turkey. Since the company’s facilities are far from the disaster area in Japan, we have not faced any problems in this regard … and there will be no problems in the coming months. The tsunami that hit the port of Hitachi swept away at least 1,300 Infinity units which were ready to be distributed to dealers in Japan and exported to North America.”
Nissan Turkey Deputy General Manager İlkim Sancaktaroğlu previously remarked that they expected troubles in the intermediate term and that “they may not be able to reach the same level of sales as last year.”
While assessing the most recent developments to Today’s Zaman, Subaru Turkey General Manager Toros Kardaş states Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) had previously declared the company’s manufactories in Japan did not endure any damage from the tsunami. “They had to suspend production due to power outages. … There is currently no trouble with the delivery of components.” On the other hand, Kardaş says the major issue is the present heavy traffic at ports. “The market should get used to delays due to this problem in Japan in the medium term,” he says.
Having previously cut down the supply of several fomites, the catastrophe is estimated to lead to high passenger car prices in worldwide markets. Car manufacturers sold 279,389 cars in Japan last month, down 37% — the largest ever year-on-year drop for March.

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Spyker Warns Saabs’ Abyss Future if no Fresh Funds are Provided

05/04/2011 – 23:32

Spyker Cars NV, the Dutch parent of Saab, pronounced that the Swedish car manufacturers’ financial condition is aggravating and admonished that Saab’s future is at peril without extra finance.

In its yearly account released, Spyker said the company’s “stability” could become unsure but for it procures additional funds to finance continuing operations and the implementation of its business plan.

Earlier last week, Saab was pushed to close down production for short gaps after central suppliers stopped parts deliveries for nonremittals.

Spyker said “it had negative cash flow in 2010, mainly due to operating losses at the Saab Automobile and the Spyker Automotive businesses, as well as from its capital expenditure program for new Saab models and the re-activation of Saab’s production and sales and marketing operations after Spyker bought Saab from General Motors Co. in February 2010.”

Spyker stated in its report that “Although this was anticipated in the business plan the actual cash need was higher than planed.”

Svenake Berglie, the president of Sweden’s Automotive Suppliers Association, established that Saab has had troubles paying off suppliers on time. Berglie is quoted as saying ”Saab has lagged behind in the payments and we have urged the company to remedy this. It is clear that there is a problem when suppliers are not paid on time.”
Russian interest

In current months, Russian capitalist Vladimir Antonov has enlightened the fact that he is willing to give Saab the necessary funds but Spyker CEO Victor Muller has refused reports that Antonov’s Conversbank is in talks to supply the Swedish brand with a new €500 ($710) million loan. Antonov assisted finance Spyker’s procurement of Saab and chairs Conversbank Ltd. He was pushed out of the innovative deal for Spyker to purchase Saab from GM after mass medium accounts of connections to organized crime. He has said he has cleared up his name.

Predictably, the Dutch firm also exposed they are hemorrhaging money as Saab is attempting to establish new distribution networks and sales / marketing procedures. According to Spyker, “Although this [the negative cash flow] was anticipated in the business plan, the actual cash need was higher than planned.”

In the intervening time, Saab said that it has attained a deal with one of its important providers and that production would soon be back to convention coming after halts at its Swedish constructing plant.

Saab was obligatory to halt production for a third day running on Thursday because of a disagreement over defrayments with International Automotive Components Group (IAC), which provides dashboards and other interior parts.

Saab spokesman Eric Geers said “We have solved all the issues with IAC. There was an agreement yesterday evening so this morning the plan is to get going on production as soon as possible.”

Suppliers conservative

Christer Palm, Chairman of Sweden’s FKG association of car industry providers, said “I have not heard of any new issues that could hold up production again, though I believe suppliers were somewhat cautious given this week’s payment disputes.”

He told Reuters that “I have spoken with some of the other suppliers and they seem to be satisfied even if there may be some delays. There is no acute problem that I can see at the moment.”

Geers said Saab desired to return to its more than 200-car-a-day production capacity as soon as possible.

Saab indicated that registered sales of its cars in Sweden, one of its lead markets, had gone up by 129% in March to 888 units from a drip last year as the company’s destiny hung in the balance.

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2012 Honda Civic Photographed Revealed

23/02/2011 – 11:30

The 9th generation 2012 Honda Civic was trapped exposed on the back of a car carrier trailer in Suzuka Japan.

The vehicles on the trailer are led to the U.S. as suggested by the left-hand drive and yellowish-brown turn signals. In addition, the Civic appears much the same as the lately disclosed Civic sedan conception at the North American International Auto Show this past January with the omission of net grillwork, fumed headlights and gentler lines.

Below the bonnet, control is anticipated to be allowed for by the same 1.8-liter petrol unit. Other engines included are a natural gas alternative and a crossbreed. The second is intended to take on the most novel Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) arrangement which will be provided by a lithium-ion battery – a first for a Honda.  Honda’s Eco Assist is anticipated to be enforced to the full model range – good for a 10% savings in fuel economy.

Most recent hearsays position the 2.4-liter unit detected in the Acura TSX into the showy Civic Si model.

Power turnout is contemplated to be between 200 and 210 hp whilst torsion gets a hefty step-up to 170 lb-ft which is 230 Nm.

The 2012 Civic will be on sale from this summer.

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General Motors is Almost No. 1

22/02/2011 – 10:00

By any decisive factor, General Motors had an excellent year in 2010. The company settled on solid monetary ground, it acquired a real non-interim CEO, it set in motion quite a lot of imposing new products, and it put up firm development growth in its two major markets.

Toyota, on the other hand found that 2010 was a year to be forgotten. The company encountered its U.S. sales descend harshly, fell behind GM and others in China, confronted big disputes in Japan, and endured through a global PR incubus and a long list of costly recalls.

Nevertheless Toyota still headed GM in worldwide sales when all was well-defined and exercised. The company’s 30,000-vehicle take was not much in framework.

Each car manufacturer reserved well above 8 million sales — but it was sufficient for the Japanese monster to hold on to the worldwide sales coronet for the third direct year.

Sales headship is still a key sign, and GM is going to look for it in 2011. Even though a number of most important new productions are nevertheless a year or even further away, big matters are anticipated from new worldwide marketing.

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BMW Vision Connected Drive Concept brought out in advance of Geneva launching

21/02/2011 – 09:00

BMW has exposed the Vision Connected Drive (VCD) conception, in advance of its inauguration at the Geneva Motor Show.

Similar to a Vision EfficientDynamics two-seater, the VCD assumes BMW’s “shaping” devise theme which undertakes to disclose up huge surfaces to provide vehicles a lighter, more organic visual aspect.

Per se, the idea has a wide grille, huge air inlets, a frameless windshield, and a see-through area in the bonnet that represents the driver’s spotlight on the road in front and on the attentiveness of data that is running in the opposite direction, towards him. Most particularly, the car has electromechanical device drawing in doors which bring to mind the Z1 and are completely road-legal in the pulled back location.

The entire subject of the ardent design of the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive fomite is “connect and network” and is separated into the three areas of protection, infotainment and solace.

The basic concept of BMW ConnectedDrive – the intelligent intercommunicating of driver, fomite and the outside world – is on four levels: “the display and operating concept, an unparalleled light installation, the design itself and the integration of the whole concept into the multimedia setting of the stand at the motor show”.

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Chevrolet to Accelerate Volt Rollout

18/02/2011 – 09:30

Chevrolet will speed up the Volt rollout and announced programs to set in motion the Volt in all 50 states by the end of 2011.

The U.S. vice president of Chevrolet Marketing Rick Scheidt said that “We’re accelerating our launch plan to have Volts in all participating Chevrolet dealerships in every single state in the union by the end of this year. This is the right thing to do for our customers and our dealers who are seeing increased traffic onto their showroom floors.”

Harry E. Criswell III, president and owner of Criswell Chevrolet said “The Volt is clearly bringing new customers to Chevrolet. We are seeing 10 to 15 customers a week who are seriously considering buying a Volt. Many of them own competitive brands and now have a Chevy on their shopping list because of the Volt.”

He further added that: “Some of that consumer interest has been fueled by prestigious industry awards and recognitions for the Volt. Such recognition provides customers with credible, expert endorsement of new models, which is important for vehicles like the Volt that feature significant new technologies,” said Scheidt. “Based on the awards the Volt has received, and the number of consumers expressing interest in the technology, we believe the Volt is the right car at the right time.”

hevrolet will speed up the Volt rollout and announced programs to set in motion the Volt in all 50 states by the end of 2011.

The U.S. vice president of Chevrolet Marketing Rick Scheidt said that “We’re accelerating our launch plan to have Volts in all participating Chevrolet dealerships in every single state in the union by the end of this year. This is the right thing to do for our customers and our dealers who are seeing increased traffic onto their showroom floors.”

Harry E. Criswell III, president and owner of Criswell Chevrolet said “The Volt is clearly bringing new customers to Chevrolet. We are seeing 10 to 15 customers a week who are seriously considering buying a Volt. Many of them own competitive brands and now have a Chevy on their shopping list because of the Volt.”

He further added that: “Some of that consumer interest has been fueled by prestigious industry awards and recognitions for the Volt. Such recognition provides customers with credible, expert endorsement of new models, which is important for vehicles like the Volt that feature significant new technologies,” said Scheidt. “Based on the awards the Volt has received, and the number of consumers expressing interest in the technology, we believe the Volt is the right car at the right time.”

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Ford 2011

New Ford Territory for Australia Disclosed

17/02/2011 – 15:30

Ford Australia has revealed the new Territory SUV for the Australasia market.

In spite of some machinery like the doors, mirrors lift gate and mixed spruce moving over from the leaving Territory, it seems that this is a new second generation prototype. A noteworthy amount of outside restyling is detected in the facade and back ends, cover, section panels, cowcatchers and lights all around. The inside has also been fully restyled even though the overall arrangement stays the same as a 5- or 7-seater.

The new Territory was planned and formulated by Ford’s Australian unit but the SUV potential characteristics pattern components will be seen in the next Escape (North America) and Kuga (Europe) generations which are owed later on this year as 2012 models.

Swenson stated in the press release as “We worked hard to ensure the new Territory was an evolution of the original model and, through the use of Ford’s distinct design DNA, also gave a hint of the future.”

He further added that “To achieve this we applied Ford’s unique style philosophy: kinetic design. Kinetic design comprises several specific elements, all of which are present in the new Territory. They are confident stance, dynamic lines, expressive form language, taut surfacing, bold graphics and great detailing.”

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Till now Volt is neatly outselling the Nissan Leaf

16/02/2011 – 11:30

In January, General Motors sold 321 Chevrolet Volt cars while Nissan, its most vehement electric car challenger, has traded only 87 Leaf cars in the U.S. Both cars started their production at the end of November.

GM had initially designed to sell the Volt in only chosen areas of the country prior to 2012, but the car manufacturer declared last week that it would elaborate sales of the Volt to all 50 states by the end of the year.

Mike Omotoso, an industry analyst with the market research firm J.D. Power and Assoc., said “It’s a good public relations move because Nissan seems to be having some trouble delivering the Leaf.”

GM has alleged that it does not anticipate the Volt to be gainful as a minimum for quite a lot of years as it works to spruce the cars’ manufacture cost. Jesse Toprak, a sales analyst with the automotive Web site Truecar.com said “It will be impossible to gauge consumer acceptance of either car until at least later this year.”

Toprak further added that “There’s enough demand for both these cars to sell 50,000 units to just ‘early adapters’.”

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Chevy Camaro Convertible Pace Car Brought out for Indy 500

15/02/2011 – 10:20

Chevrolet has revealed the Camaro Convertible pace car for the Indianapolis 500. First car will be auctioneered for charity purposes.

Planned to imitate the 1969 variant, the car has a Summit White exterior with orange rushing bandings. Within, the colors match the trim, orange leather seating and imprinted headrests with the Indy 500 logo.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and CEO Jeff Belskus said “The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Chevrolet name have long been associated with one another beginning with Arthur, Louis and Gaston Chevrolet’s participation as competitors in the Indianapolis 500.

It is fitting in this 100th year for both brands that we reinforce that relationship through this year’s Camaro pace car, which resembles what many argue is the most famous pace car in IMS history, the 1969 Camaro. We are looking forward to seeing this car on track, pacing the greatest 33 drivers in the world on May 29.”

In all 50 cars will be built and they are all 2SS models with a 400 hp which is 298 kW / 406 PS and fitted with a 6.2-liter V8 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission.

They come satisfactorily outfitted with Brembo brakes, HID headlamps, and 20-inch brushed up aluminum wheels with high operation tires.

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