Archive for the ‘Car manufactures’ category

Detroit Auto Revitalisation Indicated After Two Bankruptcies

May 5th, 2010

Approximately a year after failures clobbered the U.S. auto industry, Detroit’s auto manufacturers are up and running again, quicker than government officials and analysts expected.

General Motors Co. paid back the last $4.7 billion in U.S. loans yesterday; Chrysler Group LLC put up a first-quarter operating profit of $143 million. Ford Motor Co., which is the only one of the trio to ward off Chapter 11, has its shares at the highest since January 2005 when it closed for today.

Brian Johnson, a Barclays Capital analyst remarked as, “All three are much improved, and it’s not fair to give all the credit to bankruptcy. In the desperate days of late 2008, they began making production cuts and product-line improvements. They’ve been remarkably restrained in incentives.”

Purported immediate-clean bankruptcies purified GM and Chrysler of responsibilities with new rapidity, stated Jeremy Anwyl, chief executive officer of researcher Edmunds.com. Chrysler registered for court security on April 30 and got out on June 10. GM came out from bankruptcy on July 10, 39 days after entering.

Anwyl stated “Despite all the naysayer, you have to look at GM and Chrysler and say their chances of survival are markedly better because they did go through bankruptcy. And Ford benefited as the company that didn’t go through bankruptcy.”

BMW Group Records Positive Earnings for 2009

May 5th, 2010

Encouraging earnings for the financial year 2009 was recorded by the BMW Group. This was according to their plans regardless of the in progress worldwide financial and economic disaster. The profit before tax of the Group increased by 17.7% to euro 413 million while it was euro 351 million in 2008. Because of the higher in force tax rate the net profit of the BMW Group amounted to euro 210 million against euro 330 million in 2008 down by 36.4%. Revenues reduced fairly by 4.7% to euro 50,681 million as against euro 53,197 million in 2008. Dividend remains unchanged against the previous year at euro 0.30 per share of common stock and euro 0.32per share of preferred stock.

While at a meeting in Munich Dr. Norbert Reithofer, the Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG stated that “We performed well in 2009 despite difficult market conditions worldwide. Our cost management and efficiency improvement measures had a positive impact, even though the effects of the worldwide financial and economic crisis were still being felt. We are proposing a dividend for 2009 despite the difficult economic climate, demonstrating the confidence we have in our operating strength, and we also want our shareholders to participate in the company’s performance”.

Sales of BMW for 2009

May 5th, 2010

In entirety, the BMW Group sold 1,286,310 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles in 2009 against 1,435,876 units in 2008 which is -10.4%. This operation facilitated the BMW Group to boost its share in the market in the premium segment. This also helped the Group to hold on to its position as the world’s foremost premium manufacturer.

The overall sales of BMW brand cars for 2009 was 1,068,770 against 1,202,239 units for 2008 which is again down by 11.1%. This actually placed the BMW brand once again well in advance of its related competitors in the premium segment. The increase in sales of BMW was strong and the sales of different brands were as follows:

7 Series – 52,680 up by 35.7%
X6 – 41,667 units up by 56.8%
Z4 – 22,761 units up by 26.4%.

The BMW Group also was successful and grew strongly in the year 2009 in the rising markets of China and sold 90,536 units which showed an increase of 37.5%, in Brazil 6,398 units up by 118.8%) and India 3,619 units up by 24.4%). This resulted in the Group accomplishing new sales records in all the three markets.

Financial Results of Toyota Motor Corporation

April 4th, 2010

The Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) today announced its third quarter financial results which ended 31 December 2009.

On a consolidated footing, the third quarter net revenues summed up to 5.3 trillion yen. This is a clear increase of 10.2% when compared to the same period during the last fiscal year. Operating income enhanced from a loss of 360.6 billion yen to 189.1 billion yen, and the company’s income before income taxes, equity in earnings of associated companies and minority interest was 224.9 billion yen. Net income augmented from a loss of 164.7 billion yen to 153.2 billion yen.

Total vehicle sales for the third quarter were 2.07 million units, which is an increase of 227 thousand units when compared to the same period last fiscal year.

Remarking on the results, TMC Senior Managing Director Takahiko Ijichi said, “As a result of customer appreciation of our strength in offering a wide range of environmentally friendly vehicles, especially gasoline-electric hybrids such as the ‘Prius’, the Lexus ‘HS250’ and the ‘Sai’, our consolidated vehicle sales for the third quarter reached 2 million 65 thousand units, up 227 thousand vehicles from the same period last year. With regard to our operating income by region, we achieved year-on-year improvement in all regions for the third quarter.”

GM: Get your money back if not satisfied

September 20th, 2009

Can a straight-talking Texan and a money-back guarantee be capable of persuading American users to purchase a car from General Motors?
In its first most important marketing operation after coming out from bankruptcy, G.M. is laying its new chairman, Edward E. Whitacre Jr., in the focus as the orator for its offer to give customers a full reimbursement in 60 days on any G.M. car or truck.

gm renaissance center
The movement is known as “May the Best Car Win,” is part of G.M.’s endeavor to alter its lasting image as a economically stressed company with second-rate products. The first television ads will start on Sunday, featuring Mr. Whitacre, the 67-year-old former AT&T chief who was enrolled by the federal government to head G.M.’s restructured board.
Mr. Whitacre remarked in an interview, “I’m happy to do it, I wanted to do it, and I think it is important to do it. I am convinced that our cars are as good, if not better, than anybody else’s.”
G.M.’s gross sales in the United States have diminished by 35% this year, and its market share has sunk to a record low of about 19%. Mr. Whitacre has consecrated that G.M. must shoot the slip and start rising its sales.

Source : NY Times

BMW Charity ProAm stands up to Confront

September 16th, 2009

It is chiefly heartwarming in light of the lasting recession to know that the 2009 BMW Charity Pro-Am Golf Tournament raised $651,829. This charity amount will be divided amongst 78 charities in the Upstate and western North Carolina. The amount raised through the charity is no doubt a bit less than in the top years.
This makes the grand total to approximately $7.3 million that the BMW golf event has been able to make over the past 9 years for 125-plus charities in this area. Bobby Hitt, BMW Manufacturings manager of public affairs and president of South Carolina Charities Inc., running the golf tournament stated that “We’re here to tell you we’re here to stay.”
This remark by Bobby Hitt is music to the ears of many local charities which finds their financial situation predominantly bleak if not for the check made possible by the BMW Charity Pro-Am.
The BMW Charity Pro-Am not only aids local charities, but also does so much more for the society, too. It appeals to some great professional golfers and invites them to the area for the Nationwide Tour.

Source: Jolly People

Is GM Fit to get a bail-out?

September 16th, 2009

Even if product development and marketing issues are ignored, GM has 2 key issues to overcome. They are:

1. Labor prices are too high!
2. Executive compensation and gains are luxurious!

Actually GM’S labor costs have to be decreased so that they can be competitive too.
Direct manufacturing labor costs are the major cost for GM unlike other auto makers. As GM is giving much more for their direct labor than any other car makers in the world, they are not in a situation to offer their cars at an economical price and still make a profit.
Just think that a janitor is paid $35 dollars per hour and this pay scale cannot be maintained. In reality GM has no command over labor costs.

The present political situation will not permit another company to function a productive auto plant in the United States. This is the reason which GM should probably take into mind and they should not be allowed to fail. The fall of GM is as predictable as our looming social security bankruptcy.
The troubles at GM spotlight an exceedingly sad position for large companies who want to be competitive in America.

Source: Gruber Company

How Come American Car Manufacturers Go Wrong

September 14th, 2009

Just when people feel that the Big 3 (Toyota, Ford and GM) have learned their lesson, they go and replicate the same things which had got them in trouble previously. One feels that after 2 decades of bad conclusions and other key bailout from the government the industry would not repeat the same mistake, but that is not the case. But Ford had told the government to batter salt over the conditions of a bailout.
On the other hand, all 3 just made the most terrible verdict of all time. They thought that ‘the economy is recovered’ and that the unreal requirement for cars, by cash for clunkers, is in some manner everlasting. But actually there is very little demand left for new cars as all the demand for cars was pressed forward by the very luxurious government incentive. Regrettably, the largest receivers of the whole cash for clunkers deal were the Japanese car makers and not the Big 3 as was imagined.
Toyota has recognized and so has recently decreased their production by 10%. But sad that GM and Ford lately declared the add-on of more shifts, rehired workers and hiked output by 10%.

Source: Seeking Alpha

Clunkers Occupying Room on Local Car Dealers’ Lots

September 13th, 2009

Most of the cars still await their fate on automobile dealers’ lots. The dealers, in the meantime, hang around for their cash back from the federal government ahead to their killing the clunkers’ engines and packing them off to be worn.

The attitude of the dealers also is a “we’ll see” about the purchasing atmosphere as a result of the popular “cash for clunkers” motivation that goaded sales of new vehicles in the neighborhood and countrywide.

Mike Barron, the general manager of Heritage Pontiac-Buick-GMC-Honda stated that “We sold a total of 76 vehicles under the (cash for clunkers) program. Five have been paid by the government; as a result, five have had their motors disabled and have since been removed by Newell Recycling.” He also said that “the average gas guzzler could get around 14 miles per gallon, while the average mpg of the cars purchased is in the upper 20s. The average purchase price was around $20,000, he said”.

The cash for clunkers a federal program started in July and ended on Aug. 24. In addition to urging vehicle sales, it was meant to get old gas-guzzlers off the road.

Source: RN-T

GM Will Stop Building Pontiac Vibe

September 13th, 2009

For years upon years, General Motors has been a company that not only values its workers, but it has been one of the leading companies in places like Detroit.  They have designed some of the greatest cars and trucks in the world and they honestly have helped define some of the newest breeds of companies in the world today.  GM has been the leading running as the largest car maker in the world from its start in 1931 all the way to 2008 … where everything dropped and Toyota surpassed GM.

In 2008, when Toyota surpassed GM up as the largest automotive maker, it was a historical moment in time and that is exactly what caused the demise of this incredible company.  Now, GM is in the mist of bankruptcy and the federal government is actually stepping in to take over GM and it is going to be run 70% by the federal government.

While many people might not be pleased with this particular step, GM is in trouble and we all know that the economy does not specifically rest on GM but it does definitely depend on this company that has been so stable for so many years.

We all know that GM is a company that is extreme trouble.  Not only are they going bankrupt, but they are phasing out cars that are extremely popular nowadays in an effort to save funds.  The economy is terrible right now and everyone in the world is looking for ways in which they can save a little cash and GM is no different.  They have actually found an answer is phasing out the Pontiac brand as a whole and the first step is going to be phasing out the Pontiac Vibe.

The Pontiac brand itself has been around for quite a while and to be honest, while this might have just happened on June 18, 2009, there are plans of phasing out more and more cars come later in the year.  GM is striving to cut all of the corners that they can and the Pontiac brand is something that can go and the funds can be used elsewhere.

GM has been producing the 2010 Vibe since roughly March and while this will not usually affect many of the plants that are open right now and building Pontiac models, it will definitely affect some of the factories that have strictly just been producing Pontiac products.  Suppliers will be affected and if you do not know already, GM stopping their production on this fantastic car is a huge deal.  It is just one step of the many that GM has to make in order to stay afloat.

Although GM will not be even just a sliver of its former company due to the fact that it will be owned by the government, the fact that this incredible company is going downhill so quickly is just prove that we are not in the best of times.

Although this incredible car is being discontinued and an incredible brand is being phased out, that does not mean that you have to look down all of the time.  GM is going to perk back up and while it might not be the company that it once was, it eventually is going to be a company that a lot of people are going to want to work for.

The Pontiac brand is a brand that is going to be missed severely, but as they continue to fade out and fade out brands, you will realize that there truly are a ton of different car brands out there and that you will absolutely be able to find one that suits all of your needs.  GM is not the top anymore, but that does not mean that you have to stop purchasing cars.