Bernstein’s Warburton, With No Evidence, Calls This A Neat Idea It Would Appeal To Piech’s Heritage Fascination Fiat’s plans for Chrysler have taken the spotlight away from its troubled sporty subsidiary Alfa Romeo, but Max Warburton, senior analyst at Bernstein Research, has an interesting theory. Might Volkswagen board chairman Ferdinand Piech be interested in buying it? […]
Archive | Industry Analysis 2009
VW, Suzuki Deal Provokes Widespread Approval
VW Gets Profitable Small Car Expertise, Access To India Suzuki Gains Engine Technology Volkswagen’s deal with Suzuki of Japan was warmly received by many investors, who immediately identified the arrangements as having that rare advantage; everybody wins. “We see a strong strategic rationale for the partnership. Suzuki offers VW access to industry leading small car […]
Peugeot-Mitsubishi Alliance Proposal Draws Fire
“There Is No Other Alternative” Hardly A Ringing Endorsement Mitsubishi’s Battery Car Expertise Impresses Though Could This Help Peugeot’s Long Promised Return To The U.S.? News that Peugeot of France is negotiating a tie-up with Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors hasn’t thrilled investors who view the Japanese company as weak, although they are impressed by its electric […]
Outlook for U.S. Market Is Mediocre, According to Fitch
Don’t Hold Your Breathe If You Want Return Of Glory Days Toyota, Honda Under Pressure; Kia/Hyundai Poised To Pounce U.S. light vehicle sales are likely to improve a bit in 2010, but worries about a double-dip recession or spike in fuel prices are a cause for concern, said Fitch Ratings of the U.S. High unemployment, […]
Europe Outlook Dull As Incentive End Clouds Forecasts
Recession Looks Mild By Historical Standards Opportunity To Tackle Overcapacity Spurned, So Far European car sales will slide at a slightly quicker rate in 2010, but forecasters are confused about the impact of the ending of government subsidised car scrapping schemes. One key ingredient missing from the current dip in car sales is any sign […]
VW Profits On The Slide As Sales Dive, Prices Pressured
While most European mass car manufacturers improved profits in the third quarter on the back of generous car scrapping subsidy schemes, Volkswagen went into reverse. VW’s net income slid to €172 million in 2009’s 3rd quarter from €1.2 billion a year earlier. Sales fell to €26 billion from €28.9 billion. VW said earnings for the whole […]
BMW Autos Lost Money In 3rd Quarter; Investors Unworried
Return To Profits Expected, Production Methods To Pay Off But S&P Begs To Differ, Slashes Ratings, Warns About Future BMW lost money making cars in the third quarter, but this didn’t phase investors too much. UniCredit analyst Sven Kreitmair said BMW was riding out the economic storm well, and would return to profits in 2010. […]
Peugeot’s Varin Outlines Vision, Underwhelms Investors
Questions About Euro Bias, Faurecia Remain Unanswered Short-Term Profitability Improves, But Concerns Mount About 2010 Peugeot CEO Philippe Varin finally unburdened himself of his vision of the future at a meeting on November 12, but investors were not impressed. Investors wanted guidance from Peugeot about his plans, with the main concerns being the company’s Eurocentricity, […]
Fiat Plan For Chrysler Ambitious, Tough To Achieve
Chrysler Must More Than Double Sales, Make Hefty Profits By 2014 Are Fiat Products Good Enough To Make It In The U.S.? “Execution On Every Play Will Have To Be Flawless” Fiat’s aggressive and ambitious plans for Chrysler, delivered with panache and brio by CEO Sergio Marchionne by all accounts, seems to have surprised investors who […]
Saab, Still Hanging In There, Readies The 9-5 For Launch
1.6 Litre Engine Produces 180 Hp Saab of Sweden is still alive, and about to kick-off a series of new car launches starting with the 9-5. Saab is hanging on after being cast adrift by GM, albeit reportedly with a nice legacy of $500 million in assets and cash, engineering facilities for new cars, and […]
