CLA, S-class Win Sales; C-class Set To Impress Too. “BMW’s 3-series faces tough competition in its third year of production”. It’s like a virtuous circle for shareholders at Daimler’s Mercedes Benz, as attractive new cars boost sales while investment in more efficient manufacturing boosts profits. The imminent launch of the new C-class is going to […]
Archive | Industry Analysis 2014
New Mini Grows A Bit; Adds Cooper Works Version
“technology is expected to be used for future small BMWs, promising big economies of scale” If you take a quick glance, the new Mini does look quite a bit like the 1959 original, but as befits the latest and more senior version, the new one is quite a bit chubbier than the first one. And […]
Happy Days Ahead For U.S. Car Market
“I do not expect the industry to return to bad habits but it will be tested over the next few years as our projected growth rates slow to one to two per cent by 2017” Even when the industry was collapsing around them, automotive industry leaders could be heard insisting to car show press conferences […]
Flywheels Could Be Cheap Way To Slash Fuel Use In Cars
“The technology will allow (vehicle manufacturers) to significantly reduce CO2 emissions for a fraction of the cost and weight of conventional electric hybrids” The conventional wisdom, boosted by government subsidies, suggests electrification is the only way to curb fuel use in cars, but flywheel technology could be a cheaper and more environmentally-friendly way to enhance […]
Peugeot Deal Gives Short-Term Insurance, Long-Term Doubts
“three-headed monster” or the “lion with three heads” French Minister Makes Clear He Will Veto More Moves Out Of France The rescue plan for financially-troubled Peugeot-Citroen, which includes ceding stakes to the French state and Dongfeng Motor of China, will solve any short-term money worries, but risks making a long-term survival plan for the company […]
VW Union Chief Shatters Calm At Wolfsburg With U.S. Diatribe
Blasts Lack Of New Models, Dealers, Slow Market Reactions. U.S. Losses Estimated At Between €250-500 million In 2014 Volkswagen’s union chief disturbed the usual quiet, confident calm at Wolfsburg, when he grabbed the headlines with some home truths about the company’s poor performance in the U.S. Bernd Osterloh, the head of VW’s works council and […]
Can Smaller Firms Like Tesla, Mazda Remain Independent?
Fiat-Chrysler Might Be Eyeing Mazda. With all the talk in the industry about how tough it is for everyone but the German luxury carmakers and the few big companies with massive sales to succeed, it’s surprising that second line players can survive and even thrive. Mazda, Subaru, and Jaguar Land Rover continue to more than […]
Global Auto Makers Need To Spend $3 trillion In 10 Years
“Auto industry profit will increase by approximately 50 per cent by 2020” The automotive industry is in pretty good short-term shape, judged by the new cars being paraded at the Detroit car show, but lift your eyes to the medium and long-term horizon and prospects are a bit more complicated. The only cloud on the […]
Volvo Aims To Eliminate Death, Serious Injury In Its Cars
Stronger Bodies, Computers Will Help. Volvo, which has used its reputation for safety as its major selling point, said it hopes to make its vehicles so secure that by 2020, nobody will lose their lives or be seriously injured in one of their cars. “It is our ambition that by 2020 nobody will be killed […]
Chrysler New 200 Might Be Worthy, But Fails “Wow” Test
Best Quality, Most Handsome, Keenest Price, Unbeatable Economy. Didn’t Someone Say It’s Best To Underpromise, Overdeliver? Chrysler’s new mid-sized sedan needs to have the “wow” factor to succeed, but when the wraps were taken off the car at the Detroit car show, the new car looked well made and attractive, but hardly a head-turner. The […]