Europe’s Sales Rally Will Stall In 2015 As Stagnation Returns. “we forecast a slower pace of growth for 2015 versus 2014”. Don’t Expect Any Spectacular Technology Gains Either. Falling gas prices and improving economics will persuade more Americans to flock to car dealerships in 2015, so spare a thought for Europeans as the market here […]
Archive | Industry Features 2014

Toyota’s Fuel Cell Plans Grab Headlines, But Doubts Mount
“This is a dead end technology and (the manufacturers) are foolishly wasting their time. I can’t explain it. It doesn’t make any sense” Toyota’s launch of the Mirai fuel-cell powered car at the Los Angeles car show was greeted by “game-over” victory shouts by some alternative technology advocates saying battery-only powered cars have been driving […]

Despite Impossible Targets, Investors Like FCA Prospects
Jeep’s SUVs, Ram’s Pickups, Maserati’s Sportscars Excite. “Alfa Romeo might be a lost cause though” FCA Prospects Nobody outside of the company seems to think Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) will get anywhere near making its targets for 2018, but many investors seem to think that won’t matter as long as some progress is made. Investors […]
Renault Profit Hopes, Despite Russian Hangover
Renault profit hopes – New Models, Cost Cutting, Dacia Underline Positive Outlook. “good prospects for further profitability uptick that would narrow the margin gap with Renault’s global competitors” Renault’s share price has been on the slide this year, as befits the number one investor in Russia’s car industry, but investors are still impressed with the […]
European Auto Plea For CO2 Pity Unlikely To Succeed
“Now oil, gas supplies look secure for up to 100, maybe 200 years” “The industry put its own view rather than just standing there and taking it. They’ve brought it on themselves by not actually standing up earlier. They’ve been frozen in the headlights of propaganda by the green movement” European Auto Plea For CO2 […]

Paris Car Celebrations Postponed As Economic Gloom Thickens
“The German economy is no longer running smoothly”. “There are definitely increasing signs of turbulence with pockets of demand falling in some key markets”. The Paris Car Show should have been a time to celebrate the return of the good times after the great recession, but it is turning into a nail-biting quandary about the […]

Technology, Changing Attitudes, Could Devastate Auto Industry
“The world’s $20 trillion car fleet achieves only four per cent use, leaving 8.4 trillion hours a year not used. What a waste!!!.” The book business, not to mention newspapers, have been shellacked by new technology, and automobile manufacturers might be the next industry ripe for attack. When the global automotive industry gathers in Paris […]

Jaguar XE Favoured To Succeed Despite Mighty Germans
“Speth was in charge of product planning of the BMW 3 Series at BMW in the 1970s, so he knows what the customer wants”. Jaguar’s new small luxury sedan, the XE, has been assigned Mission Impossible. Jaguar, now part of British-based and Tata of India owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), will have to win sales […]

Jaguar’s Little XE Favoured To Succeed Despite German Might
“Audi is now showing weakness because it is falling behind with technology. Customers will step from Audi to other brands”. Jaguar’s new small luxury saloon, the XE, faces an almost impossible challenge. Jaguar’s Little XE Favoured To Succeed Despite German Might Jaguar, now part of British-based and Tata of India owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), […]
Russia, China, Slowing Economy Threaten Europe Sales Rally
“Germany is not the locomotive anymore pulling the European economy behind it and this is really a potential risk to car sales”. Western Europe’s car market was heading for a slow but steady recovery as sales finally hit rock bottom last year after the great recession, but evidence is mounting that even this unspectacular recovery […]