Fiat + Chrysler!

Fiat will acquire an initial 35 percent stake in Chrysler. This has been confirmed by both automakers via a joint statement, that states among other benefits:

• Chrysler will gain access to competitive, fuel-efficient vehicle platforms, powertrains, and components (to be produced at Chrysler manufacturing sites)
• Fiat will make available its distribution network in key growth markets
• Substantial cost savings opportunities will be a target

Tags: Fiat, Chrysler, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry

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Fiat + Chrysler?

Just read on Automotive News…

"Fiat Group is in negotiations with Chrysler LLC to form a strategic partnership that could include a Fiat equity stake in the ailing U.S. carmaker.

"Fiat would give Chrysler access to its mini-, small-, lower-medium and upper-medium platforms, engines and transmissions. This would allow Chrysler to quickly build a complete new range of front-wheel-drive, low-emission vehicles."

It’s all speculation for now as neither company has commented on this news.

Tags: Fiat, Chrysler, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry

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Winners and losers in global market share: forecast

According to Global Insight, a leading American market intelligence specialist, these are the automakers that will grow the most in global market share over the next five years:

1. Tata (India): will grow 0.6 percent (current market share: 0.6 percent, 2013 forecast: 1.2 percent)
2. Chery (China): will grow 0.4 percent (0.6, 1.0 percent)
3. Renault (France): will grow 0.3 percent (3.1, 3.4 percent)

Other brands that will gain market share: Maruti (India), Nissan, BMW, Audi, Mitsubishi, Skoda and Wuling (China). All will increase 0.1 percent.

Brands that will stay the same: Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Dodge.

Carmakers that will lose global market share:

1. Ford: will lose 0.7 percent (current market share 7.1, 2013 forecast: 6.4 percent)
2. Peugeot: will lose 0.4 percent (2.9, 2.5 percent)
3. Daihatsu: will lose 0.3 percent (1.2, 0.9 percent)
4. Lada (Russia): will lose 0.2 percent (1.1, 0.9 percent)

Other automakers that will lose global market share: Toyota, Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Kia, Hyundai, Fiat, Suzuki, Mazda and Opel.

Tags: auto industry

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Russia buzzing

Russian automaker Gaz and General Motors are planning a joint venture to build a $1 billion factory in Russia. Daimler may be involved as well.

The plant will have an annual capacity of 300,000 units, and will build a car to compete with Renault’s best-selling, low-cost Logan.

The local vehicle market in Russia is growing by leaps and bounds, and is on track to become Europe’s largest market by year end.

Read more at the Times Online.

Tags: Gaz, General Motors, GM, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, Russia auto industry, Daimler

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Small gets big in U.S.

Various news items from Automotive News point a rosier picture for Japanese manufacturers vs. the American Big Three, as a pronounced move away from large vehicles towards smaller more eco-friendly ones continues in the U.S.

• Toyota and Honda are better positioned than Ford, GM and Chrysler to adjust production towards smaller cars.
• The full-size pickup segment has virtually collapsed (from 2.5 million units in 2005 to an estimated 1.5 million this year), catching Ford and Chrysler at the worst possible moment as they are about to launch redesigned models.
• GM’s Hummer line is close to being sold off or possibly disappearing.
• GM is considering lightening its big Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon models by moving to a different platform. "The future of other big SUVs such as the Chevrolet Suburban and Cadillac Escalade is unclear".
• Toyota is making a big move with its Prius hybrid, and may soon begin production in the U.S.

Tags: automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, alternative energy, renewable energy, sustainable energy, electric cars, hybrids, GM, General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Hummer, Prius

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Most productive auto plants in U.S.

Who has the most productive auto manufacturing plants in the U.S.?

According to the 2007 Harbour Report, among multi-plant manufacturers that honor goes to Toyota and Chrysler. Both scored 30.37 hours to fully assemble a vehicle. Chrysler improved 7.7 percent while Toyota actually fell 1.5 percent.

Closely following the leaders by less than 3.5 hours are Honda, General Motors, Nissan and Ford. These four have been persistently closing the productivity gap over the past five years.

It’s worth noting from the Harbour Report press release that:

"Toyota fabricates and assembles a greater percentage of its vehicle parts with its own employees, while the Detroit Three purchase many modules and subassemblies from suppliers, thus saving labor. Toyota also has retained nearly all its employees even in plants that experienced lower production."

The most productive single plant in North America?

Chrysler’s Toledo Supplier Park which takes just 13.57 labor hours to build a Jeep.

You can read more here…

Tags: Harbour Report, Toyota, Chrysler, Nissan, GM, General Motors, Honda, Ford, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry

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China plans: Chrysler

Despite the Chrysler Daimler separation, Chrysler will continue with the existing joint venture that both companies set up in China in 2004, the Beijing Benz Daimler Chrysler Automotive Co Ltd.

Chrysler is playing catch-up in China, as they were late to enter that market. Their main focus now is to expand production capacity in order to support expansion in China.

Said Philip Murtaugh, CEO of Chrysler’s Asian operations:

"The BBDC remains exactly as it was before the separation of Chrysler and Daimler. This company is critical for Chrysler’s success and these cars are very large and important segments in China’s market. Chrysler and BBDC are working closely and hard together to make sure we will succeed."

The BBDC joint venture currently produces Mercedes-Benz E-class and C-class luxury sedans as well as Chrysler 300C and Chrysler Borui (Sebring) sedans under technical licensing contracts that will continue until 2013. As reported by the Shanghai Daily.

In 2007, Chrysler also began to produce Dodge Caravans and Chrysler Grand Voyagers in a joint venture with Fujian Automotive Industry Corp.

Chrysler is also said to be forming a joint venture with Chery Automobile to attack the small car segment.

Tags: Chrysler, Chrysler China, Dodge China,  Philip Murtaugh,  Beijing Benz Daimler Chrysler Automotive Co Ltd., BBDC, Fujian Automotive Industry Corp., Chery, Chery Automobile, Chery Automobile Co., automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, China, Chinese auto industry, Chinese automotive industry

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Chrysler green cars

Chrysler is showing off three eco-friendly concept cars at the Detroit International Auto Show:

1. ecoVoyager. A 4-seater with a single electric motor alternately powered by a lithium-ion battery pack and hydrogen fuel cell. The battery has a 40 mile (64 km) range, the fuel-cell “range extender” adds 260 miles (418 km).

2. ZEO. A a 4-seat sport wagon powered by a lithium-ion battery pack with a 250 mile (400 km) range. Its 200 kw (268 hp) motor does 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) in under six seconds.

3. Jeep Renegade. Has two electric motors powered by a lithium-ion battery, with a range of 40 miles (64 km). Also has a 1.5 liter Bluetec diesel engine that adds 400 miles (644 km), for an overall fuel-economy rating of 110 mpg (2.13 liters per 100 km).

Tags: concept cars, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, alternative energy, sustainable energy, electric cars, hybrids, flex-fuel, diesel, Chrysler, ecoVoyager, ZEO, Jeep Renegade

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What’s a brand worth?

The top ten global brands are worth over $400 billion in conjunction, according to Interbrand and their most recent yearly report.

These are the top ten brands with their estimated worth:

1. Coca-Cola, $63B
2. Microsoft, $58B
3. IBM, $57B
4. General Electric (GE), $51B
5. Nokia, $33B
6. Toyota, $32B
7. Intel, $31B
8. McDonald’s, $29.4B
9. Disney, $29.2B
10. Mercedes Benz, $23B

Tags: Coca Cola, Microsoft, IBM, General Electric, GE, Nokia, Toyota, Intel, McDonald’s, Disney, Mercedes Benz, Interbrand, branding, marketing, best brands

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Daimler sues Chinese copycat

Daimler has just sued Chinese automaker Shuanghuan Automobile from unveiling its Noble, a Smart ForTwo look-alike, at the Bologna Auto Show last week. Daimler claims the Noble infringes on its design copyright for the Smart ForTwo.

Daimler also obtained a similar order in September to prevent Shuanghuan from showing the Noble at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

To give you an idea, see both models below. The Smart ForTwo is on top, the Noble below.

  

Martin Motors, Shuanghuan’s European distributor, says they will rename the Noble as the Bubble to avoid potential lawsuits with UK’s Noble Auto. And they say that Daimler’s suit is unfounded because the Noble/Bubble "is a four-seat, front-engined vehicle, while the Smart model is a two-seat car with a rear engine".

Read more at MotorTrader.

See also:

• BMW vs. Chinese copycats

Tags: automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, China, Chinese auto industry, Chinese automotive industry, Shuanghuan Automobile, Shuanghuan, Martin Motors, Noble, Bubble, intellectual property

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