just-auto's Frankfurt Motor Show coverage
Given the current auto industry state of play, a slimmed down, eye-on-the-budget, Frankfurt motor show was expected, and so it proved. But, while visitor numbers were estimated off 25% to 750,000, several well-known Japanese brands (not including Mazda, which has long been popular in Germany) stayed away, BMW kept its tent folded and the lavish on-stand hospitality of some previous years was noticeably absent, the show was still the usual sprawl.
THE WEEK THAT WAS: Frankfurt lite
18 September 2009
Given the current auto industry state of play, a slimmed down, eye-on-the-budget, Frankfurt motor show was expected, and so it proved. But, while visitor numbers were estimated off 25% to 750,000, several well-known Japanese brands (not including Mazda, which has long been popular in Germany) stayed away, BMW kept its tent folded and the lavish on-stand hospitality of some previous years was noticeably absent, the show was still the usual sprawl.
FRANKFURT SHOW: EVs to dominate lithium battery demand
18 September 2009
The global market for automotive lithium batteries to power the swelling ranks of electric vehicles is forecast to hit a heady US$70bn a year by 2020, according to a key supplier of the technology.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Automotive M&A activity plunges
18 September 2009
An M&A specialist has told an industry conference at the IAA that automotive sector M&A activity has plunged and that his analysis of the restructuring cycle and comparison with past recessions suggests that the automotive industry still faces very tough times ahead.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Tesla shoots for higher volume models
18 September 2009
While Tesla Motors is currently focussed on selling its electric drive Roadster and developing the Model S luxury sedan, it is also looking ahead to successor higher volume models and helping the electric vehicle segment develop further via the licensing of its technology.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Supplier sector restructuring opportunities ahead
17 September 2009
Private equity investor Wilbur Ross today told an industry conference at the IAA that he believes there are big opportunities ahead in supplier sector restructuring and that he sees long-term profitability as a result of further consolidation and the removal of overcapacity.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Mazda ‘missing fourth element of design'
17 September 2009
Petrolhead and sports car enthusiast Ikuo Maeda wants to inject a fourth element into Mazda's design philosophy.
FRANKFURT WRAP: Good time to be in R&D but...
17 September 2009
It's an exciting time to be a car engineer or designer. Probably not such a good time to be in sales or marketing.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Lexus concept targets small premium sector
16 September 2009
The Lexus LF CH concept gives a good indication as to where the Japanese luxury brand is going, Toyota Europe sales and marketing executive vice president Didier Leroy told just-auto in Frankfurt.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Ford could make more cost cuts
16 September 2009
Ford is on track to have made structural cost cuts of up to US$15bn since 2005 but has room to make more, its chief financial officer said on Wednesday.
FRANKFURT SHOW: BMW headcount steady for now
16 September 2009
BMW would not need to make more job cuts even if a second wave of the global financial crisis hits, its personnel chief has said.
FRANKFURT SHOW: New Valeo CEO cautious on progress
16 September 2009
Valeo has stopped selling major assets after its new CEO halted his predecessor's plan.
FRANKFURT SHOW: China tyre spat worries Bridgestone Europe
16 September 2009
Tyremaker Bridgestone is concerned a US-China tyre tariff dispute could hurt its European business.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Fiat "closed" with Opel
16 September 2009
Fiat has "closed with Opel and will achieve its target of selling 5.5-6m vehicles alone with Chrysler, its new chief executive said in Frankfurt on Wednesday.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Kia’s jigaw coming together
16 September 2009
The pieces in the Kia jigsaw are coming together to present a clear picture of the brand and its products, Paul Philpott, one month into his new role as head of the South Korean company’s European operations, told just-auto in Frankfurt.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Renault promises EV blitz
16 September 2009
The four Renault zero emission concept cars unveiled at Frankfurt are close to production and three of them will be on sale by 2011 with the fourth, the Zoe on sale in the early part of 2012.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Mazda plans new minivan for Europe
16 September 2009
Mazda will unveil a new 5 minivan at next year's Geneva show and is also working on a smaller crossover-type SUV based on the current 3, Jeffrey Guyton, president and CEO of Mazda Motors Europe said in Frankfurt.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Surge of EVs at scaled down IAA
16 September 2009
Numbers are down - at 750 there are around 30% fewer exhibitors than in 2007 and are noticeably fewer foreign media - but interest is high.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Suppliers need to manage their way through crisis
16 September 2009
The economic crisis and downturn in car manufacturing has been tough on suppliers with even the largest companies facing insolvency, but the key to staying afloat is taking the right actions at the right time, TRW sales and business development chief Peter Lake thinks.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Ford reveals battery-powered Focus for UK trials
16 September 2009
Ford of Europe has shown off the first of a fleet of Focus-based battery electric vehicle (BEV) prototypes developed for the UK government's 'ultra-low carbon vehicles' demonstration initiative next year.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Saab designers can go it alone
15 September 2009
Saab engineers developed 70 per cent of the new 9-5 and the company has the capability to continue developing new models thanks to the investment General Motors has made in it in recent years.
COMMENT: Enjoy the IAA, but don't get too carried away
15 September 2009
The Frankfurt Motor Show's first press day falls today on the anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers. I do hope that this industry does not get carried away with its own PR today. Of course, motor shows are great stages on which to show the world just how clever automotive engineers and designers are. This one will be no exception.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Renault firms up EV plans
15 September 2009
Renault and electric vehicle infrastructure partner Better Place have commited to a volume of at least 100.000 vehicles in Israel and Denmark by 2016.
FRANKFURT SHOW: PSA lowers loss expectation
15 September 2009
PSA Peugeot Citroen is aiming for a full-year loss in 2009 closer to the top end of its earnings guidance, thanks to the improved outlook for car sales in its main markets, chief executive Philippe Varin said in Frankfurt.
FRANKFURT SHOW: No rebound till mid-2010 - Toyota
15 September 2009
Toyota expects European market share to improve in the second half of the year but doesn't see demand rising before mid-2010.
FRANKFURT SHOW: TRW announces up to 50% weight reduction on airbags
15 September 2009
TRW is presenting at the IAA its latest passenger and curtain airbag modules - designed to reduce weight by up to 50% compared with previous generations.
FRANKFURT SHOW: 'No dramatic recovery in Europe' - Mazda
15 September 2009
The European new car market will fall to around 13m units in 2010 from a predicted 15m this year, predicted Jeffrey Guyton, president and CEO of Mazda Motors Europe, speaking to just-auto at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
FRANKFURT SHOW: UK car chiefs want scrappage scheme extension
15 September 2009
With funds for the government's vehicle scrappage incentive running dry, UK car industry chiefs are calling for a replacement scheme to avoid car sales "falling off a cliff".
FRANKFURT SHOW: UK needs to act on manufacturing - Bentley
15 September 2009
Bentley has called on the British government to make up its mind over the UK as a manufacturing base.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Bosch sees slump lasting for years
15 September 2009
As we warn elsewhere on just-auto today, it could be easy to get carried away with the luxury, the sports supercars and the electrotechnical concepts at Frankfurt and overlook the real world. Like at Bosch where 10,000 jobs are going this year and 100,000 more staff will remain on short working hours amid an auto industry slump its top manager said could last for years.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Asia to rebound ahead of Europe - Hyundai
15 September 2009
Hyundai Motor sees Asian markets recovering more quickly than Europe where its local chief does not see a significant resurgence until 2015.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Ford details EcoBoost launch plans
15 September 2009
Ford is introducing its 'EcoBoost' brand of small capacity, direct injected and turbocharged engines to Europe, starting with the 2010 C-Max minivan, and has hinted that two- and three-cylinder versions and sizes under one litre could follow.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Porsche chief confident of VW deal
15 September 2009
Porsche's chairman is confident a deal with Volkswagen can be signed and sealed within two years.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Nissan hopes for good European year
15 September 2009
Nissan will have a "decent year" in Europe if it can weather a slump in Russia market where the outlook remains uncertain, a senior executive has said.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Hints VW eyeing more brands
15 September 2009
Volkswagen may not yet be done with acquiring brands.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Porsche thinks bottom reached
15 September 2009
Porsche on Tuesday said it believed the worst of the credit crunch slump was now over.
FRANKFURT SHOW: Seven seat Ford C-Max US-bound
15 September 2009
Ford is to launch a seven-seat version of the new C-Max, unveiled in Frankfurt today, in North America in late 2011. That version will also have sliding rear doors.
FRANKFURT SHOW: More compact event still worth a look
15 September 2009
Attendance by both automakers (no Honda and Mitsubishi, for example) and the paying public (750,000 compared with 1m in 2007) is expected to be down but Frankfurt's 63rd motor show, though a more compact version of the last event two years ago, still has a lot to interest, particularly in electric vehicles and alternative fuel powertrains.
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