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ANALYSIS: Fear and loathing in Luton - (14th September 2009)
The Luton van plant is at serious risk of closure in the wake of GM’s forced sale of Opel/Vauxhall to Magna and its Russian finance partners, writes Mark Bursa
UK: Government trying to 'disqualify' former MG Rover directors - (11th September 2009)
The UK government has ordered lawyers to gather the necessary evidence required to ban former directors of defunct MG Rover Group from holding company office in future.
DECISION DAY AT LAST [updated 16:40BST]: Magna wins Opel - (10th September 2009)
General Motors today appeared to have bowed to strong German regional and federal political pressure as it ended months of speculation by announcing its board "supports" a bid from the Magna International consortium with Sberbank to buy a majority 55% stake in its European Opel/Vauxhall operations.
COMMENT: Beware of scrappage-induced mirage - (7th September 2009)
Automotive markets all around the world are getting a lift from government subsidies to car purchase and they come obligingly dressed up in a light green cloak. New for old. There's not necessarily anything wrong with that. If car markets are stimulated and the car parc gets a little less dirty in the process, it looks like most people are happy.
US: Ford hikes Q3 and Q4 NA production schedules - (13th August 2009)
Ford has announced that it is increasing North American production by another 10,000 units to 495,000 units in the third quarter as it builds more fuel-efficient vehicles to meet “Cash for Clunkers” demand.
US: Restructured Dana breaks even in second quarter - (6th August 2009)
Dana Holding on Thursday said it had achieved break even net income in the second quarter of 2009 despite a 49% year on year sales fall.
GOLDING’S TAKE: VW could be the Victorious World group next year - (31st July 2009)
Isn’t it weird? After a decade of trying, the brand collectors have become thoroughly disheartened. Ford spins out Jaguar, Land-Rover, Mazda and Aston Martin and tries its best to bin Volvo. GM shuts brands, sells brands and tries its best to bin Saab, Vauxhall and Opel. Daimler gets rid of Chrysler Jeep and Dodge to a gullible hedge fund.
GERMANY: Bidder might sell Opel back after restructuring - (27th July 2009)
Opel bidder RHJ International has not ruled out selling the automaker back to General Motors after returning it to health, its chief executive told a German paper.
FEATURE: Jaguar sets course for exclusivity - (14th July 2009)
When Jaguar executives rolled out the new flagship model – the XJ – at London's Saatchi Gallery last week, something was glaringly absent when the Jaguar range was described to the assembled journalists, writes Dave Leggett
US: GM exits bankruptcy with new focus on customer - (10th July 2009)
The new General Motors Company on Friday began operations free of bankruptcy protection with a new corporate structure, a stronger balance sheet, and a renewed commitment to make the customer the centre of everything it does, president and CEO Fritz Henderson announced in Detroit this afternoon (BST). That includes a new eBay marketing deal and the 'unretirement' of 'product czar' Bob Lutz to head both product design and customer relationships. GM is also ending its regional operating structure.
