The Moscow Motor Show this week provided some welcome relief to some of the more downbeat news further west.
Fuelled by rising oil prices, the buoyant Russian economy is able to support a growing car market (now Europe’s second largest). The models on show confirmed, if you didn’t know, that Russia is becoming a very important place for vehicle manufacturers. There were a number of significant global debuts as well as OEM announcements on future strategies and investment plans.
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Our Moscow coverage is gathered together here.
Still on Russia and in case you hadn’t picked up on it, the Russian government’s ‘Decree 166’ framework makes 350,000 units of annual production a critical threshold.
RUSSIA: Volkswagen to raise Kaluga output to 350,000
RUSSIA: GM plans $1bn investment over next 5 years
And you also have to take steps to get your local content up:
RUSSIA: VW Group to add engine plant in Kaluga
In Western Europe, things were less rosy, especially in Sweden (Volvo Car) and Italy (Fiat).
SWEDEN: Union claims ex-Saab workers face sack again as Volvo wields axe
ITALY: Fiat shuts Pomigliano yet again as economy stutters
We also found time to take the temperature at Bridgestone. There are some interesting developments in tyre labelling coming and some intriguing observations from inside a tyre company on consumer attitudes to the old chestnut that is ‘winter tyres’.
INTERVIEW: Bridgestone North Europe marketing director, Andy Lane
And we spoke with LMC Automotive on the subject of hybrid prospects and forecasts. They are coming in bigger numbers, but the world’s appetite for them varies from region to region and that won’t change all that much.
August 2012 management briefing: prospects for hybrids
As another month ends, we look forward to another batch of market sales numbers. Indications are that the US numbers for August will continue the recovery trend. Things are all relative, but the US market and industry recovery continues to be a big plus for the auto sector.
US: August car market estimated up 17%
I can’t sign off without a reference to a new government body in the UK. It has been named the ‘High Value Manufacturing Catapult’. Companies here are being urged by the government to ‘engage with the Catapult’. There are serious and laudable aims for this new body, but I can’t quite help thinking the name is, well, a bit odd. Who do you work for Dick? Oh, does it involve a thick rubber band?
UK: ‘High Value Manufacturing Catapult’ appoints Dick Elsy as CEO
Have a nice weekend.
Dave Leggett, Editor, just-auto.com
