Ford executive vice president retires early

Mark Schulz, Ford Motor Co. executive vice president, is going to retire early next year after 30 years of service with the automotive manufacturer.

Schulz is responsible for Ford automotive operations outside of North and South America. He joined the world's second-largest automaker, in 1970 as an assembly line worker.

Schulz is one of the latest senior executives to leave since the company appointed Alan Mulally, 61, as CEO three months ago. A series of other senior executives including Ford's second-ranking North American executive, the North America manufacturing chief and the chief of staff announced their departures after Mulally's Sept. 1 hiring.

After Schulz's departure, Ford will have three remaining executive vice presidents: Don Leclair, who is also CFO; Lewis Booth, superviser of Ford Europe and Ford's Europe luxury brands, including Jaguar, and Mark Fields, head of Ford's Americas unit.

Industry insiders are now speculating a full company re-structure as Alan Mulally is implementing a series of changes in strategy and organisation.

Read More

Motorbike ride a day keeps the traffic away

Ever felt fed up with cars? It's funny I should say that but there is nothing more annoying then driving in London. A real nightmare. Going from A to B becomes a day-long adventure that does nothing for my nerves.

So I decided to get a bike...
A motorbike of course, haven't gone mad yet.

Started searching and came across Brooks Barn. Simple, fast and furious. I am talking about the website, the service and the motorcycle. Was easier than buying a bag of crisps.

And YES, I am proud of my brand new Suzuki EN125-2.

Saves me 25 min everyday and love bypassing the car drivers that stare back in anger.

:)

Read More

Traffic Accident Research Centre

The Volvo Car Corporation and Volvo Group are setting up a joint Traffic Accident Research Centre in China. Volvo is continuing to acquire information and expertise in the drive to develop safer vehicles with its active traffic accident research, while at the same time hoping to contribute to safer road traffic in the world's most populous country.

Volvo's in-house state of the art traffic accident research is the most advanced in the automotive industry. Its main centre is in hometown Goteborg, Sweden but there are more local operations in the USA and Thailand. Volvo has built up a unique database of facts including detailed information about almost 40,000 car accidents involving more than 50,000 passengers.

The safety systems introduced into Volvo's cars, buses and trucks over the years were developed from the knowledge that Volvo's accident research unit has gathered from real-life traffic accidents. A few examples are the SIPS (Side-Impact Protection System), frontal offset impacts and child safety equipment in passenger cars, as well as the deformable steering wheel and FUPS (Front Underrun Protection System) and ESP (Electronic Stability Program) for buses and trucks.

Volvo wants to contribute to this growing positive trend in this vital area and aims to create a traffic accident research centre in China. Local research for cars, trucks and buses will take place in co-operation with Chinese organisations and universities, while the operation's foundation will remain at Volvo's headquarters in Sweden.

So Volvo is taking a step in the right direction when it comes to safety. Hopefully other major automotive industry players will soon follow suit.

Read More

Fiat India records profits

Positive results by Fiat’s core automotive division is reported to perform well as it posted again profit for the fourth straight quarter this week.

The company continued gaining from improved sales of Grande Punto hatchback and other popular Fiat models.

Fiat is aiming for a 2006 group trading profit of 1.85 billion euros, targeting a net profit of 800 million euros.

Fiat Auto is the group’s biggest division by sales, making a trading profit of 51 million euros against a loss of 85 million euros for the same period last year.

Despite recent negative trends in the automotive industry Fiat is proving that successes still exist for the companies that work hard to get operations and sales right.

Read More

The Bosch Group bids for Pacifica

The market is excited with the news that Bosch Group has made a $495 million bid for Australian auto parts manufacturer Pacifica Group Limited (PBB). Bosch intends to make an off-market takeover offer for Pacifica.

The offer includes the assumption of Pacifica’s existing net debt. The Bosch cash offer represents an outstanding opportunity for Pacifica shareholders to immediately realise a significant premium to the recent trading value of Pacifica shares.

Stockbroking analysts haven't found the offer from Bosch surprising.

Bosch stated that the volume weighted average price includes the recent surge in the share price fuelled by speculation of a potential takeover of Pacifica.

Dr Bernd Bohr, a member of the Bosch Board of Management and chairman of the Automotive Group, said the offer represents full and fair value for Pacifica.

Read More

Toyota hiring new staff in Lafayette

The Toyota Subaru production plant of Indiana Automotive Inc. in Lafayette is hiring a 1,000 strong automotive workforce.

SIA and the Indiana Department of Workforce Development have collaborated to design a paperless, online application process that will begin on Oct. 30. Applications also will be accepted at any WorkOne office in Indiana.
SIA is one of the highest wage manufacturers in the Lafayette area according to Kevin McNamara, professor of agricultural economics at Purdue University.

Applications also are expected to come from far outside Tippecanoe and surrounding counties, as people seek employment that offers good pay and substantive benefits.
Through a contract with the Toyota Motor Corp., SIA will hire approximately 1,000 people in two phases, to begin production of the Toyota Camry next year.

Read More

New cars at factory outlet prices

It sounds impossible but Factory Outlet Cars is one of the first retailers to promise a range of new cars at factory outlet prices.

The company is one of the largest UK online new car dealers, offering a wide range of new car prices with considerable savings. The price discounts on new cars do not compromise on customer service and the company has managed to maintain this promise. All the cars are available with car finance, part exchange and delivery so it makes it easier a process to manage.

Factory Outlet Cars has 25 years experience providing new cars and used cars for other new car dealers throughout the UK and this is how they can heavily discount to the consumer. The existing supply network ensures delivering the cars at the right price and at the right time. Most of the car selection is usually in stock locally keeping costs to a minimum and passing these savings onto the consumers.

Read More

Bad year for Ford or automotive in Australia?

The Australian is reporting on new job losses across Australias besieged automotive parts industry this week, after Ford Australia unveiled plans to cut new car production by 20%.

The news come following previously reported new car sales figures drop for Holden and Toyota, in September last year.

Ford also warned of job losses from its 5000-strong workforce after blaming declining sales for the decision to cuts its daily new car production from 450 to 360 from November 20.

Industry analysts warned that Ford's decision would put significant pressure on cash-strapped car part makers.

Ford sales have been hit by rising petrol prices and declining sales on the the back of strong competition from rivals marketing newer products.

Industry insiders confirmed that the car industry is facing a difficult period.

Read More

BeijingBenz-DaimlerChrysler opens new plant

Great news for the automotive industry from China.

BeijingBenz-DaimlerChrysler Automotive Ltd, a joint venture between DaimlerChrysler and the Beijing Automotive Industry Corp, said it will open its new manufacturing facility in Beijing tomorrow.

The company has previously said it will produce the Chrysler 300C at the new plant in the Beijing Development Area, where Mercedes-Benz E- and C-class sedans will also be made.
Chrysler chief executive Tom LaSorda last year said total annual capacity at the facility will be 80,000 units, including production of the Cherokee Jeep and Mitsubishi cars.

Read More

Poweroffroad customer service - Adam & Tarek Mowafi

There has been a lot of industry talk about The Mowafi's, (Adam & Tarek Mowafi). Their enterprise Poweroffroad seems to be causing some problems amongst the business community as well as customers as people report on the web.

They are infamous for customer services and their poor refund policy.

Some documentation on the web:

• Tarek Mowafi of Poweroffroad rips someone of £2,000
• The Mowafi's dodgy business
• Trading standards court case

Update: It is reported that Adam & Tarek Mowafi have fled to Egypt. Please don't be discouraged to report them to the authorities if you had a bad experience. Also please continue to post your stories as this helps other people protect themselves from similar companies to Poweroffroad.

Read More