GLG News by Mr. Mark Fendley, Continuous Improvement Manager
GLG News is now G+ Insights
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G+ is a community for professionals, academics and entrepreneurs to connect through online discussions and in-person meetings. You will continue to see G+ Insights (formerly GLG News) here as well as on the G+ website, where you can share and discuss the G+ Insights you read.
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The North American Automotive Industry Is Not a Dot.com Bubble; There is a Growth Strategy
May 22, 2008
Car Makers' Boom Years Now Look Like a Bubble | online.wsj.com
Autmotive OEM's have saturated the US market, and now must ride out the economic downturn. The astute OEM's are right-sizing for the US market,and the wisest among them are using US capacity to support the explosive growth of sales in China, Russia, India, and Brasil. What should emerge are more OEM US manufacturing operations that are supporting world car platforms. US factories could become significant exporters of certain models.
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Freescale Is On A Roll In Multiple Automotive Markets and Applications
May 16, 2008
Freescale, Chery Team Up to Develop Automotive Electronics Technology in China | techon.nikkeibp.co.jp
The alliance of Freescale and Chery to develop MCU and chipset technology means tremendous potential for Freescale growth in Asia. Freescale's recent acquisition of SigmaTel could give Freescale an avenue to grow share of automotive multimedia and infotainment chipset applications. Freescale is well positioned to continue to be the dominant semiconductor supplier to the worldwide automotive market, driven by continued strong demand for chipsets for new applications, resulting in greater numbers of chipsets per vehicle, and strong vehicle unit sales in Asia and in Eastern Europe.
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Carlos Ghosn is "Dead-On" In His Assessment of Both Foreign and Domestic Automotive Market Growth
May 5, 2008
Russia's Car Market Will Pass Germany's In Two Years Says Ghosn | goldsea.com
The significance or the emerging markets in Russia, India, China, and Brazil should not be underestimated by any automotive OEM who wants to experience significant growth in the future. In addition, the implication that raw material sourcing and pricing as well as manufacturing and logisitcs cost control will be the focus of tremendous OEM attention is accurate. Finally, the prediction that U.S. sales will remain flat and will shift in types of vehicles sold should prove true.
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The Volt - GM's Attempt at Green Marketing without the Green Product or the Green Return
April 18, 2008
Volt plug-in hybrid is 'No. 1 priority,' GM says | www.msnbc.msn.com
The GM Volt will contain a battery pack technology that is largely unproven and largely untested to withstand automotive environmental and reliability requirements. In addition, the manufacturing of Lithium Ion battery packs on the scale that will be needed for Volt production is an environmentally unfriendly process that will offset much of the benefit of the Volt's "Green Friendly" marketability if Green saavvy consumers investigate the manufacturing process for this technology. The true cost of the Lithium Ion battery pack design, development, and piece price will have to be subsidized by GM, resulting in less "green" to the bottom line than any automotive company would like to see. GM's true hope is that "Green Hype" will lead to green dollars in the showroom.
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Department of Justice is Accurate in the Ruling of Sirius/XM Merger - No Problem
April 8, 2008
DOJ Approves XM, Sirius Merger | www.pcmag.com
The merger of Sirius and XM satellite radio providers will not be a competitive threat to terrestrial radio or HD radio. Other competitive alternatives for the listeners ear will mean more entertainment choices in the future for those seeking audio entertainment. Sirius and XM need to fully market and develop satellite video as an alternative in mobile broadband development of video receiving capabilities.
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SiRF Results are Aligned with Predictions of the Future of the PND Product and Market
March 31, 2008
SiRF Lowers Q1 Rev Outlook; to Cut 7pct Jobs | www.reuters.com
SiRF sites significantly lower sales of chips for PND devices manufactured by TomTom and Garmin. This Tier One supplier to the PND OEM's is a accurate sign of the future market for these devices. The PND product will be hit by a double whammy in the next few years. Those market factors are a reduction in consumer spending on PND's and a higher value content in automotive OEM navigation and infotainment equipment.
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March 4, 2008
Porsche to Get Majority of Volkswagen | www.autonews.com
Porsche's takeover of Volkswagen should result in improvements for both companies. Porsche will have access to a much larger base of research and development capital for future Porsche models, will have access to Volkswagen distribution network and supplier base, and will certainly see financial benefits as a result. Volkswagen should benefit from Porsche's Marketing and Sales strengths for the Audi and Volkswagen brands, Porsche's manufacturing model and quality model, and will be able to spread research and development costs over a broader range of product.
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FLIR's Infrared Technology is More Than Just a Bright Ligh in the Dark
February 25, 2008
FLIR Q4 Profit Up, sees FY08 Results Above Market View | www.reuters.com
Infrared technology, as developed by FLIR, is a technology that is suited for demands of future military, commercial, and thermography needs. So the expectations of future growth are indeed realistic. The technology supports security, safety, and efficiency, all of which are growing demands for the military, for vehicle applications, and for facility maintenance worldwide. And key partnerships are paving the way for FLIR to meet the volume of product this demand stream will require.
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February 13, 2008
World News: Convergence or Confusion in the Navigation Device Market | www.telematicsupdate.com
What is actually happening in the telematics, computing, and telecommunication seems to points towards a convergence of applications in single devices. The future relationship of the portable device industry whether PND, cellular phone, and PDA will also be impacted by and will impact what is happening in infotainment in the automotive OEM's. There is currently a large magnitude of collaboration among electronic device suppliers, semiconductor manufacturers, software providers, and automotive OEM's as the vehicle continues to move towards being another node on the computing and telecommunications network.
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Is it too late for GM and Ford to commit to becoming truly global companies?
January 21, 2008
GM See 75% of Sales Oversea, Maybe | www.247wallst.com
GM may be in a better position to become a truly global automotive OEM, where as Ford may be too late. Much of the global potential for both of these companies will be determined by the segment that they target for sales and for volume growth. Finally, key alliances with other automotive OEM's will be necessary. No matter, GM and Ford will both have a very difficult time being profitable global players.
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Will Tata-Ford Recognize Where It Should be Hands-On Versus Where it Should be Hands-Off?
January 8, 2008
Tata-Ford, will they kill Jaguar and Rover Brands? | www.247wallst.com
Jaguar and Rover have a very distinct brand identity that could be easily corrupted or destroyed by the wrong direction and decisions regarding manufacturing, technology, and marketing. Also, in order to maintain pace with other premium brands such as BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and Lexus, Tata will have to invest in R&D, technology,and supplier partnerships that have not been part of the operations of Tata.
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Certain Technology, Content, and Market Growth are Gurantees for 2008
December 19, 2007
What Lies Ahead For Auto Industry In The New Year? | online.wsj.com
Predicting which model or brand will be hot is difficult for anyone to do on the micro scale. Predicting which technologies, trends, and markets will see growth and penetration on the macro scale is less difficult to do. Astute investors will look for the strongest players in certain segments.
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December 17, 2007
On Semiconductor to Buy Amis for 915 mln in stock | www.reuters.com
Semiconductor suppliers are on the forefront of an innovation and content wave that will continue to flood the automotive market. The total content per car will continue to grow, along with the total number of automobiles per capita will grow, especially in emerging markets sure as India and China. Infotainment, personalization, fuel economy demands, and passive / active safety content will be the drivers of this technological flood. The On Semiconductor move is a smart play, as access to the markets, access to innovation, and as support of capital investment in research and design become even more important.
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December 11, 2007
Tesla ousts co-founder Eberhard: PRICEY ROADSTER'S DELIVERY DELAYS LEAD TO HIS EXIT | origin.mercurynews.com
Tesla Motors struggles to develop a viable plug-in hybrid in indicative of deeper issues that have yet to be resolved with plug-in hybrid technology, specifically battery technology. The OEM's who are committing to a plug-in hybrid should be very careful in the commitments made to this product technology.
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A Turkey in Every Pot and A Plug-in Car in Every Drive Way
December 7, 2007
GM sees "Showdown" with Toyota on electric car | www.reuters.com
The dependence on foreign oil and the still debatable impact of vehicles on carbon contribution to the environment are both political realities that will drive automotive companies to develop alternative modes to propel vehicles. Whether this will be fuel cell hydrogen, partial to full hybrids, or plug in hybrids is not a decision that will be made in the next 5 to 10 years, it is simply too early to determine the true path. And the pitfalls are many for the proposed technologies without siginificant leaps in technological innovation and infrastructure decisions.
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Is Volkswagen Ready to Pull the Trigger on A Second Entry to Manufacturing Entry In the US?
December 3, 2007
Volkswagen Eyes U.S. Plant Decision in '08 | www.reuters.com
In order to grow sales in the US, and to hedge against the Euro/Dollar Volkswagen will re-enter the American manufacturing arena. The possiblity is very strong that such a facility would be a flexible site capable of producing Volkswagen, Audi, and possibly Porsche product. With a strong supplier base in the American South, it is a good bet that the plant site would be in a location to take advantage of Tier One and Two suppliers already servicing the German and Asian transplants.
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The Global Insight prediction is accurate, outside of the required investment.
October 22, 2007
Congress Wants Green Trucks. Do Buyers? | www.businessweek.com
The use of diesel technolgy, combined with turbocharging to maintain horsepower and torque, will become more common place. The combination of regenerative technology and smart cylinder deactivation will be utilized to a greater extent. The use of battery technology as a supplement and not as a stnad alone power source will be the reality.
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Harman Has a Future Beyond Premium Audio
September 24, 2007
Harman Has a Future Beyond Premium Audio | www.financialweek.com
Harman International is not a one dimensional company. As automotive electronic content, especially infotainment and computing related, continues to grow, Harman has the potential to exploit software and video know-how and product.
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Diesel Offers a Potential Stop Gap if the Infrastruture Supports it.
September 21, 2007
European Carmakers Bet That the U.S. is Ready for Diesel | www.nytimes.com
Diesel Technology can provide significant increases in fuel economy. Diesel in combination with hybrid technology is a natural part of the progression towards altentive fuels. The OEMs and Tier suppliers will continue to exploit technologies that will allow incremental improvements in fuel economy until truly viable energy alternatives are in place.
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