GLG News by Experts in the Automotive Council

John WatersPresidentWaters & Associates, Inc.

Thoughts on GM Volt's recent "rapid thermal expansion" incident

December 6, 2011

Analysis of:Reference: Volt fire investigation Is it more than Smoke? | blog.rmi.org

General Motors is on its way to becoming the premier player in all technology related to electric vehicle safety and reliability. The recent reporting and follow-up investigation of a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) event involving a Chevy Volt (a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) is the ideal catalyst for driving EV technology forward and advancing global understanding of safety, reliability and cost in advanced vehicles.

Richard CurtinResearch Professor & Director Surveys of ConsumersUNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN - CC

Will more jobs cure consumer confidence?

September 2, 2011

Today’s employment report was no surprise to consumers. Confidence plunged in July and August precisely because consumers have seen that job gains have vanished.  Even if in the months ahead the jobless rate tumbles, consumer confidence won’t soar.  When jobs are more plentiful, rather than again becoming the spending engine of the global economy, consumers will spend less, save more and use less debt.  For the economy to accommodate this newly thrifty consumer, exports will need to grow to offset weaker consumer spending.  Otherwise, restrained consumer spending will limit job growth and act to frustrate consumers’ attempts to get back on their feet and rebalance their finances. 

James "Jim" RippyFormer Senior Vice President of OperationsCONTINENTAL TIRE THE AMERICAS, LLC.

Tire Industry needs a "Quartz" movement!

November 26, 2010

The tire industry has made many incremental improvements since the radial tire replaced the bias tire many years ago. Improvements in design, materials, chemistry etc. The last true breakthrough was the radial tire.

Mark FendleyContinuous Improvement ManagerBMW MANUFACTURING CO., LLC

For Faurecia, Other Suppliers, and OEM's, Emerging Markets are the Surest Bets

July 1, 2010

Analysis of:Faurecia Gets Stronger in China, Buys Stake in Key Partsmaker | europe.autonews.com

Automotive Suppliers and OEM's are expanding in market operations through added capacity and acquisitions in Mexico, China, India, and Russia. This is not only a strategy to be in emerging markets to be positioned for vehicle sale growth in those markets but also to create an export foundation and currency hedge for the long term.

Mark FendleyContinuous Improvement ManagerBMW MANUFACTURING CO., LLC

Automotive Industry Consolidation and M&A Will Occur, But what are the Targets?

June 15, 2010

Analysis of:Faurecia, Valeo Plan Takeovers as Car-Parts M&A Looms | www.bloomberg.com

The article in Bloomberg suggests that automotive Tier suppliers will be goig through some consolidation, merger and acquisition, but what sort of companies would be of interest and what are the strategies? What are some of the predictors that will drive the analysis, from an industry standpoint.

Robert BartonPresident,Chief Operating OfficerFRANCHISE SERVICES OF NORTH AMERICA INC

Alliances are ok...Consolidation...Maybe not

May 2, 2010

Analysis of:Airline alliances: just another big company? | travolon.com

Alliances are smart for the airlines and afford the consumer more choicesmergers typically mean reduced capacity, which can mean higher fares, and a trickle down effect to the rest of the tourism industry.

Robert BartonPresident,Chief Operating OfficerFRANCHISE SERVICES OF NORTH AMERICA INC

Incentive for Retail sales...Does the car industry really want to do this?

March 20, 2010

Toyota has upped the ante again in light of their recent recalls to once again open the flood gates of incentives...What will this all mean?

Craig CarlsonCEO & Managing DirectorThe Carlson Group LLC

Tesla Motors Model S Faces Challenges

January 25, 2010

Analysis of:[USA] Telsa Secures $465M DOE Loan To Build $50,000 Electyric Cars In California | www.detnews.com

Tesla surprised the world with its innovative Roadster. It is a very different senerio, however, to build a car from scratch. The roadster started with a fully sorted Lotus platform. The S is a "clean sheet" of paper vehicle.

Mark FendleyContinuous Improvement ManagerBMW MANUFACTURING CO., LLC

Hyundai Does To the Japanese OEM's, As They Did to US OEM's -What's Next?

January 7, 2010

Analysis of:Hyundai Smokes the Competition | money.cnn.com

Hyundai has come upon a winning formula that includes higher quality products based upon emulation of premium products, growing global presence, an expanding customer demographic, and a culture focus of quickness and agility.But can Chinese and Indian OEM's be too far behind?

Michael KowalskiConsultantMichael Kowalski

Can Saab survive as an independent Automotive manufacturer?

December 21, 2009

Analysis of:Dutch automaker renews Saab bid | www.chicagotribune.com

Saab has been mismanaged under General Motors ownership. It hoped to capitalize on Saab's upscale European reputation and expand the Opel/Vauxhall product offering. This did not work. Later, GM tried to integrate the Saab products into its global vehicle architectures and powertrains. This undermined the unique product characteristics and alienated its loyal customers. Perhaps a non-automotive OEM can restore the Saab product line to its historical roots and make a success of the business.

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