GLG News by Experts in the Automotive Council

Mark FendleyContinuous Improvement ManagerBMW MANUFACTURING CO., LLC

Will Tata-Ford Recognize Where It Should be Hands-On Versus Where it Should be Hands-Off?

January 8, 2008

Analysis of: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.

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

They will never get it!

December 27, 2007

Analysis of:With Detroit Downbeat on 2008, Its Suppliers are singing The Blues | www.nytimes.com

GM will never change until the top leadership is gone. They still operate in the mode of Jack Smith and Ignatio Lopes. A look at their performance over the past decade would convince anyone that their failed strategies do not work and will never work without significant changes starting with top leadership. Any coach with the won-loss record of GM would have been fired and sent to the minors long ago. Think about it! Who should be held accountable for declining market share and abysmal profitability if not the very top guy and the top guy in purchasing?  The "tooth fairy" did not cause such poor performance. This company needs new leadership.

Mark FendleyContinuous Improvement ManagerBMW MANUFACTURING CO., LLC

Certain Technology, Content, and Market Growth are Gurantees for 2008

December 19, 2007

Analysis of: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.

Mark FendleyContinuous Improvement ManagerBMW MANUFACTURING CO., LLC

The future for Suppliers of Semiconductors, ECU, MCU, Sensors, and Software is Better than a Gold Rush as Virtual, Computing, and Electronic Content in Automobiles is a Sure Bet

December 17, 2007

Analysis of: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.

Mark FendleyContinuous Improvement ManagerBMW MANUFACTURING CO., LLC

What has happened to Tesla Motor's Eberhard is indicative of the struggle of creating a viable plug-in hybrid and a warning to others to be careful before you commit.

December 11, 2007

Analysis of: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.

Mark FendleyContinuous Improvement ManagerBMW MANUFACTURING CO., LLC

A Turkey in Every Pot and A Plug-in Car in Every Drive Way

December 7, 2007

Analysis of: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.

Mark FendleyContinuous Improvement ManagerBMW MANUFACTURING CO., LLC

Is Volkswagen Ready to Pull the Trigger on A Second Entry to Manufacturing Entry In the US?

December 3, 2007

Analysis of: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.

Dennis ProfittConsultantDennis Profitt

Nardelli is listening to his supply base! Is Mulally at Ford?

November 9, 2007

Analysis of:Chrysler Plans to Reassign Purchasing Executive | online.wsj.com

In the short time Robert Nardelli has been at Chrysler, he has sent very powerful signals to the dealership body, the employees, and now to the supply base as well.  He may not be an auto guy but he moves quickly and listens.  The hiring of Jim Press from Toyota was a shot heard round the world for the dealership body and employees.  Now,Chrysler's Purchasing which has treated its suppliers like the enemy for years is getting shook up.  

Michael KowalskiConsultantMichael Kowalski

Rapid Growth has lead to problems for Toyota

November 8, 2007

Analysis of:Toyota Needs Skid Control | www.forbes.com

This interesting article by Jerry Flint, a respected automotive commentator, summarizes a number of recent events that taken together present a troubling problem for Toyota. As Mr. Flint points out, it not the end of the world, but it does indicate that the mighty Toyota company can stumble in its businesses just as other manufacturers. The quality image that has been so important to its rapid growth may be tarnished by these developments.

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

Better but not good enough ?

November 7, 2007

Analysis of:Goodyear Reports Record Third Quarter Results | www.aftermarketnews.com

Good year has made significant progress sine the days of Gibara,but they are losing ground to both Michelin and Bridgestone. They do not have the efficiency levels of Bridgestone or the technology of Michelin. Their capital investment in new processes is approximately half that of the top two. They are sure to fall behind in plant efficiency. The move to remove retiree health care from their books and to the United Steelworkers is a small band-aid on their legacy cost. They will have to invest more in plant effeciency or be left in a distant third place.

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