GLG News by GPS Experts

Mark FendleyContinuous Improvement ManagerBMW MANUFACTURING CO., LLC

Volkswagen Announcement in July Will Be a Bright Spot in an Otherwise Gloomy Automotive Mont

June 9, 2008

Analysis of:Decision on VW plant still on track for July announcement | www.chicagotribune.com

Volkswagen recognizes they have to produce in the US to growth the US market share. The same formula has worked for the other German, Japanese, and Korean transplants. Expect the factory to be flexible enough to produce both Volkswagen and Audi products, since they share platform and powertrain components. Also, expect the factory to be positioned as an export center for VW and Audi products produced with US components with a US dollar basis.

David WorkmanExecutive DirectorPRO Group

There is no room in the middle

June 3, 2008

Analysis of:Sears Loses Out To Costco And Big Lots | www.forbes.com

Sears has a fundamental structural problem with its format, market appeal to the consumer and ability to resnate the differences shopping with them represent. The shift to the warehouse channel is a permanent one that greatly impacts those retailers who have in the past lived in the market somewhere between a specialist and a discounter. Sears still has tremendous brand equity through its name and its private label goods which is being squandered through a lack of strategic vision for change.

Mark FendleyContinuous Improvement ManagerBMW MANUFACTURING CO., LLC

The North American Automotive Industry Is Not a Dot.com Bubble; There is a Growth Strategy

May 22, 2008

Analysis of: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.

Mark FendleyContinuous Improvement ManagerBMW MANUFACTURING CO., LLC

Freescale Is On A Roll In Multiple Automotive Markets and Applications

May 16, 2008

Analysis of: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.

Mark FendleyContinuous Improvement ManagerBMW MANUFACTURING CO., LLC

Carlos Ghosn is "Dead-On" In His Assessment of Both Foreign and Domestic Automotive Market Growth

May 5, 2008

Analysis of: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.

Tal RaesideManaging DirectorInsight Strategic Services

Mobile Voice and Data Share the Throne

April 30, 2008

Analysis of:CTIA: Mobile Data Use Up, But Voice Remains King | www.informationweek.com

While mobile voice can be considered “King” as it represents the majority of mobile traffic and revenues, the mobile industry’s growth engine is data. Rather than worrying about what is King (or Queen), the industry needs to concern itself with solutions that optimize the overall mobile experience - marrying voice and data.

Tal RaesideManaging DirectorInsight Strategic Services

Net Neutrality Debate Not Going Away

April 23, 2008

Analysis of:Virgin Media May Ignore Network Neutrality | www.eweek.com

Net Neutrality and its implications on the Internet and media consumption is a hot topic, and will be highlighted as network utilization increases.

Tal RaesideManaging DirectorInsight Strategic Services

Microsoft and Retail - Tempting but Risky

April 22, 2008

Analysis of:RUMOR: Microsoft to open Apple-like retail shops | macdailynews.com

Microsoft would love to better control its retail presence to lift its profile among consumers. Microsoft’s lack of retail experience, history of indirect sales, and the daunting economics of retail make a full-blown retail expansion effort risky.

Mark FendleyContinuous Improvement ManagerBMW MANUFACTURING CO., LLC

The Volt - GM's Attempt at Green Marketing without the Green Product or the Green Return

April 18, 2008

Analysis of: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.