GLG News by Gentex Automotive Experts

Mark FendleyContinuous Improvement ManagerBMW MANUFACTURING CO., LLC

Autloiv's Investment in Sensors Makes Good Sense

August 18, 2008

Analysis of:Autoliv to Acquire Radar Sensors Business of Tyco Electronics | www.tradingmarkets.com

Certain parts of the automotive passive and active safety original equipment market are moving towards commodity status, with volume being the key to future profitability. Tier One safety equipment suppliers must invest in those technologies that will bring greater value and margins.

Mark FendleyContinuous Improvement ManagerBMW MANUFACTURING CO., LLC

How Much Deeper and How Much More will GM and Ford Have to Cut to Right Size?

July 29, 2008

Analysis of:GM cuts truck shifts to meet lower output target | www.reuters.com

GM, and Ford, are the victims of too much focus on the American market, for far too long, at the expense of the world market. GM, and Ford, must continue to shift away from, and write down production and assets focused on truck and SUV production. How much will GM and Ford have to give up, to survive?

Mark FendleyContinuous Improvement ManagerBMW MANUFACTURING CO., LLC

Toyota is Showing a Move Towards What Others are Already Finding Key to Profitable Automotive Production - Flexibility

July 21, 2008

Analysis of:Toyota to make Prius, not SUV, at new US Plant | www.reuters.com

Toyota's announcement that the new Mississippi facility will produce the Prius is a smaret decision to increase capacity for a marketable product, with variant potential for the future. Toyota's temporary suspension of production in Indiana and Texas to reconfigure the plants for greater product flexibility is a model already proven to be a smart capital investment strategy by Nissan and BMW. Toyota is also indicating with this article a philosophy for world cars, as demonstrated by Prius production for other markets.

Mark FendleyContinuous Improvement ManagerBMW MANUFACTURING CO., LLC

Although Times are Tough for the Big Three and Automotive Tier One's, Johnson Controls is Positioned Better Than Most

June 30, 2008

Analysis of:AUTO-PARTS FIRMS FACE TROUBLE AS CAR MAKERS RETOOL PRODUCTION | www.aemag.com

With the downturn in US sales volumes and a rapid switch from SUV and light truck to smaller, more fuel efficient cars the Big Three are taking some of the Tier One suppliers down with them. Those that are diversifed in terms of product, geography, and model mix are the most well positioned to ride out the storm. Johnson Controls is one of those companies positioned well to maintain and to grow in the current, difficult market.

Mark FendleyContinuous Improvement ManagerBMW MANUFACTURING CO., LLC

Ibiquity Has Significant Potential That Will Be Realized Through HD Radio

June 9, 2008

Analysis of:Pumping Up the Volume: HD Radio Touts Price Cuts | www.investors.com

The new price point for HD receivers will mean signicantly more volume of units in automotive OEM applications, potentially surpassing one million units installed in OEM applications by early 2009. Unlike Sirius and XM, Ibiqiuty's HD radio is finding an audience in Asia and in Europe. Ibiquity is entering into unique partnerships with Apple and Navteq, that will enhance the functionality of HD radio.

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.

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.

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.

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