Automotive News Europe back issues from August 2003:
Renault can block a takeover.(News)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Renault is confident it can block any unwanted takeover bid, even though it no longer enjoys the protection of the French government as its No. 1 shareholder. The French government started late last month cutting its shareholding in Renault to 15 percent from 25.9 percent. Most ...
Stainless steel steps up as prices fall; Weight savings, no corrosion make it attractive.(News)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Metals producers are pushing for broader automotive applications for stainless steel as falling prices for the alloy make it more competitive against aluminum and mild steel. Stainless steel already has become the dominant material for some specialty applications because it is ...
Steelmaker selloff turns nasty.(News)(Austrian government's privatization of Voest-Alpine Stahl AG )
Aug 25, 2003 ... The Austrian government's privatization of Voest-Alpine Stahl, a major supplier of premium steels to Europe's motor industry, is turning nasty. The sale of the highly profitable steelmaker has attracted the interest of several bidders including Magna International, the global ...
Difficult industry climate ahead of IAA.(Opinion)(Frankfurt automobile show)(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003 ... This year's Frankfurt IAA, like any big auto show, provides a good checkpoint for the state of the industry. Automakers, suppliers and dealers each have issues to deal with and a look at this week's Automotive News Europe provides a snapshot of the challenges and opportunities ...
Fiat should thank Renault for triggering name change from Gingo to Panda.(Opinion)
Aug 25, 2003; ... Byline: Luca Ciferri At first, everyone said Renault defeated Fiat when in late July it forced the Italian carmaker to rename its minicar from the Gingo to the Panda. The French company had deemed Gingo too close to its own Twingo and it signaled it was ready to go ...
Confidential.(News)(meshed briefs)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Who's afraid of the big, bad wolf? Valeo Chairman Thierry Morin recently scoffed at the idea his company could be a takeover target. "Preys are typically plump and not very fast on their feet," he said. "I, on my part, prefer having the hungry-wolf look." ...
News briefs.(Briefs)(strike ends at Hyundai Corp.)(Ford Motor Co. adopts Magneti Marelli's Flexfuel)(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003; ... 7-week strike ends at Hyundai SEOUL - Hyundai and its 39,000 unionized workers reached agreement this month, ending a seven-week strike. Reflecting worker concerns about lay-offs in South Korea, the deal requires Hyundai not to reduce Korean employment when the ...
Visteon enters battle to offer stop-start systems.(Suppliers)(Visteon Corp. (Dearborn, Michigan) offers starter-generator system SpeedStart 12)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Visteon is the latest entrant in a battle among suppliers to offer stop-start systems that shut down engines when cars sit stationary at traffic signals. These systems would generate fuel savings and improve emissions, thus helping automakers meet tightening European ...
BMW cuts cost of carbon-fiber panels.(News)
Aug 25, 2003 ... BMW is claiming a world first after the company substantially cut the cost of producing body panels from carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFP). CFP, a strong material 30 percent lighter than aluminum and at least 50 percent lighter than steel, remains an expensive option for ...
Daewoo-FSO suppliers fight to live.(News)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Suppliers of the ailing Polish carmaker Daewoo-FSO are battling for survival. Daewoo-FSO, once Poland's largest foreign investment, is the center of a prolonged crisis. The Warsaw carmaker - created as a combination of Poland's local FSO and South Korea's Daewoo - was hit in ...
Late-entry C-Max seeks a niche; Ford uses seating, diesels and future adaptability to make up for late arrival.(News)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Ford will use seating flexibility, electronic architecture and new diesels to make its C-Max stand out in the crowded compact minivan market. Ford knows it is a late entrant in the segment pioneered by Renault seven years ago so it added some distinctive features to compete, ...
BMW 5 series adds technology, luxury features to fight E class.(News)(Bayerische Motoren Werke AG)
Aug 25, 2003 ... BMW's new 5 series adds technology and luxury equipment to compete with the Mercedes-Benz E class sedan which was introduced in the first half of 2002. The 5 series uses advanced chassis production technology and is packed with innovations, many developed by suppliers. ...
Skoda slashes production of flagship Superb.(News)(Skoda Automobilovy Koncern Ltd.)(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Slow sales have forced Skoda to cut production of its upper-middle Superb model. Skoda dropped a second shift at its Kvasiny, Czech Republic, plant because of surplus inventory. The elimination of the plant's second shift reduces output from 80 to 75 cars a day, an ...
Longer, taller cars ahead.(News)(Interview)
Aug 25, 2003; ... Byline: Luca Ciferri New laws aimed at halving road deaths in Europe by 2010 will change the shape of cars, predicts Humberto Rodriguez, Fiat-Lancia-Light Commercial Vehicle styling center director. The measures could eliminate 2,000 deaths a year caused when pedestrians' heads ...
Coachbuilders manage to find opportunity in shrinking market.(News)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Despite shrinking market volumes in western Europe and the USA, European coachbuilders this year expect to increase production and revenue from last year's total of approximately 250,000 units and [euro]6.5 billion. Progressively fragmenting markets are offering new ...
Opel contract is new life for Heuliez.(News)(Heuliez Automobiles awarded contract by Opel AG)(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003; ... Byline: Sylviane de Saint-Seine French coachbuilder Heuliez was given new life when Opel awarded it the contract to build the folding-top for the future Tigra coupe cabriolet planned for 2004. Heuliez has been making the top of the hugely successful Peugeot 206 CC, ...
Matra closes, sells engineering to Pininfarina.(News)(Matra Automobile S.A. sells engineering section to Pininfarina Industrie S.p.A.)(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003; ... Byline: Sylviane de Saint-Seine After 40 years of creating innovative cars, Matra Automobile's factory at Romorantin in central France closed in April. Matra's design and engineering section was sold to Italian design and coachbuilding specialist Pininfarina. ...
Family-owned Karmann is optimistic about success of Chrysler Crossfire.(News)(Wilhelm Karmann GmbH)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Tradition-rich German coachbuilder Karmann is optimistic about the future after battling through hard times. The Osnabr?ck company went through a difficult period in the mid-1990s but is now adding 1,000 workers after winning some prestige contracts. One of Karmann's ...
Magna grows in tough sector by offering complete car-build service.(News)(Magna International Inc.)(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Magna International boasts that it is "the world's biggest car manufacturer without a brand of its own." The Canadian company was founded in 1957 in a Toronto garage by Austrian-born Frank Stronach as a one-man tool and die shop. Magna now employs 74,000 people ...
Suppliers lower expectations at Trnava.(Suppliers)(Peugeot S.A. new assembly plant at Trnava, Slovakia)(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003 ... PSA/Peugeot-Citroen's new assembly plant at Trnava, Slovakia, may not bring the boom anticipated by local suppliers. The French automaker plans to open the factory in 2006. It will join Volkswagen group's Bratislava facility and be Slovakia's second auto assembly plant. ...
Supply line.(Suppliers)(Valeo Climate Control Ltd., Johann Berger, Centra and Sumikei Czech,)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Byline: Lyle Frink Valeo invests in Prague center Valeo Climate Control is investing [euro]2 million in its design technology center in Prague and adding 70 employees to the existing 30. The center will develop 3-D computer models of air conditioning ...
Cars are ready, if Bugatti can sell them; Steep price range remains untested, but it's one hot ride.(News)(Karl-Heinz Neumann selling Bugatti Veyron 16.4)
Aug 25, 2003; ... Byline: Wim Oude Weernink For Volkswagen, building 1,001hp 16-cylinder Bugatti supercars may be easier than selling them at [euro]1 million each. Bugatti Automobiles President Karl-Heinz Neumann's aggressive salesmanship has alienated some prospective buyers and he is ...
Mercedes will build cars in China.(News)(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Byline: Alysha Webb DaimlerChrysler is making a late entry into the exploding auto market in China with plans to build up to 20,000 Mercedes-Benz C and E class models in the world's most populous country. Mercedes translates in Chinese as "gallop" and D/C will have ...
Late News.(on auto makers plans)(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003; ... Renault's Clio cc Renault plans to launch a coupe convertible in 2005 as part of its next Clio mini range. The success of Peugeot's 206 cc is prompting other volume carmakers to come up with rival versions. Opel is launching a Corsa/Tigra cc in 2004 ...
France: T 2s, unite or die.(News)(Tier 2 suppliers facing closures)(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Tier 2 suppliers in France face a survival battle and need to look abroad for investment. That's the conclusion of a report from the French government's finance ministry. The report predicts a substantial fall in the number of Tier 2s through mergers or closures. ...
Porsche's strategy shifts to cost cutting; Cost of launching Cayenne triggers efficiency drive.(News)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Hit by high launch costs for the Cayenne, Porsche is trying to cut costs by 5 percent over the next year. Porsche is more profitable than most other major carmakers but the expense of launching the Cayenne sport-utility has had a big impact on the company's finances. ...
Imports are landing German fleet sales.(News)(French and Japanese manufacturers get into the German fleet car market)(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003 ... French and Japanese manufacturers are breaking into the German fleet car market. German fleet buyers always have given priority to German products. The dominant brands used as business vehicles in Germany are from Wolfsburg, Stuttgart, Ingolstadt, Munich and R?sselsheim. ...
News Digest.(Briefs)
Aug 25, 2003 ... IAA security FRANKFURT - The 850,000 visitors to the Frankfurt IAA in September face tighter security. Terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington at the beginning of the last IAA two years ago, causing a security crisis. ...
D/C strives to keep brands distinct; Effort aims to retain premium image for Mercedes-Benz and work with allies.(News)(DaimlerChrysler AG)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Mercedes-Benz is still resisting the industry trend to share platforms among different models and with allied manufacturers. Mercedes parent company DaimlerChrysler will rely increasingly on sharing components, powertrains and platforms with allied automakers during the next ...
Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and Smart.(News)(overview of platforms and production data)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Here is a summary of the Mercedes Benz, Maybach and Smart platforms. Mercedes-Benz A platform Front-wheel drive, underfloor transverse engine The A platform was developed for the A class. It is used for both standard and long-wheelbase ...
Unclear future for Italians as Fiat reduces niche models.(News)(Fiat Auto S.p.A.)
Aug 25, 2003; ... Byline: Luca Ciferri Fiat Auto's progressive exit from niche vehicles is threatening the future of the remnants of Italy's once-thriving coachbuilding sector. Of more than 60,000 vehicles built by Italian coachbuilders in 2002, less than 4,000, or 6 percent, were for ...
Remote Valmet hopes to win more Porsche Boxster orders.(News)(Valmet Automotive Inc.)(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003; ... Byline: Edmund Chew Valmet, on the southwest coast of Finland, is one of the most remote plants in the European assembly industry. Valmet has a tradition of high-quality assembly of upmarket niche vehicles but has been hit by the loss of important contracts forcing ...
Anti-takeover votes.(News)(Regie Nationale des Usines Renault shareholders )(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Under French law, one-third of shareholders can block a takeover bid. Here are votes Renault can rely on. French government: 15.00%* Nissan: 15.00% ...
The book on stainless.(News)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Advantages * Lighter in specific applications * Corrosion-resistant * Same production process as steel, ...
Chronology.(News)(developments around privatization of Voest-Alpine AG in 2003)(Brief Article)(Chronology)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Feb. 28 2003 - The Austrian government agrees to privatize Voest-Alpine but hopes for an Austrian buyer March - Opposition grows in Upper Austria against the privatization April 14 - Magna says it has no interest in taking over Voest-Alpine June 23 - ...
Automakers: Look homeward.(Opinion)(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003 ... European automakers, looking for global growth, would be wise to look closely at their home markets. According to a car buyers' survey they conducted last year, consumers are generally happier with Japanese imports than with European cars. A case in point is Mazda, which is edging out ...
Dealers haven't signed contracts.(Opinion)(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Europe's dealers should be happy to get new product, but many of them are too busy preparing for new block-exemption rules to notice. The new regime, which takes effect in October, requires changed contracts between dealers and carmakers. This not only has generated millions of pages of ...
Growing group of assembly plants.(Suppliers)(auto assembly plants in central Europe )(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003 ... PSA's Trnava plant will be part of a cluster of auto assembly plants in central Europe and Austria. Here are other existing plants near Trnava. * Fiat in Tichy, Poland * GM in Gliwice, Poland * Magna Steyr in Graz, ...
4 targets.(News)(Porsche AG)(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Porsche expects to reduce total costs by 5% in the next year. Here's how. 1. Reduce the Cayenne's variable costs. 2. Seek production ...
Fiat wants Leach sooner rather than later.(Fiat Auto S.p.A. wants Martin Leach as CEO)
Aug 25, 2003; ... Byline: Luca Ciferri Martin Leach, who resigned August 12 as president of Ford of Europe, has reached a preliminary agreement to take over as CEO of Fiat Auto, industry sources say. But Ford Motor Co. intends to block any move for several months. Concerned that Leach ...
Some suppliers shun the IAA, but many say it's "a must".(Frankfurt automobile show, 2003)
Aug 25, 2003 ... The IAA in Frankfurt next month is one of the world's biggest car pageants - but auto suppliers are divided about whether exhibiting there boosts their business. While manufacturers will be introducing dozens of new models including the Volkswagen Golf, Opel Astra ...
Satisfaction ratings move Hyundai to top, M-B down.(Mercedes Benz)
Aug 25, 2003; ... Byline: Luca Ciferri Hyundai and Mazda topped customer-satisfaction rankings in Europe last year, while Mercedes joined Fiat at the lower end of the scale. The findings come from a confidential survey financed by carmakers operating in Europe that is only intended for ...
Dealers, carmakers clash on contracts.
Aug 25, 2003 ... With six weeks to go before the biggest change in Europe's auto industry in decades, dealers and manufacturers are at odds. The two sides are battling over the standards manufacturers are setting for dealers and authorized repairers when the industry's block exemption from EU ...
Europe diesel debate heats up.(News)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Europe' diesel debate is heating up as automakers and suppliers compete to market the most environmentally friendly technology. At stake: substantial rewards for those backing the winning technology - and lost revenue and capital for those who back the wrong ones. ...
It's Czech or Slovak site for a Kia plant.(News)(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Kia and parent Hyundai plan to build an assembly plant in central Europe capable of producing 300,000 cars a year. Kia's chief financial officer, Koo Tae-Whan, confirmed that the carmaker is looking at sites in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. "We are considering ...
Siemens VDO cuts costs, stops losses.(News)
Aug 25, 2003 ... A strong cost-cutting drive has reversed the losses at Siemens VDO, suppliers of electronics, electrics and mechatronics. The company, created in April 2001 by a merger between Siemens Automotive AG and Mannesmann VDO, had an operating loss of [euro]261 million in its fiscal ...
Seat transformation starts; New products will begin to match the sportier brand image.(News)(ociedad Espanola de Automoviles de Turismo S.A.)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Seat's brand makeover from Spanish mass-market automaker to sporty Alfa Romeo rival is about to move from theoretical to actual. It has been four years since ex-Alfa Romeo design chief Walter de' Silva arrived at Seat, and almost two years since Volkswagen decided to split its ...
5 years ago.(News)(Wolkswagen Lupo and carmakers in Russia)(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003 ... The top stories from Automotive News Europe's August 31, 1998 issue - and how they developed. * VW launches small Lupo Volkswagen returned to its roots by launching a new "people's car" the Lupo. Smaller than VW's entry-level Polo model, the 1.0-liter Lupo shared its ...
Gaining ground.(News)(Regie Nationale des Usines Renault and Toyota Motor Corp.)(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Renault and Toyota are attracting fleet customers in Germany. * Renault increased its fleet sales in Germany by 9%. German Post plans a fleet of ...
Siemens VDO.(News)(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Headquarters: Regensburg, Germany CEO: Wolfgang Dehen Owner: Siemens AG Products: Electrical and electronic components and ...
Leach departure at Ford extends management turmoil; 'He jumped because he was fed up'.(News)(Martin Leach)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Martin Leach was a Ford man through and through. He has worked for Ford almost his entire working life, rotated through a series of important assignments and embodied the "driving dynamics" that Ford had made a core brand value in Europe. The defection of such a ...
Leach would find trouble at Fiat Auto.(News)(Martin Leach)(Fiat S.p.A.)(Brief Article)
Aug 25, 2003 ... Martin Leach would take over a major upheaval occurring at Fiat Auto if he became the new CEO. The troubled Italian carmaker is undergoing the latest big restructuring effort launched by Fiat Group CEO Giuseppe Morchio. Morchio is tightening management control and ...
Leading Volvo's quest for quality.(News)(Lena Olving)(Interview)
Aug 25, 2003; ... Byline: Olive Keogh Lena Olving is passionate about cars, motorcycles - and helping people less fortunate than herself. After studying engineering at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, where her father was dean, Lena joined Volvo in 1980 as a ...