French government will launch an economic stimulus plan to support the automobile and building industries which have been hardest hit by the current economic crisis, French President Sarkozy announced on Tuesday in Valenciennes, northern France.
"Within 10 days, we will announce a revival plan to save the car industry ... and to strengthen the building industry." Sarkozy said, without giving further details. The plan is totally about 19billion euros (some 24.34 billion U.S. dollars). Energy saving would be included to help building sectors.
France's car industry employs 10 percent of the working population. Car makers Renault and PSA Peugeot Citroen have announced thousands of job cuts.
France's construction industry is also facing a slowdown. Housing fell 20.6 percent in the third quarter of 2008.
Despite two successive quarters of negative growth in France, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development forecasted on Tuesday that the country would fall into recession with 0.4 percent drop of GDP in 2009.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Insurance Technologies Launches eTurborater Online Automobile Consumer Rating System
Insurance Technologies Corporation, a leading provider of insurance rating, agency management, and website solutions, announced the launch of eTurboRater, an online automobile consumer rating product for the independent agent. With this release, insurance agencies in nine states can provide instantaneous comparative quotes to customers via their agency website. State availability includes; Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
The eTurboRater solution easily integrates onto any existing agency website, providing lead generating quote requests in real time to the customer. Customers can fill out and save automobile quotes at anytime, day or night, via a user-friendly interface. Once completed, the agent can work the customer's policy request as needed.
Furthermore, the eTurboRater product effortlessly integrates with Insurance Technologies' Insurance Website Builder agency website product, maintaining the look and feel of your current website design. Mr. Rixford continues, "When you couple this rating interface with the power and features of the Insurance Website Builder system, today's agencies can offer a complete website experience to their prospects and customers."
eTurboRater includes an easy to use customization console that allows agents the ability to select multiple rating companies, input agency fees, customize prompts, colors, and images. To learn more about the eTurboRater solution visit http://www.turborater.com/eturborater/.
The eTurboRater solution easily integrates onto any existing agency website, providing lead generating quote requests in real time to the customer. Customers can fill out and save automobile quotes at anytime, day or night, via a user-friendly interface. Once completed, the agent can work the customer's policy request as needed.
Furthermore, the eTurboRater product effortlessly integrates with Insurance Technologies' Insurance Website Builder agency website product, maintaining the look and feel of your current website design. Mr. Rixford continues, "When you couple this rating interface with the power and features of the Insurance Website Builder system, today's agencies can offer a complete website experience to their prospects and customers."
eTurboRater includes an easy to use customization console that allows agents the ability to select multiple rating companies, input agency fees, customize prompts, colors, and images. To learn more about the eTurboRater solution visit http://www.turborater.com/eturborater/.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Hyundai Shows A Revised HED-5 I-Mode At LA Auto Show
If you think you've seen the Hyundai HED-5 i-mode concept, you have. The world's fifth largest automobile manufacturer had the car on its stand during the Geneva motor show. In that iteration, the six-seat one-box design featured diesel power. In LA, Hyundai swapped out the oil-burner for a new gasoline engine that's heading to the US. Make no mistake, the HED-5 is more about showing Hyundai's acumen for powertrains than for styling … which depending on what you think of the concept's styling, might be a good thing.
Direct injection (DI) is all the rage because it works, as evidenced by turbo and naturally-aspirated versions of engines that use the technology (the 2.3 turbo in the MazdaSpeed3 features DI, as does the impressive high-feature GM 3.6-liter V-6). Hyundai calls their engine the Theta Turbo GDI.
The 2.0-liter, four-cylinder will deliver better fuel efficiency and exhaust emissions improve due to the improved combustion that DI helps deliver.
According to Hyundai, the engine has capacity for up to 286 horsepower, greater than most six-cylinder engines on the market. The Theta Turbo GDI includes Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) to further improve efficiency. This ultra-efficient, high-tech gasoline engine will be fitted in various Hyundai models in future model years.
The engine is part of Hyundai's powertrain strategy moving toward beating every other automaker to reaching the 35-mpg CAFÉ standards by 2015 rather than 2020. The company's engine portfolio will include the aforementioned turbo DI engines, diesels, hybrids and fuel cells.
Direct injection (DI) is all the rage because it works, as evidenced by turbo and naturally-aspirated versions of engines that use the technology (the 2.3 turbo in the MazdaSpeed3 features DI, as does the impressive high-feature GM 3.6-liter V-6). Hyundai calls their engine the Theta Turbo GDI.
The 2.0-liter, four-cylinder will deliver better fuel efficiency and exhaust emissions improve due to the improved combustion that DI helps deliver.
According to Hyundai, the engine has capacity for up to 286 horsepower, greater than most six-cylinder engines on the market. The Theta Turbo GDI includes Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) to further improve efficiency. This ultra-efficient, high-tech gasoline engine will be fitted in various Hyundai models in future model years.
The engine is part of Hyundai's powertrain strategy moving toward beating every other automaker to reaching the 35-mpg CAFÉ standards by 2015 rather than 2020. The company's engine portfolio will include the aforementioned turbo DI engines, diesels, hybrids and fuel cells.
Friday, December 12, 2008
International Automobile Show opens in Sharjah
More than 40 exhibitors are displaying nearly 25 brands at the International Automobile Show that opened today. It was inaugurated by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Salim Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and will be open until November 22.
The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI), Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa - Director-General of Expo Centre Sharjah, Mr.Fasahat Ali Khan, Adviser to the Chairman and Board of Directors of Expo Centre Sharjah, and officials and trade representatives.
The show is set to witness some of the major launches for 2009. Prominent among the launches will be Mercedes-Benz GLK, the Middle East preview of the 'Most beautiful European car' of 2008 PGO Hemera, and several , BMW, Audi and Nissan vehicles, among others.
Some of the reputed brands that are on display include, Nissan, Infiniti, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Maybach, Hummer, Polarsun, Admiral, Ligier, PGO,Jinbei, Audi (joining the show for the first time), Opel, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Suzuki Motorbikes and Temsa buses .
The show is also featuring the latest models in convertibles, prototype cars, 4x4 vehicles, luxury coaches, motorbikes, water vehicles, classic cars, accessories, audio and video systems, navigation systems, commercial vehicles and auto finance facilities.
The displays are occupying 16,000 square metres in addition to the boulevard and outside exhibition areas at Expo Centre Sharjah.
The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI), Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa - Director-General of Expo Centre Sharjah, Mr.Fasahat Ali Khan, Adviser to the Chairman and Board of Directors of Expo Centre Sharjah, and officials and trade representatives.
The show is set to witness some of the major launches for 2009. Prominent among the launches will be Mercedes-Benz GLK, the Middle East preview of the 'Most beautiful European car' of 2008 PGO Hemera, and several , BMW, Audi and Nissan vehicles, among others.
Some of the reputed brands that are on display include, Nissan, Infiniti, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Maybach, Hummer, Polarsun, Admiral, Ligier, PGO,Jinbei, Audi (joining the show for the first time), Opel, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Suzuki Motorbikes and Temsa buses .
The show is also featuring the latest models in convertibles, prototype cars, 4x4 vehicles, luxury coaches, motorbikes, water vehicles, classic cars, accessories, audio and video systems, navigation systems, commercial vehicles and auto finance facilities.
The displays are occupying 16,000 square metres in addition to the boulevard and outside exhibition areas at Expo Centre Sharjah.
American Automobile Association predicts decline in U.S. holiday travel
DALLAS - AAA says travel over the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday will drop for the first time in six years due to the economic slowdown and fewer flights.
The travel club said 41 million Americans will travel at least 80 kilometres from home. That's down from 41.6 million last year.
AAA President Robert Darbelnet said Tuesday that the economy makes Thanksgiving travel difficult for some Americans.
But he says they will get help from the decline in gasoline prices, which hit record highs this summer.
The travel club said 41 million Americans will travel at least 80 kilometres from home. That's down from 41.6 million last year.
AAA President Robert Darbelnet said Tuesday that the economy makes Thanksgiving travel difficult for some Americans.
But he says they will get help from the decline in gasoline prices, which hit record highs this summer.
AutoWay Sells Off Clearwater Dealership
AutoWay Dodge of Clearwater closed this week and sold its Dodge franchise to another dealer, becoming at least the fourth local automobile dealership to shut down this year.
AutoWay Dodge, 19400 U.S. 19 N. in Clearwater, recently struck a deal to sell its business and inventory of cars and trucks to Dayton Andrews Chrysler Jeep, 2388 Gulf to Bay Blvd. in Clearwater, said Marc Cannon, spokesman for AutoNation Inc., which owns AutoWay dealerships in the Bay area.
The Dodge dealership is the second AutoWay-brand dealership to close in the Bay area recently. The company closed the sales operation of its AutoWay Chevrolet of Tampa Bay in Tampa last week, although it kept open the dealership's collision and parts departments.
Cannon said Tuesday he wasn't sure how many people work at AutoWay Dodge, but many likely will join Dayton Andrews.
Earlier this month, AutoNation announced it had lost $1.4 billion, or $7.95 a share, in the third quarter of 2008, blaming performance on the poor economy.
AutoWay Dodge, 19400 U.S. 19 N. in Clearwater, recently struck a deal to sell its business and inventory of cars and trucks to Dayton Andrews Chrysler Jeep, 2388 Gulf to Bay Blvd. in Clearwater, said Marc Cannon, spokesman for AutoNation Inc., which owns AutoWay dealerships in the Bay area.
The Dodge dealership is the second AutoWay-brand dealership to close in the Bay area recently. The company closed the sales operation of its AutoWay Chevrolet of Tampa Bay in Tampa last week, although it kept open the dealership's collision and parts departments.
Cannon said Tuesday he wasn't sure how many people work at AutoWay Dodge, but many likely will join Dayton Andrews.
Earlier this month, AutoNation announced it had lost $1.4 billion, or $7.95 a share, in the third quarter of 2008, blaming performance on the poor economy.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tata shows confidence in Thai auto industry at dealers meeting
Tata Motors (Thailand) recently held the annual meeting of its 33 Thai dealerships to discuss the business plans going forward. The company expressed confidence in the country’s automobile industry, thanks to the strong foundation on which it is built.
Tata plans to increase its nationwide dealerships to 45 by the end of this financial year. Thirty-three out of more than 100 applicants have already been appointed as the company’s dealers in major cities of each region, including Chiang Mai, Hadyai and Khon Kaen.
Tata plans to increase its nationwide dealerships to 45 by the end of this financial year. Thirty-three out of more than 100 applicants have already been appointed as the company’s dealers in major cities of each region, including Chiang Mai, Hadyai and Khon Kaen.
State Automobile to acquire Rockhill
Rockhill Insurance Group announced an agreement to be acquired by State Automobile Mutual Insurance Co.
The purchase is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2009, pending regulatory approval. The price was not disclosed.
Kansas City-based Rockhill writes about $135 million in specialty property and casualty insurance through four subsidiaries: Rockhill Insurance Co., Plaza Insurance Co., American Compensation Insurance Co. and Bloomington Compensation Insurance Co.
State Automobile Mutual is part of State Auto Insurance Companies, based in Columbus, Ohio. State Automobile said it plans to retain Rockhill’s management and work force. It will be operated as a subsidiary of State Automobile.
The purchase is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2009, pending regulatory approval. The price was not disclosed.
Kansas City-based Rockhill writes about $135 million in specialty property and casualty insurance through four subsidiaries: Rockhill Insurance Co., Plaza Insurance Co., American Compensation Insurance Co. and Bloomington Compensation Insurance Co.
State Automobile Mutual is part of State Auto Insurance Companies, based in Columbus, Ohio. State Automobile said it plans to retain Rockhill’s management and work force. It will be operated as a subsidiary of State Automobile.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Czech suggests opening automobile factory in HCM City
VietNamNet Bridge – During a meeting between HCM City officials and the Minister of Czech Industry and Commerce, Martin Riman, on Thursday, the Czech official expressed a wish to open an automobile plant in HCM City.
According to Riman, HCM City is a dynamic and the most developed city in Vietnam, and he hoped that Vietnam could be a provider of cars for countries in the region.
HCM City Vice Chairman, Nguyen Trung Tin, said that he would like to recommend the Saigon Automobile Engineering Corporation as a Vietnamese partner, and suggested the import of vehicles from Czech Republic to Vietnam.
Previously, the Czech Minister met with his Vietnamese counterpart, Vu Huy Hoang, where he asked for Vietnam’s assistance for Czech energy projects.
On the same day, HCM City officials met with a delegation of congressmen and officials from the state of Delaware, USA. The two sides discussed sci-tech, health and education issues. The US side proposed to offer cost-related consultancy for the installation of equipment to create clean energy for Vietnam. They were also interested in Vietnam’s health prevention sector.
According to Riman, HCM City is a dynamic and the most developed city in Vietnam, and he hoped that Vietnam could be a provider of cars for countries in the region.
HCM City Vice Chairman, Nguyen Trung Tin, said that he would like to recommend the Saigon Automobile Engineering Corporation as a Vietnamese partner, and suggested the import of vehicles from Czech Republic to Vietnam.
Previously, the Czech Minister met with his Vietnamese counterpart, Vu Huy Hoang, where he asked for Vietnam’s assistance for Czech energy projects.
On the same day, HCM City officials met with a delegation of congressmen and officials from the state of Delaware, USA. The two sides discussed sci-tech, health and education issues. The US side proposed to offer cost-related consultancy for the installation of equipment to create clean energy for Vietnam. They were also interested in Vietnam’s health prevention sector.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Clout Has Plunged for Automakers and Union
When the leaders of the three Detroit auto companies and the United Automobile Workers union travel to Washington to make their case for a U.S. government bailout, they will be flying into stiff headwinds of public opinion.
Thus far, much of the commentary in Washington, in the pages of major newspapers and on the Web, has been against providing financial support for the companies, which they will say they desperately need in hearings beginning on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, foreign auto companies have built plants across the South, picking up lawmakers like Senator Richard Shelby, Republican of Alabama, who now are more allied with the foreign car companies.
So far this year, GM has spent $10 million on lobbying, out of $95 million in the past 10 years, placing it at No. 16 on the site's "top spenders" list. Ford, which ranks No. 19 on the list, has spent $5.7 million this year, out of $80.6 million the last decade.
Thus far, much of the commentary in Washington, in the pages of major newspapers and on the Web, has been against providing financial support for the companies, which they will say they desperately need in hearings beginning on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, foreign auto companies have built plants across the South, picking up lawmakers like Senator Richard Shelby, Republican of Alabama, who now are more allied with the foreign car companies.
So far this year, GM has spent $10 million on lobbying, out of $95 million in the past 10 years, placing it at No. 16 on the site's "top spenders" list. Ford, which ranks No. 19 on the list, has spent $5.7 million this year, out of $80.6 million the last decade.
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