2011 was a memorable year of world auto industry, with a series of remarkable events, contributing to local area completely new to this area.
1. Spying scandal at Renault
Three senior officials of car manufacturer Renault of France famous was fired for the leak related to secret information about the strategic expansion of its business, were discovered on 5/1/2011.Specifically, Renault said that development projects electric cars worth billions of dollars of the company's ongoing partnership with Nissan has exclusive information leaked out.
However, the case becomes more troublesome when the alleged "spies" are aimed at three of its top leaders were identified as false and unfounded. The true culprit of this trick has been identified as a former French intelligence officer, were arrested.
The case related to production technology electric cars by Renault-Nissan alliance with the invention and production. This is a completely new and different kind of car "hybrid" electric and gas. The case not only for the Renault car company to sway, but also shocked the French automobile industry and the world. The case has raised concerns about the wave of state industrial espionage flourished to the "look and see where spies", making the industry bosses can not trust anyone.
The event also caused suspicion targeting China - the country is trying to develop the automobile industry, as well as "customers" in an industrial espionage case occurred in parts manufacturing company Valeo car (also French) not long ago.
Although, on 14/03/2011, president and CEO Carlos Ghosn Renault car company appeared on the evening news programs of TV France 3 confirmed that the senior leadership of Renault - which Mr. Michel Balthazard the Board members - alleged "industrial espionage" is completely innocent. Mr. Ghosn has made an apology to the three leaders were fired and that they as well as carmakers Renault are the victim of a fraud.
Mr. Ghosn and Renault executives have given themselves the "penalty" is cut all bonuses in 2011, and used that money to offset losses to three directors. However, the public is not satisfied with the level of handling the firm's leadership. 3 fired leaders seemed not to come back after its worst loss of reputation and image, and is planning to sue carmakers to court to claim satisfactory. For Mr. Ghosn, the expected change in form with its partner Nissan will also be affected. Certainly he will be hard to convince French President Sarkozy.
2. Japanese car industry paralyzed after earthquake, tsunami
It can be said, in 2011 the year that the car manufacturers heavily affected by the disaster, in which the Japanese car company this most poignant. 9 earthquake magnitude and tsunami strike northeastern Japan on 11 / 3 does not cause serious damage to the auto manufacturer factories in Japan, but involve many consequences.
Instant chaos in the auto industry after the earthquake history in Japan is a series of factories shut down.Next is the power shortages last for several months, especially at that time, Japan is faced with problems at the nuclear plant. Besides the transportation system severely damaged.
After the earthquake, within one month, seven of the Japanese car company suffered a total of 516,000 vehicles. Toyota topped the list with the drop in output to 260,000 vehicles in total 18 of its factories in the country.
Honda also reduce lost production of about 58,000 vehicles after two of its assembly lines closed until 8 / 4. Difficulties also occur when the same with Nissan shortness output up to 55,000 units.
Up to date 31 / 3, the loss of up to 45,000 vehicles Suzuki. Until 9 / 4, this number increased to 59,000 if you count the amount of deficit due to limited production after re-operation of the plant.
Mazda can not ship about 43,000 cars. Meanwhile, the losses suffered Sabaru 29,000 vehicles, as of 5 / 4. One of the first manufacturers to reopen the plant is Mitsubishi also suffered about 26,000 vehicles.
3. Volkswagen and Suzuki relationship breakup
In 2009, Volkswagen (VW) to buy 19.9% stake in Suzuki for the purpose of consolidating the progress surpassed Toyota to become No. 1 car company in the world. However, the relationship between the two companies only smooth within two years.
Relations between the two sides slope down from March this year, when VW stated in the annual report that the group can "major impact on the strategies and financial decision" by Suzuki, describes the Japanese carmakers Copyright as a "partner". The situation deteriorated further when the Volkswagen Suzuki alleged violation of an agreement to buy the Fiat diesel engine. And Suzuki does not accept this statement of VW. Since then, both sides publicly criticized each other, leading to the suspension VW plans to invest 222.5 billion yen (2.9 billion USD) in a joint venture of the two parties.
The culmination of the decline in relations between the two parties was on 18/11 when Suzuki announced cancellation agreement, Volkswagen sold required to pay 19.9% stake in Suzuki. However, Volkswagen did not respond the requirements of Suzuki.
On 23/11, Suzuki launched the proceedings at the International Court of Arbitration, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in London to demand return of Volkswagen AG sold shares to Suzuki, or a third 3 appointed by Suzuki.
Currently, Volkswagen representatives do not have any feedback on the decision of the Suzuki.However, when Japanese carmakers threaten to bring about a settlement of issues in international courts, the representatives of Volkswagen has shared with the media: "We are extremely disappointed when Suzuki announced an end the contract. There is no legal basis to force us to renounce the shares were acquired from Suzuki. Sure, we will hold the shares of Suzuki. "
Uncompromising attitude of the two manufacturers, surely the world auto industry next year there will be no small change.
4. GM back to the world's No. 1
After 3 years to take the world's No. 1 Toyota in hand, "giant" land of Detroit General Motors (GM) rose strongly and officially regained the crown in 2011. With sales of 6.79 million vehicles sold after the third quarter of 2011 ended, GM ahead of Toyota to 1 million vehicles.
What are the causes for the resurgence of a legendary group three years ago was in danger of bankruptcy and have come to help save the U.S. government.
Toyota's slowdown due to scandals and lawsuits led to the largest recall in the history of the largest vehicle manufacturers of Japan, earthquake and tsunami caused severe shortage of supply on Toyota vehicles global or delay of the other manufacturers have created better opportunities for GM could not return to No. 1?
All these reasons are true but not as important as the change in GM from the factory to product management.
By compact management apparatus, GM executives had a direct and more compact. In addition, strategies to remove these vehicles are no longer consistent with current needs and additional cars are smaller, more fuel efficient and greener ... has brought a resurgence to the GM.
"GM is now completely different from GM three years ago. U.S. carmakers have lost a generation of customers, but they came back a very remarkable way," says Willy Shih Harvard Business School said.Mr. Shih also said GM is a typical symbol of the car industry is entering a new era.
New GM for global vehicle sales rose 9.2% this year, the largest increase since 20 years.
5. China Automobile Industry giant step forward in the world market
From a kingdom of bicycles, to date China (China) has become one of the "empire" of automobile consumption with heads worldwide. On 29/11 the past, firm SAIC Motor Corp. and Zhejiang Geely passed the safety inspection standards of Europe, marking a stride of the auto industry this country.
This round of testing conducted by Euro NCAP - a management unit for motor vehicle safety in Europe, two of China's cars received 4-star standard and this is the highest certification standards for the cars from China to date. Both the two product lines to achieve this standard of SAIC MG6 Motor Corp and Geely Emgrand of EC7. The cars are checked and evaluated collision protection and safety for adults, children, pedestrians and the safe mode support. Both the two vehicles are evaluated fairly low for the protection of pedestrians, but scored well in the remaining items.
"These results mark a milestone of the world auto industry" - Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP's Office said. "This is a clear sign that the auto maker China is to build the experience and continual investment in technology for car safety." And he also said that the two companies will soon achieve 5-star (highest standard).
It is known that in four years, the car manufacturer from China has always ranked low in the collision inspection by Europe. In 2006, cars of Jiangling Motor Landwind X6 SUV failed the minimum standard (score of 0), followed by one year, the midsize Zunchi of Brilliance China Automotive is just one star in the standard test the above investigation.
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