http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1154
Suzuki Motor Corp. must stick to what it does best - being a small-car maker - even as it forges an alliance with Volkswagen AG that will rank as one of the world's biggest auto empires, its chief executive said Thursday.
Last month, the Japanese automaker signed a deal with Volkswagen for the German automaker to take a 19.9 percent stake in Suzuki for 220 billion yen ($2.5 billion).
The combined annual sales of Suzuki, which makes small cars such as the Swift and the Splash, and Volkswagen, which makes the Beetle and Golf, will total about 8.6 million vehicles, rivaling - or possibly besting -the world's top automaker, Toyota Motor Corp.
But the bushy-browed Osamu Suzuki, 79, chief executive and chairman of Suzuki, has long insisted the secret of his company's success lies in its humble, penny-pinching management vision as a small operation.
Borrowing expertise
His company hopes to benefit from Volkswagen's expertise in green vehicles, such as hybrids, electric vehicles and technology to boost fuel efficiency of gas-engine cars, while Volkswagen hopes to benefit from Suzuki's presence in Asia, developing products together and sharing parts, he said.
Suzuki built its empire by selling small cheap cars, especially in Japan and emerging markets. And it wasn't about to turn into a big player, he said at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Tokyo.
"This approach is totally wrong," he said. "If Suzuki employees start to develop an illusion they are No. 1 in the world, that will lead to a terrible mistake."
Major automakers like Toyota and Volkswagen make vehicles costing between 5 million yen ($55 000) and 8 million yen ($87 000), Suzuki noted. Suzuki cars, in contrast, cost between 500,000 yen ($5 500) and 1 million yen ($11 000).
That means Suzuki would have to produce five times the vehicles of a bigger manufacturer to rival their standing, Suzuki said.
"One must not aim too high. One must not be jealous. One must go one's own path," said Suzuki, who is highly regarded in business circles for his managerial acumen.
One of Japan's most colorful executives, Suzuki has written books, including a recent one titled, "I'm Just an Old Man at a Small Company," flaunting his stingy but some say charming approach to management.
Suzuki offices scrimp on airconditioning and have done away with receptionists. Plants have reduced electric lighting, and some Suzuki dealerships look like repair shops.
He took on the Suzuki name after he married the granddaughter of the automaker's founder.
Tie up good for Suzuki
Mamoru Katou, auto analyst with Tokai Tokyo Research, said tying up with Volkswagen was a good match for Suzuki as it needed to rev up its defenses to maintain its lead as rivals catch up in emerging markets, and competition grows in green vehicles.
"It is hard to go at it alone in developing ecological technology, and Suzuki needed an alliance," said Katou. "A possible minus is that Volkswagen may want its way in management, risking Suzuki's individuality."
So far, Suzuki has weathered the global downturn much better than some of its bigger but money-losing rivals. Suzuki is forecasting a 15 billion yen ($164 million) profit for the fiscal year through March 2010.
The automaker controls more than half the market in India, where it ventured ahead of competition and growth opportunities are now huge. It is also strong in Pakistan, China and other Asian markets. Volkswagen is strong in Brazil and China.
Suzuki brushed off worries about a culture clash between German and Japanese management. Besides, Suzuki is not new to global alliances, he said. Last year, Suzuki closed its alliance with General Motors Co., which began in 1981. GM sold a 17% stake in Suzuki in 2006, and its remaining 3% stake last year.
"If we choose not to fight, we can both grow to No. 1 in the world. Then we are happy," he said.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bidders still optimistic on Saab sale
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1155
Don't ring the death knell for Saab just yet, says one potential suitor for the Swedish brand. Genii Capital, a Luxembourg-based private investment firm, says Saab parent General Motors Co. is still negotiating with at least one bidder.
Dutch niche sports car manufacturer Spyker has held off-and-on talks with GM over a Saab sale since last November, and questions still remain over financing for their proposed buyout. The Spyker discussions followed in the wake of the collapse of a tentative deal GM had with Swedish supercar builder Koenigsegg. Genii Capital, the majority owner of Renault F1, submitted a cash offer for Saab earlier in January. It is not surprising that F1 head Bernie Ecclestone supports Genii's offer.
Liquidators, working on behalf of GM, have already taken control of Saab, but they have apparently not begun selling-off the brand's assets. "As we understand it, the wind-down is on hold until a statement from GM on the sale ... we're still hopeful," Genii bid coordinator Lars Carlstrom said in an interview.
A GM spokesman told Reuters that Saab negotiations would continue no further than mid-February. The company's dealership network is still accepting new vehicle orders, and Saab Automobile's 3,400 employees will continue building cars through the end of January. However, the future beyond that time is unclear.
A test prototype of Saab's 9-5 wagon variant was recently photographed cold-weather testing in Northern Sweden, leading to speculation that product development has not yet ended.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pagani C9 Next Generation Supercar Info Revealed
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1156
During an interview with Argentina Auto Blog, Horacio Pagani confirmed the Zonda-replacing C9 will be launched towards the end of 2010. It will feature a 6.0-liter V12 Mercedes-Benz AMG engine with 515 kW and 1000 Nm of torque, which means the C9 will be almost as powerful as the Zonda R (which churns out 552 kW and 710 Nm of torque).
According to Horacio Pagani, the C9 "is a completely new car from concept, weight distribution, materials and dynamics." It will have 3770 new parts, a carbon-titanium chassis, specially developed Pirelli tires, and Bosch electronics. More importantly, the car will be able to meet U.S. crash safety standards and California's strict emission laws.
Production will likely be limited to 40 units a year, with a base price of roughly €900,000 ($1,265,000 USD).
Besides talking about the C9, Pagani stated 'normal' Zonda production will cease in September - but orders are still coming in for one-off versions and the Zonda R. In theory, the Zonda could live on for another three years.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VÄTH Shows Mercedes E-Class E63 AMG Tuning Program
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1157
Dubbed the VÄTH V63RS, the car features a sinister exterior with a starless grille, a boot spoiler, a carbon fiber diffuser, and a carbon fiber front lip spoiler. Other styling tweaks include a suspension lowering module, which reduces the ride height by 30 mm, and 20-inch forged three-piece alloy wheels wrapped in high performance rubber.
Inside, the V63RS has carbon trim and velour floor mats with an embroidered VÄTH logo.
Under the hood, VÄTH enlarged the cylinder head channels, installed new engine management software, and added new pistons, valves, sport cam shafts, a larger intake, and bigger exhaust valves. Thanks to these modifications, the engine produces 445 kW and 690 Nm of torque (an increase of 64 kW and 60 Nm of torque). This allows the V63RS to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, before topping out at 340 km/h. When it's time to stop, massive 390mm brake discs (with 8 pistons fixed calipers up front) bring you to a halt.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment