SlowHands
03-07-2009, 08:12 AM
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/European_Union_Flag.jpg The European supplier base is in trouble (detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090307/OPINION03/903070318/1148/AUTO01)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Opel_Ampera.jpgNeil Winton - Detroit News (detroitnews.com) - March 07, 2009
Trouble, trouble, boil and bubble, it's catching like a virus... -- Ed.
Europe's car manufacturers put on a brave face at the Geneva Motor Show, but the odds on there being some notable, permanent absences at next year's show are shortening by the day.
At the annual North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January there were some high profile no-shows -- Nissan, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, Rolls-Royce, Land Rover, Ferrari, Suzuki and Porsche. At Geneva, all the names were there, although the way things are going, there might be some blank spaces to fill twelve months from now.
But it is the names behind the scenes which are causing most concern. The European supplier base is in trouble and may need cash from mainstream manufacturers to ride out the storm. Unfortunately, that's a commodity in short supply at the moment.
The standout, troubled manufacturer is General Motors Europe. Its German subsidiary Opel, the British Vauxhall brand, and the Swedish stable-mate, up-market Saab, are in dire straits. GM Europe is seeking government bailouts to stay alive as the cash runs out. Saab has already filed for protection under the bankruptcy laws...http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090307/OPINION03/903070318/1148/AUTO01
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Opel_Ampera.jpgNeil Winton - Detroit News (detroitnews.com) - March 07, 2009
Trouble, trouble, boil and bubble, it's catching like a virus... -- Ed.
Europe's car manufacturers put on a brave face at the Geneva Motor Show, but the odds on there being some notable, permanent absences at next year's show are shortening by the day.
At the annual North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January there were some high profile no-shows -- Nissan, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, Rolls-Royce, Land Rover, Ferrari, Suzuki and Porsche. At Geneva, all the names were there, although the way things are going, there might be some blank spaces to fill twelve months from now.
But it is the names behind the scenes which are causing most concern. The European supplier base is in trouble and may need cash from mainstream manufacturers to ride out the storm. Unfortunately, that's a commodity in short supply at the moment.
The standout, troubled manufacturer is General Motors Europe. Its German subsidiary Opel, the British Vauxhall brand, and the Swedish stable-mate, up-market Saab, are in dire straits. GM Europe is seeking government bailouts to stay alive as the cash runs out. Saab has already filed for protection under the bankruptcy laws...http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090307/OPINION03/903070318/1148/AUTO01