YOUR INPUT, PLEASE:
How do you view the value/impact of the "Cash for Clunkers" plan to sales and fuel economy?
Call me a cockeyed optimist - significant.
Mostly pull-ahead sales - mild.
Don't even bother - negligible.
Posted by TRACY SCHNEITER on 7/1/2009
I have to admit that I’m drawn to TV ads that feature animals - - they tend not to be too offensive and generally are pretty funny. When Kia started to air their “New Way to Roll” commercial featuring the Soul, I couldn’t stop replaying the YouTube version of the commercial. Those rodents totally captured my attention. But more importantly, the vehicle itself is what matters....don’t take my word for it. Click on the link to The Detroit Free Press article by Mark Phelan that highlights the excitement for this new noteworthy car aimed at the next generation.   If you’ve missed the ad….here it is…it puts me in a better mood every time I see it!
Posted by MELISSA ANDERSON on 6/30/2009
India’s automotive suppliers will leapfrog both US and Chinese suppliers. That’s the word from one of the top lean gurus in North America, who has been spending all his time in India over the past six months. He told my colleague that the senior leadership in India, like Japanese management, is embracing the principles of lean, investing in training, empowering people, and holding them accountable for results.
Posted by MELISSA ANDERSON on 6/30/2009
One of the lessons that we think suppliers might be missing, based on some recent conversations, is that “take-over” opportunities require even greater application of the principles of team consensus than do new opportunities. Some suppliers believe instant business via a competitor’s demise will bring them health. Unfortunately, some have found the opportunity actually becomes their newest burden.
Posted by IRN DEPARTMENT OF LIGHTER SIDES on 6/24/2009
One of the real differences with this recession vs. previous ones is that every level of society has been impacted by this economic downturn. From CEOs to workers in a manufacturing cell to the service staff at your local restaurant, no level of society has been immune to job loss. So… in keeping with our great American tradition of finding something funny in even the direst situation, we offer the following video. It also is in keeping with most business people’s favorite joke target: the finance department!
Posted by KIM KORTH on 6/22/2009
As many of our clients know, one of my least favorite phrases is the term “the new reality.”  I hate it because it is normally used to describe a future world of diminished expectations for both consumers and for most automotive suppliers.  There is one area, however, where the term is valid.  That is in the significant improvement most suppliers have made in their fixed cost structure.   In order to survive, most suppliers have gone through a series of downsizings, plant consolidations, and layoffs to cope with the dramatic drop-off in production over the last six months.  The result is that in conversations with dozens of suppliers in the last month, we are hearing claims of permanent reductions in cost structure of 25-40%.

HOT TOPICS: THE BAILOUT BLUES
Posted by MELISSA ANDERSON on 6/25/2009
US Bankruptcy Judge Robert Gerber appears to share his colleague Arthur Gonzalez’ philosophy of making quick work of automaker Chapter 11 proceedings, with his approval today of access for GM to the proposed $33.3 billion in financing from the US and Canadian governments. Alas, poor Delphi – it can only look on in awe.


AUTOMOTIVE INTELLIGENCE: SNAPSHOTS
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AUTOFUTURES® SUBSCRIBER ALERTS:
Posted by THE AIP TEAM on 6/26/2009

IRN's North American monthly forecast update is now available for June. The North American Industry Results for May 2009 are also available. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, give us a call!

IRN Automotive Intelligence Products Team
616-785-5175

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