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Car Equipment Manufacturers: job cuts

Tuesday Feb 9, 2010

Automotive suppliers will even remove tens of thousands of jobs in 2010. This is reflected in the report prepared as part of the Committee in Support of subcontractors motor development by Christian Estrosi last September, whose findings were released last November. In the newspaper Les Echos this Monday, we learn that it is 40,000 to 50,000 jobs are threatened in France.

Currently, industry professionals, such as Michelin, Valeo and Faurecia still revolve overstaffed by about 25,000 jobs to outsourcing and 14,000 for the equipment of one rank, that is to say those who deal directly with major manufacturers."By adjusting the calculation from the future evolution of automobile production lights and possible productivity efforts, the Task Force falls even on an estimate of 40,000 to 50,000 jobs too," reads in columns the business daily.

The job cuts have already begun. Already, in late December, all suppliers were documenting 265,000 employees, or 35,000 fewer than in 2008, and 55,000 fewer than in 2005. Plans starts or closings of sites, almost all companies have downsized.

Positions on an ejection seat

Thus, 2010 will be another year of unrest in the area. Last year, pressure from Molex or Continental was rising power.

According to the Committee Estrosi, all branches, with the exception of the forge would be affected.The report mentions the possible disappearance of 7 out of 10 jobs in the molds and tooling in just two years, reports Les Echos. In rubber, overstaffing are estimated to 5,300 jobs from a total of 46,500.

The radar screens already viewing site closures. As the unit of Plastic Omnium Sandouville or that of Noyelles les Seclin Michelin.Furthermore, Visteon should further reduce its workforce, for example on the website and that of Gondecourt Renault Flins.

Moreover, the stress that a reorganization Echos – Meeting of the eleven branches in three areas – at Valeo lead to further job cuts, especially "in the administrative and executive officers," according to a coordinator CFE-CGC.

Ways to do better

This commission set up by Christian Estrosi, comprising manufacturers, suppliers, subcontractors, trade associations, research organizations, trade unions and elected officials, was intended to provide short-term measures to support sub-contractors in trouble, d 'solutions to better anticipate and better support the structuring of the industry .

Following the presentation of findings, Christian Estrosi and had announced last November some measures. Since the creation of a fund within the Fund for the Modernization of Automotive (FMEA) for sub-contractors of rank 2 and up. It especially allows easier access for SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) of the automotive industry to 2 billion euros managed by OSEO and the ISP for the strengthening of equity or quasi equity, established under the plan SME financing.

On the accompanying measures of economic and strategic changes, the state funding of strategic diagnosis for SMEs in the sector is provided for those who request it. Also, a platform or "stop" will be formed under the auspices of the Prefect, to inform SMEs.In addition, a working group on employment trends in the automotive industry has been launched. As a "scientific board" to provide a technical and manage the excess capacity of different sectors.

Regarding measures related to innovation, the government called for better coordination between clusters Motor (MOVEO, ID4Car, Car of the Future).

Christian Estrosi had said in late November that he was "very attentive to the establishment of partnership relations with all suppliers, large or small. A similar quality and price, was the preferred logic ecosystem around local produce suppliers.

The Exchange requested evidence

At the Paris Stock Exchange on Monday, Michelin lost 0.9% to 53 euros, Valeo drops 1.9% to 22.2 euros, Faurecia coward 1.33%, to 14.4 euros and sells Plasctic Omnium 1 13% to 25.4 euros.These companies sign strongest stock declines in the automotive sector.

For Paris-based analyst, "this plan is good news for the French automotive industry because it sends a strong signal of government support." He said he especially aims to create a shock in the short term."In market terms, it is likely that this plan has already been partially played, and he must demonstrate its ability to limit the drop in auto sales scheduled in the months to come," he said.

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Hybrids Ford also victims of brake problems

Friday Feb 5, 2010

After the Japanese manufacturer Toyota is Ford's turn to report problems with brakes on hybrid cars. Without explicitly mention a reminder of cars, the manufacturer said that the owners of certain 2010 models of the Fusion Hybrid and Milan Hybrid mail to receive a letter advising them to go to their dealer for a free upgrade of the computer system manager braking.

The manufacturer said that the problem occurs when switching between the two braking the vehicle, and that drivers always have an effective braking despite posting misleading.

At Ford, the software problem equip 18,000 cars, but only a small fraction of that total "will suffer a problem, according to a consumer association.


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The government continues to put pressure on Total

Monday Feb 1, 2010

After giving a first pressure on the management of the oil company, Christian Estrosi, Minister of Industry, insists the government "will not accept" the closure of the Total refinery at Dunkirk "as long as n 'There will be no guarantees the necessary continuity "of some 800 jobs involved," he said Monday on radio BFM.

The Government looks forward to the official position of Total in this case. The group must decide precisely Monday on the fate of the Flanders refinery, which employs 370 employees and 450 subcontractors.Depui mid-September, the site is in "stop cyclical" because he can no longer sell its output, given the current weakness in demand for fuel.

"For the moment we have no binding commitment on the part of Total and I say very clearly, the Government will be firm," said Minister of Industry free credit score .

The previous March 2009 is remembered

In any case, the government has warned it did not intend to be outdone in the folder "Total". "We will not accept an initiative to be taken unilaterally without any commitments are made to sustain current employment at the refinery," says Christine Estrosi.

Last Tuesday, the Minister noted that Total was considering the possibility of opening an LNG terminal in the port of Dunkirk.

In March 2009 already, the oil company had attracted the ire of politicians, after announcing the abolition of 555 posts in France, including 249 by 2013 in the refinery. A few weeks earlier, had issued a total record profit for 2008 of 13.9 billion euros.


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Bercy modifies the rules for fixing gas prices

Saturday Dec 12, 2009

After several weeks of reflection, the verdict has finally fallen on the new method of fixing gas prices. The Ministry of Economy, which was to maneuver, just send the document to refer to the Regulatory Commission of Energy (CRE), for entry under the next year, after the publication of a decree .

The government, which ruled until then every three months on possible changes in gas prices, trying to remove a little of the game, at least in appearance. It will no longer once per year, one component of overall framing of the price curve of the molecule. This scheme seeks to prevent the State to meet in full psychodrama whenever Bercy opts for a rise in gas prices.

So now the company, GDF Suez, which will seize the regulator for a rate increase.Which regulator, after watching whether the incumbent's request is consistent with the pricing formula, make a binding opinion. Until now, the opinion of the CRE in the record setting gas prices was only advisory. In the new scheme, the Commission will therefore pose a greater weight.

However, uncertainties remain. In particular, what happens if gas prices are indexed on oil prices should fall? In the reference document, it is not called GDF Suez to decide in what direction. Similarly, it does not ask the regulator to pressure the company to obtain a reduction in charges.

"Let's just common sense: since oil prices are public, they bend permanently, GDF Suez will be forced to seek lower fares.Or the group will draw the wrath of both consumers and government, "says an industry expert.

Psychodrama

So much for the new scheme, at least in theory, developed by the government with the approval of other partners, beginning with GDF Suez. It remains now to see how it will apply in practice. It is hard, in fact, the government remain inactive in the face several repeated hikes in gas prices. Especially during elections, where the energy bill is regularly found in the heart of debates.

In short, despite government efforts, it is feared that this new device does not put an end to psychodramas on gas prices.


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Reforming finance Obama mired

Thursday Nov 12, 2009

The priority project to reform the finance chair of Obama might derail in Congress. Supposed to address the causes of the banking crisis that has triggered a global recession, this reform presented in June by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, was nevertheless well on in the House of Representatives. In the Senate, however, as in the case of health reform, things get complicated.

The chairman of the Banking Committee of the Upper House, Democrat Christopher Dodd has introduced a very different text of the draft Administration and Obama much more radical. His project, no Republicans rally seems further divide the Democrats the majority. The objective of Barack Obama to enact a law by Christmas is compromised because the vast open debate by Chris Dodd could drag on for months.The Senate and House of Representatives, each on its own agenda, must agree on a common text.

Dodd, Senator from Connecticut, neighboring state of New York resident and where many Wall Street professionals, wants to give the dish any system of regulation of American finance. His most controversial proposal is to remove the Federal Reserve full competence in supervising banks. The Fed does not deal more than monetary policy, what Barack Obama wants to avoid. Dodd calls for consolidation into a new super agency to monitor banks, functions now split between four agencies.

Two points of agreement

The senator vowed Tuesday that he did not seek in any way to "punish the Fed, even if it was a" complete failure "in its mission of regulating banks.Chris Dodd also said he was not attacking "individuals or personalities, but the system architecture. A precision is useful when Ben Bernanke, the Fed governor, will testify before Congress at the end of the month for renewal of its mandate.

The blueprint also provides for federal regulation of insurance companies. So far these are the U.S. states regulate insurers. For prevention of systemic risks, he proposed a new agency specializing in surveillance of the largest banks. It would, in retrospect, these establishments to fund the eventual rescue of one of them.But to better ensure that the taxpayer is requested, the rival project of the House, instead stating that a fund maintained by these banks too big to fail accumulates in advance the resources needed for a rescue.

Two points of agreement exist however between the Obama Administration and the powerful senator. The first is the creation of a new agency that specializes in the regulation of financial products distributed to the general public, such as mortgages or credit cards. A proposal was however rejected by the Republican camp. In addition, Chris Dodd accepts the principles of management salaries and bonuses for bankers posed by the White House. It is forcing banks to greater transparency and allow shareholders to vote on remuneration issues.

But the boards would retain the discretion to overrule.However regulators may prohibit any compensation deemed "excessive." Finally the most senior officials of banks would be forced to surrender their salaries awarded in the event of subsequent review of company performance.

Christopher Dodd, a key player "Ron Paul, the Republican who calls for an audit of the Fed's" The insoluble problem of the size of banks


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Mortgage: interest rates continue to fall

Tuesday Oct 20, 2009

Interest rates continue to decline. On October 14, they fell 0.10% to 0.20% compared to September in all regions and all periods of credit, the broker finds loans in its new barometer. The most pronounced declines were registered in Eastern and Northern. In detail, on average, rates on fifteen-year fall to 3.95%, and twenty years, to 4.05%, respectively accusing a decrease of 0.10% and 0.15% compared to last month. What attract future buyers! For example, a couple borrowed 200,000 euros in twenty years will earn 35,520 euros if he buys now, with a rate to 4.05% compared to October 2008 (with a rate of 5.40%). The least expensive region is the South West with 3.90% in fifteen years and 4% in twenty years. Empruntis also notes that the gap between regions is reduced: 0.5% between the cheapest and most expensive.This result can be explained by the fierce competition that will deliver major networks and regional mutual funds.

In his memo on the economy published earlier this week, the Fnaim believes that "out of financial crisis, improved conditions for distribution of mortgage loans to households is favorable to borrowers." Lower interest rates of nearly 130 basis points since November 2008 makes it possible to compensate the shortening of the duration of loans observed since 2008. This decrease is the "welcome" because it constitutes "a sort of remission for the poorest households, previously convicted of certain debt on to almost three quarters of the time devoted to their careers."

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