The Chinese company recently finalised it's purchase of Volvo from the Ford Motor for US$1.5bn.
BTW, just check out the new S60 from Volvo.
Showing posts with label industry news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label industry news. Show all posts
Volvo wants to build large luxury saloon
According to an article in the Financial Times, Li Shufu, the new chairman of Volvo and co-chair of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, wants to build a car to compete with the likes of the "to compete with the BMW 7-Series and Mercedes S-class".
The Chinese company recently finalised it's purchase of Volvo from the Ford Motor for US$1.5bn.
BTW, just check out the new S60 from Volvo.
The Chinese company recently finalised it's purchase of Volvo from the Ford Motor for US$1.5bn.
BTW, just check out the new S60 from Volvo.
Good news for UK car industry
The UK car industry finally has some good news. Business Secretary Lord Mandelson today outlined a loan package potentially worth up to £2.3bn.
This includes a scheme to unlock £1.3bn of European loans and a government guarantee for up to £1bn of further loans.
The news was welcomed by Jaguar Land Rover and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
This includes a scheme to unlock £1.3bn of European loans and a government guarantee for up to £1bn of further loans.
The news was welcomed by Jaguar Land Rover and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
UK Car Industry in Trouble
Just last month, Tata the new owners of Jaguar and Land Rover announced that 850 workers could lose their jobs. This was following a meeting with Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary and attended by 17 senior representatives from the troubled motor industry. The representatives wanted a rescue package.
Today, the latest figures show that sales of new cars in the UK have fallen tremendously. The annual fall was the biggest since June 1980 - that's in 28 years. Read the BBC report: 'New car sales fall by one-third'.
Today, the latest figures show that sales of new cars in the UK have fallen tremendously. The annual fall was the biggest since June 1980 - that's in 28 years. Read the BBC report: 'New car sales fall by one-third'.
Tata to create 700 jobs in the UK
Indian car maker, Tata recently announced a £ 700 million investment plan with the creation of 600 jobs at Jaguar Land Rover. It is also launching a new programme to recruit new graduate engineers in September. That's great news for the Midlands.
I have no idea why but unlike other companies, there is absolutely no news about this in both the Jaguar or the Land Rover sites. Only got to read bout it in the local newspaper.
I have no idea why but unlike other companies, there is absolutely no news about this in both the Jaguar or the Land Rover sites. Only got to read bout it in the local newspaper.
Asian brands beat American brands in the US
According to a report in the International Herald Tribune, the three big US car makers, namely, General Motors, Ford Motor and Chrysler, combined sold less than (44.4 %) than the Asian brands - 10 brands in total (48.1 %) for the first time ever. The data was provided by the Autodata Corporation.
Amazingly, Toyota overtook GM in United States sales.
The drop in sales of pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles with growth in sales of compact cars show that consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about fuel economy of their cars.
Read the full report here: U.S. cars lose to Asian rivals for first time
Amazingly, Toyota overtook GM in United States sales.
The drop in sales of pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles with growth in sales of compact cars show that consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about fuel economy of their cars.
Read the full report here: U.S. cars lose to Asian rivals for first time
American car companies not doing that great
David Welch asks "Why Detroit is Stuck in Second Gear".
It's quite puzzling considering that Japanese brands are doing OK over there. It's not even a case of cheap imports to the US anymore as the Japanese companies are building their cars for the US markets in plants over there.
Is it styling, after sales service or are they really cheaper than the American brands?
It's quite puzzling considering that Japanese brands are doing OK over there. It's not even a case of cheap imports to the US anymore as the Japanese companies are building their cars for the US markets in plants over there.
Is it styling, after sales service or are they really cheaper than the American brands?
BP factory in Whiting controversy
During my idealistic college days I was actively involved with a few environmental groups and during those times, I always viewed the oil companies as the villains - the worst environmental polluters. As I got older and wiser, I slowly realised that my extreme views might not necessarily be true. This may be partly due to the fact that I am surrounded by a lot of people in the oil industry, including my own family.
I realise that the oil industry players are aware of their social responsibilities and do contribute to minimise the environmental impact of their industrial activities. Now, whenever there is a controversy relating to a petroleum company, I do try to give them a chance to give their side of the story instead of rushing off to their gates with playcards to stage a protest as I might have done earlier.
One of the more recent controversies involve BP and their Factory in Whiting, Indiana. An article in the Chicago Tribune came heavily down on them, saying that
I am sure that any environmentally aware person would have a negative perception about the plant after reading the article. However, I only learnt later that this article does miss out on some facts.
Only treated water is released into Lake Michigan (more than 99.9% water) from the factory and not sludge. The sludge is treated seperately and not released into the lake. The discharge from the factory is also well within legal limits and even then. it will still be less than half of that allowed by federal environmental guidelines.
I was quite pleased to learn that the refinery voluntarily reduced total suspended solids in its water discharge by 40% in just the past four years. BP has also announced plans to invest about $150 million to enhance the refinery’s wastewater treatment capability. I am sure BP plans to work closely and in a transparent manner with the authorities, the environmental groups and most importantly, the local communities that live near the lake.
Check out the BP Whiting Refinery Fact Sheet for yourself.
I realise that the oil industry players are aware of their social responsibilities and do contribute to minimise the environmental impact of their industrial activities. Now, whenever there is a controversy relating to a petroleum company, I do try to give them a chance to give their side of the story instead of rushing off to their gates with playcards to stage a protest as I might have done earlier.
One of the more recent controversies involve BP and their Factory in Whiting, Indiana. An article in the Chicago Tribune came heavily down on them, saying that
the massive BP oil refinery in Whiting, Ind., is planning to dump significantly more ammonia and industrial sludge into Lake Michigan, running counter to years of efforts to clean up the Great Lakes.
I am sure that any environmentally aware person would have a negative perception about the plant after reading the article. However, I only learnt later that this article does miss out on some facts.
Only treated water is released into Lake Michigan (more than 99.9% water) from the factory and not sludge. The sludge is treated seperately and not released into the lake. The discharge from the factory is also well within legal limits and even then. it will still be less than half of that allowed by federal environmental guidelines.
I was quite pleased to learn that the refinery voluntarily reduced total suspended solids in its water discharge by 40% in just the past four years. BP has also announced plans to invest about $150 million to enhance the refinery’s wastewater treatment capability. I am sure BP plans to work closely and in a transparent manner with the authorities, the environmental groups and most importantly, the local communities that live near the lake.
Check out the BP Whiting Refinery Fact Sheet for yourself.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
