The Crisis Impact Automotive

Detroit - North America Area, which also includes the United States, this is a land that promises dollars for the automotive producers, mainly from Japan and South Korea. However, the biggest market is now starting dimmed with many more cars' hangouts' displayed in the space. What actually happened?
During February, almost all car manufacturers experienced a decrease in sales. Many of their products and consumers not glazed only occupy the displayed space. The marketing effort is no longer serve the busy consumers who want to do the test drive. They seemed busy looking for strategies to cars that can be immediately brought to the consumer garage.

The dark cloud gloom not only U.S. manufacturer, the manufacturer, but also producers of simple Japanese giant Toyota classmates. If Toyota is also impact to sales decline, meaning the problem is also very difficult. This conditions not only experienced by the automotive industry, but also markets other industries. This is all because of the credit crisis housing high-risk (sub-prime mortgage), which destroy the banking and financial industry in Wellesley is the largest economy.

With tight credit, consumers no longer have donated their car showrooms. They can only eager see the new cars from the back glass room. The factory of the biggest car show world, General Motors (GM), during February only able to sell 268,737 units of vehicles. This means decreased 12.9% compared to the same period the previous year. The same fate also suffered Toyota, Ford and Chrysler.
But the strange, car sales decline was not donated their two big Japanese manufacturers, Honda and Nissan. Manufacturers number two and three of Japan claimed achieve this increase in sales compared to February 2007.

Automotive News Data Center report, the new car market in the U.S. are still experiencing pressure early this year. Achievement of sales compared to February last year, the U.S. market during the month of record sales volume and 1.17 million units, or 6.3% fall. Even the number of accumulation sales in January and February 2008 a record number only 2.22 million units took down 5.4% compared to the same period of 2007.

"February is a time for the entire industry in the United States," said Vice President of Sales, Service and Marketing GM, Mark lanave.

Among the factories that oppressed during February this year is Toyota, the sales plunged 2.8%, compared to the same month last year. Toyota, which in February 2008 to sell 187,330 units, last month only sell 182,169 units (down 5,161 units).
Three-quarter money is Toyota with Chrysler. The manufacturer now take viable partner of India is suffering a decline of 14% compared to February 2007. Chrysler last month only sell 150,093 units, while 174,506 in January unit.The number two largest factory in the U.S., Ford, the star-crossed. In the middle
labor issues that will still continue to disrupt, Ford sales to decline 6.7% in February compared to last, 2007, or only sold 196,060 units. According to Ford, the impact of the reduction in the number of fleet by 20% by the company renting the vehicle.

Despite suffering a decline, but Ford sales record last month in U.S. history. For the first time since June 2007 Ford sales are in the top of Toyota, GM or two after. This blessing Focus hatchback sedan, which experienced growth of 10.6% compared to the same month of 2007.

Honda has a different fate. In the first two months 2008, the giant Japanese manufacturer that produces automobile gasoline is not hungry to record sales increase 1.5% from the same period of 2007. In February 2008, Honda sales reaching 115,397 units. This is up 4.9% from the same month last year, which sell 110,026 units.

While the sales decline of 0.8% in their luxury car division, Acura, Honda is able to increase sales 1.9% for the category of light trucks. Company led Takéo Province Fukui is also suitably grateful to the Fit / Jazz, Pilot and CR-V, the big contributed to the increase in sales.

Performance also experienced the slick Nissan, which this year's target of three incoming sales in the world. Compared to February last year, gaining sales recorded 86,219 units during the second month this year, or up 1.2%.

Murano SUV is the latest achievement of the notes dominate the Nissan last month. Nissan says the Murano to sell 10,074 units over the last month. While the Versa sedan, Altima, Maxima and experienced sales growth of 15.4%. The players in the 'central plank', such as Mazda and Suzuki, also achieve increased sales throughout February compared to last year. Suzuki noted increased 2.5%, while Mazda 6.7%.
With obscure the future of the U.S. economy, which also impact by high oil prices and weak currency to U.S. dollar, the possibility of marketing the car will still be waiting to bite the finger that consumers never come.

Honda Resign from F1

Trimming Program Budget Team Get New ammunition

Tokyo, Friday - Honda surrender. Giant car manufacturer is not strong again sponsor their participation in the Formula One arena. Secession, in a press conference that dramatic progress in Tokyo, Japan, Friday (5 / 12). Now there are three buyers are ready to become the new owner of F1 team Honda.
In addition to announcing the secession Honda, CEO of Honda Motor Takéo Province Fukui also convey apology to the fans, pebalap, team staff, and managers of F1. "Decisions made in this difficult situation faced by the morose world automotive industry, which triggered the problems of housing credit in the United States," said Fukui.

He emphasized, season 2008 is the last season at the Honda F1 scene. Besides no longer the owner of the team, Honda also no longer supply engines. "Five years from now I think history will show that we have made the right decision," said Fukui.

Honda first F1 race in the arena in 1964. Four years later because they want to retreat to focus on the development of small-sized passenger car. In the 1983-1992 Honda F1 back to carry as engine suppliers. Honda engine behind victory Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.

Between 1993 and 1998 Honda also become a supplier of engine, in collaboration with Mugen Motorsports. At that time, Honda consider seriously the possibility to re-appear as konstruktor.

In 2000, Honda supplies engines to the BAR team and the Jordan Grand Prix. In 2004 Honda buy 45 percent shares BAR team from British American Tobacco (BAT). Honda a year and then buy the remaining 55 percent share to become sole owner of BAR team.

Starts 2006 teams name changed to Honda F1 team. In the same year they achieve victory by Jenson Button in Hungary. In 2007 Honda anjlok performance. From the original ranks fourth forum konstruktor 2006, Honda close 2007 in eighth position. In 2008, Honda is in the order in the ninth.

Three buyers

Honda F1 Team CEO Nick Fry is optimistic his team can designate the 2009 season. "In the last 12 hours, we have three people who buy a team so serious," said Fry told the BBC Radio 5.

F1 boss manager, Bernie Ecclestone, the team, Honda is a great team. "They intended to penetrate four major 2009. They have spent so much money can achieve that position. Anyone who wants to jump to F1 should see this team to be purchased, "he said.

Honda pullback to make the International Automobile Federation (FIA) had new ammunition in the team to approve the proposed harmonization engine. In the past several years, the FIA have proposed trimming incentive spending teams. The budget team considered too big and almost absurd that it can become a form of bankruptcy boomerang team participants. (AFP / i)