Mekonemens struggels to get into the black

Sweden's Mekonomen continues to see red figures following its acqusition of Danish A. Østergaard in 2002. However, Mekonomen will radically change its distribution net for the sencond half of 2007 to focus on improved customer service.

More on the news (in Danish): http://www.motormagasinet.dk/artikel/VisArtikel.aspx?SiteID=MM&Lopenr=109030048

Aftermarket in China worth 19 billion US withn 3 years

China became the words second largest car maket last year. By 2010 it is estimated that there will more than 55 million cars on the road. Of these app. 40% will have reached an age were they require larger maintenace repairs. In total the swervice aftermarket is estimated to be worth app. 107 billion DKK within the next 3 years.

More on this news (in Danish): http://www.motormagasinet.dk/artikel/VisArtikel.aspx?SiteID=MM&Lopenr=108270036

Champion Spark Plug celebrates its 100 years anniversary

Federal-Mogul launces an extensive advertising campaign to celebrate the Champion Spark plug's 100th anniversary.

More on the anniversary here: http://www.imakenews.com/dealersf/e_article000889227.cfm

China Automakers booming

China's largest automaker: 'Shanghai Automotive Co' has reported a 358% increase in first-half net profit!! Vechile production rose from 682000 units to 840000 units.

More on the news: http://www.autoindustry.co.uk/news/22-08-07_1

75 Mph on AA batteries!!

192 AA bateries powers a racer to 75mph!

Bosch to take on low-price car challenges

BOSCH sees a future trend with an increase in low price vehicles, driven by market uptake from the developing markets. The trend towards cheaper cars will affect the market for automotive electronics as the price level will drop. BOSCH sees three strategies to meet this challenge:

1. Simplify existing standard products
2. Adopt cheaper products from even cheaper vechiles e.g. motorcycles
3. Develop specific components. As an example BOSCH has developed an ignition coil which can supply two different ignition energy levels.

More on future trends as seen by Robert Bosch, here: http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=201801393

Visteon downgrade on poor US car sales

Suppliers Tenneco Inc. and Visteon Corp. stand to do the worst if weak U.S. auto sales continue. On the flip side, BorgWarner Inc. and TRWAutomotive Inc. are best positioned for a market downturn because they rely less on North American markets, the report said.

See the full story here: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070820/REG/70820003/1170/rss11&rssfeed=rss11

Delphi to sell catalyst business to Umicore

In their ongoing effort to refine their product portfolio, Delphi yesterday received approval fro the US Bankruptcy Court for the sale of assets related to the company's global OE and Aftermarket catalyst business to Umicore for $75 million.

Ful story here: http://delphi.wieck.com/pressSingle/value=DEL2007081649893

Automotive Batteries Trends

A fresh market report from Just-Auto predicts that the trend in ever increasing need for vehicle electricity will most likely cause the auto industry to start using two batteries: - one for starting and another for 'general purpose'

See the full story here: http://www.just-auto.com/store/product.aspx?id=45061&lk=rotw_arch

Automotive Electrical Products Market to Reach US$52 Billion by 2010

According to a new research report by GLO the World Automotice Electrical Products market are estimated to reach US$ 52 billion by 2010 with Europe as the largest geographical market (27,83% of of 2006), while the APAC and LA are forecast to out grow all others in terms of growth rate.

More on this story:
http://pr-gb.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5271&Itemid=9

Valeo Creates a New Joint Venture in India With Minda

Velea has entered into a JV with Minda for the production of Starters and Alternators. THe new company will be called Valeo Minda Electrical Systems and be owned 66,7% by Valeo and the remaining 33,3% by Minda.

Currently the total market for these products are estimated to around 1,5 million units a year with an anual growth rate of app. 9%.

See the full story here:
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/07/24/055988.html

Chinese supplier Wonder Auto to list on Nasdaq

Chinas´'s second largest manufacture of automotive electrical parts has been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Global Market. To see the full story follow this link:
http://www.autoindustry.co.uk/news/07-08-07_13