Automotive News - June 2, 2008 - (Page 30P)

As consolidation and restructuring remains steady in the automotive industry, strategically managing the M&A process from start to finish is integral to creating and sustaining value. Learn how our transaction services professionals can help guide you through every step of the process from identifying strategic partners to supporting your efforts after the deal is complete. Download our latest edition of Automotive M&A Insights “Drive Value”, and learn more about what to expect at www.pwc.com/auto Mexican suppliers expect sales record in ’08 Stephen Downer autonews@crain.com drive value.* *connectedthinking © 2008 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP All rights reserved. “PricewaterhouseCoopers” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or, as the context requires, the PricewaterhouseCoopers . global network or other member firms of the network, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity. *connectedthinking is a trademark of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (US). MEXICO CITY — Mexico-based suppliers will increase their sales 4 percent this year, the country’s national auto parts association, INA, predicts. The rise comes despite a slowdown in the U.S. new-vehicle market. Exports to markets other than the United States are fueling the gains. Last year’s sales by Mexico-based suppliers set an industry record. Through January, the latest month for which data are available, suppliers in Mexico have seen 35 successive months of growth. “We’re expecting sales of $29.7 billion, up from $28.6 billion in 2007,” Agustin Rios, INA’s interim president, told reporters last month. INA stands for Industria Nacional de Autopartes. Rios said sales by suppliers with operations in Mexico totaled $2.58 billion in January, up 15.4 percent from January 2007. Suppliers are benefiting from the fact that some automakers in Mexico have diversified their export markets, Rios said. They now rely less on the United States. For example, Nissan Mexicana, a unit of Nissan Motor Co., exports vehicles to 60 countries — 35 in the Americas and 25 in Europe. Through the first four months, Mexico’s light-vehicle exports totaled 532,351, up 18.5 percent from a year earlier, according to Mexico’s automotive industry association, AMIA. In April alone, exports jumped 30.6 percent to 144,234. While the United States remains the largest export market for Mexico’s vehicles, it trails other markets in its growth pace. Through April, shipments to the United States accounted for 71.5 percent of Mexico’s light-vehicle exports. U.S.-bound vehicles totaled 380,483, up 10.9 percent. That was well ahead of the 7.7 percent drop in U.S. light-vehicle sales in the first four months of 2008. AMIA said exports to the European Union soared 70.9 percent in the first four months, to 76,642. EU-bound vehicles accounted for 14.4 percent of Mexico’s light-vehicle exports. AMIA, the Asociacion Mexicana de la Industria Automotriz, said that through April, automakers also exported 11,370 vehicles to Asia, a 36-fold surge. c Vehicle interiors by IAC. Our heritage, your advantage. To learn more about IAC’s rich heritage, visit www.IACgroup.com. 30P Automotive News JUNE 2, 2008 http://www.pwc.com/auto http://www.pwc.com/auto http://www.IACgroup.com http://www.IACgroup.com

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Automotive News - June 2, 2008 Gas prices fuel industry's new era Chrysler faces tricky dealer mergers Honda may crank out more Civics in N.A. Mercedes will move into Chrysler Pacifica studio Ford to offer hatchback version of Fiesta Prestige Automotive sells stores but keeps Black Enterprise top spot Dealership marketers take to text messaging Senate to hear personal pleas on roof crush rule Magazine: Chrysler, Fiat are talking Former Fla. dealer gets jail for bilking bank That guy Alfred had possibilities Ford will make next Mustang look smaller Pontiac subcompact may come to U.S. GM: Battery glitch cuts hybrid sales Porsche exec: CAFE 'will not change our nature' Japanese rivals race for lithium batteries Jatco boosts CVT capacity in Mexico for N.A. vehicles Mercury deserves a better chance Rising gas prices have changed the U.S. market Marketing and sales: Context and content Mexico's Nemak grows beyond North America Buyers didn't quit GM; GM quit on its buyers Brand perceptions change slowly Bloggers are journalists, too Nice HQ, Nissan, but where's Nobe? Chrysler's Chernoby: Growing up gearhead Picture this Mitsubishi hopes new gearbox widens Evo's appeal Openlane gets funds Obituaries Survey: Going green can get your auto ad noticed Inrix: Router can reduce traffic delays Mazda6 gets own platform for U.S. ... sort of Mazda6 set to take on mid-sized sedan heavyweights Troubled or not, the United States still beckons What's next? More transplant models headed this way Exports help as Mitsubishi sorts things out Irma Elder: 'This is one of the toughest times we have had' Fitzgerald: Dealers, consumers need alliance Can Bertone design a comeback? Family-owned business struggles for survival Some design houses fall on tough times Hughes: Not a subscriber? No problem American Axle lines up new non-U.S. business GM think tank works to boost service business Toyota offers gas card as tire incentive VW turns to common software to develop products Continental's Calif. office targets Asian carmakers ZF sees chassis, axle opportunities in N.A. Flex: A new Ford image ... or just over the top? Ford targeted Flex interior quiet, ride Ex-dealership managers say firings were over religion Dealers Genesis in Toledo: It's a long story Back woes sideline Nardelli GM: 19,000 take buyouts Panama to head Nissan Mexicana Wilhite jumps to Jumpstart Dauch sons move up, out Kozyra leaves Continental Ford to lay off salaried staff More small cars to arrive in 2009-10 Even on used market, big trucks go begging Auto advertisers adopt mpg mantra Industry to motorists: We're here to help Diesel prices hit suppliers' Mexico sites Can Camry catch F series? Leno's words of wisdom for automakers Nissan's carbon credits ease global warming guilt Automotive CEOs' pay pales next to peers' Year of the Small Car can't come too soon Foreign suppliers adding capacity in Southeast From cows to kimchi: Making Alabama sweet home for Koreans After light-truck push, cars are king again Mexican suppliers expect sales record in '08

Automotive News - June 2, 2008

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