European shares get boost from Iran nuclear deal

LONDON, November 25, 2009 of Reuters)--European shares led to a five year-high, and Germany's DAX set a new record on Monday with airline stocks and French automakers getting a big boost from nuclear agreement signed between the Iran and world powers.

The deal eased geopolitical tensions and raised risk appetite in markets worldwide, as the West sanctions against the Iran in return for Tehran relaxed curbing its nuclear programme at least temporarily.

Travel and leisure stocks rose 1.6 percent, led top sectoral gainers, airlines.

Energy stocks pressure on oil prices after the deal that included hitting the easing of a ban on European insurance for shipments of Iranian oil, the smooth Iran's crude oil exports can help its major Asian customers.

"The Iran deal helps risk-sensitive stocks in the short term, but the equity risk premium is only slightly lower and shares have only a little bit higher, came," Jeremy Batstone-Carr, analyst at Charles Stanley, said.

"It's a good start, but it is too early to say what will be the long-term effects of the transaction."

IAG, the owner of British Airways and Iberia, rose by 2.4 percent, Air France-KLM advanced 1.8 percent and EasyJet gained 1.3 percent.

French automaker PSA Peugeot Citroen and Renault, which had a considerable threat to the Iranian car market of Western sanctions on Tehran have been tightened, 4.6 per cent and 1 per cent or won. Energy stocks fell but 0.6 percent.

1531 GMT was the Pan European FTSEurofirst 300 0.4 percent at 1.301,72 points, while Germany's DAX Rose 0.8 percent, close set a record high.

The volatility index VSTOXX, widely followed barometer for investor nerves about the market touched its lowest level since 2007.

The eurozone blue chip-Euro STOXX 50 index rose 0.4 percent to 3.068,48 points, with technical analysts positive on the index-Outlook.

"The measured tendency of the Euro STOXX 50 index remains optimistic and positive with the climb of the 200-day moving average," said Murray Gunn, Director of technical analysis at the HSBC Bank.

He saw that the support the index at their recent the 3.016 low and a movement among 2.999, said a deeply on 8 November the first sign would be that the trend changed.

Among top individual moving German dialysis provider Fresenius Medical care rose by 7.5 per cent, the top gainer on the FTSEurofirst 300, according to a US Healthcare Agency, said it would not cut reimbursement rates for kidney dialysis 2014 as was proposed in July.

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'Green' car makers look for boost in second Obama term

Paul A. Eisenstein , NBC News contributor

President Barack Obama’s support for the 2009 auto industry bailout turned out to be critical to his successful re-election bid.

And with Obama re-elected, at least one segment of the industry is breathing a bit easier, as manufacturers of so-called “green” cars count on continued support in the form of federal subsidies and tax credits.

But it remains to be seen how far Obama will go in supporting green cars in his second term. The industry has been struggling for sales in a marketplace that still overwhelmingly supports traditional internal-combustion vehicles, despite volatile gas prices and big federal tax incentives for electric cars.

Even if Obama decides to spend more political capital on the industry, he is likely to run into opposition from the Republican-controlled House.

The Electric Drive Transportation Association, which represents makers of hybrid and electric cars, said it “looks forward to continuing its work with President Obama and the newly elected Congress to advance technology innovation that will diversify our transportation fuels.”

The industry had been caught in the crossfire of the presidential campaign, with Republican challenger Mitt Romney signaling a disdain for green energy championed by Obama, especially if it required financial backing from the federal government. He opposed credits for wind energy and signaled opposition for tougher mileage standards, backed by Obama, that would push average fleet standard to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.

Pressure from House conservatives all but froze a program intended to help fund the development of high-mileage, alternate power vehicles – especially after the failure of solar cell manufacturer Solyndra, which had received over $400 million in government loans. California-based Fisker Automotive had its low-interest loans frozen, forcing it to delay launch of its second model, the Atlantic, as it set out to raise cash through traditional channels.

Tesla Motors, another Silicon Valley start-up, is under pressure to pay back its government loans as quickly as possible, putting pressure on that maker’s balance sheet even as it struggles to ramp up production of its new Model S battery-electric sedan.

The battery car market has gotten off to a sluggish start, with total sales in the U.S. barely reaching 20,000 units last year.

As for plug-in cars, the Chevrolet Volt has sold about 19,000 units nationwide as of the end of October, meaning it is likely to barely reach half its 45,000 unit target for 2012.

Sales of the Nissan Leaf, a battery-electric model, have declined, with sales of just 6,791 in the first 10 months of 2012, compared with about 10,000 sold in all of 2011.

Recent months have seen a flood of new green entries from makers like Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi and Ford, with still more coming to U.S. showrooms by early 2013. That includes pure battery-electric offerings like the Toyota RAV4-EV and Ford’s plug-in hybrid C-Max and Fusion Energi models.

With so many makers struggling for viability in what is still a niche market, Obama’s re-election was “the best thing” possible for the industry, said analyst David Sullivan of AutoPacific.

“If there was a change in Washington, DC we were likely to see less government incentives for (electric) vehicle purchases or charging stations,” said Sullivan. “The barrier to entry would have been that much harder for consumers, making it just that much harder for (the industry) to succeed.”

Battery vehicle sales would all but certainly slide even further were the federal government to eliminate or reduce tax credits worth up to $7,500 on qualifying vehicles. And there is significant hope among industry leaders that Obama will push for the expanded incentives he had proposed earlier this year.

That could include raiseing the maximum tax credit to $10,000. Obama also has proposed providing the tax credit up front, rather than forcing consumers to wait for tax time to get the refund.

It remains to be seen whether the White House will renew the call for expanded incentives or try to renew the low-interest loans for the auto and energy industry – though that seems unlikely in the near-term with Congress and the White House facing the need to address the so-called “fiscal cliff” before year-end.

Even so, there remains guarded optimism that battery vehicle sales will do better in the year to come. The continuing rise in fuel prices – despite occasional downward blips like the country is now experiencing – should lead more motorists to look for alternatives. And with still more products coming to market, the auto industry will be glad to oblige.

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Tough economy gives boost to auto ‘aftermarket’

Handout / Reuters

A Camaro concept car was among the new models introduced at last week's trade show for the automotive "aftermarket."

By Paul A. Eisenstein

Car manufacturers might still be struggling to emerge from the depths of the industry’s worst downturn since the Great Depression, but the so-called “aftermarket” is firing on all cylinders — perhaps in part because of the weak economy.

Forced to hang on to their cars longer than normal, American motorists are spending more on maintenance, and that’s a big portion of the estimated $30 billion in annual revenues generated by some 6,700 car parts manufacturers, distributors and retailers who make up the Specialty Equipment Market Association.

Car owners can shake off their boredom by dressing up their old car with some new features, perhaps some new alloy wheels, a custom grille, sports seats or even an entirely new, high-performance crate motor, like the one introduced by Chevrolet at this year’s SEMA trade show.

The annual event is a showcase of just about everything automotive — everything from air fresheners to wild (and sometimes wacky) concept vehicles.

Nearly 2,000 different exhibitors crammed into the sprawling Las Vegas Convention Center last week to pitch their wares to more than 135,000 wide-eyed attendees from over 100 countries.

“It certainly demonstrates there’s a reason to be optimistic about the future of the auto industry,” said Peter McGillivray, the trade group’s vice president of marketing, as he stared out at one of the convention center’s crowded halls.

With one of the largest stands at the million-square-foot show, Chevrolet created a life-size “Hot Wheels” track to show off a custom Camaro painted in an eye-popping metallic green. Dubbed the “Chevy Hot Wheels Camaro Concept,” it’s currently a one-off for the annual automotive extravaganza, though executives of the carmaker hinted they could find a place for it in the growing Camaro line-up.

The Chevrolet display also featured a dozen different concepts based on its new Sonic subcompact — from the Sonic All Activity Vehicle, designed by racing great Ricky Carmichael, to the Sonic Boom, a prototype featuring two large subwoofers and 10 six-inch midrange speakers mounted in the rear hatch in a pair of turbine engine-like clusters.

The annual SEMA show was originally designed as a showcase for automotive suppliers and vendors, and sure enough there were plenty of exhibitors who’ve come up with a great idea, cobbled together a prototype in their garage and showed up hoping to sell some of their new widgets.

But automakers like Chevrolet have also ramped up their presence in recent years.

Chris Perry, Chevy’s vice president of marketing, suggests the show provides “a great canvas” to pitch its products to those who influence market trends. Indeed, SEMA’s McGillivray contends that the show and other organization events “can influence as (many) as one million vehicle purchases a year.”

That’s why the roll call for automakers has steadily expanded over the years, with 11 manufacturers attending this year’s event, including Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota.

The Japanese automaker’s luxury brand, Lexus, used the 2011 SEMA Show to reveal its all-new GS F Sport. In years past, that introduction would likely have been staged at a more traditional event, like the upcoming Los Angeles auto show.

Hyundai, meanwhile, unveiled a half-dozen concept vehicles, including the ARK Performance Veloster, a prototype of the turbocharged hatchback that it will bring to market next year.

“SEMA is a place where two worlds collide,” said John Krafcik, chief executive of Hyundai Motor America. “And when they do some amazing things happen.”

Officials at Kia, the Korean carmaker’s sibling brand, agree, suggesting that appearing at SEMA has helped transform the maker’s image, putting an emphasis on styling and performance, rather than just rock-bottom pricing.

The SEMA Show has evolved in other ways.

While performance parts — like fast-shifting gearboxes and supercharged motors — were the show’s original focus, there has also been what McGillivray calls a “mind-boggling” growth in the number of vendors showing off their mobile electronics gear.

That’s no surprise. With roads more crowded than ever, fuel prices hovering just below record levels and tough new mileage standards going into effect, motorists are looking for other ways to improve the performance of their cars.

Like completely updating a car’s interior.

“We’ll manufacture the interior in a day” and install it a day later, suggested Brooks Mayberry, the CEO of Katzkin — a SEMA member that produces customized replacement leather seats and finishes for more than 2,000 different vehicles.

The firm recently signed a deal with national dealer chain CarMax to offer both used and new car buyers the chance to upgrade their vehicles. And the company was at SEMA hoping to drum up even more business.

Insight on the automaker's plan to bring back the Chevy Colorado pick-up truck, adding jobs, with Daniel Akerson, General Motors chairman/CEO and CNBC's Phil LeBeau. Ackerson adds GM is cautiously optimistic about 2012 projects.

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Automakers in quest to boost fuel efficiency

Mazda offers a glimpse into his new crossover, the CX-5, made his debut on next month Frankfurt Motor Show will make. While the practical application of the new Kodo-design language, the Japanese manufacturer shows shaped styling, what is really important hidden under the hood.

SkyActiv drive train to the Mazda CX-5 and other products provide a significant bump in performance, and perhaps more importantly is in fuel consumption. How Mazda wrestles his opponents better mileage to meet consumer demand - a push, which will come to shove, now, that the Obama administration has adopted plans to increase the companies mpg 2025 average fuel economy, or CAFE, standard on 54.5.

This is a modest retreat from earlier proposals that as high as 62 mpg have extended would, but although leader grudgingly that new rules approved, they warn that it will be expensive and difficult a challenge to achieve a significant number of technological breakthroughs necessary make.

Here it is life Inc.: most everyone is on vacation and you are not, and the few that are in the Office expect to get things done. Here is how to look like you are. Automakers in search for boost fuel pump efficiency life Inc.: costs, ensure the mothers to most life Inc.: $175 million has Highert "for sale" price in United States 2010 was a great year for (stolen) American cars

"Obviously, there is much uncertainty,"Said Jim Lentz, Toyota top American Executive", which is why we roll out and test a number of alternative fuel options."

In fact, is as GM retired, but still very active "car Czar," Bob Lutz, likes to say: "There is no silver bullet."

What probably see drivers in their driveway in 2025 due to a changed?

On the front of Powertrain:

Internal combustion engine is not removed, not soon, as well as always, gasoline engines going so are also more complex forms of the direct injection, more aggressive Turbo-charging and possibly the use of lasers to replace conventional spark plugs. New and still clean diesel are announced almost certainly migration from Europe to the US hope of Chevrolet to obtain more than 50 mpg on the highway with the diesel-powered Cruze sedan, which last month. More speed, as the 9-speed Chrysler developed, while more cars "Manumatic" or domes switches manuals, add automatic transmission. Redundancies will be essential. Ford is working on a 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder version of its EcoBoost, while V-8 performance can transmit pint-sized V 6s in their large F-series trucks. A number of experts believe that the new CAFE rules cannot force, the industry increasingly migrate towards alternatives to the combustion engine.

A possibility is OPOC, developed by Detroit-based EcoMotors international.

Abbreviation for "opposed piston/against cylinder," run of the module can claim a wide range of fuels and advocates that it can deliver a fraction of the size of a conventional engine significantly improved fuel economy from a package. The claims are with Microsoft founder Bill Gates, resonance, which pumped enough money into the stock start up, studied during ways to use the technology in its large trucks truck manufacturer Navistar International.

There are a number of other alternative engines is touted as a response to the challenge of CAFE, but they all have a major hurdle: automakers reluctant to such a big change, because they were so heavily in the development and production of conventional gas and diesel drives have invested.

"There are around a lot of juice, Orange, links", says AutoPacific analyst Dave Sullivan, of the current internal combustion engine. "But in the location, the cost to distribute" decision-makers alternatives, such as OPOC, can hold around the world can only the door to alternative propulsion.

It is almost certainly increased use of battery technologies. Only a few to take the electric vehicle, at any time soon expect - without large battery breakthroughs. However, expect that more and more gas - and diesel electric models in different flavors to see; mild, full and plug-in.

Up to 2025 planners believe almost every car, some basic battery technology, starting with so-called stop/start systems offer. Come to a light or wait in a fast-food line and the engine is switched off automatically, immediately, a new start, if you lift your foot from the brake.

Perhaps the most radical Powertrain solution would the country's vehicle fleet to hydrogen makes migrate. Fuel cell vehicles will offer the advantage in addition to producing nothing but water vapor as their exhaust.

Other significant technical changes will require also the extended. Industrial designer place a premium on aerodynamics, wind was designs, the location of the promotion of the vehicle fuel consumption of 5, 10, even 20 percent, if well already. A number of new models, including the Cruze eco use shutters to shut off the grille and drag to reduce, if cool running engines. Don't be surprised to see side view mirror go away, tiny cameras and car monitors replaced.

Tomorrow's tires will continue rolling resistance, to reduce - with new rubber or synthetic compounds - and advanced tread designs.

How much of America today's cars have won wishes for more comfortable seats, loud stereos and car navigation systems much weight over the years partially due to legal requirements, but also because of the consumer.

Toyota has paired with JBL green edge-audio system to develop, which cuts half of the weight of the sound system with the new Prius V and next-generation Camry.

BMW make extensive use of strong and yet ultra-light carbon fiber on his new i3 and i8 models, the first two entries in a new battery car sub-brand. The German automaker has invested heavily in the expensive composite from a niche to mainstream material efforts to transform and was able to show you the results on the small mini Rocketman she developed.

It has lost many other technologies, which is to capture the new CAFE rules - and even stiffer European mileage requirements — demand, systems, and reuse of energy, usually heat.

One thing is certain: the cars of 2025 are so sophisticated that they look like the average car of the 2011 is about as primitive as wagon today seems us do.

© 2011 msnbc.com.  Reprints

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White House holds big boost, fuel consumption

WASHINGTON-the Obama is managing U.S. automakers say that passenger cars and light trucks to average 56.2 miles per gallon would it by 2025 - a boost of the efficiency of fuel consumption, but drive the cost of cars other than consumers money at the gas pump and help the global warming would.

Management officials floated the number of meetings last week with the Detroit three--General Motors, Ford and Chrysler - people in Government and industry with the discussion familiar. She authorized languages on condition of anonymity because they were not publicly to talk about.

While it is only a starting point, the figure of the first note the Government may be routed from where, how it works a 2017-2025 fuel consumption set standard. Last year, protection agency said the Transport Department and the environmental, somewhere would keep mpg a federal standard between 47 mpg and 62.

The upper end of the range would be a massive shift in which Americans drive. An analysis of the Government found that about half of the lineup of new vehicles would have to be gas-electric hybrids among the most aggressive standards. To reach the technology had a 56-mpg standard according to Administration estimates, would be $2,100 to $2,600 to add the price of a car. But because less fuel would need the vehicles owner would make the difference with fewer trips to the gas station.

Environmentalists are urging the highest standards, but automakers have so far said she would be prepared, while the next eight years on vehicles between 42.6 work and receive 46.7 miles per gallon.

The Obama administration hopes to find some common ground and reach one deal before it makes a formal proposal in September. Once a standard is reached, be communicated to other car manufacturers.

Early in 2009, the White House announced a landmark agreement with car manufacturers and States require to reach 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016 passenger cars and light commercial vehicles on average and set the first gas standards for greenhouse gas emissions from tailpipes.

The stakes are higher this time because no longer by the White House tracked legislation to curb climate change which is on the lookout for other ways to address global warming. High gasoline prices have not only to find that ways to increase supply oil, but also to reduce pressure on the Government.

"We continue to closely with a wide range of stakeholders, to develop a major standard, families save money and keep the jobs of the future here" White House spokesman of Clark Stevens in a statement said. "A final decision has not been made, and as we have made clear, want to, we propose a standard in September."

The goal of 56.2 mpg is hard, but General Motors will find way to achieve a, said Mark Reuss, North American President of the company. He would not say what would use GM technologies to achieve the goal, but he conceded that many simpler, less costly solutions are already in progress or have such as the shift to smaller engines and development been done more fuel-saving transmission.

"If you these things in put for the first time, they can be more expensive," he said. "But this is a volume and scale industry." "What was very expensive in the past is no longer very expensive."

Ford Motor Co., said in a written statement that talks with the Government continue but that it "more and more fuel economy requirements with a national program, the data-driven is supported and the impact on jobs, the economy, consumers and the safety factors....",.

Dan Becker, Director of the safe climate campaign at the Center, map showing against a security for car too many assumptions, it is more important than the norm as automakers are allowed is to be achieved.

"It is not only the number, which is what one." It is the gaps below it, "said Becker." "And automaker looks, make it dependent on number in Swiss cheese is."

Copyright 2011 associated press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Sales get boost from sweetened offers car

DETROIT - the U.S. auto sales recovery steam picked up last month with all major automotive companies, reporting double-digit gains.

General Motors co. led the way with a whopping 49 percent U.S. sales jump compared to February of last year, closely followed by Toyota Motor Corp. with a gain of 42 percent.

Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. had sales by 28 percent profits by 32% and 22% while Hyundai Motor Company.

Chrysler Group LLC and Ford Motor Co. showed much smaller increases, but Chrysler sales was still going strong with a 13 percent and Ford was at 10 percent.

Help wanted (except for you) your career: companies need hire lists include smoking, unemployed, and you, where, with the haircut. Luxury makes to a comeback for the well-to-do House, which you can get for $350,000, or just can't seem less Toyota, it in gear

The company, said Tuesday that both cars and trucks, worn pointed economy, and the U.S. automakers by a gradual improvement to strong sales of new models sold to consumers. But the sales profits for GM, of sweet financing and lease activities quotes have been juiced. While analysts were unwilling, declare a price war - and GM denied from one – it noted increase the offerings were offered to customers.

The auto-industry site TrueCar.com estimated that the automaker incentives 5 percent from January to February to an average of $2,708 per vehicle caused. Chrysler, Ford, Nissan and Toyota all offers of more than 6 percent for the month, sweetened told the website.

And the industry's enthusiasm for a quick start by 2011 is somewhat by a rapid increase in fuel prices, as a result of both increased demand and a jump in oil prices amid unrest in the Middle East.

Gain was impressive while Toyota's, with one bad year on year to a string had reached its peak with embarrassing safety recalls.

Still, the gains for February were so high that Ford top sales analyst reporter the sales rate, if, adjusted to the seasonality of the business and tells of projected for a full year, can the Government be the highest, since money for clunkers juiced sales in the summer of 2009 discounts.

GM said Don Johnson, GM Vice President of U.S. sales, GM incentives strengthened early in the year to get off to a fast start and catch rivals away from the protection.

The automaker $400 per vehicle by December, began the increases in January by increasing the incentives especially with low-interest financing and leasing offers, in the Northeastern States. You stuck in February with the offers, leads to sales of more than 207,000 cars and trucks.

But Johnson predicted that GM would back on incentives this year.

Automakers have tried from incentives, trying to sell cars and trucks, based quality, improved you on how much to wean shorn not how much you the sticker price. Incentives in the average had fallen, as the industry in financial trouble ran in 2009.

Johnson said that GM targeted incentives, especially in the Northeast, in January and February. It offered to buy driver leases and for cash to loyal GM customers for repurchases by.

Still, Johnson vowed, that GM would not return to his old ways offer great incentives only for passenger cars and trucks move, factories run to keep. Only in March 2009, GM's average incentive was spending $4.750 per vehicle, the highest level in a decade, the Web site Edmunds.

Johnson said that GM is not great incentives to keep, because it no longer has to discharge a large inventory due to the overproduction in their factories, as it was entering bankruptcy protection in 2009.

The company has 60-day supply of vehicles, the optimum for a car manufacturer.

"We are very well manage our inventory." We are not out there to drive sales production match ", he said."

He said GM products sales growth was driven by a $400 increase in incentives.

"A $400-rose not these types of share profits and sales drive profits", he said.

Johnson said that GM customers look at small cars ever more frequently since gas prices have increased, but he said that consumers still have changed not your buying habits, has noticed.

Ford, however said that some customers nationwide rose to smaller cars gas well above $3 per gallon because of the turmoil in the Middle East have been moved.

"With oil just before the $100 per barrel, and gasoline prices continue to rise, consumers regard fuel economy takes place again top billing," said Ken Czubay, Ford Vice President, U.S. sales, in a statement.

GM CEO Dan Akerson at the Geneva car show shows show against optimism for the industry, due to the rising oil prices.

"I do not believe that the industry is learnt a lot of lessons from 2008."this time is you, he said the 2008 spike in US gas prices over $4 per gallon.""

Ford sales were of the redesigned Explorer sport utility vehicle, a car-based vehicle led the better gas mileage than its predecessor, truck-based polls. She more than doubled Explorer sales in February.

Chrysler said its sales were led by the RAM truck brand, was up to 81%, and the entire Jeep lineup, which saw a 23 percent increase.

GM said sales of its full-size pickup trucks, the Chevrolet Silverado and avalanche and GMC Sierra, 65 percent compared to February of last year, another sign that the company start up, to make purchases again.

Crossover vehicles, the as are sport utilities but more efficiently, since you are car frames, saw large increases, led by the five passenger Chevrolet Equinox, which was up to 98 percent.

Toyota said sales of the Camry, the best-selling car in the United States, rose to 64 percent for the month, while the RAV4 crossover vehicle to 85 percent.

GM said its passenger car sales Cruze rose by 40 percent in February, under the direction of the new Chevrolet small car introduced late last year.

The associated press contributed to this report.

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