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Ford invests (again) in green products

Ford Motor Company is going back to its roots (soybeans specifically) and is now further investing in more eco-friendly materials and products for automobile parts - interior components front to back, seat cushions and fabrics, underbody and impact shields...

Published 28 May 2009 9:21 by Green Chemicals

Filed under: Company initiatives, Investments, R&D, Ford, soybean, biobased chemicals, automobile
Soy foam market expands

Although soy chemicals (excluding biodiesel) account for a very small portion of soybean oil consumption, this news regarding expansion of soy-based chemical development is still a very good news for the US agriculture industry. According to the United...

Published 9 Apr 2009 17:01 by Green Chemicals

Filed under: Company initiatives, Products, Investments, R&D, ICB, Ford, soybean, polyol, Cargill, foam, fats and oils
US auto sales start to bottom

The blog may be over-optimistic, but as with US house markets , it is hopeful that US auto market may have hit at least a temporary bottom. Spring should be a good period for sales, and March saw auto volumes down 37% versus 2008. This was a relatively...

Published 4 Apr 2009 21:00 by Chemicals & The Economy

Filed under: Economic growth, Financial Events, auto sales, Toyota, Chrysler, GM, Ford, unemployment
Obama gets tough on US auto industry

There has been plenty of speculation that President Obama's mid-West background might tempt him to take a soft line on the troubled automotive industry. But his comments on Thursday that there has been "a lot of mismanagement of the auto industry...

Published 30 Mar 2009 17:45 by Chemicals & The Economy

Filed under: recession, auto sales, Chrysler, GM, Ford, Fiat, deflation
US auto sales remain depressed

February brought no relief for the troubled US auto industry, so critical to chemical sales. Sales were down 41% versus 2008. Even more worryingly, sales over the past quarter, and last 6 months, averaged under 10 million/year. Chrysler's results...

Published 5 Mar 2009 6:27 by Chemicals & The Economy

Filed under: Economic growth, Oil markets, Financial Events, auto sales, Toyota, Chrysler, GM, Ford, polymers, inventory
European auto sales slide continues

European auto sales fell 25% in January, according to JD Power . This equals an annualised rate of just 11m cars, the lowest since the early 1990's. 13.6m were sold in 2008. And although the forecaster hopes for some improvement later in the year...

Published 9 Feb 2009 19:24 by Chemicals & The Economy

Filed under: Economic growth, Oil markets, Financial Events, Leverage, auto sales, GM, Ford, polymers, Fiat, Renault, Peugeot
GM, Chrysler's US sales collapse

January's US auto sales figures gave no hope that demand is yet bottoming out. Volumes were down 41% versus 2008. As the chart shows, the main pain was felt by GM and Chrysler, who saw sales down 49% and 55% respectively. A key factor in the downturn...

Published 4 Feb 2009 10:12 by Chemicals & The Economy

Filed under: Economic growth, Oil markets, Financial Events, auto sales, Toyota, Chrysler, GM, Ford, polymers, chemical demand
European auto sales to fall 16% in 2009

European auto sales fell 8.4% in 2008, versus 2007. Sales of 13.56m autos were just ahead of the USA's 13.2m . European volumes continue on a worsening trend, with December down 19% versus last year: • Spanish sales were down 50% • Sweden was down...

Published 12 Jan 2009 11:13 by Chemicals & The Economy

Filed under: Economic growth, Oil markets, Financial Events, auto sales, Ford, General Motors, Fiat, Renault, Volkswagen
US auto sales at 1992 levels

December was another bad month for US auto sales, with volumes down 36% versus 2007. Total 2008 sales of 13.2 million were the lowest since 1992, when the economy bottomed in the 1990-4 recession. As the chart shows, sales volumes dropped continuously...

Published 6 Jan 2009 12:20 by Chemicals & The Economy

Filed under: Economic growth, Oil markets, Japan, Financial Events, credit crunch, Leverage, auto sales, Toyota, Chrysler, GM, Ford
November US auto sales down 37%

US auto makers today told Congress their "rescue plan" now needs $34bn in support, whilst GM and Chrysler said they need an $11bn loan "just to survive the year". US sales were down 37% in November, and are at their lowest annual rate...

Published 3 Dec 2008 14:05 by Chemicals & The Economy

Filed under: Economic growth, Oil markets, Financial Events, auto sales, Toyota, Chrysler, GM, Ford
Dangling the hybrid carrot

According to several news reports, majority of US folks (including Congress) are against bailing out the cash-strapped Big 3 automobile makers -- GM, Ford and privately-held Chrysler -- but there are worries especially within environmental groups if the...

Published 18 Nov 2008 13:15 by Green Chemicals

Filed under: US, Company initiatives, Investments, General, Government, investment, Chrysler, GM, Ford, hybrid, bailout
GM's October sales collapse

October's US auto sales were as bad as expected. But even so, GM still managed a surprise. Once the undisputed market leader, its sales were truly awful, falling 45% versus October last year, as shown in the chart above. A sign of GM's own shock...

Published 3 Nov 2008 20:15 by Chemicals & The Economy

Filed under: Economic growth, Oil markets, Financial Events, recession, Toyota, Chrysler, GM, Ford
Kerkorian down $650m: Lahde up 1000%: Buffett buys

One of the oldest rules in investment is that 'When a good management finds itself running a bad business, its the reputation of the business that survives'. Legendary US investor Kirk Kerkorian has just proved he is no exception. Back in April...

Published 21 Oct 2008 20:06 by Chemicals & The Economy

Filed under: Economic growth, Oil markets, Financial Events, M & A, Leverage, Warren Buffett, Ford, Joe Chang, Andrew Lahde, Kirk Kerkorian
GM, Ford, Chrysler may face bankruptcy - S&P

Ratings agency S&P warn today that a major recession might force the 3 top US carmakers to file for bankruptcy. Clearly they share JD Power's fears, noted yesterday , about the potential for an 'outright collapse' in global auto markets...

Published 10 Oct 2008 17:31 by Chemicals & The Economy

Filed under: Economic growth, Financial Events, credit crunch, global downturn, Chrysler, GM, Ford
US car sales plummet, house prices fall again

September was another difficult month for the cornerstones of US chemical demand, autos and housing: • GM cut prices dramatically via its 'Employee discount for everyone' programme. But even so, sales fell 16% versus last year (blue column) •...

Published 4 Oct 2008 20:51 by Chemicals & The Economy

Filed under: auto sales, Toyota, Chrysler, GM, Ford, US house prices

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