JD Power/Crain event (Auto parts) in Paris

JD Power/Crain event in Paris
I have been invited to be on a media panel at an event in Paris next month just ahead of the Paris Show. It's a 'roundtable' event organised by JD Power and Crain. I'm not sure how many people go along to such things, but it looks like a good agenda and there are some names as speakers. Unfortunately, logistics mean that I probably won't be able to be there at the right time to participate in the panel (though I will try my best). Hopefully I'll get there in time to at least hear some of the address by Carlos Ghosn and maybe fire in a quick question ('how's the Nissan reorganisation in the US going?'). Looks like a decent event actually - a good warm-up for next day's official press day.

Road Test: 2006 Porsche Cayman S, 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera & S, 2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Read this full Luxury Sports Coupe Road Test and Review article at Motor Trend: What Is It About Porsche's 911? Any wet-behind-the-ears automotive engineer can fill a blackboard with figures and equations proving the venerable Porsche is, by design, an inferior sports car.

First Look: 2006 Kia Sedona EX
Read this full First Look & Review Road Test article at Motor Trend: Korea's first minivan was a lackluster, inexpensive small van designed to compete abroad, and converting it for U.S. duty left it grossly overweight.

Aston Mo t
This time of the year can be slow for news in the auto industry, so I guess news reporters, commentators and pundits with a brief to follow the auto industry should be grateful for the fuss and fizz over what is going on at Ford with PAG. Global Insight's Thomas Ryard has some interesting thoughts on how Aston is being used as bait (click here). It's plausible stuff and a part of me hopes that there are smart people at Dearborn playing some smart games (it's not all spiralling out of control, people in a bit of a lather, panic button pressed). This is Ford Motor Company we are talking about. A rather more basic view is encouraged by a report in Britain's CAR magazine suggesting that two non-automotive luxury groups are already vying to get control of Aston Martin. As I remarked to a colleague a moment ago, there could be a whole load of automotive consultants rubbing their hands at the prospect of advising such an owner. 'They wouldn't know what to do, where to start,' I said. 'But then, do the people in the industry know what they are doing? Look at the mess they make,' was the doom-laden response. He has a point. And if Bez sticks around, it can pretty much run itself operationally. The new owner concentrates mainly on brand stuff and watching the bottom line. And on that cheery note... Small glass of Aston Mo t anyone?

Russia moves into gear
It wasn't all that long ago that several vehicle makers were holding off from investing in Russia - unsure about the level of investment risk. Those days seem to be behind us now (although I would just caution that the current economic boom is heavily tied to high energy prices). Automakers are apparently jumping in with gay abandon, not wanting to be left out or last to the party. We've published a good overview piece from Tony Lewis who has been at the Moscow Show this week (below link). There are still some questions to ponder though. Domestic makers will be under increasing pressure. What is to become of local behemoth AvtoVaz? Sounds like relations with GM have got better lately - the joint venture performing better and expanding production. Could GM be tempted to get closer to AvtoVaz now? It may have looked like a potential trap and money sink a few years ago, but the shift in the Russian market could have transformed it into a significant opportunity (ready-made distribution and aftersales network for starters; why not lever GM industrial strength to update and improve AvtoVaz offerings, getting GM content into AvtoVaz products also; maybe take AvtoVaz for a good drink at the Chevrolet/Daewoo water trough). Other carmakers sniffing around AvtoVaz (eg Renault) is also something for GM to think about.