1st Automotive /

Automotive Forecasts

Supergroups

Supergroups Brandnames, affiliations [1]

General Motors                     Isuzu, Suzuki (just strengthened grip), Opel, Vauxhall, Saab, IBC.

                                                Includes Fiat Auto.

                                                JV with Renault (Vans).

                                                Possible bidder for Daewoo.

                                                Known to be interested in BMW.

                                                Little interest in trucks apart from Isuzu.

                                                Holden in Australia.

                                                US brandnames include:

                                                Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, GMC, Saturn.

Now includes a long-term relationship since this year with Fiat including cross-equity links and options.

Ford                                        Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo Cars (now forming Premier Group with Lincoln), and Mazda.

                                                US brandnames include:

                                                Lincoln, Mercury, Ford.

Toyota                                    Still largely independent though has tightened control of Daihatsu and Hino.

VW Group                              Includes Audi, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Rolls Royce until 2003 and Bentley, Seat and Skoda. Also includes Volkswagen.

VW is strong in Brazil, Eastern Europe and China.

Has recently taken-over Scania (trucks). VW is still looking for additional partners on the truck side. Several openings in Eastern Europe

DaimlerChrysler            Includes Chrysler, Dodge, Eagle, Jeep and Plymouth from the US. And also includes from Europe Mercedes and Smart.

Has added a relationship with Mitsubishi in Japan though because of managerial problems in Japan (and arrests), DC has had to up its equity stake from 33% to 40%. The relationship with Volvo Trucks is unclear. The relationship with Hyundai is also fuzzy and may yet go for Proton which relies on Mitsubishi heritage.

Still rumoured to be looking for partners. May be possible bidder for Daewoo in which case may ditch Hyundai.

On trucks side owns Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star and ERF. Probably wants to expand.

Renault                                   Now owns Nissan in effect and Samsung. Has sold RVI (trucks) to Volvo trucks. Irisbus JV with Iveco (Fiat) just disallowed by European Commission so future of Irisbus unsure. Future of Nissan Diesel also unclear.

Fiat                                          Fiat Auto is now part of the GM supergroup. The group includes Alfa-Romeo,        Lancia, Autobianchi and Fiat brandnames. Is strong in Eastern Europe, Turkey, India and Brazil.

                                                Ferrari and Maserati separate and not part of the deal with GM.

PSA                                         Includes Peugeot and Citroen.

Still independent though it has close ties to Renault (but unlikely to merge with Renault) and Fiat (and hence GM). Has been in close talks with Toyota.

Honda                                     Is still an independent Japanese company.

Hyundai                                   Now forms part of a relatively unstable wider DC grouping.

Suzuki                                      Increasingly strong relationship with GM.

Mitsubishi                               Now under DC control.

BMW                                      Is still an independent company having recently divested itself of Rover cars (to Phoenix group) and Land Rover (to Ford) but has retained the Cowley plant (renamed Oxford) in the UK to produce the new Mini. Has Rolls Royce from 2003 and will complete the cars at a new factory in Goodwood.

Daewoo                                   Up for sale and owns a R & D centre in Brighton (UK) and has, in effect, control of LDV (Vans) also in the UK. Eastern European operations not thought to be good though and possibly up for sale along with everything else.

Mazda                                     Part of Ford

Autovaz (Lada)            A company which has many links though is thought likely to remain independent.

Fuji/Subaru                             Now part of the GM empire.

Isuzu                                        Part of GM.

FAW (China)                          Is almost part of VW.

Maruti (India)                         Suzuki (GM) owns 50%.

Gaz                                          Is developing a relationship with Fiat and hence GM.

TELCO                                    Tata in India. Independent but close relationship with DC, which owns 10.3% of TELCO.

Proton                                      The company is owned 30% by Mitsubishi and hence de facto close to DC (via DC links with Mitsubishi).

                                                Owns Lotus.

Navistar                                  Now up for sale and several bidders including Volvo Trucks or Iveco (Fiat) but now link with GM.

Paccar                                    In the US has Kenworth and Peterbilt as brandnames, and in Europe owns DAF, Foden and Leyland Trucks.

Dacia                                       Company recently linked with Renault.

Mahindra & Mahindra             An Indian company and despite links to major manufacturers remains essentially independent.

IVECO                                   Owned by Fiat but not part of the deal with GM. Taken over Magirus in Germany and Pegaso/Enasa in Spain. Strong relationship with Ashok Leyland in India.

MAN                                       Is a truck company which has recently taken over Star and ERF. Still independent but thought to be in the sights of Iveco (Fiat but not GM) or VW.

Volvo Trucks                         Taken over Renault trucks division (RVI), which includes Mack in the US. Volvo already owned White and took over some GM plants.

Scania                                     Now owned by VW.

Porsche                                   Independent but close ties with VW.

Hino                                        Part of Toyota.

Ashok Leyland             In effect tied up with Iveco.

Hindustan                                Associated with GM

Nissan Diesel                          Is owned by Renault but future uncertain.

Irisbus                                     A merger between Heuliez, RVI (Renault) and Iveco for buses. Joint venture between Fiat/Iveco and Renault. Fiat was to be the managing partner. Equity split 50/50. Also took-over Ikarus (Hungary) which used to be one of the largest, if not the largest, bus manufacturers in the world.

Japanese Companies

Toyota                        Hino (trucks), Daihatsu (small cars)

Nissan                         Now owned by Renault although the future of Nissan Diesel (trucks) future is less certain.

Honda                         Currently independent and is not likely to takeover anyone.

Mitsubishi                   Now de facto controlled by DaimlerChrysler (DC). Truck division (branded Fuso in Japan) has a relationship with Volvo Trucks, which has 5% equity stake in Mitsubishi.

Suzuki                         Now linked closely with GM and GM’s equity stake in

Suzuki is increasing to 20% (and may go higher). Though

Suzuki has a degree of independence which Isuzu and Subaru             do not have.

Suzuki has 50% stake in Maruti (India).

Isuzu                           Controlled and run as part of GM.

Subaru (Fuji Heavy)            GM now has effective control with recent 20% partial acquisition.

                                    Subaru used to be closely affiliated with Nissan before the

Renault takeover.

Mazda                        Long term relationship with Ford and totally integrated into Ford though Ford only owns a minority interest (33% but though to be increased to 40% shortly).  

Korean Companies

Hyundai                      The situation is a little unclear.

DaimlerChrysler (DC) is effectively making a bid for Hyundai with a current minority-holding stake of 9%.

DC is also investigating a joint venture for trucks and commercial vehicles throughout Asia-Pacific.

Even if DC has a relationship then Hyundai is likely to show a degree of independence through being one of the leading chaebols in Korea.

Hyundai is 100% owner of Kia and Asia Motors.

Daewoo                      Insolvency looming but still trading and desperately looking for a partner. Had extensive discussions with GM, which fizzled out. Ford had sole bidding rights but withdrew in September 2000.

                                    Hyundai not allowed to (anti-trust) so new partner wanted. GM and Fiat have said that they are not interested but Miru thinks GM is still interested but does not want to take-on all its debts.

                                    Daewoo also took over Ssangyong and now owns 100%, which has a relationship with Mercedes (predating the formation of DC).        

Samsung                     Originally had a long term relationship with Nissan. When Nissan was in effect taken over by Renault then it was logical that Renault took over Samsung and this happened.                            

[1] In Brown and Bold if they represent a true head of a super=group or are independent. Otherwise the companies under supergroups are in black.

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