According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers recently released, in August of domestic car sales reached a staggering increase, remain at 1 million for six consecutive months of high. At this point, “can confirm that our country has entered a car on production and sales of one million times.”

However, policies such as halving the vehicle purchase tax would expire on automobile market has been re-enter the policy-sensitive period.
Era 1 million on production and marketing

Association on the 8th of steam released data show that auto sales in August this year, the completion of 1.1407 million, respectively, and 1.1385 million, the previous month rose by 2.62 and 4.71 percentage points respectively over the same period the previous year growth of 86.10 and 81.68 percentage points. From January to August auto sales were 8.2507 million and 8.3313 million, compared with same period last year were up 26.55 and 29.18 percentage points, the overall sales growth continue to accelerate. 7,8 which are consecutive month off-season more than 50% year on year growth.

In August, passenger car sales are more than 850,000, the previous month rose by 0.75 and 3 percentage points respectively over the same period the previous year growth of 97.23 and 90.18 percentage points; commercial production and marketing of the respective 283.2 thousand and 280.2 thousand, compared with last month were up 8.75 and 10.30 percentage points respectively over the previous year growth of 58.96 and 59.82 percentage points.  Read more...

There are many service providers and softwares out there in the market today, however choosing the right one can be difficult. Here are few consideration factors one should be aware of before making the plunge and commitment.

1.    Cost – There is a wide range of products with very different cost factors involved. Most of the DMS systems are monthly subscription based. They can range from an incredible $4000 per month all the way down to $300. ADP for example has been the chosen service provider of DMS system for many dealers, their cost per month can range from 2000-3000. One of the newest player in the market called “Dealer Elite” on the other hand cost as little as $299 per month. With 0 installation or any setup fees.

2.    Technology – Don’t fool yourself into believing “If I pay more, it must be a better product.” That is not true at all, most of the payment will probably end up in support staff due to the poor design. Because the lack of IT support staff and general knowledge of technology, many dealers are stuck using a product that was literally developed in the mid 80’s but paying for a monthly bill that does not fit the bill. Without mentioning any big brand names here, some of the DMS providers out there have not improved their system since it was originally programmed in the 80s. Many are stuck using the first generation database design called “flat file” system that was outdated 15 years ago, while very few providers are into the second generation database design of “relational databases” with primary key attached. Not one provider are using the third generation “object oriented” database. There are many incompatibility issues arise from the system, some of the functions are completely out of reach for many dealers. While integration with their newer systems are a complete nightmare.  Read more...

Market sentiment suggests that there is a positive period ahead after Germany is officially declared to be out of recession.

The engineering market of Germany is showing signs of improvement, and 2010 should be a growth phase in many of the core markets, including Aerospace, Automotive and Energy. Matchtech GmbH, a leading engineering recruitment consultancy in Germany, is also growing fast, with the recruitment of new Consultants to cope with additional workload as client activity increases.

In the Aerospace industry, development of the A400M and composite A350 aircraft at Airbus hubs in both Southern and Northern Germany continues, and our clients in the 1st and 2nd tier supply chain are not only working on these high-profile programmes, but also bidding for involvement in new opportunities. We are currently in need of Design Engineers (particularly with CATIA v5 experience), and Stress Engineers (with NASTRAN, PATRAN, ISSY or ISAMI experience) for long term contracts.

The German Energy sector has aspiring plans in place for the development of brand new renewable energy infrastructure in the next years, and we are picking up opportunities across the board in both renewable and traditional energy in Northern Germany for contract or permanent Engineers in Design, Analysis, Quality and Project Engineering.  Read more...

Been in the automotive industry for the past 6 years as their IT consultant. I have seen dealers spend tens of thousands of dollars in their web sites over the years. A typical web site today will cost a dealer on average between $8,000 – $20,000 not to mention the monthly hosting fees from as little as $200 – $400 per month.

These figures are unheard of coming from a developer’s background. But most of the dealers are willing to spend the money but not knowing what they are getting for their money. They will often hire a web developer to maintain their web site after the development is done. With today’s competitive automotive market and shrinking profit margins. It is time for dealers to wake up and smell the coffee, to spend their money wisely on web or internet related advertising and development.

Don’t be fooled into thinking by spend more you shall receive more, that is not true at all. Many dealers are been taken advantage today due to their lack of knowledge and information. A new service has come to light in Canada, called Dealer Template. Their url at http://www.dealertemplate.ca this company is offering dealers a pre-designed web template for as little as $80 per month, and that includes hosting fees. The secret most dealer doesn’t realize is the $20,000 web site still come from a cookie cutter web template the development firm uses from their past clients. So in essence the difference between a “custom” developed site, and a template, is the fact if you know it’s a template or not.  Read more...

The Digital Media Solutions agency, Amaze Digital, earlier revamped the Lexus GB’s website to bolster its edge in the online marketing realm. The sub-site, available within www.lexus.co.uk, is expected to raise the company’s share of the fleet car market.

The revamp concentrates on empowering fleet managers and educating users. The redesign coincides with Lexus’ ongoing launch of new models such as the such as the IS 220d diesel, RX 400h Hybrid and the GS 450h Hybrid and the LS 600h Hybrid which will appeal to fleet managers, contract hire and leasing companies, and company car drivers.

The new sub-site, built on Tridion’s R5, is designed to offer fleet customers with information on the automaker’s new range of cars, auto parts like the Lexus cold air intake, comprehensive information on taxation and running costs. The sub-site features a series of customer-orientated sections that have a noticeably defined user journey, catering for individuals’ needs including understanding government policy on cash allowances as well as information on whole life costs.

Compared with other automakers, Lexus’ new sub-site features a model comparison tool which is powered by Jato, a leading supplier of automotive market intelligence. This feature allows users to compare their ideal Lexus against other automakers’ model at a comparative specification. This fact reinforces Lexus’ confidence in its power lineup. Additionally, this approach is said to appeal to the fleet market. ComCar, a supplier of online automotive tools, has provided a cross-competitor carbon dioxide calculator and a whole life costs calculator.  Read more...