Car makers' fortunes turn on souped-up production

Article Abstract:

The recession-busting recovery of the British automobile industry may not be long lived. Although sales of cars produced by UK car companies have been steadily increasing since 1992, the Japanese are looming over their shoulders to tramp up the competition. When the year 2000 comes, current quota limits on Japanese imports to the EC will be eliminated, raising the Japanese take of the market to as high as 30%. In preparation, some car makers have already implemented changes to their organizations to enable them to operate more competitively. Such companies as Vauxhall and Rover have emulated Japanese production techniques, particularly the lean-production approach. Motor industry expert Garel Rhys encourages the Big Six companies of Europe, namely Vauxhall, Ford, Renault, Peugeot, Volkswagen and Fiat to discard their outmoded methods and to collaborate more closely among themselves.

Motor vehicles and car bodies, United Kingdom, Cover Story, Automobile industry

---

Bogeyman or best friend?

Article Abstract:

Banks have been perceived as the villians of the UK recession since many of them will facilitate the downfall of businesses. However, a survey of the Forum for Private Business showed that banks are not as bad as they seem. Some banks have been transferring the benefits of base rate cuts to clients, and are making the effort to help small businesses. In addition, the main problem between banks and their corporate customers seen as the a lack of communication. Businesses, for instance, should understand the real meaning of overdrafts. These are for emergency lending and must not be used over its maximum. Banks have also began offering more specialized services. For example,a number of banks offer specialist client investment accounts for accounting and laws firms, yet many of these firms remain unwilling to take advantage of electronic banking services.

Commercial Banks, Banking industry

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Greek firms poised for audit explosion. Small companies: no longer true and fair?
• Abstracts: Introducing audit regulation. When is a fixed asset overvalued?
• Abstracts: Taking steppes one at a time. Closing in to beat the fraudsters. Return of the native
• Abstracts: Change factors enter equation. Another door shuts. To float or not to float?
• Abstracts: Proposed entity classification regs. greatly simplify rules. Partnership debt reduction need not result in income

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.