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June, 2009 News & Analysis Below

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June 2, 2009  -  U.S. Auto Sales Overview for May & YTD:

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June 2, 2009  -  General Motors Production Overview for North America
In May, GM North America produced 134,000 vehicles (58,000 cars and 76,000 trucks). This is down 114,000 vehicles or 46 percent compared with May 2008 when the region produced 248,000 vehicles (118,000 cars and 130,000 trucks). (Production totals include joint venture production of 8,000 vehicles in May 2009 and 17,000 vehicles in May 2008.)

The region's 2009 second-quarter production forecast remains at 390,000 vehicles (172,000 cars and 218,000 trucks), which is down about 53 percent compared with a year ago. GM North America built 834,000 vehicles (382,000 cars and 452,000 trucks) in the second quarter of 2008.

June 3, 2009  -  Ford Motor Company Production Overview for North America

June 3, 2009  -  Chrysler LLC Production Overview

June 5, 2009 - BMW MANUFACTURING PLANT EXPANSION CONSTRUCTION NEARLY COMPLETE

Spartanburg, S.C. – June, 2009…It has been over one year since BMW Manufacturing announced it would invest $750 million in its upstate South Carolina factory to add 1.5 million square feet. Since that time, design, engineering and construction crews have been busy constructing the new 1.2 million square foot assembly facility and have added 80% or 300,000 square feet to the existing paint shop.

This investment is the largest ever announced for the Spartanburg County factory, increasing investments of the BMW Group in its South Carolina operations to nearly $4.6 billion (total investment for BMW through 2008 is $3.9 billion).

The new assembly facility is now fully enclosed and equipment is being installed. Expansion construction to the existing Paint Shop is also complete and new equipment is being tested. A new 1/3 mile conveyor system has been constructed to connect the expanded paint shop to the new assembly hall.

“We are very pleased that construction is nearly complete and that the project is on budget and on time,” said BMW Manufacturing President Josef Kerscher.

The new plant design is very similar to BMW’s Leipzig plant in Germany, the newest plant within the BMW Global Production Network. It has been designed using “fingers”. The fingers are constructed along the sides of the new plant and allow for direct deliveries to the exact point of use on the production line.

A logistics warehouse has also been constructed as part of the new assembly facility. “We are committed to lean manufacturing and adding a logistics component attached to the plant was critical to ensure leaner processes and quicker delivery routes,” said Barbara Bergmeier, Vice President of Assembly.

In the expanded paint shop area, BMW has added several new technologies, many borrowed from other BMW plants, including the Leipzig plant in Germany.

One such technology is a new “RoDip” system. This new conveyor system represents a breakthrough in paint conveyor technology for pre-treat and e-coat processes. Previously, BMW Manufacturing used a “pendulum” system, similar to a ski lift, which carried the car along a rail and lowered it under the water. The new “RoDip” system rotates the entire vehicle 360˚ through each process tank. This reduces the amount of chemicals that are “removed” from tank and reduces chemical and dirt deposits inside the vehicle.

“Many new and innovative technologies have been implemented into the new Paint Shop area. This is exciting for the entire BMW Global Production Network as we are creating synergies and increased efficiency by implementing lessons learned from around the globe,” said Doug Bartow, Vice President for Paint at BMW Manufacturing.

Once the new paint shop and assembly facility are operational, the BMW plant in Spartanburg will manufacture the BMW X3, X5 Sports Activity Vehicle and X6 Sports Activity Coupe and their respective variants for over 120 markets worldwide.
 

June 5, 2009  -  General Motors, Penske Outline Proposed Deal for Purchase of Saturn.
Transaction would save more than 13,000 jobs; preserves renowned brand and retail network

DETROIT, June 5 -- General Motors Corp. and Penske Automotive Group today confirmed details of a proposed transaction under which Penske would acquire the Saturn brand. If completed, the deal would save more than 350 dealerships and 13,000 jobs at Saturn and its retailers in the United States, and would preserve the customer-focused Saturn brand.

The proposed transaction is part of GM's rebuilding efforts outlined in the viability plan that was submitted to the U.S. government earlier this year. Under the terms in the memorandum of understanding, Penske would obtain the rights to the brand as well as certain other Saturn assets. GM would continue production, on a contract basis, of the Saturn Aura, Vue and Outlook.

"This is the combination of two iconic teams: Saturn and Penske," said Saturn general manager Jill Lajdziak. "GM had the vision to create Saturn and has the desire to see it succeed in the future."

"Saturn has a passionate customer base and outstanding dealer network," said Roger Penske, chairman of Penske Automotive Group. "For nearly 20 years Saturn has focused on treating the customer right. We share that philosophy, and we want to build on those strengths."

Saturn began selling cars in 1990 and has sold more than 4 million vehicles. More than 80 percent of those vehicles are still in operation, according to data from R.L. Polk. Saturn has regularly scored among the industry leaders for non-luxury brands in customer satisfaction surveys.

"There has been a groundswell of support for Saturn, with our retailers and owners urging us to save the brand," said Lajdziak. "We heard their call loud and clear, and it inspired us as we worked to secure Saturn's future."

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of this year and is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Financial terms of the agreement will not be disclosed at this time.

Source: General Motors Corporation

June 17, 2009  -  Chrysler Group LLC Announces Production Start at Seven North American Assembly Plants  
Auburn Hills, Mich., Jun 17, 2009  -  One week after finalizing its global strategic alliance with Fiat Group, Chrysler Group LLC announced today that it will resume volume production of vehicles with the start up of seven of its North American assembly plants the week of June 29, 2009.

As part of a phased production ramp-up, the following assembly plants are scheduled to resume production at the end of the month: 

• Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (Sterling Heights, MI) – Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger 
• Warren Truck Assembly Plant (Warren, MI) – Dodge Ram and Dodge Dakota 
• St. Louis North Assembly Plant (Fenton, MO) – Dodge Ram 
• Toledo Supplier Park (Toledo, OH) – Jeep® Wrangler and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 
• Brampton Assembly Plant (Brampton, Ontario, Canada) – Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Challenger 
• Windsor Assembly Plant (Windsor, Ontario, Canada ) – Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan 
• Toluca Assembly Plant (Toluca, Mexico) – Dodge Journey and Chrysler PT Cruiser

Chrysler Group’s Powertrain and Stamping facilities that supply these assembly plants will also be operating. Chrysler’s Conner Avenue Assembly Plant, which builds the Dodge Viper, resumed production on June 15.

All Chrysler Group plants will be closed during a previously announced two-week Summer Break the weeks of July 13 and 20.

Re-start of production at other Chrysler Group assembly plants will be announced at a later date.