JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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- Core Developer - コアディベロッパー
- Midokura Japan K.K. - ミドクラジャパン株式会社, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥4.0M ~ ¥10.0M / Year Negotiable
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- Translator
- ZAIHON, Inc. (日本財務翻訳株式会社), Tokyo
- Salary: ¥6.0M / Year Negotiable
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- Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in Kanto region
- RCS (RCSコーポレーション), Kanto
- Salary: ¥180,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month includes performance bonus
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dontpanic
My understanding is that Fiat are looking for Opel/Vauxhall. Looks like Saab might get dropped and have to go it alone.
If this all goes ahead it looks like Fiat will be the worlds second largest auto maker. Unfortunately Fiat are already losing money, even though they may get the brands cheaply, spreading limited cash between their core businesses, Opel and Chrysler will be a stretch. Still, no guts no glory!
Posted in: Fiat eyes new company with GM Europe, Chrysler
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dontpanic
saruzenki - "Chrysler wants to shift over to the future of automobiles... electric !"
You seem to demostrate a huge misapprehension. Chrysler can texist without Fiats small engine technology. In return Chrysler's infrastructure offers Fiat a base to make & sell its product into the US and Im talking petrol and diesel engines, platforms and whole vehicles with Chrysler badges on them.
"Fiat offers access to the European markets, much to the Germans chagrins."
Chrysler has an extensive network in Europe, it doesnt need help with access. Chrysler is close to death in Europe though, due to poor quality and a dismal lack of market suitable product.
"you must understand that the gasoline powered auto industry is "dead" !!!"
Thats a way off yet Im afraid. All the major manufacturers have their own take on the future of electric motoring. Honda have the Clarity on the road right now, development done and are investing heavily in hydrogen production and battery technology, like all the major makers. Dont believe all the hype about battery cars though. They are useful for relatively short distances only and apartment dwellers without a driveway and plug socket to charge their cars for several hours are stymied. They also come with their own set of pollution problems, not least of which is a simple redistribution of CO2 emmissions.
Petrol and diesel engines have a lot of development potential left in them and will continue to serve for a while yet but the US will have to drop its love of engine capacity. Hydrogen fuel cell cars like the Clarity promise electric motoring as we know it today but their infrastructure needs more than a couple of years investment yet. Come back and say "I told you so" in ten years.
Posted in: Japan wary of Chrysler fallout on parts makers
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dontpanic
"So why would Fiat, or any other entity buy into such a doomed scenerio ? "
Not for Chryslers glorious future thats for sure. If Chrysler were in such good shape they would be looking to make their own low cost aquisitions. The fact is Cerberus has no choice but to essentially hand over its Chrysler business lock stock and barrel. If the take over does go ahead, in time there will be little recognisable Chrysler left. As for Fiat, its a huge risk (proven by the Daimler Benz/Chrysler attempt) offset only by the chance of a cheap toe in the door to the US market. But maybe they can get support and spread the risk around. If they take GMs European operations too, theyll no doubt get the Chevy/Opel/Vauxhall Volt and some cash from European governments as well.
Make no mistake, automakers, especially GM and Chrysler, are fighting for their very existence so when they go asking governments for money, its to help keep operations (read jobs) alive. With the onerous conditions attached by governments its certainly not "free money", money given to car makers, Japanese or otherwise, is to help pursuade them from pulling jobs. Those governments that do give hand outs are looking for a return in cash or in kind.
Posted in: Japan wary of Chrysler fallout on parts makers
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dontpanic
", if things are so bad at Chrysler... why would Fiat want to jump on their band wagon ?"
Chrysler hasnt the time, money, or enough engineering savvy left to develop fuel efficient cars that people want to buy. In their desperation Cerberus will fall into bed with anyone to get them out of their current fix. Begging at the door of one of the few automakers that have managed to turn their fortunes around is their only hope of gaining US government support.
As for the GM Volt, 7/10 for effort but there's a long way to go yet and a lot of competition on the horizon. Plug-in cars, hybrid or otherwise are only part of the answer for the mid term.
Shame its taken an economic catastrophe to shake the US big three out of their blinkered short term SUV madness.
Posted in: Japan wary of Chrysler fallout on parts makers
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dontpanic
It didnt work for British Leyland for precisely the same reason too. Too much union power.
Posted in: GM to cut 21,000 U.S. factory jobs, shed Pontiac brand
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dontpanic
I believe the Chinese motor industry still doesnt produce cars for the average person, mostly for the addmittedly increasing numbers of relatively wealthy and up.
However I think we have broad agreement, except on the drivers. I think the major driver will be the Chinese domestic market looking to bypass the current oil based infrastructure. The same old pressures to produce will hold back quality. Any success BYD and Mid American get from exports will no doubt be hard won but I think relatively incidental.
I also believe the investment in western economies in alternatives to plug-in and hybrid battery cars will ensure these are a relatively short lived stop gap measure.
Posted in: Car industry shakeup opens door to China upstarts
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dontpanic
MikeSato - I think youre being a bit quick off the mark. My comment was in response to the assertion that BYD have issued no recalls, implying their vehicles are of superior quality right now.
The Chinese have been motor manufacturing since the 1950s so not such an infant. Now struggling to meet huge domestic demand (1st or 2nd largest market depending upon whose figures you believe), copyright infringement, pressure to deliver and corruption in the beaurocracy all conspire to hold back quality. The only real pressure to improve is from makers looking to compete internationally.
I certainly dont think they should be discounted but I would be very surprised to see a great impact on the global motor market when there is still so much domestic demand. But 20 years from now, well who knows? Battery cars however arent the answer for China. Theyre no more than a stop gap semi eco measure that simply moves co2 emmissions away from the vehicle to the power plant and lithium-ion battery manufacturers.
Posted in: Car industry shakeup opens door to China upstarts
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dontpanic
"BYD on the other hand has never had a single recall"
For many years neither did Japanese manufacturers. The agreement was to issue service orders to dealers and make repairs on the quiet when the car comes in for maintenance. This changed in the mid nineties when the cosy arrangements between the ministry of transport and the manufacturers fell apart.
Dont believe all you read. When people make cars, they cock up. Chinese companies have yet to produce a vehicle with anything like US, European or Japanese standards of build.
Posted in: Car industry shakeup opens door to China upstarts
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dontpanic
xu04jp has hit the nail on the head. The Shaken pretty much precludes most cars from reaching 13 years. Further tax breaks or cashback on sales of new fuel efficient cars would likely have a bigger impact but would cost.
Posted in: Japan considers 'cash for clunkers' stimulus
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dontpanic
"I sometimes think that the Govt. has created some sort of secret plan to finance robot manufacturing as the next wave of industrial growth"
Thats not a secret, its an openly stated government objective and good for them. With the global economy on its knees and low cost economies ready to step in to make everyday products, its value added research like this that will help developed nations maintain a decent standard of living.
I dont see the need for a robot teacher, but there are plenty of mundane, heavy, or dangerous jobs robots can step into. Invest now while the research is still in its infancy.
Posted in: Human-looking robot smiles in Japan classroom
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dontpanic
"Why haven't we been building electric cars for years??
Because battery cars dont have good range and when the batteries are flat, they take an age to recharge. The iMiEVs range is good in this class but is still only around 100 miles per charge. Ther are some real worries about the life of lithium ion battreies too.
Posted in: Mitsubishi raises output target for electric car
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dontpanic
The coppers did a good job. Split them up into tiny groups and wouldnt let them out for hours, or go to the loo. By the time they were freed all they could do was walk away cross legged. Good tactic.
Posted in: Some 4,000 environmentalists and anti-capitalists are demonstrating against the G-20 summit in London. How do you feel about the protests?
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dontpanic
50 miles to a US gallon is not so good. There are plenty of European petrol cars in the same class that can match that, let alone diesels that will beat it by a country mile.
How is producing all those batteries, extra electric motors and the standard engine, adding complexity and cost reducing CO2? Take a look at the all of life CO2 figures for the Prius and Insight and youll see that theyre beaten even by a petrol Jeep.
Motor manufacturers love to upsell.
Posted in: In hybrid price war, new Prius battles Insight
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dontpanic
Im in the auto industry too, I think anyone in paid employment in any field should be worried.
That said, because of the dire situation, personally its been one of my busiest years with more time away from home than any time I can rememember. I recently had to lay off 12 of my team, its the second time and gets no easier. Not a pleasant experience.
Posted in: Are you worried about losing your job?
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dontpanic
In my opinion haafu is only a derogatory term if its used as one. My kids have coped well so far, whether theyre termed Japanese/English or haafu has had no impact. It would be a shame for those with a chip on their shoulders to turn the term into one of abuse.
Posted in: Jun Hasegawa capitalizes on 'haafu' look
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dontpanic
usaexpat - "The only incentive for Fiat is sales channels since they are interested in returning to the American market"
Its a fair point. But if they wait for Chrysler to fall over they could get suburban sales channels for next to nothing as GM and Ford no doubt have dealerships in similar locations. I doubt Fiat would have any need to fight over flagship sites, at least in the early days of any return to the US.
Posted in: Chrysler faces July cash crunch even with more aid
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dontpanic
"if Fiat takes the tsake or possibly even full ownership"
Whats in it for Fiat, some ancient 4x4 technology and a few old Mercedes-Benz platforms? Not much of an incentive for a manufacturer only recently out of the yoghurt itself.
Time to lay Chrysler to rest and focus on the two remaining viable businesses.
"I thought the Germans bought Chrysler and we bought Volvo or that other Scandanavian one" DaimlerBenz bought Chrysler, GM bought SAAB and Ford took on Volvo. Benz sensibly divested itself of Chrysler and GM are dropping SAAB. Ford still own Volvo and so far, continue to support it. Wise move too, Volvo make a quality product and now have all that lovely Land Rover 4x4 technology to pass on.
Posted in: Chrysler faces July cash crunch even with more aid
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dontpanic
"Toyota is now in the same boat as GM and Chrysler"
Not true, Toyota wants the money to maintain capacity, not to avoid waving bye bye. GM is now threatening to default on its current $15 billion if another $30 billion isnt forthcoming. Desparate.
Posted in: Toyota asking for government loan
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dontpanic
My mobile's usually in my pocket during the day. I imagine it see's little sunshine, even in mid summer!
Posted in: World's 1st solar-powered phone goes on display
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dontpanic
I rest my case.
Posted in: Whaling conference sees possible breakthrough deal