GM moves up a gear

Article Abstract:

The European division of General Motors (GM) recorded a record $1.8 billion profit on sales of $18 billion in 1989, which was higher than GM's profit on US sales, which were four times higher. The acquisition of Swedish automaker Saab in Dec 1989 propelled GM over Ford into fourth place among European auto makers, and GM is the fastest mass market auto maker in Europe. European automakers fear an imminent penetration of the market by the Japanese, and European division Pres Robert Eaton plans to maintain the momentum of GM by increasing capacity by a quarter, and by renewing its model line. For European automakers to successfully compete with the Japanese, they must lower the length of their product cycle from six years to the Japanese's four years.

Management, Europe, Foreign operations, Automobile industry, General Motors Corp., Eaton, Robert J.

---

Farewell to never never land

Article Abstract:

French president Francois Mitterand's decision to allow the partial privatization of nationalized enterprises has been prompted, in part, by the belated realization that the French government is no longer able to provide the money necessary to meet the burgeoning capital needs of the companies it controls. The decision to allow the sale of up to 49% of the capital stock of state-controlled enterprises is a sharp departure from Mitterand's long held policy opposing privatization of any kind. However, the announcement of the policy change has been met by a lukewarm response among nationalized companies. Many of France's state-owned giants remain cautious as they await details of the government's planned privatization initiative.

Economic aspects, France, Cover Story, Economic policy, Privatization, Privatization (Business), Mitterrand, Francois

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Getting down to the nitty-gritty. Gulf states. Celebrating a divorce at 3, Rue D'Antin
• Abstracts: Hunting heads in the global village. Nestle's name plan. Back door credit
• Abstracts: Where the customer is king. Watch your body language. Coping with re-entry shock
• Abstracts: The ECU: an uphill struggle. Scooping up the youth market. Britain: plodding the course

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