| Stocks, Bonds and Automobiles Outlook This was a rough week for economic optimists and stock market cheerleaders. The stock market took its biggest beating in months. Long-dated treasuries reached their lowest yields in months. Auto sales dropped sharply in September without the benefit of "Cash for Clunkers." Let's discuss.GM reported a sales decline of 45% and Chrysler a drop of 42%. The government and its UAW supporters have their work cut out. Both companies are losing markets share and are directionless in terms of product. GM, Chrysler and Ford (F) need annual U.S. market auto sales of approximately 15mm to 16mm. The current sales pace is just over 9mm. With traditional lending standards back in use (one actually has to prove their ability to make payments) it is unlikely that auto sales will reach necessary levels, even when the economy rebounds. How critical is it for the Detroit Three to sell to subprime borrowers? Prior to its bankruptcy filing, GM's management asked the government to assist GMAC in lending to subprime borrowers. GM and Chrysler are done in their current forms and as long as they have to depend on UAW labor.Complete Story » seekingalpha.com |
ArvinMeritor: Bears Are Betting on a Pullback optionMONSTER submits: By David RussellArvinMeritor (ARM) has rallied 27 percent in the last month, and now traders are looking for a pullback.Complete Story » seekingalpha.com |
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation Q4 2009 Earnings Call Transcript Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB)Q4 2009 Earnings Call TranscriptComplete Story » seekingalpha.com |
Stop-Start Idle Elimination Technology: 5 Companies With First Mover Advantage John Petersen submits:I've written several articles over the last year that explain why idle elimination is a crucial first step in the global effort to increase fuel efficiency and curb CO2 emissions. For my new readers, or those who are confused by a torrent of news stories and analysts reports that wax poetic on the expected benefits, costs and challenges of gee-whiz vehicles that are "coming soon to a showroom near you," altenergymag.com describes stop-start systems, or micro-hybrids, as follows: These are conventional vehicles powered either by gasoline or diesel engines in which the 12-volt starter motor has been eliminated and a specially designed, belt-driven integrated starter/generator, or ISG, has been installed in place of the conventional alternator. While the ISG of a micro hybrid cannot help to propel the vehicle, it can provide two important hybrid features. First of all, a micro hybrid will feature idle stop. Engine control circuitry is included in a micro hybrid which will shut down the internal combustion engine when the vehicle is at rest. This feature alone can improve fuel economy by 10% to 15% in city/urban driving environments. The electronic control system in a micro hybrid can also control the charge cycle of the alternator so that it produces electricity to recharge the vehicle battery primarily during deceleration and braking. This provides a mild amount of regenerative braking and an additional gain in efficiency.Complete Story » seekingalpha.com |
Southwest Airlines Co. Q2 2010 Earnings Call Transcript Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)Q2 2010 Earnings Call TranscriptJuly 29, 2010 11:30 am ETComplete Story » seekingalpha.com |