Autoblog

Auto execs surveyed say VW, BMW most likely to grow

Zach Bowman — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: BMW, Hyundai, Toyota, Volkswagen

A new survey of top global automotive executives indicates both Volkswagen and BMW are the most likely to grow their market share over the next five years.

Tax advisory firm KPMG LLP has released its 14th annual Global Automotive Executive Survey, which includes responses from over 200 executives. A total of 81 percent of respondents said they expect to see Volkswagen make gains, compared to 70 percent last year. BMW, meanwhile, saw 70 percent of those surveyed say they believe the company will increase its market share. That's a jump of 7 percentage points over last year. This is the first time in the history of the survey that BMW has claimed the second-place spot.

Meanwhile, Hyundai has seen its perceived market share potential slacken for the third year in a row. Around 61 percent of those surveyed predicted gains for Hyundai, down from 63 in 2012. Toyota also has a surprising year, but for just the opposite reason. While the manufacturer had slipped in ranking since 2011, it enjoyed the largest increase of any company in the 2013 survey, jumping to 68 percent from 44 percent last year.

You can read the full press release below for more information, or click on the graph above (expandable) for the full list.

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Global auto execs don't see electric cars making big inroads for at least a decade

Jeff Sabatini — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Electric

A new survey by audit powerhouse KPMG suggests auto executives don't see electrified car sales passing 15 percent of global sales until at least 2025. Yet despite the slowly developing market, these same execs foresee substantial increased investment in electric and hybrid car production along with research and development. Given very limited consumer acceptance of hybrid cars since their U.S. introduction back in late 1999 (gas-electric new car sales are still around two percent), cautious sales estimates seem like par for the course.

Among the many highlights of the survey that polled 200 executives is word that 83 percent expect an increase in electric motor production, 81 percent think automakers will increase investment in battery technology, 76 percent see more power electronics investment, and 65 percent see increased investment in fuel cells. The survey results didn't show any conclusive winner as to which sort of alternative fuel technology might win out, with 20 percent choosing fuel cell vehicles, 16 percent picking battery-powered electrics, 22 percent choosing hybrids, 21 percent weighing in on plug-in hybrids, and 18 percent opting for battery-powered electrics with range extenders.

Perhaps the most interesting nugget we see is that 61 percent of the executives surveyed agreed that "the optimization (so-called downsizing) of internal combustion engines (ICE) still offers greater efficiency and CO2 reduction potential than any electric vehicle technology based on the current energy mix."

Click past the jump to read the full press release results.

Continue reading Global auto execs don't see electric cars making big inroads for at least a decade

Global auto execs don't see electric cars making big inroads for at least a decade originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford retains KPMG to have a look at Jag's and Rover's books

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 08:54:00 EST

Filed under: Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover

Ford isn't wasting any time or taking any chances with the sale of Jaguar and Land Rover. The Blue Oval has hired accounting firm KPMG to go over the English carmakers' books to get them in shape for sale. Specifically, KPMG is tasked with getting the automaker's financial paperwork ready for examination by potential buyers, and to give "a clear picture of Jaguar and Land Rover's performance as businesses separate from the influence of Ford." KMPG's duties will also include looking at the companies' pension liabilities. Through it all, Ford has still not declared outright whether it actually intends to sell the brands.

[Source: The Times Online via Auto News]

Ford retains KPMG to have a look at Jag's and Rover's books originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jun 2007 08:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Navistar to-do list: Restate company financials, hire new auditor

Eric Bryant — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 18:33:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Plants/Manufacturing, Earnings/Financials

Earlier this year, Navistar delayed the filing of its annual report and blamed it on accounting errors by its auditor. Now, the truckmaker has stated that it will fire Deloitte and Touche and will retain the services of KPMG for its auditing needs. The relationship with Deloitte went back nearly a century.

Navistar has stated that it will be restating its financials for 2002 through 2004 and for the first three quarters of 2005. The difficulties come about from the timing of receivables, costs related to warranty coverage that was offered outside of the official coverage period, and some transactions at one of Navistar's foundries.

General Motors, another one of the companies that Deloitte audits, has had a bit of its own accounting troubles as of late. The auditing company has apparently come under fire for its consulting work in recent years due to concerns about conflict of interest.

[Source: Reuters via Yahoo Business]

Navistar to-do list: Restate company financials, hire new auditor originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Apr 2006 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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