By David S White

As the reorganization of almost everything automotive domestic occurs wholesale field operations must follow.

As marching orders flow downhill, many OEM field office executives and managers are finding themselves in a somewhat rudderless environment. Oh course the pressure for dealer sales will never end. But, just how to set up the new regional and district personnel, processes and structure coming down the road for each field office for some is still a mystery for some.

In preparation for a more comprehensive direction from the home office many managers are thinking about or working on the following strategies to be ready for the inevitable quick start as corporate directions disseminate.

Some proven strategies that have worked for some include;

1. Facilitate Organizational Analysis of factors that affect branch dealer account managers, branch managers and service representatives... environmental impediments to multi-delivery.

Identify sales and service process tasks, activities that do not add value or contribute to the achievement of dealer performance objectives.

2. Document a Branch Process and Flow Chart Analysis for all sales and service duties/tasks, decisions, information needed, communications, and personnel job functions. Core competency analysis areas could include relationship management, investment management, transaction processing, financial engineering, teleservices, risk management, customer information capture, etc. Compare process and flow chart information with OEM dealer F&I multi-delivery process analysis...for gaps and disconnects.

3. Facilitate the Multi-Delivery Change/Improvement Process by mapping the sales and service process from root cause, critical success factors, competitive advantages, and benchmark targets (internal/external) through synthesis, revision and implementation.

4. Develop an Personnel Abilities Test (personality, motivation, and core skills) and assessment measurement instrument (factor analysis) for all branch sales/service personnel. We recommend this instrument be used simultaneously for hiring, training, and personnel multi-delivery assignment decisions by branches.

5. Determine and measure the difference between what wholesale employees are expected to do and what they are actually doing regarding complete F&I product sales and service duties... a Needs Analysis for the new startup (new positions/functions) and diagnostic (likely causes for startup performance problems).

Identify gaps and barriers in meeting sales and service skills, standards (problem solving, dealer process understanding, objectives reporting, dealer sales and service relations, etc.), and knowledge.

6. Facilitate "Team" Sales and Service Performance Standards. Overall, these meetings will assist; responsibility delegation, information sharing, group consensus building, and set up a performance appraisal system and accountability reviews to meet new multi-delivery challenges... reinforce the branch cycle of multi-delivery improvements through increases in commitment, coordination, and competence.

7. Facilitate "Team" Sales and Service Performance Improvement and Evaluations. After standards are confirmed this diagnostic monitor will; - Stabilize and evaluate the performance of each team, - Determine strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, - Outline critical success factors and the characteristics of each teams competitive advantages as they relate to their achievement to sales and service tasks, - Determine relative accountability of each team member.

8. Prepare Training Recommendations for all branch sales and service personnel and management that include specific content need areas.

9. Propose a national Performance Recognition Communications program that acknowledges aggregate performance measures of success, for selected service and sales personnel and teams.

10. Key Account Market Measures Analysis - Establish and identify multi-delivery baseline sales volume and market features and benefits, strength or weakness criteria and probable branch product sales conquest strategies for dealers in various stages of Ford customer involvement.

12. Identify and compare branch sales & service continuous improvement objectives, process and measures of performance against dealer and corporate performance criteria.

With reorganization many domestic manufacturers are now in a position to do it right without the same inventory and cost pressures that existed before public investment became a reality.

Ask the author for a complete strategy review.

By David Urmann

Toolboxes save time and effort looking for a specific tool needed. It helps get a job done faster and more efficiently. These toolboxes are used at home and at work. It can also be used in the automobiles. Automobile toolboxes are generally more compact and portable because of the limited space of vehicles. One example is a trailer toolbox. It is widely used in mobile home though they can also be used for other purposes. Other toolboxes may not be handy for your trailer so it is best for you to have an executive trailer toolbox.

A trailer toolbox basically has perfect lockable storage. It provides easy access to the stored items. It is easy to install and remove, and are made of weather-resistant materials. These are generally bulkier compared to other toolboxes. It can hold more hand tools and other things needed for a trailer. Some are detachable while others are fixated.

There is also a toolbox for vans. It can usually be attached in the truck's wheel or behind the third passenger seat of the van. It has stainless steel door hinge and with heavy gauge back panel. A good design has a keyed T-handle. It comes with a lock, is rust resistant, weather resistant, with lift support and fingertip control, and easy to install and remove. On the other hand, pickup toolboxes come in many styles. There are those that can be mounted on the side rails of the truckbed. This is the most popular because the tools are easy to retrieve when needed.

Pickup toolboxes mostly have easy sliding doors instead of hinged doors. This is because truckbeds have limited space. Otherwise, some are installed on the sides to give more room on the flooring. There are also many custom toolboxes, made to fit the shape of any car. The shapes and features vary depending on the size and purpose. So when ever you choose one custom toolbox, better choose the design that fits your needs.

Toolboxes are made to store all the tools and things that we have so that we would not have a hard time looking for the said tool just because we have missed placed them. This is also made for easy and handy carrying of tools. With automotive toolbox, you can easily carry all your tools in a handy manner at one time.

Regular cars also have toolboxes made especially for them. Since cars are smaller compared to vans or trucks, their toolboxes are usually customized to take the shape of the compartments at the back. Some toolboxes can also be made to fit underneath the passenger seats. There are also toolboxes made for motorcycles. These are placed on the compartment box at the back of the driver. Because of the very limited spaced, these toolboxes are often small. The most essential handy tools will fit inside.

For bicycles, some portable toolboxes can be wrapped around in the middle, just above the axle. These are often elongated and thin so as not to distract the peddling of the cyclist. Some toolboxes can also dangle in the handles. There are other bicycles also with small compartments at the back. It can also safely hold the toolbox.

These toolboxes are generally made of two kinds of materials: metal and plastic. Whatever material your preferred toolbox is, it would depend on your choice. You know the pros and cons of having a plastic toolbox and a metal toolbox. Choose the one that you think is very helpful to you and has long life. The one that is durable will have long life.

By Jenny McLane

The Focus FCV is one of the industry's first hybridized fuel cell vehicles combining the improved range and performance of hybrid technology with the overall benefits of a fuel cell.

Using a fuel cell powertrain supplied by Ballard Power Systems, the world leader in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology, the FCV is hybridized with the addition of a nickel metal-hydride battery pack and a brake-by-wire electro-hydraulic series regenerative braking system. The fuel cell engine converts chemical energy into electric energy using hydrogen fuel and oxygen from air. The electric energy then powers the vehicle's electric drive motor, producing only water vapor and heat as by-products.

Just like Honda's Insight and Civic hybrids, the new battery 'assists' the main powerplant by adding extra power when accelerating or climbing hills, and is charged by regenerative braking system when braking or decelerating. Of course, the Civic and Insight use a small gasoline internal combustion engine instead of a fuel cell, but the principle is the same.

"This Focus FCV is the most sophisticated environmental vehicle Ford has developed," said Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, Ford Motor Company vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering. "As such, is a critical success in our long-term strategy to move toward high volume production of hydrogen powered cars and trucks."

The Focus FCV has onboard sensors, which constantly monitor the fuel cell stack, trunk and the passenger compartment. If trace amounts of hydrogen are detected, the system will warn the driver. If a slightly higher level is detected, the system will transition to a limited operating strategy and then begin shutting down vehicle operations.

Its new battery pack, regenerative braking system and improved hydrogen gas storage tank help increase the driving range of the four-passenger Focus FCV to between 250 km (160 miles) and 320 km (200 miles) - about 30% better than the previous version,

The new Hydrogen Storage Tank Technology in the Focus FCV stores four kilograms of hydrogen, which is equivalent to four gallons of gasoline. It also features an in-tank pressure regulator, which lowers the pressure so the gas leaves the tank at approximately 150 psi to work its way through the fuel cell.

Ford is working closely within the industry and with fuel providers to help develop government codes and standards for a hydrogen-fuelling infrastructure and to help improve the commercial viability of fuel cell technology by bringing all stakeholders together in an effort to eliminate barriers to mass production and implementation.

"The launch of this Ford fuel cell demonstration fleet, together with the previously announced DaimlerChrysler deployments of cars, vans, and buses powered with Ballard® fuel cells clearly demonstrates the strength and leadership of our fuel cell alliance," said Dennis Campbell, president and Chief Executive Officer, Ballard. "This unique collaboration between Ford, DaimlerChrysler and Ballard Power Systems is fielding the most extensive fuel cell vehicle demonstration ever undertaken.

With years of combined experience in selling premium quality auto parts, Partstrain has been the trusted and most reliable source of superb quality engine parts, electrical body parts and other auto parts. Shopping for excellent quality automotive parts here in Partstrain is easy and hassle-free. You can browse our accessible user-friendly online parts list at http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByVehicle/FORD either by make or part type. Ordering is a breeze, simply select the premium car parts you want and fill in your particulars at its secure checkout page.

By Anthony Fontanelle

The drive for cleaner cars roaming the streets of the global community has reached another high. Case in point is the funding of research on major automotive innovations by the French Industrial Innovation Agency (Agence de l'Innovation Industrielle, or the AII). The agency recently announced that they will fund the research being conducted by Valeo, a leading automotive supplier all over the world. The AII has arranged the release of 61 million euros for use in the study being conducted by Valeo. The mentioned funding is in connection with the company's aim to decrease the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by vehicles.

"This funding recognizes the value of the work that Valeo engineers have been undertaking in this field for several years and will allow us to offer the market new solutions that can provide up to 30 percent fuel savings with a significant reduction in CO2 and pollutant emissions," says Thierry Morin, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Valeo.

Valeo is doing research on two major innovations which will greatly help car makers in producing cleaner cars. The first one is the camless system. Valeo is looking for ways to replace the camshaft with electromagnetic actuators. This is a major innovation since a camshaft is common on all engines and this is the component which closes or opens the intake or exhaust ports by controlling the valves. The technology aims to reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions by as much as 20 percent. The fuel consumption will be reduced since the electromagnetic actuators will be powered by the car's battery instead of being a load on the engine. The technology will also increase significantly the performance and ride comfort of a vehicle by increasing low-end torque. This technology is primarily aimed at gasoline engines but a diesel version will also be developed in the future.

The second innovation being looked into by Valeo is a next-generation hybrid. Valeo hopes to improve the performance and fuel efficiency of their StARS+X technology. The technology will be equipped with a Start-Stop function which will enable the vehicle to shut the engine during idling. The technology will also be employing a regenerative braking system. This means that the energy given off during the application of the brakes will be recovered. Valeo will also add a high powered alternator that will provide the added power to the engine during low speed driving. Aside from these, better capacitors will also be used which would complement the entire system. All in all, the improvement on the StARS+X technology will further reduce the fuel consumption of a vehicle by as much as 15 percent.

These two systems that are being looked into by Valeo are compatible with each other. This means that in the future, vehicles may be equipped with a hybrid camless engine which will dramatically reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by vehicles. This technology when employed on cars will definitely make a difference just like a brake component from Active Brakes Direct.

By Chris Eastwood

If you are a job seeker looking for a new challenge, where do you start your search?

Take Accountants, for example. There are Financial Recruitment Agencies out there who are major players with high street branches and well known names. They market extensively and enjoy a good reputation so surely they deal with the full range of employers. If not why not?

The big players often do deal across the board, but we are all familiar with the old adage "jack of all trades, master of none". When you look at all the industry sectors who operate in our current commercial world you understand that this is the age of the specialist. If you wanted a software designer, would you take someone from the fashion industry? You may have to if there is a shortage of contenders for your role, but would you wish to pay someone to find one for you? The only reason a consultant would offer you a goat to pull a cart is if it can't find a horse! And it would do so on the basis that it may take you longer but you'll get there in the end. That's not a solution.

Anyone who has placed a recruitment ad in a main publication knows that a major pitfall is the sheer volume of aspiring candidates who respond. How do you deal with them, and more importantly who deals with them? Who draws the short straw? This is where specialist recruiters come into their own. A good specialist consultancy with a solid reputation and a well known name in its sector will filter all of the vast range of job titles it holds on its register and come up with a few choice people with the skills and personal attributes that you need in the right locality and salary range. Saving you time and money.

Which bring me to my second point and another analogy: Why keep a dog and bark yourself? If you use a general recruitment consultancy you may find yourself, at the worst, inundated with unsuitable CVs from different sectors, or at the best with one or two candidates loosely suited to one or two elements of your role but by no means a perfect fit. Will you be confident in your choice once you've made it?

Whist it's true that if you don't employ you don't pay, how much time do you spend driving down cul-de-sacs before you reach your goal, and how much productive time do you lose. Who recruits in your organisation, do you have a personnel department or does the task fall to a line manager who wastes valuable time on a journey without a map?

As is the case with most outsourced services used by business, if it doesn't pay to keep a dedicated resource in your business and the learning curve is too steep to contemplate, you outsource. It's the modern way. You pay for the resource as and when you need it, and the level of expertise that you receive is greater.

If you are recruiting in a Niche Market and you chose your consultancy well you should gain access to your key candidate at speed. Eliminating pointless interviews and navigating your way through a whirlpool of employment legislation safely and successfully.

By Pete Ridgard

Saab is by far Sweden's most famous automobile producing company. They have been known to produce excellent, classy vehicles for many decades. Saab is most famous for its 9-3 and 9-5 models, which have gained global recognition for their safety and overall features among other small executive cars. The Saab 9-3 and 9-5 make great cars for classy businessman at great prices. Although people may be tempted to look at the newest Saab models, it may be a good idea to look at a used Saab to save money, yet still get an awesome car that will last for many years to come.

The Saab 9-3 was launched in 1998 in an effort to revamp the Saab 900 model line. The new model effectively made over a thousand changes to the old 900 series to make the 9-3 significantly improved compared to its former model. Most of the changes were to improve safety ratings, which was successful in getting it rated the Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. A used Saab 9-3 is certainly a safe and very affordable pick for anyone with many options of different body styles such as hatchbacks, sedans, and convertibles.

The Saab 9-5 is Saab's other most popular model according to sales. The 9-5 is known for its station wagon body style; however, it is also available in a typical sedan style additionally. The 9-5 has been used by police forces in both Sweden and the United Kingdom in specific sectors of the country. Compared to the 9-3 the 9-5 is larger so it is suitable especially for families as opposed to the 9-3. For those looking for more power in their Saab the 9-5 Aero offers a much more upgraded drive train. Because the 9-5 is more upgraded it is more expensive than the 9-3, but is well worth the price. A used Saab 9-5 would be a great idea because you will save money and still reap the benefits of a large, powerful car.

The Saab 9-3 and 9-5 are great cars with benefits in each model for nearly everyone. Because of their great reputation for upper class cars that are stacked with safety features, it may be smart to consider a used Saab if the price tag of a new Saab seems to be on the high end of the spectrum for what you are able to afford.

By Pete Ridgard

In my experience, there are two very distinctive types of executive saloon car available on the market. First of all you have the saloon that has been designed to make a great impression on clients and such like, but so much effort has been plied into the design that there has barely been any time has been spent on the engineering side of things. Adversely, the other type of saloon has been tuned and engineered to perfection, but the aesthetics look like less than an afterthought. What most executive saloon drivers are looking for is an amalgamation of perfect design and precision engineering, which is handily where the Saab comes in.

The particular model that caught my eye was the Saab 9-3, which has been a slow-burning seller in the United Kingdom for many years now. There is little point arguing that the Saab 9-3 doesn't look every bit as professional as the more expensive BMW 3 Series and the performance of the light pressure turbo engines is every bit as impressive as the BMW's German engineering.

The whole business of executive saloon cars is undoubtedly an expensive one, so for those of us who don't have the deep wallets required to shell out for a brand new saloon model, there is the used market.

Before you turn your nose up at the possibility of owning a Used Saab, i would recommend at least test driving one as you can get some 'nearly new' models with huge discounts off the original new price. It could be worth taking a look around for a nearly new Used Saab.

By Lee Child

For those with little experience of today's recruitment market within the manufacturing and engineering industry, it can often be a daunting task to understand the best way of securing an appropriate technical engineering job, senior management position or an executive appointment. Within this article we hope to give you some more information on how to select the best Executive Recruitment partner for you.

Often, new job seekers become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of manufacturing jobs advertised on online recruitment sites such as Monster, Total, Jobs, Hotonline, Planet Recruit, Jimfinder, Just Engineers, Executives on the Web and Jobsite. Furthermore, individuals seeking manufacturing jobs, often become disheartened when they receive very few responses to a high volume of applications made. For those that are new onto the market, there are a few things that should be considered, probably the main one being "which is the best executive recruitment company to partner with?"

In order to supplement your own job applications, it is advisable to partner with one or a select few Executive Recruitment Companies who genuinely specialise in Manufacturing and Engineering vacancies as opposed to working with a generalist. Often the most valuable process undertaken by the executive recruitment consultant will be to spend time understanding your individual needs, your key skill sets and your career aspirations, and then work alongside you to generate a profile of clients which they can then make direct contact with. The consultants understanding of the manufacturing and engineering industry is a vital factor in this process as this knowledge can save a lot of time in securing your next job. A good understanding of the cultures that exist in certain types of manufacturing environments, a knowledge of which skills would be of interest to certain businesses, an understanding of the key drivers that exist within specific sectors can only add value to the candidates job hunt, as this will ensure that well matched manufacturing vacancies are presented to the candidate in a timely manner.

Further considerations when looking for a job in manufacturing

As mentioned above, it is recommendable that you choose a recruitment consultant who focuses purely on working with people in industry to fill manufacturing and engineering jobs. It is also advisable to consider and question further what area of expertise your ideal consultant would have. Would they specialise in aerospace jobs, automotive jobs, jobs in defence, jobs in the process industry, jobs in design, capital equipment jobs; obviously the list is endless. Once you have considered this, it is worthwhile considering what level of job you are focussing on i.e. is would your ideal consultant specialise in technical engineering vacancies, management jobs, senior management jobs, director level appointments or executive appointments.

Obviously what we are doing here is coming up with the "best fit" for you, the ideal company for you to partner with. At this stage it is worthwhile investing some time in speaking with few people in your own network, looking through recruitment websites to get a feel of what certain companies can offer before picking up the telephone and speaking with the recruitment consultants direct. At this stage it is worthwhile asking the consultant you speak with the questions that will help determine how close the recruitment consultancy is to your "ideal recruitment partner." Once you have shortlisted 3 or 4 specialist manufacturing and engineering recruitment companies, it would be advisable for you to meet with the company's consultants face to face to understand them more and to ensure that you have fully demonstrated your key achievements, your aspirations and the key factors you are looking for in your new job. This information will ensure that they work with all the facts required for them to do their job effectively.

With one or two quality recruitment companies working on your behalf, at the right level, in the correct areas of the market, this should ensure that your exposure is maximised and that you get the correct volume and quality of manufacturing and engineering vacancies to consider. If this thorough process is followed thoroughly, then when combined with other means of flagging up opportunities such as direct applications through the newspapers and internet, then it should ensure that no stone is left unturned and the process is as seamless as possible.

By Ronnie W Tanner

The influence of the Big Three is not only shrinking in the domestic market, but also declining as a force in the global economic landscape. The decline in sales and productivity may seem like a result of the US automotive industry lagging behind as businesses, but the problem has many complex factors. The industry itself is of course partly to blame, but there are many influences that have led to the current status of American car companies in comparison with foreign car companies.

First, the difference in car designs demonstrates the intricacy of the problems facing American car companies. In years past when the economy was thriving, design matched the needs of the consumer in the present, and sometimes the past. National trends in preferences were equally near-sighted, and car companies had no need to promote any other kind of car besides one Americans would spend more to buy. Foreign markets, however, created a more progressive demand, and the most noticeable force was, and still is, the consumption of gasoline. In European and Asian markets where gas is more expensive due to higher taxes, saving money began not at the car dealership but at the gas station. So, when deconstructed, the simple problem of design differences becomes a multi-faceted issue where car companies, consumers, and government are all responsible. The balance and influence of all three on one another in this country is especially important when the car companies were once large, dominant players in the domestic and global economies. So, the other factors that have led to the collapse of the Big Three are actually all part of the same problem. But, the progress of the Asian auto industry highlight the major problems slowing the progress of the American auto industry.

From a business standpoint, the difference in production between Asian and American companies demonstrates one area where the US industry lags behind. First, labor costs are one major issue that Japanese car companies have been able to control through union relations. American auto workers' unions have held influence over company executives, and as a result, union demands reduce profit margins starting right on the factory floor.

Car companies are also plagued by their corporate structure. Ford initially solved a problem of miscommunication and uncoordinated suppliers, but they created more problems down the road. Toyota avoided problems of inefficiency and bureaucracy by creating small, efficient entities for supply and manufacturing. The inflexibility of American car companies started from the suppliers upward, and higher costs were felt at every step in the manufacturing process. The philosophy of centralized control not only drove up costs but drove down innovation, leading to designs and ideas that were too slow to react to market changes.

Finally, government policies have slowed American innovation. Asian governments have used taxes and incentives to encourage their citizens, and the lack of these kinds of programs has led to a stagnant auto industry. In China, taxes on small, fuel-efficient cars have been cut in half, creating increased demand for small cars. As a result, manufacturers have been able to charge more for their product at a time when American car companies are slashing prices to encourage sales.

The American auto industry is lagging in the world market, and it is a product of its complicated past. However, since the blame is not only with the companies themselves, returning the US automotive industry to its global prominence will require an understanding of all of its influences, and a concerted effort by the industry, consumers, and the government alike.

By Robert Kokoska

The great depression is making life miserable in the U.S. It is even catching up with the automotive industry. With the crude oil price hitting all-time highs and when doubts prevail about the availability of the fuel, and the scientific fraternity burn their midnight oil to come up with an alternative for oil, who can we blame if people show the cold shoulder to autos. More than that it is more economical to hire a taxi, rather than maintaining a luxurious sedan. The automotive sales figures of 2007 show some good signs for some cars while others show dismal performance.

Total sales show a down swing in the US with a decrease of 2.5% over 2006. Domestic vehicles are down 4% while automobile imports have gone up 2%. When it comes to autos, it is again General Motors leading the fray with Ford and Chrysler LLC following upon their heels. While sales of General Motors is down 6%, Ford and Chrysler LLC are down 11% and 3.1% respectively.

Toyota has surpassed Ford in sales in the US by about 3.5% selling about 60,000 more vehicles than Ford. It is something unbelievable and happened for the first time. The top European car model is still the BMW. It shows a 7% increase over last year. Volkswagen comes second. The sale of the Ford truck series is up and the pickup truck has been at the top of the best-seller list in America for more than 25 years.

But sales of the F-Series were down by 13 percent, and the Chevrolet Silverado ended the year about 72,000 units behind. Even the October sales of general Motors plunged headlong by 45 percent, with Ford and Chrysler LLC following closely to a pathetically weak level in the past 25 years. The reason is blamed on low consumer confidence coupled with economic depression. People are reluctant to invest in motor vehicles due to the fear that they may suffer more if they invest in them.

This October, the vehicles sold were fewer than the vehicles sold last year this month. This month the sales were only 838,156 vehicles which is 32% less. According to Auto data Corp and Wards Auto Info, this is the worst the industry has been since January 1991. This is clearly a severe, severe recession for the U.S. automotive industry and something we really can't sustain. Clearly we are in a dire situation Says Mike DiGiovanni, GM's executive director of global market and industry analysis. He further adds that if GM sales were adjusted for population growth, this was the worst hit that has ever happened.

It's truck sales also tumbled by 51 percent. Passenger car sales also dipped by 34 percent. Even Ford's Focus small car, cannot hold it's ground and saw its sales drop by 18 percent. The condition is so bad that cars that were once selling high volumes show a dismal state. For the Honda Acura model, it was the other way round and had their sales rise by 6 percent. Nissan Corp also had nothing to boast about. The bleak car sales is an issue of concern for the coming president for they have promised great investment in this sector.