I predict that at least one major manufacturer will go belly up or form a strategic alliance with another.
The middle east will become even more unstable, causing the oil price to rocket again.
Cheerful, aren't I?
There, Auld frostbite has made a fool of himself (again) - now it's your turn.
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Ford will sell Jaguar to GM for $1
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It (motoring) won't get any cheaper! :(
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It (motoring) won't get any cheaper! :(
Funny that, it's never been cheaper. New cars will continue to become cheaper in real terms. Oil price might go up, but then it might not.
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Have to agree with you. When you compare the costs to the late eighties and early nineties. Perhaps Volvoman needs to change his choice of carriage!
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Take your point about new cars being but the cost of motoring is comprised of more than that. I don't see the cost of servicing/repairs, fuel, insurance, road tax, MOT, parking etc. getting cheaper and to add to all of that there's the prospect of congestion charge {coming to a road near you soon :(}, road tolls and whatever else HMG decides to add to the list of motoring taxes (after the next election).
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I predict that tyres will become even wider and tyre profiles will reduce to the point of car manufacturers advertising tyres that "have so little air space in them and such rigid sidewalls, you never have to pump them up!"
Rover won't be around to see 2006 and their factory will be turned into a housing estate with streets such as "Montego Drive", "Rover Road" and "Cooper Close". Oh, and being in Birmingham it'll probably have it's own Midland 'Metro' station.
The Focus will outsell any other car even though it now looks like every other car.
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Jensen Button will win a GP, congestion charging will spread to other major cities and non left wing local authorities will begin to follow Barnets example in removing speed humps and chicanes.
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>>I predict that at least one major manufacturer will go belly up or form a strategic alliance with another
This would have been my main motoring prediction for 2005 too.
Fiat? MG-Rover? Subaru?
Cheers, Sofa Spud
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Bet it won't be Fiat. The Italian government would cough up the lira to keep it afloat.
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Lira?
>>
Yep, lira.
My non motoring prediction is the collapse of the EU. ;-)
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My 2005 predictions:
China deal will not come off for MG-Rover. City Rover sales will still be bad after the price reduction and improved spec.
Most manufactures will see a fall in sales (the French sales will be down a lot) but Toyota, Honda, Kia will increase.
Some car factories will be closed in western Europe because of the new ones opening in eastern Europe and the over production in the market.
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New legislation will be discussed WRT 'qualified' people working on cars.
Huge job losses in one UK based manufacturer.
H
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court case forces ford to put "granada" badge on back of X Type
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* The Rover 45 gets delayed yet again.
* Aston Martins sales go through the roof due to the Vantage.
* The CityRover sales continue to go down quicker then Abi Titmuss and the Titanic put together...
* Jaguar dump the X Type (fingers, toes in fact everything crossed)
* Bugatti Veyron will kill someone, if launched.
* FIAT and GM split
* Mclarens baby car gets canned
* Alistar Darling will say he dyes his eyebrows.
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Over 50% of new cars will be Silver.
Chris M
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Sales from Korean manufactures - Hyundi, Kia et al will lift off in an even bigger way than their already healthy increase in 2004, when Joe Public fully appreciates that you can buy Japanese reliability at Eastern European prices.
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Jeremy Clarkson will become richer than Greedy Gordon (Brown), but remain much more fun
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FIAT to sell Alfa Romeo?
GM to sell SAAB?
Proton to sell Lotus?
PSA to collaborate with FIAT on the respective companies' first off-roaders?
VW to realise it has too many brands?
BMW to announce a move downmarket for Rolls Royce?
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As with many things in data processing, sat nav prices will continue down and become affordable.
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Citroen will showcase an extravagant concept car.
Ford will facelift one of their models so that it is not quite as nice as the current model.
Rover will launch a special edition of the 25 or whatever it is called with personalised "P" reg number plates to signify the year of its development.
Peugeot's 1007 will feature on daytime programmes as being a must have fashion accessory.
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Jaguar will not axe the X Type.
You will still see no CityRovers.
David Coulthard will part company from RBR.
Jensen Button will not win a race.
Michael Schumacher to be world champ. (makes a change!)
Traffic jams will get L O N G E R !
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Jaguar will not axe the X Type. You will still see no CityRovers. David Coulthard will part company from RBR. Jensen Button will not win a race. Michael Schumacher to be world champ. (makes a change!) Traffic jams will get L O N G E R !
Possibly the most accurate predictions yet!
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Almost, RBR will part company with Coulthard. A subtle difference.
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Yes your're probably right RF, Coulthard unable to be on pace through no fault of his own, let go by a team who absolutly will not blame the car.
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As a variation, what about some things that ought to happen in 2005 but won't.....
Oil producers and consumers talk to each other and oil prices are governed by normal economic factors of supply and demand rather than speculation and panic.
MG Rover do a deal with the Chinese company and replace the Rover 45 with a new car that is a step ahead of the competition, calling it a Triumph (why not Triumph Renown - something to make one proud to own a British car).
The Government assists development of a British-built hybrid car - diesel / electric perhaps.
Audi offer a body-coloured front strip to break up the ugly grille as a no-cost option for those of us who prefer the traditional slightly understated Audi look.
A full-size spare wheel becomes a legal requirement on safety grounds (hopefully before rather than after a fatal accident involving a car with a spacesaver going out of control).
CAR magazine becomes interesting again.
My wife agrees to test-drive a Skoda (now that really will be the day....).
Happy New Year everyone. Let's just hope we're all still here this time next year, still driving and still enjoying it.
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>>>> My wife agrees to test-drive a Skoda (now that really willbe the day....).
surely the easiest to make come true.
Make it happen!! She don't know what she's missing!
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. . . and Lady Stripey, after only five years of the Mégane, will learn where the rear window wiper switch is.
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Panic buying by the US aside, I always thought oil prices were for the most part determined by a cartel whose sole aim was to protect the interests of its member states and which restricts supply to that end.
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Inspired by Volvoman's post, I will also predict that, due to the instability and general decline in the US$, oil producers will settle on a new currency to price their wares.
But please, not the Euro!
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From one of the nationals - The Independent, I think.
"Very shortly, a new chapter, or perhaps the final chapter, in its history will be written. Its survival depends on securing a joint venture with the Chinese car maker SAIC, which will take effective control of the company and, in return, inject £1bn for model development. The deal is to be signed this month but the sceptics will believe it when they see it."
"effective control" ?? I didn't realise that bit.
"Elsewhere, the future of Fiat also hangs in the balance. The Italian car maker has gone to mediation in its dispute with GM over an agreement that Fiat says compels the American car maker to buy it."
Didn't know about this one at all.
I know I don't really read automotive news, but I'm a little embarassed that I missed these two.
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It's that old irregular verb again, Mark:
- I have granted you an advisory capacity in return for your substantial cash injection
- You have granted effective control of your firm to me in return for my investment
- He has kissed goodbye to his firm and all it stood for
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I might buy a dacia logan (IF ITS LESS THAN 6 GRAND!)
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Oh FFS!!!! I can't believe that some journalists are just so plain DUMB!!!! How many times does it have to be explained to them??? I wish someone would write a book called "Joint Ventures for Dummies" and send a copy to every journalist in the country.
Yes the agreement will be signed later this month. As soon as it is signed and approved by the Chinese Government, MG Rover and SAIC should be able to release more detailed information regarding the agreement. Hopefully things will become much clearer to everyone. (apart from most journalists of course, who will continue to print the same rubbish that everyone reads and believes...)
However from my understanding, the agreement will effectively result in the creation of a joint venture company owned by SAIC and MG Rover. SAIC will remain Chinese and MG Rover will remain British. Let me repeat that - SAIC will remain Chinese and MG Rover will remain British. Control of Phoenix Venture Holdings (the company the own MG Rover) will remain under British control. However the new JV company will be partially Chinese and partially British owned, the exact percentage ratio will probably be announced once the agreement has been signed.
The JV company will develop new models and own Intellectual Property rights to the new platforms that they develop. I would guess that MGR will perform most of the R&D given that SAIC have no expertise in this area (this is one of the reasons why SAIC are so keen to form a JV) whilst SAIC will supply most of the cash.
The first platform to be developed will be RD/X60, a Golf sized platform. The first models to use this platform will be a 5 door hatchback and 4 door saloon, which will finally replace the Rover 45/MG ZS. It is expected that a Rover MPV and MG sports car will follow and will be based on this platform. (One of the reasons why MGR was so keen to find a partner was that they would only have been able to put a 5 door hatchback into production on their own but with a partner they will have the financial resources to produce other varients from the same platform.) Apparently the development work on this platform is almost complete. However the interior and exterior styling of the above model variants needs to be finalised followed by testing and then finally putting them into production. I have heard that MGR have so far spent around £300-£350 million developing this platform.
Apparently the JV will also develop a platform which, amongst other things will replace the 75/ZT and another platform which again, amongst other things will replace the 25/ZR.
Will be interesting to see if my predictions or almost everyone elses predictions on here regarding MGR will be correct. ;-)
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January
* MG-Rover releases artists impression of its new model R45
* BMW drivers complain of sore eyes when looking at their cars in the carpark
* Paris bans 4X4 vehicles
February
* BMW tells owners to stop whining, and reminds them that it's much worse outside the car
* Following collapse of Chinese deal, MG-Rover announces new deal with Thai manufacturer to build the R45, to be signed soon
* Volvo makes rear seats an optional extra on V60 model
March
* BMW issues free glasses to its drivers, to avoid eyestrain when looking at the car
* MG-Rover releases artists impression of another variant of its new model R45
* Mayor of London announces plans for limited ban on 4X4 vehicles
April
* BMW withdraws Bangle-glasses after owners try wearing the while driving
* Following collapse of Thai deal, MG-Rover announces new deal with Korean manufacturer to build the R45, to be signed soon
* Riots in Knightsbridge as 4X4 vehicles are banned in Chelsea: police pelted with Harrods shopping bags
May
* Recalled Bangle-glasses snapped up by owners of new VW Passat
* MG-Rover releases artists impression of yet another variant of its new model R45
* Manufacturers of 4X4s announced 70% fall in UK sales after Chelsea ban
* New electronic speed limiters trialled on M1
June
* Opticians warn of continued eyestrain caused by new BMWs
* Following collapse of Korean deal, MG-Rover announces new deal with Romanian manufacturer to build the R45, to be signed soon
* Subaru secretly purchases stock of Bangle-glasses for redesign of nose of Impreza
* Drivers Association attacks M1 trial of electronic speed limiters for making safe driving too easy
* Essex taxi-firm announces purchase of new white stretch limo which stretches all the way from Romford to Burnham-on-Crouch
July
* BMW denies rumours that its cars are to be fitted with an off-switch for the foglights
* MG-Rover delivers first V8-engined CityRovers, available only in Burberry colours
* Still smarting from 4X4 ban, Chelsea garage announces new Leopard tank dealership
* Drivers Association denounces proposed new Universal Excessive Speed Warning System as "a cynical attempt to deprive speeding drivers of their excuses"
August
* Shock as MG-Rover refuses to release an artists impression of another variant of its new model R45
* Leopard tank fails to catch on in Chelsea: buyers prefer American M1A1
* Nissan shares soar as new self-parking version of Micra is announced
September
* As Romanian deal collapses, MG-Rover is offered for sale on Ebay
* 16 former polytechnics announce creative-writing courses, to develop excuses for drivers prosecuted after ignoring the Universal Excessive Speed Warning System
* Jaguar announces new Y-type model, applying styling of 1968 XJ6 model to an Escort-sized car
October
* Ebay auction of MG-Rover ends with no bidders
* Jeremy Clarkson-impostor arrested after car review which is mostly about the car being reviewed
* Renault denies reports that next model of Megane will come with optional knickers for the rear
November
* MG-Rover announces sale of business to mystery buyer
* Jaguar announces new Z-type model, applying styling of 1968 XJ6 model to a city car
* Multiple Personality Disorder-sufferer evades fine for driving in multi-occupancy lane of M1, after psychiatric evidence presented in court
December
* Jaguar announces new Zzzzzzzz-type model, applying styling of 1968 XJ6 model to a bicycle
* Matchbox cars confirms completion of its purchase of MG-Rover, describing the business as a "perfect fit", since the only cars produced by MG-Rover are models of the R45
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Nice one NW!
Quiet day at the office?
--
Use it up : Wear it out : Make do : Do without
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London's black cabs get indicators as standard.
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