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Relegated to fifth in the world when he was number two behind General Motors in 2004, Ford, the only major U.S. manufacturer to have happened in Washington's help in 2009, returned to growth. It even displays an appetite of an ogre, with the goal of producing up to 8 million vehicles this year, against 5.3 million in 2010.

To support this ambition, the group's strategy rests on two pillars: "One Ford" and Sync. "One Ford" for the universal car pooling and industrial resources, sales and marketing group. Sync technology. The group invests heavily inspired by the universe created around smartphones and other mobile uses.

Indeed, earlier this week, while the motor show in Geneva in full swing, the CEO of Ford himself is in Hanover for the CeBIT, an electronics show.

LE FIGARO.- What is the importance of technology in the strategy of Ford? This change does your brand?

Alan Mulally. – Our brand has steadily improved over the last four or five years. Ford's strategy is to offer a full range of vehicles, from small city to the big family. Each being the best in its class and meet four criteria: quality, safety, reduced CO2 emissions, technological intelligence. All for a price accessible to the greatest number. What we can do with our size and standardization. The Ford Focus Sync is sold between 16,000 and 20,000 dollars, its European price has not yet been determined. Today, 70% of cars bought in the U.S. are equipped with our technology Sync, and 80% of people who use the recommended spontaneously to their surroundings. Ford Sync and MyTouch are real vectors of purchase.To borrow a metaphor from the world of smartphones, Ford is working with Microsoft and acts like Apple. Ford is the latest in mobile technology.

Why high-tech rather than low cost?

We want to be a leader in providing useful services for the driver. With our system, voice commands, the driver can access their phone, including his music, without ever leaving the road. We make the road safer. We started with 1000 voice commands, we are now at 10,000. Ultimately, it will be possible to have a real conversation with his car payday loans. All with simplicity. The car has no onboard equipment, it facilitates the connection of consumer electronic devices.

How does this fit into your strategy "One Ford"?

As you know, we sold our other brands to focus on Ford.This represented 45% of our sales a few years ago. It is almost 100% today, with a full range of vehicles. For this, we rely on our industrial platforms. Focus is produced in five plants worldwide and will be split into ten versions, with 80% common parts. The remaining 20% correspond to the necessary adaptations to local demands. We find the spirit of Henry Ford who wanted to reach the largest number of customers by sticking to their expectations.

Will this be enough for it to regain market share that you lost?

Ford sales have risen dramatically. The four pillars of our strategy are almost universal. Sync is a vector of purchase: consumers want to stay connected to their digital world. Yet there had never been on the market for small vehicles with many capabilities.We will continue our growth by responding better to the expectations of our customers. This year we aim to produce between 7.5 and 8 million vehicles worldwide. This is a tremendous increase in a year!

You are attached to environmental issues. What type of engine for the vehicle of tomorrow?

We improve the performance of our engines, both petrol and diesel, and we are developing both hybrid, plug-in hybrids and electric cars. The recent development is intrinsically linked to the electrical infrastructure, the ability to manage networks. This will require public-private partnerships. Electricity is also a solution for emerging countries seeking to secure their energy independence. Finally, in the longer term, I think the hydrogen engine.Everything will depend on technological advances in the field of batteries, but an engine that emits only water is fantastic!

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Asian markets are mostly in positive territory on Monday. As the United States and Europe, Asian markets seem to have temporarily turned the page file from Libya to the advantage of a lull in the oil markets.

In Japan, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has reported a 2.4% increase in January industrial production in the archipelago through improved production Auto. By comparison, the increase was 3.3% in December and 1% month on month in November, after a steady decline from June to October. In contrast, retail sales in Japan were flat in January (+0.1% yoy).

The Nikkei has rebounded, however, the slope after starting down 0.72%. The benchmark index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange ended the day with a rise of 0.92% to 10,624.09 points.The broader Topix index of his side finished the session with a gain of 0.99% to 951.27 points.

The growth of China and India under the microscope

In China, markets have also started in the red. The Shanghai Stock Exchange and Hong Kong lost 0.23% and respectively 0.36% in early trade. The operators were cooled by ads, this weekend, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. The latter was thus delivered to a lower estimate than that usually given by the Chinese leadership by explaining that "in the five-year plan (2011-2015), we agreed to meet a growth target of 7%. However, the two stock markets managed to close in the green end of the session. Around 7 am, the Hang Seng is 0.79% and the Shanghai Composite gained 0.56%.

In India, the government has given an estimate of growth below expectations.The country registered a GDP growth of 8.2% from October to December in the year. In the previous quarter, July to September, posted a growth rate year on year by 8.9%, better than expected by analysts. The Sensex jumped by 1.43% despite everything.

Furthermore, only a few financial centers are declining. This is the case of South Korea's Kospi, which lost 0.95% or the S & P Australian loose 0.12%.

Oil rises slightly

Crude oil prices were to share the upside Monday in electronic trading in Asia against the growing instability in the Middle East, analysts said.

In morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude for April delivery gained $ 1.66 to 99.54 dollars. That of Brent North Sea crude for April delivery took $ 1.28 to 113.42 dollars.

A total of 131,509 housing units were created in 2010, which constitutes an "absolute record for 30 years, said Thursday on Europe 1 Secretary of State for Housing Benoist Appeared. By comparison, he said that between 1978 and 2003, right-wing government and left together, an average of 50,000 housing units rose from the earth each year. "Since 2004 we made 100,000 a year," he added.

Regarding the 20% quota to be met by cities with more than 3500 inhabitants according to the SRU, the Secretary of State was satisfied. "It goes well, we should have done the 60,000 social housing, we had 90,000 in the towns concerned, so much more than expected," he was delighted. "Above all this is changing now on the 131,000 new housing is actually the maximum where necessary."According to him, barely a quarter of social housing were previously done in the cities of Ile-de-France where there is a real need.

"Inventing the land"

Asked about the additional funds requested by the Paris city council to meet its quota of 20% – Paris now has 17% social housing – Appeared Benoist said the state was already helping the capital. "They produce 6% of French social housing, they are given 20% of appropriations," he says, confirming that the state will not put more hands in their pockets. And to help cities to enforce the law – including some cite the lack of buildable land, "the solution is to invent the new land, new land. When you have a street where every building is seven storeys with the exception of three who only four floors, one can invent three more floors to the buildings.There are alternatives that need to be very innovative. " He also explained that the amount of surface parking in the fifty largest hypermarkets in the Ile-de-France, corresponded to the area of the 10th arrondissement of Paris. "We have some leeway should just invent things and reform the French planning," says he. "To regulate the market there is only one thing to do: produce more housing where needed. Ile-de-France explodes in prices since the ratio between supply and demand is not balanced. "

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The snowfall from the end of December he will serve as a lesson for the future? That's what qu'espèrent the Head of State as industry players. Around Christmas time, a third wave of snow that had fallen upon France had strongly disrupted rail and air traffic. At the airport of Roissy-Charles de Gaulle, 50% of flights had been canceled and some busy days. The lack of anticipation of this climatic episode, and gaps in information available to passengers include culprit.

Presenting his wishes to the officials, Nicolas Sarkozy said Saturday that such a disruption of transport in France was "not acceptable". And advocated that "to be engaged without delay a study on how to improve crisis management.""When we face such situations, our means of action, our modes of organization are called into question," says the head of state. Nicolas Sarkozy has once again promised "appropriate action" to implement quickly. However, it excludes the possibility of equipping France "in expensive equipment that would be used only on very rare occasions": "We're obviously not a country in the Arctic Circle no credit check payday loans. [...] One can understand that the service be disrupted by the weather, but not that users have the feeling to be abandoned, "he said.

Lack of coordination

Some airlines have also expressed concern on their side this Sunday morning on France Info lack of information available to them during this snowfall.Stressing that it is ultimately the airline is responsible for compensating customers disorders, a senior airline complains that he has not always been able to make an informed case for lack of information Airport from Paris. "There is no real coordination between authorities, airport and airlines, and has been three years since we face this kind of difficulty," says Jean-François and Domaniak, president of Euroaipost.

Another official put even directly involved ADP. "Why, if the responsibility of the airport is in question, does it not pay?" He asks. He was surprised especially because if the European Union requires companies shall bear the costs incurred by delays to passengers, the airport, it "does not pay a dime to compensate the airlines' .

Before Christmas surprise! Bernard Arnault continued casually shares her shopping Hermes. Barely two months after announcing its entry dazzling capital, strengthens its presence. LVMH Group announced Tuesday night had crossed the threshold of 20% stake (20.21% exactly).

Initially, he had entered with a whopping 14%, it had increased to 17.1% in the following days. This new threshold crossing can be seen as a new thunder in the family shareholders of Hermes, already traumatized by the forced entry at home. If during his first statement, LVMH had "reserved the right" to increase its participation, he suggested he did not intend in the immediate future, given the levels during the action, driven by speculation related to the standoff.

156.65 euros at the close on Tuesday, even as Hermes has gained 10% last month, or 68% since the beginning of the year. That is almost double the average price that Bernard Arnault said he paid for his first 17%.

LVMH says it has acquired the 3% of the market, reducing the free float to around 7% stake. No member of the family would appear, therefore, have failed in the solidarity of the blood and transferred to the sirens of Bernard Arnault cash advance no fax. Some 60 representatives of families Dumas, Puech and Guerrand descendants to the fifth and sixth generation of the founder Thierry Hermes, the holders of 73% stake, had met in conclave on December 4 to consider a response to the arrival of this new shareholder unwanted.

The project of holding locking a majority shareholder to prevent the sale outside the family and providing a mechanism for domestic liquidity has been decided.Its implementation is subject to obtaining a waiver of the AMF for failing to trigger a takeover on the remaining capital.

With more than 20%, LVMH is now the largest shareholder of Hermes (no heir owning more than 5% individually). Crossing this threshold will consolidate proportionally the profits of Hermes in its accounts if desired. He reiterated, however, his intention not to trigger a takeover of its next capital of Hermes.

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Danone is on all fronts. While some emit can see the group sell its dairy division waters – which could fetch about 7 billion dollars (5.1 billion euros) – Danone wants to continue to diversify outside of yogurt, including products from fruit, as stated in the economy Figaro, the head of Danone, Franck Riboud, last July. Last August, the group has bought Immédia, smoothies number three in France.

According to the boss Materne, Michael Larroche, Danone would also be interested in the manufacturer of sauces. "In the perspective of a future buyout, I can only rejoice in the interest of Danone sauce, but the Coca-Cola," he says in an interview with the daily La Tribune, this Friday.Danone has launched a stewed with sweetener brand Taillefine, "The Garden Gourmet," in January.

Materne brand has been bought by the investment fund, LBO France for 187 million euros Activa shareholder for seven years the manufacturer of sauces, whose sales amounted to 175 million euros free credit score.

"Lactalis still has a chance" to redeem Yoplait

Asked about the departure of national champions abroad as Yoplait, which could be sold to the American General Mills, even though the Swiss Nestlé favors Yoplait, Michel Larroche hopes that "Lactalis has still a chance" and regrets " lack of competitiveness of our agriculture. " Danone could also sell its polar waters for Japanese brewers, although the group has made laititer lie.

In 2009, the water division has completed 17% of the total turnover of 15 billion euros made by Danone, the world of mineral waters with a market share of 11.7% in 2009. The turnover of the pole "mineral waters" of Danone rose 18% in the third quarter of 2010.

Dunce cap for the French economy. A TNS Sofres poll conducted on the occasion of the Days of the economy that are taking place until 11 November in Lyon green tip our shortcomings. The verdict is not glorious as the respondents submitted to a test of knowledge getting a poor 8.3 out of 20. The score of graduates of a second or third cycle is little more exciting since it is barely above average with a score of 10.5 out of 20. As for seniors (7.5 out of 20) and women (7.7 out of 20), they would need more intensive remedial sessions. Men, hardly more enlightened, they get a low 9 out of 20.

Aware of their weaknesses, 73% of respondents are nevertheless convinced that "more control over the economy is now essential if we are to succeed in life better.""The French understand that the economy is not a fantasy but a real activity that interferes with daily personal lives," says Pascal Le Merrer, founder of the Days of the economy. Yet since the 2008 financial crisis, outsourcing cascade or the war between Societe Generale and its trader, Jerome Kerviel, the economy is more than ever the headlines. Without clearly sufficient to raise the general level! Since the terms of CAC 40, the unemployment rate or the rating agencies seem far from being understood by everyone. An example? While the pension reform has been passed in the Assembly and that France has been living for weeks at a rate of demonstrations against the government's plan, only 38% of French respondents know what a "system of discount" (1).They do not know that Germany is our largest trading partner and little control over the extent of public debt.

Phenomenon may be more surprising at a time when the Government welcomes the growing number of autoentrepreneurs in the country, our citizens, eyes riveted on the CAC 40, does not know that the economic fabric of the Hexagon is essentially made up of small businesses with fewer than 10 employees fast payday loans.

Yves Crozet, professor of economics at the University of Lyon, "the French are not stupid though, they are even more clever when it comes to saving or investing in real estate. But they also know that the economy is made up of constraints and prefer to pretend to ignore. "

Extension

Almost paradoxically, these shortcomings are compounded by a surprising appetite for this discipline.For more than 6000 people have registered to participate in the 3rd Day of the economy that are taking place until 11 November in Lyon. Aim of these meetings? Trying just to reconcile the French with the most abstruse economic mechanisms. Participants will not be disappointed, particularly for teachers they will shock Christine Lagarde, Jean-Claude Trichet, ECB president, and Michel Camdessus, former IMF chief, all ready to disseminate their knowledge. Their favorite theme? Governance. In the company. In Europe but also in the mille-feuille of local communities.

"We must stop being ideological positions and to pedagogy, Isabella insists Knock-Meo, instigator of the survey, everyone should get started, teachers, journalists, experts. The school must develop especially students who opt for this discipline. The economy must be taught at the college.Why not primary because to understand the financial mechanisms, we also have some basic mathematical knowledge to make a rule of three, or computing interest rates. But these simple operations are more learned on the benches of the school and the French, can be seen in the survey do not know how to solve it. "So, not very good at economics and math dunces, the French? Again, the survey leaves painfully predict.

(1) This is a decrease in the amount of pension which was right when one starts before the age corresponding to the full rate and the number of years is enough.

For now, the Ministry of Economy, there is no question of declining growth again in 2010, set at 1.6%, due to unrest caused by the pension reform. "In 1995, strikes had reduced the fourth quarter growth of only 0.2 percent of GDP. However, the movement is now much softer, "says one at Bercy. Prior to qualify: GDP is not always a relevant indicator. Thus, a person who can not take public transportation and uses his car consumes more gas and pushed the GDP! "We have estimated the real economic cost, especially taking into account the time lost and losses in different sectors, "says one at Bercy. Verdict: The bill would be 200 to 400 million euros a day of strike. A cost of 1.6 billion to 3.2 billion for the eight days of disruption suffered.But at Bercy, we refuse such a multiplication. And it adds that "we must also take into account the degradation of the image of France, inchiffrable." One thing is sure, if the impact is different for different sectors, SMEs are the first affected california payday loans. President of the CGPME, Jean-Francois Roubaud despairs: "The construction will soon be forced to close for lack of raw material sites," he explains. The slow economic recovery is almost annihilated by these movements that are more of economic terrorism that the right to strike. "Medef denounced the" serious malfunctions ".

Chemical industries: 33 million per day

After 30 days of conflict at the port of Marseille, the EU chemical industry amounted to one billion the cost of this social movement, or 33 million euros per day.Peulin Jean, Director General of the Federation is particularly concerned about the future of some SMEs are losing customers due to lack of raw materials.

Air France: 5 million per day

Air France believes that this type of movement cost him 5 million every day. The cost of cancellations added those delays, diversions or any precautions filling fuel depots. The cost of strikes would exceed the 188 million caused by the eruption of the volcano in Iceland. For its part, the SNCF wishes to be discreet about the cost of strikes until the movement is not over. It is recognized that a general strike causes a loss of 20 million per day.

Trade: growing concern

"In food stores, there is no supply problem, says the Federation of Trade and distribution (FCD).The impact on attendance is not encrypted, but no panic or significant decline in traffic to report. "The concerns are more acute in inner cities. The scenes of vandalism on the fringes of protests in a dozen cities "create a climate particularly harmful, leading to a strong decline in attendance and sales since mid-October," up to – 40% indicate Federation signs of wear (FEH) and the Union of the great trade center (UCV) cheap payday loans . But it is at the distribution of fuel that the impact will be heavier."The refinery shutdowns or deposits result in additional transport costs," says one at Carrefour, a quarter of 1 200 service stations are facing shortages.

Hotels and restaurants penalized

Tourism professionals see a slowdown in bookings due to customer expectations. In the hotel, strikes and shortages of gasoline have already cost at least 3% occupancy rate, according Protourisme. In catering professionals observe decreases in attendance very sensitive, especially on weekends.

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140 million euros! It is the loss recorded by the English club Manchester City, owned since 2008, the wealthy Sheikh Mansour, according to The Guardian. With the loss, Manchester City is placed just behind Chelsea and EUR 162.8 million deficit recorded during the 2004-2005 season. By comparison, during the first half of its 2009-2010 fiscal year ended December 31, Olympique Lyonnais announced a loss of 8.7 million. The club Rhone publish its annual results next Wednesday.

In the footsteps of Chelsea

To explain the financial excesses of Manchester City, it must refer to the payroll. The latter has increased for the 2009-2010 season from 50% to reach 133 million pounds (153 million). And this after an increase of 53% in 2008.Payroll exceeds the amount of revenues estimated at 125 million pounds (144 million) – which for a normal firm is unusual. The uncontrolled increase of the wage effect is in fact an aberration threatening the financial sustainability of clubs. So for about 200 football clubs in Europe, the drain on wages more than 70% of their revenues. 57 of them have even a percentage exceeding 100%.

Manchester City, currently fifth in the Premier League to four points in the race leader, Celsus was the great facilitator of the transfer window last summer with the arrival of Spain's David Silva, the Ivory Coast's Yaya Toure, the German Jerome Boateng of Serbian Aleksandar Kolarov, Italy's Mario Balotelli and English and James Milner. "There is nothing surprising in itself.Manchester City adopts the same strategy as that of Chelsea in the late 90s, "says Vincent Chaudel expert sports Ineum Consulting. Namely recruit the best players in the early years to eventually win titles. However, clubs like Manchester United and Liverpool have done it differently. "City and Chelsea have a history as strong as Manchester United or Liverpool. To compete with these clubs, they must be active on the transfer market, "said Vincett Chaudel.

Beware of financial fair play

If this loss of 140 million euros is not problematic for Sheikh Mansour, whose fortune is estimated at tens of billions of dollars, it is for UEFA. The European Federation will launch by 2014 the principle of fair play which will prohibit all financial club sees its losses exceed 45 million euros to participate in a European competition.The objective is to ensure the financial health of European football by forcing clubs to stop living beyond their means. Eventually, said UEFA, "the clubs should not spend more than they can generate over time." To buy new players, they will have to use money from TV rights, ticket sales, merchandise, sponsorships and bonuses paid back by the competition organizers. Manchester City has less than four seasons to correct. "Sheikh Mansour is nothing to prevent the signing of sponsorship agreements with additional companies he owns," says Vincent Chaudel.

In other words the wealthy owner of Manchester City, like Roman Abramovich to Chelsea, should again cover the debts of the club Mancunian. But should not the club regresses in sport."If the results are not forthcoming, the situation could be problematic, he says. He might get tired. " At Chelsea, Roman Abramovich has already warned: "He wants to win everything," according to what the English player of Citizens (nickname given to players of Chelsea, Ed), John Terry. For now, Sheikh Mansour reiterated in a letter published on the website of the club's determination to make Manchester City one of the best European clubs.

Airbus celebrates its 40th anniversary in style. And in public! The manufacturer has opened this Sunday's five factories in the region of Toulouse and its headquarters in Blagnac families and friends of its 16,000 employees to help them discover their planes and know-how. An initiative called "Family Day". By early afternoon, Airbus announced already 145,000 to 150,000 visitors on tickets distributed.

"Airbus is much better than three years ago," said its chief operating officer, Fabrice Bregier, the few journalists who attended the open house. A healthy both commercially and in terms of "integration industries," Fabrice Bregier insisted, assuring that the A380 had overcome its difficulties.

"We led the industrial integration forced march on the program since mid-2007, and I think we came out of industrial problems of the A380.The aircraft giant Airbus had gained three years of delay due to failures of cooperation between French and German engineers, including electrical wiring. "We have set up common tools and since early 2010, we have a rate of delivery in accordance with plans and an excellent flight availability," he added.

Thirty-six A380 already flying, 200 remain to be delivered, and Airbus confirms its target of "at least 20 deliveries this year." However, Fabrice Bregier warns that "there remains much to do and especially to rise to 40 deliveries a year." In June, the airline of Dubai, Emirates Airlines has signed a contract for 32 A380s. A command record $ 11.5 billion, bringing the fleet to 90 A380 Emirates.

A380 profitable in 2014

Airbus hopes to make money on the A380 delivered from 2014, "a gap of four years which it would have happened," says Fabrice Bregier. The setbacks and lessons superjumbo Airbus has learned, however, may be used to the manufacturer for its newest: the twin-engine long-haul A350 XWB need a personal loan with bad credit. "We have common development tools to all our engineers and our leading partners," said the deputy director general.

Fabrice Bregier ensures that the A350 XWB, already ordered over 530 copies will be available "in 2013, within very close to what was planned in 2007." Les Echos revealed in late August, Airbus had lowered its production targets for its long-haul for the years 2013, 2014 and 2015.This week, the Hong Kong airline, Cathay Pacific, confirmed a firm order for 30 A350s, with a total list price of 7.82 billion, following a letter of intent signed in early August.

The emergence of "new competitors"

Thomas Enders, CEO of the group, for his part underlined the scale of the challenge raised to produce the A350, "with new composite materials, new manufacturing processes for new partners and Airbus extended enterprise." The manufacturer has started, August 31, the production of its future long-haul in Germany. The production plant in Stade, near Hamburg, will produce the upper fuselage, a gigantic piece of almost 32 meters by 6 designed composite materials.

Finally, Thomas Enders stressed the importance of "internationalization of the company, including China and India, to meet new challenges."According to the boss of Airbus, "in 20 years, our new competitors in these countries, and Russia, have had success and it will adapt to this environment."

(With AFP)

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