The setbacks being experienced with Toyota vehicles never seem to end. The giant Japanese automaker has indeed announce on Tuesday it will recall more than 400,000 hybrid cars in the world affected by a defect in the braking system. Among them, 223,068 vehicles sold in Japan, including 199,666 Prius. In the U.S., the figure stands at 133,000 and thousands around the world. This is another blow for the giant Nippon automotive after the 8 million vehicles returned to the garage because of problems of accelerator. The cars are concerned, primarily, the third-generation Prius, manufactured and marketed in Japan since last year.
The worldwide recall also covers tens of thousands of Lexus HS250h and SAI, whose sales will be discontinued in Japan until late February or early March.It also applies to a few tens of Prius PHV, which should be commercialized on a large scale in 2011, but already leased to Toyota by some companies and institutions on a trial basis.
This promises to reverse the more painful for Toyota, it has built its strategy around hybrid vehicles, equipped with a dual fuel engine and electricity, and presented as "environmentally friendly". This announcement follows the statement by the head of Toyota in the United States, Jim Lentz, who admitted Monday that the Japanese manufacturer had been aware of problems pedal acclération in 2007 but the case had not then been identifée, thus denying that his group had hidden recurring problems.A Californian has even filed a lawsuit against Toyota, alleging that it had several problems with its brakes Prius.
Toyota shares gained nearly 4%
During a press conference on Tuesday morning – the second in just three days – the Toyota President Akio Toyoda, reiterated his determination to regain the trust of its customers and ensure that Toyota may "everything in its power" to that payday loans . "Let me convince you that we will redouble our commitment to quality, which is the heart of our society, under my direction," said Aiko Toyoda. The CEO said he would travel to the United States to explain about the reminders.
Aiko Toyoda also confirmed that Toyota will be able to immediately repair the defect on the Prius.However, the remedies are not yet ready for other models recalled, where the interruption of sales agreed in Japan. However, activity has resumed in North America, having been suspended. What Toyota does not deal with several lawsuits in partnership with the United States and Canada, from motorists who accuse it of concealing the existence of the defect of the pedal ' acceleration of their vehicles.
The Prius, whose first version dates from 1997, the hybrid car is the most sold worldwide, with about 1.5 million copies sold in late August 2009.It is central to the strategy of Toyota, whose goal is to sell more than one million hybrids worldwide each year.
At the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the share of Toyota rose about 2.89% to 3375 yen, investors saying it had fallen to a level undervalued.
ALSO READ:
The case Toyota Japan plunged into disarray
"The United States put pressure on Toyota
"Video" Toyota wanted to grow up too fast "
111
Declining tax revenues and rising costs: the state budget did not end in 2009, suffering from this terrible effect scissors. The budget deficit widened to 143.3 billion euros in November 30, cons -66.6 billion a year earlier, said the Budget Ministry on Tuesday.
The difference, over one year amounted to 76.8 billion euros. He "explained mainly by the impact of economic conditions on changes in revenue and up to 34 billion euros by the end measures of recovery plan," says the ministry said in a statement.
In late November, total expenditure amounted to 329.7 billion euros, 13.9 billion more than a year ago. A difference can be explained by the cost recovery plan, advance Bercy."Out Recovery Plan expenditure (general budget and levies on revenues) increased by 850 million euros a year to another," says he.
In late 2009 the fiscal deficit, however, register under the 140 billion euros, one billion less than originally planned, said the Budget Ministry. This table to limit the deficit on tax revenue in December "slightly less degraded" and on "buoyant spending.
Direct consequence of this widening deficit, government debt under the Maastricht should represent 77.9% of GDP at end 2009 and 84% of GDP in 2010. To fill this gap, the state will borrow this year to market a record $ 188 billion.
111
"Serenity insured for your Christmas shopping: place an order before 12:30 pm December 22 with fast delivery or before 16:30 December 23 with the Lightning shipping, and Amazon.fr you book in time for Christmas in metropolitan France and Monaco!". In his mail, Amazon reassuring. However, a strike after the tip of his nose in the only warehouse logistics France, in Saran, Loiret. On site, 40 employees on the 1200 account that the site have ceased trading on Tuesday's call to denounce FO difficult working conditions and wages too low.
The trigger was the decision of management to Amazon to unilaterally raise salaries by 1.5%. "We wanted a dialogue and we have not been heeded. This increase represents an increase of 18 to 20 euros net per month.It is insufficient to increase purchasing power, "complains Sebastian Boissonnet, Steward FW from Amazon. The union does not fail to recall that in the third quarter, the site of online sales has earned a 68% growth in net income. Its operating profit rose 62% to 251 million dollars for a turnover up 28% to 5.45 billion dollars.
Recognizing this, the strikers demanded a general increase of 4.8%, a 13th month for employees, supervisors and managers, meal vouchers supported 60% by the company, and finally a budget increase of Works for social works.
No disturbances
To listen to the strikers themselves, the service should not be disturbed. The company has in fact appeals to a reinforcement of 600 to 700 to ensure the temporary work.Tuesday, Amazon reminded the AFP's requirements: "Our customers are our priority, we continue to do our best to ensure the quality of the experience of shopping on Amazon is optimal, and this obviously includes the fact to be delivered in time for Christmas. " Contacted for comment on Wednesday wage demands, the U.S. did not wish to speak.
Pressure
For the union, this strike will probably not reopen discussions but it should attract attention on the working conditions of employees. According to FP, these are deplorable and become even more in October, early Christmas shopping. "We always stores addition, discharge huge pallets without security. When one points out, we answered 'done with'.On 7 hours of work, we have only 23 minutes break, so we ask for 10 more minutes, "says Sebastian Boissonnet.
The pressure is also very hierarchical palpable. Hence the low mobilization. "There are services management at the plant. Since Tuesday, the manager came to us saying 'think about what you do'. "
For now, the union discussed the action in motion. This is the first strike from Amazon. A baptism that the company could have done at this time of celebration. Especially since the group table, during this period, a boom in sales of between 21% and 36% compared to fourth quarter 2008.
111
The period of wage negotiations between management and unions currently undertaking begins. For example, at Renault, a first meeting on the subject will be held in two days. The big trend? The wage freeze was imposed last year should not disappear but retreat. According to Mercer, 21% of executives would see their wages frozen in 2010 against 42% this year. And 22% of employees against 35% this year.
Difficult, however, to rule on an average amount of increase because firms pay that reference have a different view. According to Hewitt, the increases will reach 2.6% next year against 2.8% in 2009.Mercer is more optimistic and believes that the increases will be larger in 2010 (+2.8% for a manager in the sales) against 2% in 2009 for example.
However all agree that even if a stronger recovery, the increases will not recover the levels (+ 3.5 to 4%) effective in years of strong economic growth.
ALSO READ:
"Uncertainty about wages in 2010
111
Lawyers thwart the security arrangements at the Palais Brongniart
Monday, November 23 is the day j. The 17 questioned and their lawyers converge on the Palais Brongniart which will open at 9 am hearing. Frédéric Peltier, one of the lawyers of EADS, parked his scooter Rue Notre Dame des Victoires. It is 8:15. It comes with the guards of the ancient temple of the Exchange side "little entrance". But to see spurned. For lawyers and lawyers is the main entrance Rue Vivienne, he launched the guards. Counsel toured the building and enter through the "grand entrance". He wanders the corridors of the MFA, where he met other colleagues including the Master Deleuze. They eventually enter the courtroom where there are several members of the AMF. What are you doing here? How did you come? surprised them.Unwittingly, some lawyers have foiled security system set up specifically for this extraordinary hearing!
A large room with small tables
The hearing takes place in a room in the Palais Brongniart, which can accommodate a hundred people. Each respondent has a pre-assigned spot with his lawyers. The seats are comfortable but the tables to make the voluminous documents are narrow and impractical. There is also a little too hot in the room. But the MFA has done his best to hold this special meeting of its duration (one week), because of its size and quality of debate. We have never seen such a concentration of lawyers gathered in one place. Each respondent is accompanied by two or three senior lawyers who themselves come with their assistants. A total of nearly 80 lawyers are willing to participate in debates.
The MFA is she competent?
Frédéric Peltier, one of EADS 'lawyers, pleaded incompetence of the French gendarme market (AMF). It relies on a directive (text that must be transposed into national law of each member of the European Union) EU adopted January 20, 2007. It stipulates that companies listed on several European markets can not depend on individual country regulators that their security is the stock market. The directive states that depend on the stock of Constable country where their headquarters office. For EADS, it is the Netherlands since the headquarters is based in Amsterdam. That is why the BaFin, the German equivalent of the AMF French (AMF) has been divested of the investigation into the alleged insider trading unlike its French counterpart. "Is this a new French exception?" Questioned several defenders.
The minutes of hearing of McKinsey on tables.
Thursday, November 19, Noel Forgeard, the main accused in the case lodged itself at home AMF Place de la Bourse in Paris, an envelope containing a letter addressed to Daniel Labetoulle the Chairman of the Disciplinary Commission of the AMF, with a copy of the minutes of hearing consultants McKinsey by the police financial brigade in early 2007. The defense believes that this is an essential part because those experts have conducted a mission at Airbus between December 2005 and June 2006 to resolve industrial problems of the A380. They proposed in mid-March 2006 and considered possible solutions to meet deadlines. Lawyers have found this document on their desk Monday morning, entering the room where the hearing is held at the Palais Brongniart.Noel Forgeard is liable to a fine of several thousand euros for having sent a copy of this document was in the record of legal proceedings.
A Thierry Francq document leaked to the press
On 1 April 2008, the MFA press release informs that it will notify the objections to individuals and companies it suspects. It has taken this decision following the final report prepared by the department investigation. On 8 April, a website publishing the report in its entirety. The criminal investigation has proved that this document was one that had been given to Thierry Francq who was then the government commissioner, state representative, College of MFA. This document was accessible to several people at Bercy where he was stationed. Since Thierry Francq was appointed by Jean-Pierre Jouyet, the new President of MFA since December 2008, Secretary General of the Constable of the Exchange.A few cases commonplace.
ALSO READ:
"Case EADS defendants presented their defense
"EADS Case: What the AMF alleges that Forgeard
"EADS lawyers challenged the jurisdiction of the MFA
111
