The Global Auto Industry Is At Stake

My heart sank as news of one car manufacturer after another was asking help from their respective governments for financial support. In recent week French Renault and PSA Peugeot Citroen was given € 3 Billion loan so that its employees could keep their jobs.

Closing a business is the last thing in the mind of every management team. During this hard time I truly agreed with President Obama's remarks on bonuses paid to Wall Street CEO's then using public funds. To those who were forced to leave their jobs and yet seeing their former bosses still receiving bonuses, zipping wines or even buying a new private jet is certainly a pain in the ass.

If Henry Ford is still alive he would regret inventing Model T. Even Enzo Ferrari won't mind just riding a bicycle instead of his fast machine.

Malaysian Made Car PROTON (Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Berhad)was incorporated on 7th May 1983. I was only 16 years old then but as the first Proton Saga rolled out in 1985, there I was proudly seeing a Malaysian Made Car driven by Malaysians. Although it was just a remake of Mitsubishi that particular first model itself provide the symbol and spirit of Malaysians.I assume I would be much prouder if I go to Britain and seeing a British i.e.my former lords driving a Proton.

There has been real signs of negatives in the Malaysian Economy lately but I doubt that PROTON would need a government support in the very near future because in 1998 Proton too has suffered badly but we survived. I am certain the Malaysian Government would provide something to keep the heart of Malaysian Economy moving in its second stimulus package to be announced soon.

I wonder if the crude oil prices would remain as low as it is now for a long time. But my instinct says crude oil price would remain low until at least end of 2009.Now that people worldwide are driving more cautiously the demand for oil is declining too. Admit it, we only drive our cars now only if we have to rather than just driving around seeing chicks.

Happy Valentine's Day....................

Thank God Its Valentine's Day

Dear God,

I thank you for giving me this life and celebrate this Valentine with my love although we are far far away apart. Our love will always be nurtured no matter what the obstacles.