Spyker Group: soon to be renamed the Swedish Automobile

As soon as the authorities provide the green light, thus approving the agreement, the Spyker team will change its name to Swedish Automobile NV. This evolution is the basis for granting the first tranche of aid (30 million euro), which will be delivered to the Dutch manufacturer to settle debts with the 800 suppliers involved in the production of Saab cars.

A second tranche, amounting to 65 million, will be granted as a result to match the purchase of 24% of the stake, valued at € 4.19 per share.

• Spyker Cars will be renamed to Swedish Automobile NV (23/05/2011)
• Spyker-Pangda Deal May Fail on China's Auto-Industry Policy (23/05/2011)
• Spyker and Hawtai Motor Group terminate earlier funding and partnership agreement (12/05/2011)
• Spyker sees difficult situation for Saab (26/04/2011)
• Saab Automobile and Spyker enter into MOU with Pang Da Automobile on distribution/manufacturing partnership for China and equity participation (16/05/2011)

Excise duty on petrol will use the Tar Codacons

The rise of excise duties provided by the government to finance the FUS has sparked the anger of many citizens and many consumer groups. The Codacons seems to be more determined, prepared to appeal to the Court of the TAR of Lazio: "We are preparing an urgent appeal to the TAR of Lazio to stop this absurd measure" - said Carlo Rienzi, president of the association - "the government's decision is wrong , because it causes enormous economic damage to the community.

Increase the excise on petrol to finance the FUS: Reactions

As you read on the main Italian newspapers, Gianni Letta, Undersecretary to the Prime Minister announced that "The tax credit for the show - funding for Culture - was financed by an increase of euro entry ticket to the movies that had concerned about the exhibitors. The Government has lifted the euro to increase the tax credit permanent and financed with part of a modest increase in petrol excise.

Japan Earthquake: builders share; Marchionne: "The impact will be."

Despite the announcement a few days ago, Japanese manufacturers have resumed productive activities only in the last few hours. In particular, Suzuki and Nissan are already shared between March 20 and yesterday and today should be the time for Toyota. A frightening not just recoil suffered by the individual manufacturer in terms of days of lost productivity and self remittances (an estimated total production loss of about 250,000 cars), but the damage to industry that revolves around you, and to manufacturers other countries, without components "Made in Japan", are forced to stop production: it has happened to Renault (-15-20% of the production facilities of Busan in South Korea) and Opel, forced yesterday to stop the assembly plant in Zaragoza, Spain.

• Terremoto - Earthquake Sounder based on the 555 Timer (04/03/2011)
• Jimi Hendrix-All Along The Watchtower (15/03/2011)
• Pray for Japan (12/03/2011)
• Earthquake / Tsunami / Vulcan in Japan - Please Help (14/03/2011)
• City of colours and graphitis - Valparaiso, Chile (05/03/2011)

Japan: the situation

Tension remains very high in Japan since the massive earthquake and tsunami that hit the country a few days ago. Now the threat comes from some nuclear plants affected by the effects of the earthquake and still out of control. Of course, as we had anticipated, the damage is significant even for the Japanese manufacturer, directly or indirectly affected by this disaster.

We then make the situation manufacturer by manufacturer. Some of them, as is well known, also manufacture motorcycles. Honda: up to 20 March each activity at the production is suspended. We talk about the factories Sayama, Ogawa, Tochigi (where there were major damage, here there were 1 dead and 30 wounded), Hamamatsu, Suzuka, and Kumamoto.

Fiat Meetings Government: investment in Italy for 20 billion

The outcome of the meeting between the heads of Fiat Group and the Government are very positive: the Lingotto will invest 20 billion euro in Italy that remains, according to President John Elkann "a point of departure for a company that wants to invest in the world whole, by opening new markets. " After the meeting, Minister Paul Romans said: "Fiat is a big multinational company that is expanding worldwide, but remains with an Italian heart." In a statement issued by Prime Minister's office states that "The Government took note of the positive intentions expressed by the company and its role in the global market.

Fiat acquires 50% of VM Motori

Fiat officially acquiring 50% of VM Motori, a company Cento (Ferrara) so far in the hands of GM and Penske Corporation. Just by that Fiat bought his package in the VM, a company specializing in the production of diesel engines of its own design. Soon the company will be under the direct control of joint venture between Fiat and GM Powertrain (which acquired its 50% stake in the company 'in September 2007).

Fuel prices: get the Commission to monitor

The Government launched a Commission to assess trends in fuel prices means the Board was established by Economic Development Minister Paul Romans and is designed to detect statistically gasoline prices and their trends in our country in relation to those Europe. Will also serve to highlight any discrepancies between growth and the cost of crude oil to the pump.

The body will consist of representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development, the Authority for the monitoring of prices, consumers, trade associations and managers of oil companies. "With the establishment of the committee - said the minister Paolo Romani - it responds to concrete demands from consumer groups.