Crunch watch Jan 09: the auto industry in crisis

By Tim Pollard, Ben Pulman and Gareth Evans Motor Industry 30 January 2009 12:39 Friday 30 January 2009• Honda is about to close the Swindon factory for four months when Friday's shifts are finished; the shutdown will affect 2500 of the 3700 staff, who will receive full pay for two months and then 60% pay for the next eight weeks (BBC News)• Porsche has announced a sharp drop in sales and likely profits. It forecasts a 27% drop in 911, Boxster, Cayman and Cayenne sales to around 34,000 units in the six months to the end of January 2009 (Financial Times, subscription required)• Ford wants Washington to do more to stimulate car sales, after posting a record loss of nearly $14.6 billion earlier this week (Detroit News)• Honda's quarterly profit has crashed by 90% – forcing the Japanese car maker to halve its annual profit target (Detroit Free Press)Thursday 29 January 2009• Ford of Europe is a bright spot in the Blue Oval's quarterly results today, making $1.06 billion pre-tax profit in 2008 (up from $997m in 2007). It's the first profit of more than $1bn since 1989 (Automotive News Europe, subscription required)• Volvo suffered a 'disastrous 2008' with a pre-tax loss of $1.46bn.

Rumor mill: Porsche 928 successor on the way?

Porsche is reportedly planning a spiritual successor to the front-engine, rear-drive 928 coupe, according to U.K. magazine Autocar. The new grand tourer, which could wear the 929 nameplate, will be based on a shortened version of the Porsche Panamera platform and will be offered in both coupe and convertible body styles.

AAA to deploy fast-charging trucks for stranded EV drivers

The American Automobile Association plans to use fast-charging trucks to help electric-vehicle drivers who get stranded when their car battery runs out. AAA will begin testing the trucks starting in August, the group told Bloomberg. At first, there will be six "mobile charging units" stationed in California, Oregon, Washington, Florida, Tennessee and Georgia.