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Crunch watch Feb 09: the auto industry in crisis

By Tim Pollard, Ben Pulman and Ben Whitworth Motor Industry 02 March 2009 18:11 Monday 2 March• The Volkswagen Group announces a 5% rise in sales revenues in the 2008 tax year and a 3% increase in operating profits, up to €6.3 billion. Chairman Martin Winterkorn said the group's multi-brand strategy and low CO2 cars had helped sustain sales, although he admitted that 2009 would see a fall in demand and revenues (Volkswagen) Friday 27 February• Jaguar Land Rover announces a significant order for 13,000 cars from a Chinese business. It's a morale boost for JLR which has been hit by a slump in demand with the global slowdown (BBC News)• Opel this afternoon agreed to a restructuring plan designed to save as many jobs and factories as possible – but it needs a €3.3 billion lifeline from the state.

Hyundai HED-4 concept

4x4's have become for many shorthand for the cause of climate change, demonised as emblems of irresponsibility. To launch one that pats the environment on the back rather than stamping all over it in neutral, ergo pure, Switzerland is therefore a welcome repost to typical media hysteria. So alongside the unveiling of their new C-segment rival, the FD, Hyundai will present the latest example of their advanced vehicle research, the HED-4 concept.

Samsung SM5

Samsung Motors, the Korean subsidiary of Renault-Nissan Alliance, recently released the newly-redesigned SM5 sedan for the Korean domestic market. Based on the Nissan Teana, the SM5 is the second best-selling vehicle in Korea's D1 segment, ceding the top spot to Hyundai's Sonata. The most significant change to the exterior design is visible around the front bumper region, where the strong 'chin' (lower section of bumper volume) displays both solid and aggressive styling cues when viewed from the front.