German economy hits ten year high ...

[EternalOptimist]

I've taken to reading anything in the IHT with a huge pinch of salt since they did an article about Denmark and used one of my clients as an example. Similar thing about workers etc. except they were saying this company had problems getting staff. Seeing as the client has a permie employment policy the SS would be proud of, small wonder they couldn't get staff.

There again, the closer I am to a story I read in the paper the more I've learned not to believe anything written.

I dont believe you

[darmstadt]

So what? The fact that VW is a thriving business to this day is entirely down to them. Perhaps Major wotsisname should have concentrated on saving the British car industry.

Not quite, majority shareholder Porsche is considering a takeover. If it wasn't for Porsche injecting a major amount of capital into them then they would be floundering (they are having some difficulties as it is.) BMW are another one, making something like 8000 redundant this year.

[darmstadt]

It might also help to have the largest population in Europe and a permanent supply of cheap labour.

And who would this permanent cheap supply of labour be then? The Turks, east Europeans on their way to the UK, Asians or Brit contractors? I've been living here for 20 years and can tell you that its bloody expensive and difficult to live here but still a better standard of living than the UK.

[sasguru]

And who would this permanent cheap supply of labour be then? The Turks, east Europeans on their way to the UK, Asians or Brit contractors? I've been living here for 20 years and can tell you that its bloody expensive and difficult to live here but still a better standard of living than the UK.

I think London wins on the expensive stakes but agree the standard of living is miles better in Germany. It's simple things like the average quality of the accomodation that I admire. What would be considered a luxury here is standard there.

[sasguru]

Not quite, majority shareholder Porsche is considering a takeover. If it wasn't for Porsche injecting a major amount of capital into them then they would be floundering (they are having some difficulties as it is.) BMW are another one, making something like 8000 redundant this year.

Point is, they don't have to sell off to the Yanks, Chinese or Indians. And both BMW and VW are viable businesses because they make good products, whatever short-term problems they have.

[milanbenes]

I've been saying about the german economy for years and been shouted down, nice to see you all finally agreeing with me

good work team

Milan.

[Bagpuss]

The damage to the UK manufacturing and especially the automotive industry is long-term and irreversible. It all started with the nationalised British Leyland and continued with the various sell-offs and run-downs of all the well-known brands. Rolls-Royce and Bentley gone to the Germans, MG and Rover to the Chinese (the LABOUR Gov't couldn't 'find' £ 100m they needed short-term at the time)

I think you missed out a crucial bit of history there. The previous government sold Rover to the Germans, who only wanted the range rover and mini brands (as history showed they sold the undesirable parts of the company off into little chunks). Before the German debacle Rover was making cars as a partnership with Honda, the cars were well built and many had Honda engines. The mid 90s civic and rover 400 were almost identical and good well selling cars, admitedly the Rover less so because of prejudice. However, because Honda didn't want majority ownership Major's government sold them to the Germans and that was the final nail in the coffin. If Honda were treated less shabbily Rover would still be making top 5 selling cars.

[DodgyAgent]

I've been saying about the german economy for years and been shouted down, nice to see you all finally agreeing with me

good work team

Milan.

That's because when we were arguing with you about the German economy it was in a poor state

[sasguru]

That's because when we were arguing with you about the German economy it was in a poor state

Hardly. They just don't spend money they don't have, as a country. You will find out what sort of a state we have been covering up soon.

HTH

[Peoplesoft bloke]

and to think we ran/rebuilt VW et al for them just after the war

and early BMWs were rebadged Austin 7s made under licence.