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The automotive industry has yet taken advantage of the premium for scrap in February. The new car sales rose in February from 3.2% a year, said Tuesday the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA). Just over one million vehicles were registered in Europe (EU and Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, but not Cyprus and Malta).

The increase in sales to 7.9% on the first two months of the year, ACEA said. But compared to pre-crisis in January and February 2008, registrations were down by 15% and 16%, said she.

The differences between the different European markets have increased compared to January. Countries like France, Italy and the UK still benefiting from the effects of scrapping bonus with dramatic increases in registrations respectively 18.2%, 20.6% and 26.4%. Spain has seen its sales off by 47%.In contrast, Germany, which has exhausted its position to support the sector, recorded the worst results in Europe, with a fall of 19.5%.

This buoyant market at arm's length by car scrapping has been particularly successful with French brands payday advance lender . Renault (Renault and Dacia brands) has seen its sales jump 30% on a year to 109,663 units, the PSA group (Peugeot and Citroen) of 18.4% to 149,128 units. The Volkswagen Group (Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda), European champion in the sector has recorded its share of sales decreased by 1.7% to 207,969 vehicles.

Renault in third place

Other brands, Fiat sees sales increase of 12.4%. In the high-end, sales of BMW rose 6.3% thanks to the Mini (+22.7%) while those of Daimler sank 9.7%.Among non-European groups, Toyota saw its sales fall by 7.6%, General Motors (Opel, Chevrolet, Saab) of 2.8% and 13% of Suzuki. In contrast, Nissan rose 32.1%, Korean Kya 26.8% and 24.5% of Hyundai.

Vokswagen The group maintains its first place in the European rankings, with 20.1% market share. PSA is in second place (14.4%). In third place, its good results enable Renault (10.8%) than Ford (10.1%).

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Total, Renault and Areva are warned: Nicolas Sarkozy keeps an eye on them special attention. This is the message sent by Nicolas Sarkozy in an interview with Le Figaro Magazine, published on Friday morning. Asked about his plans for the nuclear industry, the President of the Republic has decided: "We will decide in April, when Francois Roussely get me released its report. The Head of State stressed the importance of a complete reorganization of the sector. "At a minimum, requires that the chain is reorganized so that teams of France did not compete do so cons-productive." The lesson of the failure of Abu Dhabi should serve us for the future. "

Nicolas Sarkozy evokes the friction between the two giants of French nuclear, EDF and Areva, vying for leadership of the sector. For him, these "public disputes between the leaders of these companies is unacceptable."The president warned: "The state will place the order."

Nicolas Sarkozy referred to "the question" Areva, which he considers "extremely complex", without mentioning any departure of Anne Lauvergeon, a subject that is the subject of persistent rumors. Not a word, therefore, about the boss of global nuclear leadership. However, the Head of State spoke on Henri Proglio: "We have appointed head of EDF's a very good manufacturer," says he. The CEO of EDF has publicly criticized the strategy of Areva, which does not hide its desire to place EDF as leader of the French nuclear industry internationally.

Renault under pressure from shareholder

The president is very tough on the manufacturer who "has to remember that French was" when the State has paid 3 billion euros "to help end the crisis" .Nicolas Sarkozy denied any policy of relocation efforts "to manufacture outside of the cars we sell in France. A reference to the decision by Renault to produce some of the production of its Clio in Turkey IV.

"This is not the president speaks, the state shareholder holding 15% shares of the group! It is still reassuring for the French taxpayer to know that their money will create jobs in France rather than abroad. "

Reindustrialization forced to Total

The closure of the refinery at Dunkirk by Total also react President of the Republic, while the latter maintains that in the course of 2010, unemployment will fall ( "I am confident that we follow good economic strategy. It will bear fruit this year).Total welcomes Nicolas Sarkozy for his 8 billion euros of profit: "So much the better, and congratulations," he said. But for the Dunkirk refinery, he said: "We could not announce its closure and say to the re-industrialization, we will see later.

Nicolas Sarkozy calls for "respect of persons" and expects "the immediate closure corresponds to a new project of re-industrialization". It thus incorporates the words of his Minister of Industry, Christian Estrosi.

The 35 hours again chipped

These files allow the burning president reaffirmed his rejection of 35 hours, he considers "a very great challenge for our economy." For the past Nicolas Sarkozy had "facilitated the relocation, the deindustrialization and falling wages.He said, "we wanted to destroy the competitiveness of our industry, we did it would not take otherwise."

Hence the need to revive the country's industrial policy. "We are the only country to ask the question of its usefulness" while France "has lost 500,000 manufacturing jobs" from 2000 to 2007.

Nicolas Sarkozy is optimistic for this year: "If we are not yet out of the crisis, the recession is over" and "growth exceeding 1.5% in 2010 is expected. So far, the latest forecast Bercy had forecast a rise of 1.4% PIBB.

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It is a non-final, which sounds like a challenge to international pressure: the Icelanders did not want to spend their lives to pay the bill left the bank Icesave. Saturday, they have rejected more than 93%, the repayment plan to Great Britain and the Netherlands for around 3.8 billion euros, lost in the collapse of Icesave, in October 2008. A firm that could pay off: yesterday, said London was ready to "be flexible" in the coming negotiations.

"There is every reason to congratulate the people of Iceland. The result was clear, "welcomed the President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson. In January, he had refused to sign the bill says Icesave, narrowly passed by Parliament. Under public pressure, he preferred to call a referendum."The public understands that we must be treated as a sovereign nation and not be intimidated by the British or Dutch," exclaimed Magnus Arni Skulason, founder of the movement indefence opposed to the agreement Icesave. For indefence it was deeply unfair to place too heavy a bill – 100 euros per capita per month for eight years – on the shoulders of a ruined country.

London said he was "flexible"

After a strange country where no one had called to vote yes, this result is "not a shock to the government," relativized the first Social Democrat Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir. Like several of his ministers, she herself had chosen to abstain … But such a tidal wave put the coalition into a corner cash advance america ."These results represent a serious warning to the government, says Olafur Isleifsson, professor of economics at Reykjavik University. By abstaining in the vote crucial to the nation, they showed that they were very distant from the people. "

Rejecting any possibility of resignation, Johanna Sigurdardottir said there was "(our) duty to resume negotiations" with London and The Hague. "It is important that we do so as quickly as possible," added the Minister of Finance, Steingrimur Sigfusson.It would be difficult (to reach an agreement) if we approached the elections too. "The elections are due in May in Britain and in June in the Netherlands.

To the President of Iceland, the ball is now in the court of London: "The main question now is: what will Gordon Brown?" The British finance minister, Alistair Darling, responded on Sunday: "We are prepared to be flexible "he admitted, noting that the reimbursement would require" many, many years. " As the government of The Hague, he assured to remain "involved in finding a solution."

Another failure of talks might push a little further in the Iceland crisis, delaying a bailout plan of 3.3 billion euros pledged by the IMF and Nordic countries.Some analysts say it could hamper his candidacy for the European Union, giving London and The Hague a reason to oppose it.

A hasty return to Australia of Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the European Central Bank in Europe, leaks to the press revealing a plan to aid in Athens … The financial markets were very well received this information. The risk premium on debt Greek, very high, has dropped. The price of insurance on the risk of default by the Greek state (CDS) has dropped 80 points to 340 points, according to Markit. Other countries covered by the contracts, Portugal, Spain and Ireland have followed the same trend.

With the prospect of EU aid plan for Greece, investors seem to have got what they asked for a few weeks. As Financial Times columnist Wolfgang Münchau summed up the mood of investors in early February, calling for "an exit strategy of crisis.""The Summit of Heads of State (which takes place on Thursday, editor's note) must tell the world that the EU resolves its own problems teletrak no payday loan ".

Note however the risk of inaction. Given these expectations, "the disappointment is guaranteed Friday morning at the issue of top European strategist anticipates that London is not growing at the sudden appearance of an" economic government "of Europe.

There is still a good reason to see lower the risk premium on debt Greek says the analyst. Athens has in fact presented Tuesday a new set of measures to reduce deficits. Namely: the introduction of new taxes on income, more details on the freeze and declining civil service salaries and the pension reform, a tax on property owners."Even the Orthodox Church will be subject to this tax," says the strategist. This shows the willingness of the Greek state.

Finance ministers and central bankers of the G7 (U.S., Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom) are found on Friday and Saturday in northern Canada (see below). As Barack Obama lashed out Wednesday at the undervaluation of the yuan, "matters relating to the Chinese currency (are) in all minds," said Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, suggesting that the subject would be treated by the G7.

Officially there is indeed no agenda, and contrary to tradition will be no statement issued after the meeting. "We want to rediscover the" spirit of Rambouillet "historic first G7 in 1975, and have a" chat by the fireside "freer," says one does in Paris.

There is also evidence that the G7 keeps all its usefulness, although the creation of the G20 seems to have finally stole the palm as an instance of global economic governance. The G7 countries are convinced that they have specific interests in common, as explained by a European central banker. "Our currencies are the only ones to be truly flexible, and also we can not forget that our economies have pushed capitalism to the brink!" Quipped the great European treasury.

Debt relief in Haiti

The G7 countries recognize the need to reorganize their respective banking systems, which – and alone! – Were behind the financial crisis of 2008.Mario Draghi, participate in debates with his two hats as governor of the Bank of Italy and Director of the Financial Stability Board, the international body created by the G20 to coordinate international regulation of all financial institutions, and not Only banks.

As for currencies, it is true that the G7 currencies are virtually alone, with few exceptions including the Swiss franc, which float freely, for better or for worse. The remarks made Wednesday by Barack Obama against the yuan, strangely overlapping language of Nicolas Sarkozy vis-à-vis the dollar. "The price of currencies and their accuracy is one of the challenges we face on the international level to ensure that the prices of our products are not artificially inflated and those of their equally artificially lowered," said U.S. President.

Even if the G7 should lead to no decision, according to a spokesman for the German Finance Ministry, announcements could be made regarding Haiti. The U.S. Treasury first raised the issue of debt relief for Haiti. Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the IMF managing director and Robert Zoellick, President of the World Bank participate in the Canadian meeting.

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The British bride is more beautiful. British Airways, which should finalize during 2010 his marriage with Iberia, said Friday it had halved its operating loss in the third quarter.

"We still expect to lose money records this year," warned Willie Walsh, its director general. Due to a disastrous start to the year, the company has doubled its losses in the first nine months of its fiscal year. But saving measures taken upon entry into the crisis begins to pay. They have reduced operating costs by 10.5%.

To achieve this, the company has taken most of its competitors' revenues low costs. Starting with one of the keys to their model: a homogeneous fleet of aircraft, which reduces maintenance costs.On its base from London Gatwick, British Airways is gradually increased to a single type of aircraft (Boeing 777) for its long-haul flights and two models (Airbus A 320 and A 319) for its medium-haul flights.

All departments of the company have also made efforts. British Airways has cut staffing in its ground staff. A voluntary separation scheme and the non-renewal of retirements have to spend the staff of the London Heathrow Airport from 7 000 to 6 000 employees.

The operation of the hub has been completely redesigned. The development of online registration and training for staff to become versatile allowed both increase productivity and improve the punctuality of aircraft easy payday loans .

Last summer, finally, employees of support functions had to take leave without pay."Everyone had made efforts, but the sailors, summarizes a part of British Airways. We decided to make some changes so authoritarian. "

"Ability to react quickly"

Since the fall, steps have been taken to reduce the rest stops and to enhance the productivity of crews. The rest in Los Angeles after a flight from London for example is increased from two to one night.

A voluntary retirement plan was established to 1 000 cabin crew. 3 000 sailors have agreed to move to part time. This change has saved the equivalent of 700 employees at the company. British Airways has also offered its pilots a pay cut 6 to 7% against shares. This will allow the company to achieve 300 million pounds of savings this year."These reforms demonstrate our ability to react quickly, welcomes a part of the company. Our competitors have thought that we overreact. "

These drastic measures have however led social movements. The crew of the company and to vote February 22 on organizing a strike to oppose these measures, calling the union Unite.

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Finance ministers and central bankers of the G7 (U.S., Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom) are found on Friday and Saturday in northern Canada (see below). As Barack Obama lashed out Wednesday at the undervaluation of the yuan, "matters relating to the Chinese currency (are) in all minds," said Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, suggesting that the subject would be treated by the G7.

Officially there is indeed no agenda, and contrary to tradition will be no statement issued after the meeting. "We want to rediscover the" spirit of Rambouillet "historic first G7 in 1975, and have a" chat by the fireside "freer," says one does in Paris.

There is also evidence that the G7 keeps all its usefulness, although the creation of the G20 seems to have finally stole the palm as an instance of global economic governance. The G7 countries are convinced that they have specific interests in common, as explained by a European central banker. "Our currencies are the only ones to be truly flexible, and also we can not forget that our economies have pushed capitalism to the brink!" Quipped the great European treasury.

Debt relief in Haiti

The G7 countries recognize the need to reorganize their respective banking systems, which – and alone! – Were behind the financial crisis of 2008.Mario Draghi, participate in debates with his two hats as governor of the Bank of Italy and Director of the Financial Stability Board, the international body created by the G20 to coordinate international regulation of all financial institutions, and not Only banks fast payday loans .

As for currencies, it is true that the G7 currencies are virtually alone, with few exceptions including the Swiss franc, which float freely, for better or for worse. The remarks made Wednesday by Barack Obama against the yuan, strangely overlapping language of Nicolas Sarkozy vis-à-vis the dollar."The price of currencies and their accuracy is one of the challenges we face on the international level to ensure that the prices of our products are not artificially inflated and those of their equally artificially lowered," said U.S. President.

Even if the G7 should lead to no decision, according to a spokesman for the German Finance Ministry, announcements could be made regarding Haiti. The U.S. Treasury first raised the issue of debt relief for Haiti. Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the IMF managing director and Robert Zoellick, President of the World Bank participate in the Canadian meeting.

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This is a first. Boeing has unveiled Tuesday on the economic impact of its partnership with the French manufacturers. And it is quite significant. In 2008, Boeing had charged for 4 billion worth of contracts to subcontractors lights, representing 9.6% of turnover in the sector. Of this total, 2.8 billion from direct contracts with manufacturers and the balance through the airlines at the head of Boeing fleet. The activity generated by the aircraft manufacturer in France had led to the creation of 23,000 jobs, 11,500 of which direct the total end of 2008.

AOL announced the color in late November. On 6 900 employees, 2 500 people were invited to take voluntary departure, otherwise there would be layoffs. Having only received 1 100 applications for voluntary departure, the Internet group has begun to deploy, yesterday, a comprehensive plan layoffs. In France, management presented a plan to close the staff representatives. One hundred employees are concerned. Germany is also poised to close shop. The AOL offices in Sweden and Spain will close early. The first redundancies notified on Monday, will take effect on Wednesday. AOL, which has left the fold of Time Warner in early December, having provisioned for 200 million dollars in charges.

The meeting had yet begun in a friendly atmosphere, around a few cakes of kings. Tuesday morning, the eighth floor of the MEDEF, after an hour of quiet trade on the carbon tax and social negotiations, the clash occurred without anyone waiting on the highly technical issue tenders Association fund management integration of persons with disabilities. Clash between the two numbers 2 "tie" of the organization, Jean-Charles Simon and Helen Molinari, whose disagreement was notorious. For some, Jean-Charles Simon had treated Helen Molinari of "idiot" and "incompetent" before slamming the door. The person himself, swears that he kept his composure. "I said what she said was false then I left the meeting," he promises, that confirms a witness.

What does not yet know the participants is that they will never again see Jean-Charles Simon.For him, this incident is the straw that broke a vase too full for several weeks. The evidence was that Laurence Parisot, despite assurances that he swears that he obtained in December, no desire to change the allocation of tasks with Helen Molinari. Back down in his office, he sends his resignation by email to the president of MEDEF, asking not to his notice three months, and leaves the building. Definitely. This email, Laurence Parisot discovered in the early afternoon and will act without a call to his ex-delegate-general to understand the decision or seek to hold him.

Things might have stayed there and the MEDEF, after the resignation proved by Le Figaro, could minimize the event. But Wednesday morning, the machine goes.In a statement to AFP, Jean-Charles Simon recalls failures "in decision-making and organizational roles, ranging up to criticize" the professionalism of the leadership "of MEDEF. The employers' organization responds by accusing him, in a statement at your unusually steep "having conducted his own end after a spectacular incident," and provides "support to internal teams Medef that have been proven these unusual methods. " The break was complete.

Denis Kessler Photo credits: Le Figaro