Toyota

  Toyota is posting a loss of £1 billion in the year ending   March 2009, its first loss in 70 years. The company has   been hit by a collapse in sales in the EU and N America.

  Production

  BMW is reducing production by 10%. Mitsubishi is   planning deep cuts in its Japanese plants. The French   Government has announced a €5.5 billion support   programme for Renault, Peugeot and Citroen on top of   a previous €1.3 billion package. The French   Government believes 2.5 million people are directly or   indirectly dependant on the French car industry, some   10% of the working population.

  France

  The EU is investigating a £5.7 billion bail out of the   French automotive industry by the French Government.   The EU believes that linking financial support to forcing   Peugeot, Citroen and Renault to keep their   manufacturing base in France is illegal under EU   competition laws. President Sarkozy refuses to give   money to car companies which will then relocate to   cheaper countries.

  Shell

  Shell is pulling out of all renewable fuels apart from   biofuels as it believes that renewables are not   economically viable. Over the last five years Shell has   only invested 2% of its profits in alternative energy   projects.

  The company has been accused of a sell out by green   groups but points out that it remains one of the world’s   largest producers of first generation biofuels such as   ethanol produced from corn.

  Tropical Rainforests

  It's estimated that 80% of tropical hardwoods being   imported into the EU are illegally logged. A new   scheme run by Helveta will insert barcodes deep into   the trunks of legally felled trees which can be read by   import agencies.

  The first trial is underway in Liberia. It is estimated that   all of the world’s tropical forests will be gone on 50   years. The Amazon alone produces 25% of the world’s   oxygen and absorbs 20% of global CO2.

  General Motors

  GM is cutting 10,000 jobs from its global work force,   including its Vauxhall UK operations. All existing staff   will have to accept a pay cut. These measures are   being undertaken to comply with the US Treasury’s   demands attached to a 13.5 billion dollar loan, which   requires GM to prove by 31/3/09 that it has a robust   business plan which will return the company to profit.

  Euro NCAP

  Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment   Programme) is introducing a new style vehicle safety   rating system. All vehicles will be tested for:

  1. Adult occupant protection
  2. Child occupant protection
  3. Pedestrian protection
  4. Safety Assist (speed limitation)

  Stricter criteria will be applied over the next three   years in all of the above areas.

  Brazil

  The Tupi oil and gas field off the coast of Brazil is now   believed to hold 12 billion barrels of oil and will make   Brazil one of the top ten oil producers.