Report: U.S., South Korea closer to new trade deal

Filed under: Government/Legal, South Korea

Flags

The United States and South Korea have reached an agreement regarding revisions to the free-trade deal between the two nations. This move allows the U.S. and the South Korea to move forward and look at approving the legislation, which has been delayed due to issues on both sides.

A rundown of what has been changed is as follows:

  • The U.S. can phase out its 2.5 percent tariff on automobiles over five years, instead of three.
  • Each U.S. Automaker can export up to 25,000 cars to South Korea annually provided they meet US crash standards.
  • The U.S. can continue charging a 25 percent tariff on trucks for eight years and then phase it out by the 10th year.
  • South Korea will eliminate its tariff on trucks.

Both sides report that significant progress has been made, and the revised agreement continues to be reviewed. With $68 billion in trade floating between the United States and the Republic of Korea, getting this trade agreement signed should serve to boost our national export business.

[Source: Automotive News – sub.req.]

Report: U.S., South Korea closer to new trade deal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Dec 2010 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: U.S., South Korea closer to new trade deal”

Mahindra reportedly inks deal to buy Ssangyong for $463M

Filed under: Etc., Earnings/Financials, India, South Korea

Mahindra logoIndian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra has officially sunk its teeth into South Korean automaker Ssangyong to the tune of $463.6 million. For that low, low price Mahindra has effectively walked away with a 70 percent controlling stake in Ssangyong through the purchase of newly released shares in the company and existing corporate bonds. The move follows up on a pact to acquire Ssangyong that Mahindra signed earlier this year, and according to The Wall Street Journal, the two companies look to close the deal by March of next year.

According to Mahindra, the match is a partnership made in heaven, with the Indian carmaker able to supply both cash and marketing grunt that should mesh well with Ssangyong’s technological prowess.

We’re guessing that the South Korean carmaker is just glad to have someone to help pull it out of the throws of bankruptcy.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal – sub. req.]

Mahindra reportedly inks deal to buy Ssangyong for $463M originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Mahindra reportedly inks deal to buy Ssangyong for $463M”

Despite agreement with AmeriCredit, GM said to keep deal with Ally

Filed under: GM, Earnings/Financials

General Motors may be in the process of acquiring AmeriCredit as a step toward securing a captive in-house financing operation, but the company says it will continue to nurture its relationship with Ally. As you may recall, Ally (formerly GMAC) has financed dealer floor plans for years, and GM says that it will continue to rely on its former financing arm for that very reason. While AmeriCredit has been able to weather the rise and fall of consumer confidence with nary a scratch, the company doesn’t boast same level of assets as other lenders. Note also that AmeriCredit has next to no experience financing dealer floor plans, and it’s easy to see the holes in GM’s financing strategy.

Ally seems happy to fill in those bald spots. According to Automotive News, the company provided financing for around a third of all GM vehicles sold at retail during in the first quarter of 2010 and 90 percent of The General’s vehicles in inventory. That leaves AmeriCredit to take care of subprime borrowers and leasing duties. Consider the two the dynamic duo of GM financing.

[Source: Automotive News]

Despite agreement with AmeriCredit, GM said to keep deal with Ally originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Jul 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Despite agreement with AmeriCredit, GM said to keep deal with Ally”