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 (Peugeot Chief Executive Philippe Varin is set to be replaced by Carlos Tavares)

Struggling French carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroen has sealed a long-awaited rescue deal that will see its founding family cede control of the company.

China’s Dongfeng Motors and the French government will each invest about 800m euros (£660m) in return for 14% stakes.

Another 1.4bn euros will be raised from existing investors in Peugeot.

The deal is still subject to a shareholder vote but will provide much-needed cash to keep Peugeot afloat after government guarantees expire.

Should the deal be approved, the Peugeot family’s 25.4% stake will be diluted to 14%, matching that of the French government and the Chinese carmaker.

Europe’s second-largest carmaker also announced its latest financial results on Wednesday, warning that it may face losses until 2016.

Peugeot said its net loss narrowed to 2.32bn euros last year, compared to a 5bn-euro loss in 2012.

Sales also fell by 2.4% from a year earlier to 54.1bn euros, due to tepid demand for new cars in Europe.

CHINESE CAPITAL

There have been months of talks over the fate of the French carmaker, and reports say the deal is likely to be formally signed in March.

In a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange, Dongfeng said the deal is meant to "expand and deepen their current cooperation" with Peugeot.

It also said the venture would "strengthen overseas cooperation to achieve the objective of selling 1.5 million vehicles under the Dongfeng, Peugeot SA and Citroën brands per year starting from 2020".

Peugeot already has a joint venture with Dongfeng, which is one of China’s newer car brands and is known for its heavy trucks and "Fengshen" line of vehicles.

However, the new arrangement is expected to bring an increase in production and a new research and development centre.

Dongfeng is also expected to promote the Peugeot brand in the fast-growing car markets in South East Asia.

The deal also makes Dongfeng the latest Chinese carmaker to buy into a Western competitor.

Peugeot was founded 200 years ago and is one of France’s oldest industrial dynasties.

The company began in 1810 as a maker of tools and coffee mills, which are still marketed under its name.

However, it has faced financial difficulties and shrinking market share over the last few years.

Peugeot signed an investment deal with General Motors in 2012, but the US carmaker offloaded its stake in the loss-making company in December.

Last year, it also faced criticism for closing its Aulnay-sous-Bois plant in the Paris suburbs in an attempt to cut costs.

The French government said earlier this week that further plant closures were "not on the agenda" once it became a major shareholder.

French Industry Minister Arnaud Montebourg also reportedly said the deal would "prepare Peugeot’s renaissance and the international development of a company that had become isolated".

ref: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-26243593

Passionate to contribute towards a healthy ecosystem, while embracing developing nations by generating green energy, reducing carbon footprint and forming a greater environment for the Global citizen – Amsia Motors was established 1986.

Introducing the lowest emission vehicles, among the sectors of transportation, agriculture and power – Amsia, following a joint venture with three major Automotive manufacturing company’s and 9 technical collaborations, an advanced vision for a leading automotive brand after a decade of research and development, was developed.

Amsia’s strategic Joint Venture partnership aimed to cover a wide range of the automotive market segment, such as DFM (DongFeng Motors) for heavy duty trucks, JINBEI, stakeholder Auto Brilliance, for light commercial vehicles and ZHONGTONG for buses.

Amsia Motors Americas, LLC, incorporated in the United States was styled to launch its first automotive brand “Amsia” independently. December, 2015 – Amsia Motors Americas, LLC signed an agreement for the first automotive manufacturing plant in the State of Minas, Brazil.

Amsia Global, the parent company behind the development of Green Automotive Manufacturing Company ‘Amsia Motors’, announced the launch of a new global development firm, Amsia Global Power, Technology, Investments (AGPTI). This new company will stimulate global development efforts for the following:

Renewable Energy,

Sustainable Economic Development,

Innovation and Commercialization of Technology,

Multi-diversified Agricultural Development for Poverty Alleviation and Global Food Security,

Mass habitation with Global Stakeholders, Sovereign States and Private Enterprises,

Water Treatment and Purification as well as creating Sustainable Water Resources for a healthy living and a global eco-living.

Biotechnology developments in the area of natural preventive medicine industry.

The foundation ofAGPTI, styled at the beginning of the year spearheaded a focus on the challenges of global sustainable development in the core regions, from North America, Africa and Asia.

Meanwhile, AGPTI with its different private enterprises as their co-partners relating to the main objectives and constantly extending, encompassing innovative organization and enterprises – ultimately is fulfilling the articulation of global sovereign States participation. And thus, gradually, AGPTI expects to divide its operations by four foundational regional centers.

USA – Arizona projected – covering Americas

Portugal – covering European Union and North Africa

India – SAARC countries, GCC and part West Asia

Vietnam – ASEAN region and APAC

Proposed projects:

Research & Scientific Laboratory

State of the art, next generation global BIG data, research and development center.

Possible partners and co-sponsors – State of Arizona, ASU, US Private enterprises, socio -economic development agencies, global development agencies, Global development banks, with affiliations of; Canada – CIDA, Global Affairs Canada and (IDRC), European Union – Europe Aid Development and Cooperation, France – (AFD), Germany – (KFW), (GIZ), Israel – MASHAV, Japan – (JICA), (JBIC), Kuwait – Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, New Zealand – (NZAID), Norway – (NORAD), Russia – (Rossotrudnichestvo), Saudi Arabia – (SFD), Spain – Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), Sweden – Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), Switzerland – (SDC), United Kingdom – (DFID), United States – (USAID), (IAF), (MCC), and (ADF), African Development Bank (AFDB), Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Colombo Plan (CP), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Islamic Development Bank (IDB), United Nations (UN), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Bank Group.

Electric battery enhancement research & manufacturing

Advanced technological R&D, in joint collaboration with ASU progressing to a manufacturing plant.

Date farming and agricultural development

Multi-diverse, value added food processing industry and agricultural farming, acquiring global leadership.

Water and agricultural technology development

Water reserve, for sourcing water and developing an effective irrigation system.

Micro-Macro manufacturing and assembly facilities

International industrial park for foreign investment.

Smart electric car assembly and manufacturing

Innovative automotive manufacturing – initially assemble and manufacture electric bikes and compact EV cars, raise a joint R&D (research and development) venture for further advancement of the new technology, silicon battery, progressing to a battery plant to meet the requirements and demands of the future electric vehicles in the growing auto industry. Electric vehicle manufacturing for mass market, aimed for a healthy green ecosystem.

University research and educational opportunities

Academic development studies between the U.S. and International cross-border educational programmes in partnership between higher education institution of Arizona.

The overarching goal of AGPTI is to intimately connect world leaders from a multiplicity of international agencies, in lieu of these partnerships, AGPTI will employ development strategies to spur innovation ecosystems in its regions of interests.

AGPTI was conceived to reaffirm the central role of public and private partnerships with sovereign governments and nations in service of the world’s most pressing development concerns.

As a multilateral development institution headquartered in New York, AGPTI is positioned to help address critical issues from sustainable energy, to advance technology, and accountable monetary leadership. AGPTI is currently developing headquarters in major development regions in New York, Arizona, Portugal, in both the United States and international settings.

n 2015, AGPTI the parent company of Amsia Motors, has been interacting with the State of Arizona for engaging in several industrial sectors. President of Amsia – Mr. Richard Abernathy met with the State of Arizona and some of the most influential Senators and Congressman’s office, carrying out an effective dialogue for Amsia projects – where strong assistance, support and confidence was expressed for immediate engagement of the projects at hand.

Upon the past due diligence, an official invitation from the Hon. Governor, Mayor of the Arizona State’s office has been extended to Amsia, where Navajo and other tribal community leaders, industrial enterprises and private enterprises also interacted with Amsia for several project initiation and execution.

Now, having reached a firm dialogue for an actionable partnership and initiation of the projects stated above, the active engagements are underway for execution.

The sponsors and delegates headed by the Founder, Chairman. CEO of Amsia Motors & AGPTI Mr. Mostafa Z. Ahmed, the esteem head of delegates shall meet the State Leaders, dignitaries, Tribal community leaders, private enterprises and leading financial businesses for further discussions and actionable project engagements.

After several formal video conferences with the State Government of Minas Gerais, and a formal invitation from Sete Lagoas Mayor Marcio Reinaldo, Amsia Motors was invited to conclude and sign a formal agreement for an automotive plant. On Dec. 18th, 2015, not only a car assembly plant but an Agro, power generators, and electronics plant have been signed for investments of over one billion US dollars. Amsia Motors Americas, LLC, an American company whose main Automotive Corporate Head office is located in Shenzhen, China, now confirms its strong commitment in executing this substantial project in the Brazilian market. The project has been in the works since Dec. 2015 with the State Government of Minas Gerais which confirmed their intention to build two factories; one in the City of SeteLagoas and another in Monte Alegre.

The company intends to assemble advanced innovative hybrid cars in Minas Gerais with enhanced engines on ethanol, gasoline, liquid natural gas, and bio-diesel. In an interview with Valor, Mr. Moeth Ahmed, the Global Sales and Marketing Director of the American Company who is in charge of the Brazilian venture, says the goal is also to install a research and development department in the country later to work towards the next step in electric car technology.

“We’re planning new and different technologies,” the executive says. One technology could be an alternative to the currently expensive lithium batteries being tested for cars throughout the world. “The focus is on offering environmentally friendly vehicles,” he said while avoiding disclosing further details.

Amsia Motors is a 100% independent organization founded in 1986, an OEM joint venture automotive manufacturer that is now successfully ready to launch its own brand under the name “Amsia Motors”. Mr. Ahmed, the Global Sales Director, says it has joint ventures with the largest Chinese carmakers such asDongFeng Motors, JinBei, which is partly owned by Auto Brilliance, and with Zhongtong Bus. The company operates in an independent capacity, developing innovative and efficient products, and collaborating with nine global technical partners such as AEC, MAN and Canada’s Cummins of Westport to name a few.

Amsia OEM JV Partners runs an effective supply channel to market the vehicles. The Middle East, Asia, Africa, and a few South American countries are its main markets. Amsia is now betting on launching its own vehicle brand. Mr. Ahmed, who interviewed with Valor Economica newspaper in São Paulo, says that Brazil is a strategic market reach for Amsia and a potential export platform apart from the local region. “Brazil is a large market which experienced a strong economic challenge due to various aspects in several sectors recently, but it’s a resilient market for us, and very strategic,” the 43-year old executive, a Canadian citizen, says.

Amsia commenced its local start-up operations by registering the company in Brazil. A local (camp) office has been appointed to carry out its mandates, and the plan is to extend gradually from the import market to the production line and expand into other South American and Latin American countries.

The company could have picked China to begin producing its own vehicles, a move which certainly would be cost effective and offer greater sales potential. Unfortunately, there would be conflicts of interest. “We already are in the Chinese market with our partners through joint venture partnerships. The idea is to launch our brand independently and where we require a potential growth and a strategic reach into the future under such an investment,” Mr. Ahmed says.

Amsia Motors followed the departure of the Minas Secretary of State Mr. Altamir Rôso, by a visit to the new Secretary of State Mr. FábioCherem who presented strong efforts and dedicated support to assist in the successful steps for Amsia Motors project in Brazil.

The new Secretary of State, Mr. Fabio Cherem, is a passionate eye toward in the Minas Gerias State Government, says Amsia. Their initial steps to expedite the remaining taxation process have been tremendous and are expected to be concluded promptly. Company management also reported an inauguration date shortly after the taxation finalization for the two projects in Minas Gerias. The project presents a great opportunity in the current market challenges in Minas where 11 automotive projects were lost to other neighboring states due to greater incentives, competitive project facilitation, and benefits.

Company management expressed that it believes that the MG State Government shall carry out its due diligence by securing the environmental friendly project with over 3,700 employees. The company is quite concerned about its economic development in this market, and consider aggressive steps to success for its people of MG.

Amsia confirms that it believes the MG location has been a better decision than the previous state. Upon 18 proposals received by Amsia to date, the company also received newer proposals from other states but expects MG to be successful. In the previous location media speculation only encouraged state glamour without substantial execution of the project, but major misinterpretation of company information caused the loss of the project.

The company says the only remaining point is to conclude talks regarding federal tax issues, which it intends to do shortly. The industrial plant targets an implementation process of three years to complete its construction and conduct the first successful production runs.

The Amsia project master plan, design, production projection, forecast, team consultation and management process, supply chain map, including marketing planning and preliminary selection of local suppliers has been executed since Jan, 2016 until the present day where the project execution is now in the second phase, per Amsia’s plan.

The area allocated for Sete Lagoas in MG is a total of 7.5 million square meters, and the Monte Alegre site’s total area is 1.6 million square meters. The company expects to invest $560 million in Sete Lagoas and around $600 million in Monte Alegre, generating 2,500 and 1,200 jobs in each city, respectively. Amsia says it is absolutely capable of investing independently, skirting skepticism about Brazilian financing conditions due to its high interest rates.

Since 2016 Amsia has been meeting with City, State and Federal ministries addressing all concerns and challenges about the project and received a warm welcome to date. The Minas Gerais Development Bank andCaixa EconômicaFederal, as well as other banks, have already expressed strong interest in financing Amsia Motors in Brazil.

Management reserves full discretion to observe and study the local proposals, which have been received and the rest tentatively scheduled following the inauguration of the project.

The initial automotive product implementation shall be composed of light commercial vehicles and gradually introduce truck-heads, buses and new electric technology-based passenger vehicles. 

On the other hand, Amsia Global expands aggressively, engaging in a letter of intention and plans for execution shortly in Arizona, United States, for a compact electric vehicle and battery plant, which will assist strategically in North America. The official meeting is underway to meet the Governor of the state, the major, and other seniorUS officials. 

National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB (NEVS), the owner of the sorta-still-there Saab automobile brand, has reached a deal with Dongfeng Motor Corp. in which the China-based automaker will help NEVS develop greener vehicles. NEVS and Dongfeng have been working together since July, though the agreement was officially announced Monday. The companies say the agreement relates to so-called "new-energy" vehicles, though neither details of what those new energy vehicles will be nor financial terms were disclosed. But there’s long been talk about Saab working on electrified vehicles, so this appears to be a move in the right direction. NEVS has picked a large company as its development partner. As part of the agreement, Dongfeng will speed up the development of advanced powertrains at its plant in Tiajin, China. In return, NEVS will help Dongfeng get distribution in both North America and Europe while helping the Chinese automaker sort through the matrix of developing vehicles that meet regulatory standards in those two regions, which is no easy task. Dongfeng made more than 3.8 million vehicles last year, and has done business with Peugeot, Citroen, Renault, Nissan, Honda, and Kia. Last we reported, NEVS was in the process of reorganization this past winter, and it’s unclear how that will impact the relationship with Dongfeng. Also unclear is the status of the Saab brand name. The Saab AB aerospace company is no longer affiliated with the automaker and disputes NEVS using its name, but the NEVS website still highlights the Saab automotive brand. NEVS bought Saab out of bankruptcy in 2012. The latest NEVS press release is available below.

National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB (Nevs) and Dongfeng Motor Corporation (Dongfeng) signed a strategic cooperation agreement on August 17, 2015 to achieve global industrial synergies. Since July 2015, Nevs has started working with Dongfeng on complete vehicle development projects to enhance Dongfeng’s technical strength and improve Nevs’ own development capability. Now both parties have agreed to expand their cooperation from technical development to further business areas such as global purchasing and distribution network. Dongfeng has formed several strategic long term partnerships with other international major car manufacturers including AB Volvo and as a 14 percent shareholder of PSA. Dongfeng Motor, with several JVs in China including Peugeot, Citroën, Renault, Nissan, Infiniti, Honda and Kia, is one of the world’s largest automobile companies, with an annual output over 3.83 million units in 2014 and 1.83 million in the first half of 2015. A long-term and stable alliance with Dongfeng is of great significance for Nevs to achieve its business opportunity. According to the agreement, Dongfeng will support Nevs on the construction of new energy vehicles production and R&D in Tianjin and the formation of Nevs’ sales and service with support from Dongfeng’s dealer network. Dongfeng will also support Nevs to achieve the new energy vehicle mass production. Nevs will support Dongfeng on their own brands to meet regulations and technical specifications of overseas markets, and assist DFM to develop important markets in Europe and North America. "Dongfeng is one of the leading vehicle company groups in the world. Through this cooperation, Nevs’ will be able to create industrial synergies, share the development costs, expand the supplier bases and increase the overall competitiveness for our own future products. This cooperation is one of the steps for Nevs to become a front-runner in the automotive industry, with focus on electric vehicles" said Mr. Mattias Bergman, President, Nevs. DFM Brief Introduction Dongfeng Motor Corporation (DFM) is the third biggest Chinese state-owned automobile manufacturer headquartered in Wuhan, Hubei Province. As of December 2014, DFM had in total approximately 176 000 full-time employees. DFM is connected with a variety of international OEMs and produces a wide range of foreign products in China including those of Peugeot, Citroën, Renault, Honda, Kia, Nissan and Infiniti. The total output in 2014 was 3.83 million units with revenue of 483 billion RMB. In 2012 DFM acquired 70% of T engineering, a Trollhättan based engineering company and a spin off from Saab Automobile Powertrain, as their first R&D center overseas. In 2014, DFG became the 14% shareholder of PSA Peugeot Citroën. DFM is listed as no.113 in the world on Fortune 500. ref: Autoblog #dongfeng #saab #amsiamotors #automanufacturing #autoindustry #china

It’s all good and well loving offshore racing but at the end of the day our favourite sport wouldn’t be what it is without the beautiful oceans we sail across. As Amsia’s JV Partner Dongfeng Race Team prepared for Cowes Week, please take a moment out of your day to read more about the charity we supported during the Artemis Challenge on Thursday 13th August.

These photographs are the sad reality of what is happening to our oceans and Race for Water is out to make a difference. Let’s help them: www.raceforwater.com

Solidarity T-shirt "Do not touch my sea" by 727 Sailbags  Support the Foundation Race for Water and help us protect the oceans by participating in the collection organized by 727 Sailbags. Objective: To sell 100 T-shirts "Do not touch my sea" by 727Sailbags by June 19 in order to start production. € 10 will be donated to the Race for Water Foundation each bought a T-shirt. Visit https://ekosea.com/projet/ 66-key-not-a-ma-Sea Feel free to share with the greatest number!

Amsia Motors Americas LLC, a registered American Company in the United States of America, signed the official ‘MOU’ document to plant deployment in Sete Lagoas, Monte Alegre for Automotive, Electronics, Agro vehicles and Power generators.

Sete Lagoas lives a historic moment for local development. Earlier on Friday (18th, 2015), the Mayor Marcio Reinaldo accompanied by the Global Sales & Marketing Director of the Canadian liaison office of the company Amsia Motors, held a news conference marked by the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the municipality and the multinational, in order to deploy in the city the main national company headquarters. The Sete Lagoas project, which will have a total investment of about US $ 500 million (nearly two billion reais) for the installation of an automotive assembly plant, aims to generate 2,500 jobs for the community.

Later the same day, in Monte Alegre Mayor Rodrigo signed the memorandum of understanding accompanied by the Amsia Motor’s Global Sales & Marketing Director an investment of the same (US $500 Million) for Electronics, Agro & Power generating nearly 900 jobs, step by step.  

Presently managing operations from North America (Canada) directly under the executive Chairman’s office and Board of Directors, South America and their OEM JV Automotive manufacturing Partners and facilities in Asia, Amsia Motors specializes in vehicles to clean energy for the Automotive, Agricultural vehicles and Power Generation – dedicated to a green ecosystem. For the fine City of Sete Lagoas & Monte Alegre factories, Amsia intends to meet the demands of all of South America, it aims to bring products from various segments, such as Automotives, Agro, Power, and Electronics. The brand ‘Amsia Motors’ industrial plant is to be installed in the vicinity of IVECO for Sete Lagoas and Monte Alegre location to be announced shortly, will feature a strategic production measure with an aggressive market penetration launch and a sustainable environment.

According to the Global Sales & Marketing Director of Amsia, Sete Lagoas & Monte Alegre is the ideal place to build its first ‘Brazil Born National Brand’ plant where it has all the necessary resources for the success of the enterprise: "It was a long journey since we set out to do this project embracing many challenges but with the help of the local team and the powerful Leadership of the Mayor Reinaldo Marcio and Mayor Rodrigo we are happy to move forward with Minas Gerais, Sete Lagoas & Monte Alegre. It is the right place that can support such a foreign investment and proper implementation of our project. Amsia Motors, who will become a National Brazil born company and a signature brand, is very happy with the warm reception and the opportunities found in Minas Gerais "he says.

Also according to the director, the company will seek to give first preference to the local businesses to buy goods, inputs, raw materials and hiring people in order to contribute to the region’s economic growth and development: "Amsia Motors shall work directly with the Governor’s & Mayor’s office on from generation taxation and marketing in the territory to the preference in training and hiring of the professionals, these actions that will increase revenue and generate income in addition to our Corporate responsibility for the community, "he said.

Estimating an approximate period of 3 years following State approval, the project implementation shall undergo in three different phases. During the construction of the complete space, the company shall commence with the import market at its earliest with a highly cost effective measure, as a result, perform maximum production of the automobiles in the Country. To the Mayor Marcio Reinaldo & Mayor Rodrigo, the arrival of the company to the city is a milestone in the development of Sete Lagoas and Monte Alegre region: "This moment is unique in the progress of history of our city. Despite the challenges faced, Sete Lagoas & Monte Alegre is preparing to welcome a magnificent investment that will change the lives of the whole community and for this, the city has spared no effort in enabling all resources so that our people be contemplated. We now have the best conditions to receive outside companies, especially in the prepared manpower to run such important works as those who will be executed by Amsia "they said.

"Interested Companies for local Partnership are welcome to contact Amsia Motors management at info@amsiaglobal with Letter of Interest, Company profile and work scope, at their earliest. Senior Management shall select professional and dedicated Companies, based on project priority – who is currently engaged to do so and available in Sete Lagoas".

www.amsiamotors.com 

Many worldwide automobile manufacturers are branching out into the realm of electric vehicles and electric automobile technologies. Companies including Leshi, Infiniti and Tesla are all converging on the Chinese market to take advantage of the burgeoning sales that occur in the country. Domestic Chinese automobile manufacturers like Leshi are working to increase their own knowledge of electric vehicles as well as bring in experts in the field to increase the chances of success in the electronic vehicle market.

               Jia Yueting is the founder of Leshi Internet Information and Technology Corporation based in Beijing. Recent additions to the Leshi Internet Information and Technology Corporation include Allen Lu, the former managing director of Infiniti China. He was brought on board to usher in a new era of electronic vehicle marketing and technology to Leshi, a traditional web and TV company.

               Allen Lu brings in extensive experience from Ferrari and Nissan’s own electronic vehicles groups and will certainly give Leshi a valuable resource when embarking upon this new business venture. His experience with other car companies will allow Leshi to gain experience in this market while they seek to create a functioning and efficient electric vehicle that appeals to Chinese drivers as well as drivers elsewhere in the world. Leshi hopes to someday manufacture electric cars around the world and are simply setting their sights on China for the time being.

               China is proving to be a ripe market for electric vehicles, or so hope the many billionaires who are choosing to invest in the country and this specific sort of technology. Recent attention to the massive pollution problems in China have led to laws about how many car licenses can be given out, how many cars can be sold and emissions regulations mean that the automobile market is opening wide for alternative energies and fuels to be used. Electric vehicle giants like Tesla are also looking to move into the fertile market that is China, building upon their reputation for stunningly brilliant electronic vehicles sold in other parts of the world.

               Electronic vehicles from other interested parties, would be manufactured in China to decrease the dependency China has on foreign automobile brands. This would not only benefit the domestic automobile market, but help pave the way for other non-automobile manufacturing companies like Leshi to invest in their own electric research and design experiments should they so desire.

               Leshi is breaking new ground into the automobile market as this is not the business they have been known for during their existence. The head of the company recognized the risk he is taking by branching out into this market but understands that while he might fail, the gains made for the future of the Chinese electronic vehicle market could make all the difference. He and others hope to create a suitable challenger to Tesla while creating a domestic, Chinese supercar that also works to solve some of China’s many fuel and pollution problems.

ON BEHALF OF AMSIA MOTORS TEAM.

The Volvo Ocean Race is the world’s toughest sailing event, where the elite of the sailing profession battle it out on the most treacherous oceans. It is a nine-month marathon on the seas, passing through four oceans and five continents. The race is an exceptional test of sailing prowess and human endeavour where the athletes push themselves to the limit of endurance in what is commonly referred to as the ‘Everest of Sailing’. Over the duration of the race, the crews experience life at the extreme: no fresh food is taken on board so they live off freeze-dried food; they experience temperature variations from -15 to +40 degrees Celsius and only take one change of clothes with them on board. They trust their lives to the skipper and each other and experience hunger and severe sleep deprivation.

Dongfeng Race Team was the second of the Volvo Ocean 65’s to cross the Artemis Challenge finish line, 4 minutes behind Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and ahead of Team SCA. Today’s Artemis Challenge, a 50-mile race around the Isle of Wight, has been the very first opportunity for ‘Dongfeng’ to line up against the Volvo Ocean Race competition. Dongfeng Race Team completed the Artemis Challenge course in a time of 5 hours, 3 minutes and 46 seconds. This was the first time since the beginning of the Chinese campaign that Charles Caudrelier and his crew have found themselves within such close proximity to their competitors: “We’re not going to put too much pressure on ourselves but, for sure, it’s important to us,” explained Caudrelier. “The first time for us we’ve see the other teams and the first time we’ve performed in race mode as a team.”

Bruno Dubois, Dongfeng Race Team’s Director was out on the water when his team crossed the finish line. “We know we have a young team and we know that out of all the teams we have the least experience. I’m not expecting miracles but I’m confident we will see progress and eventually results. I am happy with the outcome from today’s challenge.” A fleet of ocean going racing machines from the 70ft multihull Oman Sail Musandam to the 33ft Beneteau Figaro IIs took part in today’s Artemis Challenge. Dongfeng were part of the winning group A and a share of the £10,000 charity prize fund will be donated to Dongfeng Race Team’s nominated charity Race for Water. A charity dedicated to water preservation.

Today’s Artemis Challenge has been a nice, light airs, warm up. But with the Round Britain and Ireland Race start just days away, and the Volvo Ocean Race starting in less than two months, there is much more to come – and it won’t always be as tame, amicable or rewarding as today. The RACE FOR WATER Foundation is a Charity dedicated to Water Preservation. Today, this vital resource is in serious danger. It has to be protected. To learn, share and act on our Water Footprint and Marine Plastic Pollution are the main issues the Foundation focuses on. LEARN: Educate and raise public awareness SHARE: Work together to make a difference ACT: Implement practical solutions The RACE FOR WATER Foundation has specifically developed a program based around four pillars: AWARENESS: Raise understanding among general public and key opinion leaders about the urgency of water preservation through the “Water Guardian” program, exhibitions, our traveling Water pavilion and our ambassador boat: the MOD70. BUSINESS: Engage businesses and scientists, develop the understanding of the impacts and propose tools for action in collaboration with the WWF and WBCSD. EDUCATION: Inspire the next generation to act to preserve our water resources and engage them to make a difference with the help of the super hero ‘Titeuf’. The aim is to include the program in the school curriculum. SCIENCE: Develop a better knowledge base and understanding of the impacts of plastics on the maritime environment, measure the real rate of waste dispersal and create a research center on plastic pollution in collaboration with governmental institutions. Ref: dongfengraceteam.cn

Here’s what the world looks like to a car guy in Detroit right now: In the U.S. new regulations are cranking up costs while cautious car buyers creep back into showrooms. China’s once-hot sales are cooling–fast. Europe is a total basket case, with too much production capacity and an allout price war. Carmakers from General Motors and Ford Motor to Volkswagen and Daimler warn of difficult times ahead. Market conditions, says VW Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn, have become “noticeably harder and tougher.” But bring up Brazil and you get a smile. No, they’re not looking forward to a Rio vacation or a cheap retirement. What carmakers see when they look at Brazil is South America’s largest consumer market, a still-bustling economy–and a lot of potential customers. Forget that in the world’s fifth-largest country only 14% of the roads are paved. Incomes are rising, lifting almost 40 million more Brazilians into the middle class since 2003–and putting a vehicle purchase within their reach for the first time. “Brazil is at a critical point right now,” said Guido Vildozo, a Latin America specialist at market research firm IHS Automotive, noting that the country’s GDP has topped $10,000 per capita. “That’s a milestone. If you look back at the U.S., Europe, even Korea, you’ll see that this is when markets move to a growth stage. This is why we’re suddenly seeing all the carmakers focusing on Brazil. They want to try to capture a slice of that pie.” Anfavea, Brazil’s auto industry trade group, forecasts sales will increase 68% from 3.4 million units in 2011 to 5.7 million by 2016, despite a massive tax burden and high borrowing costs that drive up car prices. (In the U.S. sales are forecast to rise 30%.) As early as 2015 Brazil could overtake Japan to become the world’s third-largest car market after China and the U.S., according to Roland Berger Strategy Consultants. Volkswagen, Fiat, GM and Ford have dominated Brazil for years, with 84% of the market in 2007. But that number is dropping as new players rush in. By 2015 it’s expected to fall to 70%, according to market researcher J.D. Power and Associates. Pressure is coming from global rivals like Kia, Hyundai, Honda, Nissan and BMW, as well as new players like China’s Chery, Geely, JAC and Hafei, and India’s Tata and Mahindra.

Competition is only one problem for Detroit’s Brazilian operations. The government is another. Spooked by the flood of foreign-built cars, President Dilma Rousseff, a onetime Marxist and late convert to capitalism, grabbed for a comfortable crutch earlier this year: tariffs. She raised the tax on imported cars from 25% to 55%. Brazilian shoppers eyeing popular models like a Toyota Corolla, which sells for $16,230 in the U.S., were shocked by sticker prices of $29,000. Because Mexico was exempt under a regional trade agreement, carmakers figured they could just ship more vehicles from their Mexican factories. That didn’t set right with Rousseff, who slapped a quota on Mexican imports. Carmakers can pay less tax on imports if they do more engineering work in Brazil and use mostly Brazil-made auto parts in their local factories. “Brazilian consumption has been appropriated by imports,” Finance Minister Guido Mantega said in announcing the tax. “We are the fifth-largest automobile market in the world and the seventh-largest producer, but we risk losing our position if we don’t take measures.” Luckily, all the policy wrangling to bolster Brazil’s industry was trumped by headwinds from the worldwide economic crisis. In May Rousseff’s government enacted tax cuts and lower interest rates to spur consumer spending. The economy bounced back, as did car sales. The stimulus measures have been extended through October, prompting predictions of a second-half boom.

Manufacturers have learned their lesson, though. GM, Ford, VW, Fiat, Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan, Honda, Renault, Peugeot and Chery are among the companies adding or expanding factories at breakneck speed, with plans to invest some $25 billion in Brazil by 2016, adding 1.5 million units a year of production capacity. That doesn’t include investments by auto parts suppliers.

For GM and Ford the ramp-up is especially tough. They tolerated high labor costs and low manufacturing productivity for years in South America, while they focused on growth markets like Asia, which had more immediate potential. While auto industry wages in Brazil have risen 125% in ten years, productivity has increased only 22% due to a lack of automation, poor training and high energy and steel costs. Both GM and Ford reported lower operating results in the region thus far in 2012. While currency and global economic issues are partly to blame, they’ve also been hurt by outdated product lineups. Both companies are revamping their cars to keep consumers interested–and margins profitable. GM, for example, is launching seven new products this year in Brazil, including the Chevrolet Spin sport-utility and Colorado pickup. Ford, meanwhile, is rolling out a new small SUV, the EcoSport, along with a redesigned Ranger pickup and the next-generation Ford Fusion. “By 2015 we will have all global platforms in Brazil,” said Rogelio Golfarb, a vice president at Ford South America. “We are caught right in the middle of the transition.” With so much competition, mostly in smaller vehicles, he said, “it forces you to be real efficient. That’s the challenge of Brazil.” But not the only one. The government’s shifting policies have also made it hard for automakers to make long-term decisions. “The government has thrown a few curveballs over the last six months or so,” says Robert Shanks, Ford’s chief financial officer, who says the company set up its manufacturing footprint in Mexico and Argentina to take advantage of free trade agreements between Brazil and those countries. Now it has to start over. “That’s not something we can respond to overnight.” Given the global auto market these days, they’ll have no choice but to try. ref: www.forbes.com