See Nisan are promoting the TCM 6,000kg - 8,000kg range. They need to totally re develop there big range because all they are is expensive Chinese trucks as Chinese manufacturers just copied both TCM and Nissan

"A Long Long Time Ago I can Still Remember When That Music used To Make Me Smile!"

"Time Marches On!".


Ok enough song lyrics.

We are all doomed.

A little 9 inch nails please?

Laughining I am still,

Dr. Lifttruck.

I wasn't trying to be "Political". Only pointing out that it is a common practice for Govt. to get involved in the private sector and that there are plenty of companies out there with the expectation of money either in the form of Guaranteed Loans or Tax Breaks.

Sometimes it works to the taxpayer's benefit, sometimes not. Personally I don't think the Govt. should be interfering in the free market at all. There is no such thing as "To Big to Fail". As for untried technology, if the market wants or needs it, someone will find a way to produce it and make money in the process.

P.S. I am very familiar with Nissan. We were a dealer for 36 years. I never could understand the mindset. I remember quite a few meetings where the dealers were absolutely beside themselves over the decisions and direction they were taking. The question was asked numerous times (quite vocally) "Is Nissan going to be in the forklift industry or not?"

I Guess Not!

Why does every discussion forum seem to degenerate into politics these days?
Sanspeur if you are really interested in Solindra then look at the overall program the total number of companies helped and the great return we have had on the program.I'm not being political just economically realistic.Sometimes the government has to provide funding for untried technology, until it gets on its feet and can get a scale going to reduce costs and make money.
The Japanese Government has always encouraged cartel like behaviour in it's companies.They want to produce harmony and reduce friction.Here are some companies not doing so well as individuals, if the gov't steps in encourages them to merge with help of some money then the new entity will be stronger and better funded.It has worked ever since WW2 for them, check out what the 3 diamonds on the Mitsubishi logo stand for. It would never be legal here, nor is it part of our culture.We are all about the individual.I used to sell Datsun's back in the day and they were #1 but Toyota invested so much in parts warehouses, training and development they just beat them. Nissan just seemed to be asleeep at the wheel and never fought back.It's the same with cars. I find Toyota cars boring beyond beleif but they sell to lots of boring customers.Toyota worked out what people wanted and gave it to them. I once heard someby recount Toyota's philosophy, they make a product, don't care whether it is sewing machines or cars. Put in what is needed to please the customer, no less or more, no soul, and it sells.

SansPeur, I really don't want to be defending the "Solindra" stuff, but some difference should/maybe could/ be noticed between the 'Govco' offering a 'loan guaranty' and 'to take the #majority# of the new firm's shares in terms of voting rights', doncha think?

You haven't been watching the news lately. Ever hear of Solindra? I think they recieved $500 Million for their "Green Business" (green as in our money going down the drain).

And that is only one of many.

"a new company to be set up by the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan, an investment fund backed by the government"..."the new company to be called UniCarriers Corp., in which the INCJ will invest a total of JPY 30 billion (USD 386.4 million)"
gee what ever happened to a business NOT being funded by a government, and governments NOT picking companies to win or lose. seems to me to be less than a level playing field. I wonder if anyone in the USA or EU is looking to get anywhere near 386 Mill from their government to be able to acquire and/or reduce the cost of their debt.

That to simple. It will be interesting to see how they go about this. Will the Nissan name move out of the Market, what will happen with atlet , and then how will they work with China.

Nissan as a product has really slipped back, TCM never attained the potential anywhere with the possible exception of South Africa
With a truck load of money being pumped in, I would think they would be better with a new brand and image !!? or is that too simplistic.?

I wonder how this will effect the NISSAN and TCM brands and the product itself. but this just started so to see any development I think it will take some time.

It seems to work for KION they have six brands. I can see more companies doing the same with joint ventures Multi brands for different areas and one holding company. The market place is changing you can see some Chinese companies joining together to try make a major force.