News & Information

Month after month, Europe confirms that it is a disaster area in the car. In April, sales of new cars fell 6.9% year on year, its seventh consecutive monthly decline. After falling 7.5% since the beginning of the year will likely decline in 2012 for the fifth consecutive year.

The situations are however mixed. Among major markets, only Germany (+2.9%) and Britain (+3.3%) rose last month. In France, the decline in registrations was limited to 1.9%. But they collapse in the countries worst hit by the crisis: Italy (- 18%) and Spain (- 21.7%). Greece (- 56.7%) and Portugal (- 41.7%), two opportunities are more limited, the situation is terribly wrong.

The companies have also had mixed fortunes. The brands are particularly general practitioners to the penalty. Renault sales, which lack novelties – the Clio 4 is scheduled for fall – and have tumbled 15.1% last month. PSA is, however, remained stable (+0.2%) thanks to the success of the DS series, the premium line of Citroën. Four months of concern both for PSA, Renault, whose sales fell by 13.6% and 21.3% in Europe. These two manufacturers remain very dependent on the Old Continent, which represented nearly 60% of their volumes last year.

Factories idle

To reduce inventory, they reduce the rate in French factories. The production of passenger and commercial PSA dropped 2.3% in the first quarter in the Hexagon, while Renault has shrunk by 12 online pay day loans.6%. Consequently, several sites are affected PSA for months by partial unemployment. In May, they set factories in Mulhouse, Sochaux and Rennes, as well as that of Vesoul, in the Doubs, penalized by the freezing of the activity of manufacturing spare parts for an Iranian partner. For its part, Renault has scheduled working days lost in Maubeuge this month.

Another side effect, the difficulties of PSA could penalize the joint venture it owns with BMW in the hybrid technologies, said Wednesday the boss of the German manufacturer, Norbert Reithofer.

Opel, whose sales fell 16.9% in Europe last month, is also in trouble. In the first quarter, its parent company, American General Motors, lost $ 256 million on the Old Continent, leaded by the underutilization of its plants, as his ally PSA, which it owns 7%.

Also impacted the volumes of Fiat, Toyota and Nissan were down 11.5%, 14.4% and 20%. The Volkswagen group outperformed the market, through its Skoda and Audi premium brand. On the same niche, BMW and Mercedes are also growing. As for brands like, Korean Kia is also continuing its spectacular offensive, with a jump of 19.1% last month.

ALSO READ:

"An avalanche of new models

"Foreign manufacturers are boosting their investments

"Renault is preparing to set in China

Critics of the measure as its proponents can not but agree with Bernard Thibault: it will be "an event in Europe." Francois Hollande promised that one of his first acts would be to extend, by order, the possibility for some employees to retire at age 60. "This is the first time in many years that a government will come back to this vicious cycle of decline (…) of the retirement age," welcomed the head of the CGT, Monday on RTL. But he also explained why the measure seemed insufficient. The new president has been clear during the campaign: to qualify for this exception to the legal age (increased gradually to 62 by the reform Woerth), it will have paid 41 years. Contributed, and not validated this period. Nuance size. The pension system "offer" because of the quarters to insured under the National Solidarity, in certain situations – maternity leave, parental leave, military service, unemployment, illness or disability long – they do not work, so do not contribute not. Eight quarters are also given to parents for each birth (in fact, almost always mothers).

In practice, it will be necessary before having worked 19 years without interruption, to stop work at 60. An extension of the device 'long career "already open to individuals who began their careers at age 17 or earlier, which would affect about one in four insured approaching the retirement age (150,000 persons per year).

"We are pleased that this improvement is around long careers, both criticized at the time by the CGT and FO," says Jean-Louis Malys, the "Mr. Retreats "of the CFDT. The union had obtained this system in 2003 by François Fillon and Jean-Pierre Raffarin, in return for a longer contribution period. "Francois Hollande, the PS then premiersecrétaire very reluctant, has resumed since the principle of lengthening the contribution period as life expectancy," says Jean-Louis Malys cash advance no faxing. However, he announced his willingness to discuss "special cases", not to penalize the unemployed or housewives. The device 'long career "has two current relaxations: are deemed assessed periods of sickness, maternity, accidents at work (a maximum of 4 quarters) and national service.

Extensive consultation

The other unions are more virulent. "It is essential to discuss the modalities of implementation," Bernard Thibault requires. Otherwise, "this could be one of the first clashes with the government," threatened Jean-Claude Mailly (FO) last week. The obstacle is financial: the measure, in its limited version, should have cost up to 5 billion per year (funded by increased contributions) to the single basic plan. Perhaps these unions show they less indecisive when it comes to transpose to supplementary Agirc-Arrco, they co-manage with the employers. The cost is estimated at about 50% of that weighing on the basic plan.

Anyway, this step will be temporary, before consulting widely on the whole pension system. Age, duration of assessment, funding, harmonization of rules between plans, hardship …: everything can be discussed, promised the new head of state. But again, the financial strain will weigh. The Board of Retirement Guidance indicated that he would end 2012 new projections. And its president, Raphaël Hadas-Lebel, has already warned the crisis will result in a degradation of the accounts.

ALSO READ:

"The" Sarkozy measures "that Holland has undo

"The majority vote of the senior right

SERVICE:

"Job offers in France and abroad with Cadremploi

FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON FIGARO:

"Twitter: @ LeFigaro_Emploi

The market turmoil and the records set by some works have led some dreaming. Why not investirdans paintings or sculptures? The art has never earned as much as in 2011. "It can be a significant element of personal wealth," said HSBC, which helps clients in their purchases and sales based on the consulting firm in 1858. The art market is tempting, but it is not without pitfalls because it is neither transparent nor regulated. Besides the auction, private sales by galleries or OTC account for over half the market. "There has never been so many opportunities to lose a lot of money," says Celine Fressart, consultant in 1858.

A major work of a minor artist rather than vice versa

The experts also keep well to advise their clients to buy this or that work because it will be a good investment. There is no guarantee that prices will rise, he must first find the artists and works that please the customer. "Any investment must first be done with the eyes, but the reason is needed to avoid costly errors, "warns Fressart Celine, who says not recommended nine times out of ten customers a purchase because often too high a price oud'un doubt about the origin. She advises particular caution on Internet sales. And remember that we should not buy art not representative of an artist. "Better to buy a major work of a minor artist than the reverse."

ALSO READ:

"Cars, wine: put your money otherwise

"Risk-free investments increasingly scarce and expensive

"The best investments for 2012 (with the individual)

SERVICE:

"The best life insurance contracts with CPLUSSUR

JPMorgan announced after the close of U.S. markets heavy losses of over 2 billion following the massive purchase of products that were derived originally from the 2008 financial crisis. The CEO, Jamie Dimon, reported the losses of "litigation of approximately $ 200 million" and "pre-tax losses the brokerage of over $ 2 billion" during a conference call surprise. The boss of the first U.S. bank by assets added that these losses could still grow up to an additional billion dollars. The asset portfolio has complained yet "a lot of volatility," said the leader. "We will manage up", but "it could cost us up to a billion dollars or more" and "the risk will remain for several quarters," added the CEO.

Photo credits: LUCAS JACKSON / REUTERS

Presidential in major cities Paris | Leeds | Lyons | Toulouse | Leeds | Sheffield | Liverpool | Bordeaux | Lille

Presidential in major cities Paris | Leeds | Lyons | Toulouse | Leeds | Sheffield | Liverpool | Bordeaux | Lille

Five months after the sinking of Concordia, Costa Cruises ship owner wants to turn the page by launching a new ship, the Fascinosa, luxurious building 290 meters long, up to and seventeen bridges capable of carrying 3800 passengers. Some 510 million euros have been invested to build the fleet of the fifteenth unit in Fincantieri shipyards in Marghera group, deep in the Venice lagoon. His baptism, Saturday, resulting in a ceremony dominated by the desire to forget a tragedy that, as the CEO of Costa Crociere – the Italian name of the company – Pierluigi Foschi, "would never have happened and did again ".

Foschi, who forsake the end of July the operational management group, at age 65, to remain president, attributed the sinking "only to human error," that is reckless navigation of captain Francesco Schettino, still under house arrest pending trial. "Our company is cooperating fully with the law, provides the CEO with Le Figaro. The survey should be completed in October-November. But now, Costa has significantly strengthened the security systems on its vessels. "

Seven measures were adopted, the training of crew in lifeboat drills, now imposed on all passengers before departure. A satellite tracking will allow the monitoring center of Genoa at any time to know the exact position of each ship and to correct any unexpected change of course.

Bookings up

Regarding compensation for 4205 persons on board the Concordia, the CEO says the problem of the crew is set. "Two thirds of the 3,216 passengers took up the offer of the company (14,000 euros per passenger). Remains third with which legal disputes are open in various countries. The impact of such compensation will be minimal on the accounts of the company. They will be supported by our insurers. "Compensation for relatives of 32 victims is the subject of a separate chapter.

The drama was not a result of extended commercial for Costa. "After an initial drop, cruise bookings have resumed at a rate greater than 2011. Of course, we had to cut prices because of the crisis too. Twenty million passengers go on a cruise every year. Accidents are the exception, "insists CEO.

The wreck remains. The 2,200 tons of fuel were pumped in 31 days without any pollution. Last week, Costa Cruises has signed a contract with a consortium of Italian-American, and Titan Salvage Micoperi, to redress the huge carcass beached at the island of Giglio and tan up a shipyard in Livorno. "We are given twelve months to do this but we hope to do before winter. Never do such a rescue was attempted in the world. It is a daunting challenge … ", says CEO.

ALSO READ:

"An Australian billionaire wants to build the Titanic II

"The Japanese trawler swept away, was sunk

Purchase insurance motorcycle

For motorcycle insurance, the insured must provide the same documents as part of a classic car insurance (car registration, driver's license, identification, disclosure statement).

If a motorcycle insurance can be underwritten by general insurance companies, insurance companies are specialized, especially online. If you want to compare the different motorcycle insurance quote, contact a broker to find the best motorcycle insurance.

Note: once the insurance contract, an insurance sticker is given to the insured. It must appear on a surface visible on the front of the plane formed by the front fork of the bike.

The guarantees offered by insurance motorcycle

The motorcycle insurance must at least be a third party insurance. While it is possible to ensure his bike all risks.

As with auto insurance policies, insurance companies also offer optional additional coverage to cover additional risks (theft, fire, injury of the driver, …)

Namely: the bikes are particularly susceptible to theft. It is therefore highly recommended to purchase a warranty for the flight in his insurance policy motorcycle.

The cost of motorcycle insurance

The insurance premium is calculated according to several criteria:

-Make and model of motorcycle,

-The power of the bike

-Profile of the insured (age, geographic location, history, 100% free credit score…)

Thus, an unbridled motorcycle, whose power has been increased or have undergone changes compromising its approval, is no longer covered by the various guarantees of the insurance policy motorcycle.

The principle of no-claims bonus is also applied, under the same rules as apply to car insurance.

The additional guarantees and options

Motorcycle insurance contracts offer specific guarantees which may cover the helmet, the top-boxes, GPS …Not only against the risk of theft, but also against damage due to accident.

In addition, some contracts offer terms based on the use of the bike. They reflect the fact that some owners do not use their bike during the winter months. To them, therefore they offer a rate allowing for a period of immobilization of the bike that can range from 2 to 6 months per year.

ALSO READ:

"What does the collateral damage to vehicles

"Auto insurance: The guarantee of legal protection

SERVICE:

"Do you support a CPLUSSUR.COM experts in choosing your motorcycle insurance policy.

Presidential in major cities Paris | Leeds | Lyons | Toulouse | Leeds | Sheffield | Liverpool | Bordeaux | Lille

Thousands of people started marching Tuesday across France to say no to them according to the austerity imposed by the European Union and call for a genuine policy of growth to five days before the second round of presidential elections.

Nearly 290 processions are announced by the CGT, one in the afternoon in Paris, where walkers will have been preceded by a National Front demonstration and where they will parade during a political rally organized by the outgoing president.

The inter-union (CFDT, CGT, FSU, UNSA and Solidaires) promises that there will be no political message on the banners of the first parades in May, but the CGT, unlike other organizations, called for " beat Nicolas Sarkozy. "

In Marseille, about 20,000 people, according to unions, protested for a parade more social than political. "This gives it a special flavor, but we do not mean our demands immediate demands in the pocket," said the delegate county of the CGT, Mireille Chessa. The banner head behind which all the unions, with the exception of FO, marched, summed up this attitude. "Against the austerity policies, workers united for social progress" could be read. Fralib employees, who for nearly two years to oppose the closure of the last site in France to make the teas The Elephant, opened the procession.

In Bordeaux, more than twelve thousand people walked the streets of the city. A response far greater than a year ago, according to organizers. "We believe the participation of 15,000 people," welcomed on behalf of the Inter Cathy Sargenton, spokesman for the CGT Gironde. She said only 3,000 people were mobilized during the May 1, 2011.  

Between 10,000 and 40,000 demonstrators, police or the organizers, marched through the streets of Toulouse, where slogans against the outgoing president did not fail. The banner head, badged CGT, CFDT, UNSA and FSU, was as traditional themes such as defense of trade unionism in wages, employment or public service, but most political slogans have also fused. Unions have strongly mobilized in Rennes. CGT announced the presence of 10,000 people when she had recorded that in 1250 the last year. The prefecture has reported a provisional figure of 6,000 protesters. Where the band head of the Inter-CGT, CFDT, FSU, UNSA and Solidarity stood by social demands on employment, pensions, purchasing power and the struggle "against all discrimination," the The atmosphere was much behind policy.

Holland in Nevers to honor Beregovoy

About 1500 people marched in 4500 in Strasbourg and Mulhouse, according to a statement made on site by Reuters, a significant interest in Alsace, while the region is in middle of spring break and the CFDT was not involved, as organization, in the event high quality business cards.

In Strasbourg, where employees of the Caddy truck manufacturer, in receivership, opened the parade, only a few slogans directly recalled the presidential election, as "If you're against Sarkozy, clap your hands", sung by the Orchestra of the CGT.  

In Paris, delegations from the Socialist Party and the Left Front should remain in the rear of the parade as not to hinder the trade unionists and Francois Hollande has chosen to honor Nevers (Nièvre) to Pierre Beregovoy, the Prime Minister Francois Mitterrand, who s 'committed suicide there are exactly nineteen years.

Union leaders see as a "provocation" of Nicolas Sarkozy's decision to hold its own gathering on the job after reporting since the beginning of the campaign "these intermediate bodies" that are the unions.

"On 1 May for the workers and anyone else," said Francois Chereque on Tuesday BFMTV. The secretary general of the CFDT, which does not give instructions to vote, said the speech of Nicolas Sarkozy on the job has become "unbearable." "Every time there was a takeover in the history of politics on this holiday (May 1, Ed), was derived in a context of undemocratic," he said Monday in an interview published by Liberation.

Thibault argues for a social Europe

The secretary general of the CGT, Bernard Thibault, has instead confirmed he called to vote for Francois Hollande. "The CGT called to fight the current president," he said on Europe 1. "I am surprised that some are surprised that a union of employees can have an opinion about the issues of a presidential election."

"It's from the social balance sheet, economic and president of his intentions – among his first, he wants to, as the employers claimed, a reform of the definition of termination for economic reasons," that this position has was taken, he said.  

The SGC requires a minimum wage to 1,700 euros per month and expects Francois Hollande, who has promised a big meeting with the social partners if elected on May 6 before deciding, he goes in that direction very quickly. Bernard Thibault believes that the austerity measures introduced in the European Union led the latter to the disaster and calls for a social Europe.

To better themselves as "unifier" Nicolas Sarkozy faced with a "who wants to divide", the Socialist candidate Francois Hollande has sent a letter to leaders of the five confederations. He reiterated his promise to do major players in the next five years if they win.