China squeezes foreign automakers

Jo Breiner — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 18:32:16 +0000

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Chinese government is considering forcing foreign automakers to reveal their electric vehicle technology in exchange for market access. Dean Emeritus of BU’s School of Management and former Ford executive, Louis Lataif says China may well become a global leader in EV over the coming decades.

“However, China need not hijack competitive technologies by closing their market to any who would not share their intellectual property. The precedent it creates is untenable and the potential for trade retaliation enormous.

“Given the ramifications and the criticism levied around the world and inevitably from the World Trade Organization, China will likely modify the policy considerably before it is ever implemented.”

Contact Louis Lataif, 617-353-2668, lelataif@bu.edu

Toyota pushing ahead

Dick Taffe — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:08:09 +0000

Despite recalls and bad PR , Toyota says it will use no-interest loans and lease discounts to help regain over the rest of 2010 the U.S. market share lost over the past two months. School of Management Dean Louis Lataif, a former Ford executive, says when one automaker launches a big incentive program others usually follow.

“In this instance, however, with Toyota uniquely suffering a precipitous drop in February sales as a consequence of the spate of unfavorable headlines, competitors will likely wait to judge the impact.”

Contact Louis Lataif, 617-353-2668, lelataif@bu.edu

BU Now » automotive industry

China squeezes foreign automakers

Toyota pushing ahead