Patrick Devedjian is satisfied. The Minister responsible for the Renewal announced Tuesday in a statement that the device scrapping bonus launched by the government in a period of turbulence in the automotive sector, has affected 600,000 new vehicles purchased in 2009, one quarter of 2.268 million cars sold in the year. In November last year already, Patrick Devedjian had advanced this figure, convinced that 220,000 premium originally budgeted by the government would be largely exceeded.
The minister welcomed a device that he says has helped make 2009 the best year since 1990 "in terms of number of new registrations, the latter have actually jumped from 10.7% a year.To the Minister of Recovery, that premium has to save between 24,000 and 33,000 jobs in the automotive industry.
The French builders big winners
The scrapping bonus has mainly benefited the smaller vehicles that consume less fuel than the others. What are the French manufacturers, entrenched in this segment are the big winners of the device. They account for nearly 60% of premiums distributed.
Citroën and 122,618 vehicles passed through the scrap bonus, closely followed by Renault (115 business card .311) And Peugeot (101,516). Dacia Group Renault (32,344) and Ford (30,908) lagged far behind, according to figures provided by the department.
Manage post premium
"The scrapping bonus has achieved all its objectives in 2009, welcomed the minister. But it said that the hardest part is yet to come.He will now have to "deal effectively" lower the amount of the premium, which began in 2010. Since 1 January, the premium case is indeed back 1,000 euros to 700 euros. It should gradually decline in the rest of the year to 500 euros on 1 July.
But manufacturers are not yet ready to release the magnet to customers. To mitigate the cuts, nearly all manufacturers provided discounts. Renault has announced it will add 300 euros compensation until the end of February. Citroën offers 700 euro for cars over 10 years and 1,500 euros for those aged 8 to 10 years.Peugeot offers even in the context of his "very, very nice business, doubling the amount of the premium for the current increase to 1,400 euros.
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Five-star hotels in France? Yes, it is possible since the introduction in June by the government, a new classification. The list already has sixty places, especially in Paris, Courchevel and the Cote d'Azur. For hotels, a small revolution is underway. Their institutions were previously rated by criteria that had not changed since 1986 and they did not understand that the fifth star has long existed abroad. The world record is held even by a hotel worthy of megalomania, the Atlantis Palm in Dubai, which displays seven stars!
"In Portugal, there are 6 star hotels which are no better than our 4-star, said Georges Panayotis, founder of research firm and consultancy MKG.And even for congresses, the French destinations were penalized with no five-star hotels for VIPs. "
According to Hervé Novelli, Secretary of State for Tourism, some 200 hotels could eventually claim win five stars, including 30 to 40 with an additional distinction reserved for best of the best, the "palaces".
But the goal that the government had set, finished 2009 with a hundred five-star hotels will be missed. "The application process was somewhat longer than expected. But the candidates are there, "he defends one in the entourage of the Minister where there promised that the establishment of a new procedure will go faster next year.
"It's not very complicated to have the fifth star, half of the 750 four-star hotels can claim without doing much work, yet adds Georges Panayotis.But with the crisis, many are reluctant to ask. Applicants were fewer than expected. Be a candidate takes time and money. Vis-à-vis a business clientele, this is not the time to raise prices and display an image of luxury. Some employees have instructions from their companies do not reside in five star hotels. "
Then there are the unsuccessful applicants. Reportedly, about 15% of cases were retoques.Among the mandatory criteria, which require the most hoteliers questioned: the size of rooms, room service 24 hours on 24 or even the use of two languages by staff, including English.
A bid of 70 000 €
In the district of Saint-Germain-des-Pres in Paris, the Hotel Bel Ami (four stars) was in the starting blocks in the month of June to submit an application. He has still not done, but considering the first quarter of 2010. "Other priorities have taken over as the work of redecorating in a few rooms," says Vincent Tissier, Director General. But we remain candidates, while some of our competitors are reluctant because of the economy. "To comply with the new schedule, he has already made investments. He equipped the rooms with a service and an extra chair.It also increased the number of electrical outlets, bought lamps and roof rack. "For us it is an application to € 70 000," says Vincent Tissier.
The hotel part with a disability are 15 rooms for less than 24 square meters, the minimum area required. "We do not fulfill all mandatory criteria, but we have our chances because we can compensate this problem by gaining points optional," says its director. In Bel Ami, there is indeed "a spa, meeting rooms, a hall larger than the minimum required, a team of janitors, many more points for the fifth star. Whatever happens, Vincent Tissier is serene: "For teams, it would be a satisfaction. The U.S. travel agencies are also susceptible.But the provision of Bel Ami and its price will not change. "
Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris, the Fouquet's Barrière was among the first to win his fifth star in June For this, he installed air conditioning and WiFi in the restaurant Fouquet's classified and bought 27 blankets. The hotel was rated four-star luxury since its opening in October 2006. "As we were the last to arrive on the market, we wanted to be the first to have five-star hotel with a very good note," said Eric Boonstoppel, general manager of the Hotel Fouquet's Barrière. We have lost a few points marginalized because, for example, the telephone line is directly in the room on request. Vis-à-vis our international customers, visibility and legibility are important. But we do not mean increased prices.If the government wants to create a category "Premium" We are ready! "
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