A dispute in France caught the eye last week. A couple of unfortunate Goodyear executives found themselves at the sharp end of an industrial relations dispute involving worker compensation for a planned plant closure. Feelings are obviously running high, but it is hard to see how resorting to such extreme tactics can help the union case.

FRANCE: “Kidnapped” Goodyear Amiens Nord management believed to be doused with water

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Thankfully, the two managers’ ordeal ended – but it lasted for thirty unpleasant hours.

In other, more conventional auto business news, a number of full-year 2013 market numbers were out this week.

The US was hit by the adverse weather in December, but 15.6m units for the year is not too bad given where the market has been coming from. A light vehicle market of 16m units ought to be very achievable in 2014.

US: Storms chill December vehicle sales

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Western Europe’s result for the year was down, but a strong December gives us some hope for 2014.

UK: Western Europe car sales up 11.8% in December

The UK defied European gravity in 2013. I found myself dealing with lots of people referring me to this news and asking me why. That prompted me to write this.

And China’s car market result for 2013 gave us another eye-popping number.

Just another thought on emerging markets. Remember ‘BRICs’? Well, there are some ‘minty fresh’ ones in the pipeline.

And our CES coverage is here.

Oh, and after all the column inches of speculation on the subject, it looks like Ford’s Alan Mulally is staying put after all. He obviously loves a challenge, but in his shoes and stage of life/career, I think I’d have done the same thing.

Have a good weekend.

Dave Leggett

Editor, just-auto