经济学人463:日本汽车制造商 活力无穷

 　　Japanese carmakers

　　日本汽车制造商

　　Lots of oomph

　　活力无穷

　　Japan's small-car firms are defying the industry's get-big-or-die imperative²

　　日本的小厂商们正在与“要么大，要么死”这一条金科玉律抗争

　　ONE of the conundrums³ of the car business is that five smaller Japanese firms continue to prosper⁴ alongside three giants, Toyota, Nissan and Honda. In theory, those in the second division—Mazda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Subaru—should long ago have merged⁵ with rivals at home or abroad, or fallen by the wayside. Daihatsu is already controlled by Toyota, which has a 51% stake in the firm. They all sell 1m-2m vehicles a year. Sergio Marchionne, boss of Fiat⁶ Chrysler, once said that 6m was the minimum required for carmakers to have a hope of turning a profit.

　　目前，汽车产业里有着这样一个费解的情况：在三大巨头（丰田Toyota、日产Nissan和本田Honda）的身旁，五家较小的日本公司能够持续地取得出色业绩。理论上来说，这些第二梯队成员（马自达Mazda、三菱Mitsubishi、铃木Suzuki和斯巴鲁Subaru）应该早已被国内或国外的对手所兼并，或是退出历史长河。拥有大发汽车（Daihatsu）51%股权的丰田汽车公司，早已控制了前者的生产经营。以上所提到的五家较小的制造商，他们每年各自约卖出100万至200万辆汽车。而菲亚特克莱斯勒（Fiat Chrysler）的老板Sergio Marchionne曾表示，对于汽车制造商来说，“600万辆”是想要获得盈利所必须达到的最低销售总额。

　　日本汽车制造商.jpg

　　The second-tier firms seem more determined⁷ than ever to disprove the notion that global scale and huge volumes are indispensable. Suzuki is a relative minnow with a strong presence in only one big market outside Japan—India. But not long ago it withdrew from an alliance with Germany's Volkswagen (VW), which could have helped it sell small and cheap vehicles in developed markets overseas.

　　这些第二梯队公司似乎比以往任何时候都更有决心，去反驳这样一个观点：业务规模和巨量销售额都是不可或缺的。除去日本本土市场以外，铃木汽车只在印度取得了耀眼的成绩，相比于其他制造商来说十分不起眼。但就在不久之前，该公司退出了与德国大众汽车（Volkswagen (VW)）所结成的商业联盟，而后者本应该能帮助铃木汽车进入海外发达国家市场，以销售旗下的小型廉价车辆。

　　Mazda, an even smaller firm, gladly parted ways with Ford⁸. The American carmaker began to wind down its stake in 2008 to raise cash and avoid bankruptcy⁹. The two firms had worked together since 1979. Subaru, part of Fuji Heavy Industries, a conglomerate¹⁰, reportedly chafes¹¹ at the 16.5% stake that Toyota, the world's biggest carmaker, holds in it. One obvious solution for the sub-scale firms—mergers with the biggest three—seems a distant prospect¹².

　　马自达汽车，作为一家与铃木相比规模更小的公司，欣然地脱离了福特汽车（Ford）的怀抱。为了筹措现金和避免破产，福特汽车公司在2008年开始逐步抛售所拥有的马自达汽车股份。这两家公司从1979年开始就成为了合作伙伴。而与此同时据报道称，作为富士重工（Fuji Heavy Industries）集团的一份子，斯巴鲁汽车正对丰田公司（全球最大的制造商）所拥有的该公司16.5%的股份表示不满。对于与三大巨头联合的小规模制造商来说，那个“显而易见”的脱困方案，现在反倒成了一份“遥远的期待”。

　　It helps that all are making generous profits after years of losses. A weaker currency means they are well-nigh printing money, notes Max Warburton of Sanford C. Bernstein, an equity-research firm. Subaru and Mazda, the biggest exporters among the five, are enjoying record sales in North America. Subaru now outsells VW there. The Japanese small-fry are also more profitable than most firms in the industry.

　　在长年累月的亏损期过后，目前这些制造商正赚着十分可观的利润，而这确实能让他们缓一口气。来自证券分析公司斯坦福·伯恩斯坦（Sanford C. Bernstein）的Max Warburton表示，日元的走弱差不多等同于日本车商正全力发动马达印制钞票。斯巴鲁和马自达是五家公司里出口贸易量最大的两家，他们在北美市场的销售量取得了纪录新高。现在斯巴鲁在当地的销量还超过了德国大众。同时，这些日本第二梯队成员的盈利状况要比产业中大多数公司要好得多。

　　That may not last. A succession of lean years means the smaller firms lack cash to invest heavily in new technology. But they are finding smart ways to turn weaknesses into strengths. The industry admires Mazda's decision some years ago not to develop costly¹³ hybrid¹⁴ or fully¹⁵ electric powertrains in favour of pioneering its “SkyActiv” technology, which greatly improves the efficiency of petrol and diesel¹⁶ engines.

　　这些“好日子”或许不能持续太久。连续的市场不景气，意味着较小的公司会缺乏现金对新技术的研发进行大量投资。但他们找到了一条聪明的路，能够将缺点转化成优点。目前，业界对马自达数年前所做出的决定倍加推崇。马自达公司没有选择去研发成本高昂的混合动力或纯电动系统，而是全力开发已有的“创驰蓝天（SkyActiv）”技术。这一技术能够极大地提高汽油机和柴油机的工作效率。

　　SkyActiv is typically pragmatic engineering from the Japanese, and just what the market wants now, says Mr Warburton. In the coming years, however, meeting tighter emissions¹⁷ standards will require more capital spending. It may also be difficult for the smaller firms to invest in technologies that support autonomous¹⁸ driving, should it prove popular.

　　Warburton先生表示，“创驰蓝天”技术是来自日本“务实”工程的典范，这正是目前市场所需要的东西。然而，为了在未来数年应对日渐严苛的废气排放标准，加大研发资本的投入势在必行。与此同时，对于较小的制造商而言，想要投资于能够支持自动驾驶系统的车辆也是一件困难的事情，而自动驾驶系统应该会成为十分受欢迎的技术之一。

　　Another explanation for the small firms' endurance is the tacit support of Japan's government. In the case of Suzuki, Mitsubishi and Daihatsu this support is visible in the form of longstanding tax breaks to miniature “kei” cars. Much loved by women and the old, the tiny cars and trucks now account for around two-fifths of new-vehicle sales in Japan. Nissan and Honda manufacture kei cars, but the three smaller makers¹ rely on them more.

　　对于小公司能够坚持至今的另一种解释，就是他们接受了来自日本政府的隐性支持。就铃木、三菱和大发三家厂商来说，政府的支持是摆在台面的，他们都在微型“轻型”车的生产销售方面享受到了长期的税收减免优惠。“轻型”车受到广大女性群体和长者们的欢迎，目前这些迷你轿车和迷你货车的销售量已经占了日本新车市场的五分之二。虽然日产和本田也在生产“轻型”车，但那较小的三家制造商要比两大巨头更为依赖“轻型”车。

　　The government now seems to have heeded¹⁹ the warnings of the largest carmakers, that making kei cars diverts attention and funds from the development of models with export potential. A decision earlier this year to raise taxes on the category bodes²⁰ ill for their manufacturers. While Subaru and Mazda are successful outside Japan, and Suzuki is envied for making big profits selling small cars, the weakest of the second tier may soon face fresh difficulties.

　　现在，日本政府似乎已经注意到了汽车巨头们的警告，后者认为大力制造“轻型”车，会减少在其他具有出口潜力车型的开发方面所需的精力和资金投入。今年早些时候日本政府决定提高“轻型”车的税率，这也预示着生产该车型的厂商前景趋于黯淡。当斯巴鲁和马自达在海外市场大获成功之时，铃木汽车旗下“轻型”车的巨额利润也同样令人眼红。然而，这第二梯队里最弱的一家制造商或许马上就要面临新的困难。

　　The underlying²¹ problem faced by all Japan's carmakers is a declining and largely unprofitable home market, says John Harris, a consultant²². Yet for Mitsubishi, probably the weakest of the five, the problem is eased by support from the huge industrial group it belongs to and Daihatsu will continue to enjoy Toyota's protection. With this level of help it is unsurprising that none of the small carmakers has yet run off the road.

　　咨询师约翰·哈里斯（John Harris）表示，全日本的汽车制造商都有着一个共同的潜在问题，那就是持续萎缩和基本上无利可图的国内市场。然而，就三菱汽车而言，这家几乎是五家公司实力最弱的成员，一直从自己所属的巨型集团当中得到支持。大发汽车也将持续地受到丰田的保护。在这种程度的帮助之下，我们就不难预测到，这批小型制造商都会“活得好好的”。

1 makers   

n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式）

参考例句：

• The makers of the product assured us that there had been no sacrifice of quality. 这一产品的制造商向我们保证说他们没有牺牲质量。
• The makers are about to launch out a new product. 制造商们马上要生产一种新产品。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 imperative   

n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的

参考例句：

• He always speaks in an imperative tone of voice.他老是用命令的口吻讲话。
• The events of the past few days make it imperative for her to act.过去这几天发生的事迫使她不得不立即行动。

3 conundrums   

n.谜，猜不透的难题，难答的问题( conundrum的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• After all the conundrums of Hungary, the second Turkish Grand Prix promises much. 继匈牙利站所有猜不透的事之后，第二届土耳其大奖赛许诺了太多。 来自互联网
• I see conundrums, dilemmas, quandaries, impasses, gnarly thickets of fateful possibility with no obvious way out. 眼看问题经纬万端，进退两难、入困境，死路一条，盘根错节的命定可能性，但找不到明显的出路。 来自互联网

4 prosper   

v.成功，兴隆，昌盛；使成功，使昌隆，繁荣

参考例句：

• With her at the wheel,the company began to prosper.有了她当主管，公司开始兴旺起来。
• It is my earnest wish that this company will continue to prosper.我真诚希望这家公司会继续兴旺发达。

5 merged   

（使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中

参考例句：

• Turf wars are inevitable when two departments are merged. 两个部门合并时总免不了争争权限。
• The small shops were merged into a large market. 那些小商店合并成为一个大商场。

6 fiat   

n.命令，法令，批准；vt.批准，颁布

参考例句：

• The opening of a market stall is governed by municipal fiat.开设市场摊位受市政法令管制。
• He has tried to impose solutions to the country's problems by fiat.他试图下令强行解决该国的问题。

7 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

8 Ford   

n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过

参考例句：

• They were guarding the bridge,so we forded the river.他们驻守在那座桥上，所以我们只能涉水过河。
• If you decide to ford a stream,be extremely careful.如果已决定要涉过小溪，必须极度小心。

9 bankruptcy   

n.破产；无偿付能力

参考例句：

• You will have to pull in if you want to escape bankruptcy.如果你想避免破产，就必须节省开支。
• His firm is just on thin ice of bankruptcy.他的商号正面临破产的危险。

10 conglomerate   

n.综合商社，多元化集团公司

参考例句：

• The firm has been taken over by an American conglomerate.该公司已被美国一企业集团接管。
• An American conglomerate holds a major share in the company.一家美国的大联合企业持有该公司的大部分股份。

11 chafes   

v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的第三人称单数 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒

参考例句：

• Her skin chafes easily. 她的皮肤很容易擦破。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The daughter under such restrictions chafes at them circumscribe her whole world. 他们的女儿是在如此严厉的约束下，她的整个世界都是受的限制的。 来自互联网

12 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

13 costly   

adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的

参考例句：

• It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
• This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用，左不过贵了些。

14 hybrid   

n.(动，植）杂种，混合物

参考例句：

• That is a hybrid perpetual rose.那是一株杂交的四季开花的蔷薇。
• The hybrid was tall,handsome,and intelligent.那混血儿高大、英俊、又聪明。

15 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

16 diesel   

n.柴油发动机，内燃机

参考例句：

• We experimented with diesel engines to drive the pumps.我们试着用柴油机来带动水泵。
• My tractor operates on diesel oil.我的那台拖拉机用柴油开动。

17 emissions   

排放物( emission的名词复数 )； 散发物（尤指气体）

参考例句：

• Most scientists accept that climate change is linked to carbon emissions. 大多数科学家都相信气候变化与排放的含碳气体有关。
• Dangerous emissions radiate from plutonium. 危险的辐射物从钚放散出来。

18 autonomous   

adj.自治的；独立的

参考例句：

• They proudly declared themselves part of a new autonomous province.他们自豪地宣布成为新自治省的一部分。
• This is a matter that comes within the jurisdiction of the autonomous region.这件事是属于自治区权限以内的事务。

19 heeded   

v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的过去式和过去分词 )；变平，使（某物）变平( flatten的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She countered that her advice had not been heeded. 她反驳说她的建议未被重视。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I heeded my doctor's advice and stopped smoking. 我听从医生的劝告，把烟戒了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

20 bodes   

v.预示，预告，预言( bode的第三人称单数 )；等待，停留( bide的过去分词 )；居住；（过去式用bided）等待

参考例句：

• This bodes ill for the failure of the programme. 这是那项计划有凶兆。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• This bodes him no good. 这对他是不祥之兆。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

21 underlying   

adj.在下面的，含蓄的，潜在的

参考例句：

• The underlying theme of the novel is very serious.小说隐含的主题是十分严肃的。
• This word has its underlying meaning.这个单词有它潜在的含义。

22 consultant   

n.顾问；会诊医师，专科医生

参考例句：

• He is a consultant on law affairs to the mayor.他是市长的一个法律顾问。
• Originally,Gar had agreed to come up as a consultant.原来，加尔只答应来充当我们的顾问。