| During the past week, the world has witnessed a | | | | the market for hybrid cars are Ford and Toyota.Based |
| series of events that influenced the various sectors of | | | | on its recent report, Ford Motor Co. has dropped down |
| the growing global economy. On one hand, some | | | | in its sales by 4% last month. Another company that |
| events promised more developments and expansion | | | | has followed the same trend is General Motors. |
| not only in the international trade but also in specific | | | | According to GM, its sales also decreased by 2.5%. |
| countries. On the other hand, some occurrences may | | | | Meanwhile, the total sales of both Toyota and |
| negatively impact or alter certain aspects of world | | | | DaimlerChrysler continued to improve this year. |
| trade including the economy of the country specifically | | | | Particularly, the Chrysler Group jumped in its sales by |
| involved.Oil Price Rolls Back in the World marketThe | | | | 3% of around 190,367 cars. Some of the most popular |
| entire week is full of good news for oil importers | | | | automobiles sold by the company are: Dodge |
| worldwide. Since Monday, the oil price decreased by | | | | automobiles, Chrysler, and Jeep. Chrysler's |
| $2 per barrel in the world market. Prior to that, the | | | | Mercedes-Benz also improved by 28%. Toyota |
| value of oil kept on increasing due to the disruption of | | | | reported that its sales within the U.S alone rose by |
| supply in Iraq as well as in Nigeria. According to the | | | | 2.4% to around 166,940 cars last February.Although |
| report by Mohamed El Baradei, director of International | | | | Ford's sales on Jaguar have decreased last year, the |
| Atomic Energy Agency, Iraq has been planning to | | | | auto maker declared that it has no plans of selling |
| empower its production of nuclear fuel. The news has | | | | Jaguar. Ford bought the famous car brand back in |
| caused tension and raised concerns regarding nuclear | | | | 1989 for around 1.6B pounds. This year, the car |
| weapons. Discussion about the issue is currently | | | | company is positive that Jaguar sales is going to |
| ongoing. The IAEA will talk about the subject on its | | | | recover and improve. Ford is also set to release a |
| scheduled meeting on March 6. After which, the report | | | | new car model that would be hitting Europe soon. This |
| will be handed to the U.N security for final | | | | is part of its strategy to keep up with the strong |
| assessment.The almost $2 decrease of oil price in the | | | | competition against other auto giants especially those |
| world market was caused by a failed terrorist attack | | | | that come from Asia.As part of its move to recover |
| that took place at the largest oil plant in Saudi. The | | | | from its losses, General Motors officially tasked Jerry |
| situation though was immediately controlled by the | | | | York as its newest member of the board. York is |
| Saudi forces that were roused to full alert because of | | | | noted for its remarkable achievements at Chrysler and |
| the tension. The oil supply though was not disrupted | | | | IBM. Although GM has been receiving negative |
| within the country despite the attack. The value of light | | | | feedbacks lately, York is positive that the company is |
| crude oil decreased by $1.91 while the price of brent | | | | going to recover. During his January speech, he |
| crude oil lowered to $1.61.The opposite situation, | | | | proposed five things to the GM management: first, to |
| however, is taking place in Nigeria. Just recently, the oil | | | | make the expectation of revenue and cost more |
| price rose up to more than $2 per barrel. The sudden | | | | realistic; second, reduction of product offerings; third, |
| increase was influenced by the news of the Saudi | | | | review the whole company with an unbiased |
| terrorist attack. Moreover, another reason was oil | | | | perspective; fourth, focus on core businesses; fifth, set |
| supply within the Nigerian region was cut by 13,000 | | | | a clear vision for the company.Several Computer |
| barrels per day due to the discovery of a leak. The | | | | Companies Seek for ExpansionIn terms of technology, |
| series of militant threats and attacks within the region | | | | Intel Corp. recently got the official permission from |
| also prompted the increase of the oil price.According | | | | Vietnam in order to construct a microchip plant within |
| to energy analysts, the improvement of the oil price in | | | | its territory. Earlier, the leading microchip company, |
| the world market would have been even better. | | | | proposed the $605M project, which will be built at Ho |
| However, there are several factors (like the focus of | | | | Chi Minh city. Vietnam would surely benefit from the |
| the oil market on short-term inventory data) that | | | | budget since the project is expected to attract more |
| prevent more positive results. Currently, the oil price still | | | | foreign investors in the country.Meanwhile, Lenovo |
| remains close to $61 per barrel as a result of Algeria's | | | | computer company has announced its plans to release |
| plea to OPEC for market stability.Meanwhile, Shell, | | | | computers that bear the company's name. Lenovo |
| which is the third leading oil company, has gained a | | | | computers formerly carried the logo of IBM. The |
| total of $23 B profit last year. This should be an | | | | company stated that the move is part of its plans to |
| enough reason to celebrate, but the huge oil company | | | | establish itself in the worldwide market of computer |
| is currently facing the need to improve and expand its | | | | technology.Just recently, Apple computers invited |
| oil resources. Otherwise, it will run out off supply in the | | | | several analysts and new reporters to its Cupertino |
| future. According to reports, Shell was only able to | | | | base in order to check out its so-called "new and fun |
| replace between 60% - 70% of the gas it used for | | | | products." So what's up with the big bang? Rumor has |
| production last year. In 2004, the percentage was | | | | it that Apple is intending to expand its technological |
| even lower with only 19% or replacement.Shell, | | | | products into Hollywood. Apparently, its iTunes has |
| however, is making use of its large assets in order to | | | | been contributing to the promotion of many TV |
| meet the stiff market competition. Its oil reserve | | | | programs. Again, there's a possibility that the latest |
| projects located in Nigeria, Sakhalin Island, and Gulf of | | | | rumors could again turn out to be wrong. Yet then |
| Mexico are currently underway. The success of these | | | | invitation given by Apple is surely a good sign that the |
| projects would definitely empower the company's | | | | company is up of a big bang of a surprise for |
| future possibilities.Regions in the U.S particularly East | | | | everyone.As part of China's vision to improve its local |
| Coast and Nigeria are also facing issues with regard to | | | | technological industries, Vice Premier Wu Yi vowed |
| their oil supply. This problem may eventually result to | | | | last Thursday to strengthen the fight against illegal |
| changes in the price of fuel. This situation is primarily | | | | copying of softwares, music, and videos. Piracy has |
| caused by the shift in the chemical used in the fuel | | | | been a growing problem in the country for years. |
| refining process. Formerly, MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl | | | | Despite several attempts to combat it, the problem |
| ether) was used during the process. The use of | | | | continues to spread. In fact, piracy in China has roused |
| MTBE, nevertheless, led to problems and protests | | | | international complaints including the report made by |
| regarding water pollution and the contamination of | | | | Washington. Now, the Vice Premier pledged to |
| water supply. As an alternative, fuel companies in the | | | | strengthen the battle against piracy not only as a |
| U.S particularly in the East Coast and Texas are | | | | response to these foreign complaints, but also as part |
| utilizing ethanol. The problem though is that ethanol is | | | | of China's goal to improve its local technology.More |
| not abundantly produced within the country. Moreover, | | | | Developments in Various Sectors to Boost Global |
| the fuel refining needs are greater than the amount of | | | | TradeJust recently, Morgan Stanley decided to invest |
| reserve available. As a solution, the U.S government is | | | | around $68 M to Mantri Developers Private Ltd. which |
| currently importing ethanol from Brazil while it continues | | | | is a property development company based in |
| to construct more ethanol plants within the country.The | | | | Bangalore, India. The decision is part of Morgan |
| campaign for energy independence in the U.S is also | | | | Stanley's plan of venturing into the global stream of |
| receiving negative feedbacks. Critics such as Tom | | | | real estate. At the same time the investment, would |
| Friedman of The New York Times commented that | | | | also help Mantri in its plans for national expansion. Real |
| the government should focus on other more relevant | | | | estate is currently booming in India due to the |
| issues aside from it. The claim that while energy | | | | increasing demands for housing projects and office |
| independence may be motivated by noble purposes, it | | | | buildings. This economic rise is also attracting many |
| might not be the wisest move now. The government | | | | foreign investors now.In terms of health, Roche finally |
| should look for other more practical alternatives. | | | | got the approval from the U.S drug regulatory board to |
| Besides, the big budget energy independence | | | | release Rituxan as the newest drug to treat |
| demands could be allotted to the other sectors of the | | | | rheumatoid arthritis. The approval of the new medicine |
| economy and government.The Various Auto | | | | does not only promise more profit on the part of |
| Companies Continue to Grow and Expand in the | | | | Roche, but it gives likewise hope for the patients who |
| World market.The discussion regarding oils issues | | | | have not responded to other standard treatments of |
| leads us to another important area, which is the car | | | | rheumatoid arthritis.U.S faces Several Economic |
| industry. Generally, auto companies reported notable | | | | ConcernsBased on the latest report, the trade gap |
| developments and expansions during this week. Last | | | | between exports and imports in the U.S has increased |
| Wednesday, Nanjing Automobile acquired the MG | | | | during the past year from 18% - 75% of a trillion dollar. |
| Rover plant at Longbridge, England for a 33 year lease | | | | This is due to the fact that American consumers have |
| from St. Modwen Properties Plc. The leading Chinese | | | | continued to demand for more imported products such |
| auto maker is said to have paid 1.8 M pounds for the | | | | as oil, vehicles, and other goods. According to analysts, |
| 105 acre factory. Nanjing surprised the global car | | | | only a 57% increase in exports can bridge the gap. It |
| industry last July 2005 when it bought MG rover for | | | | must be noted the U.S. is a leading exporter in certain |
| around 53 M pounds thus outbidding its fellow Chinese | | | | goods such as aircrafts. Although the sales of durable |
| competitor, Shanghai Automotive Corp. The big move | | | | goods decreased during the past year, producing |
| is part of the company's vision to become one of the | | | | companies such as Boeing hope to improve in their |
| leading car brands in the world.Honda Motors Co. is | | | | sales in the succeeding years.Meanwhile, the huge |
| also getting more attention form the international auto | | | | damage left by hurricane Katrina has also caused the |
| market after it disclosed its plans to produce a hybrid | | | | insurance companies in the U.S to adjust their |
| yet low priced version of its Fit subcompact. The car | | | | premiums. The adjustment is deemed necessary in |
| maker intends to release the hybrid design next year. | | | | order to cover the potential loss that would be caused |
| Honda representatives, nevertheless, clarified that the | | | | by future catastrophes.There's also good news |
| hybrid technology will be distributed only at a lower | | | | regarding IT job opportunities based in the U.. Although |
| scale. This is due to the design's very expensive | | | | many American companies are resorting into offshore |
| production cost. However, Honda is also developing | | | | services now, IT employment opportunities continue to |
| smaller battery and motors that would help reduce the | | | | grow in the U.S This is due to the fact that there are |
| hybrid cost in the future. This venture is part of | | | | still certain IT tasks that needs to be based within its |
| Honda's goal to beat the problem of high-gasoline | | | | territory.By Vasily Klimko - leading importers exporters |
| consumption through specially designed automobiles. | | | | directory. |
| Aside from Honda, other companies that have joined | | | | |