JETRO's monthly survey of Japanese companies and affiliates operating in 12 countries/regions of East Asia revealed that current sentiment remained subdued in the ASEAN region, while continuing strong in mainland China in August.
Toyota Motor Corporation announced today that Toyota FAW (Tianjin) Dies CO., LTD. (TFTD), its stamping die-production joint venture with China FAW Group Corporation (FAW) in China, can now produce automotive stamping dies (such as for automobile body panels) for six vehicle models a year, up from three. In addition to production for the Chinese market, TMC also said TFTD has started production for export, initiating the first ever export of Toyota automotive stamping dies made outside Japan.
Middle- and Lower-Middle Income Americans are Making Significant Spending Changes - Each in his or her Own Way - Because of Gas Prices, According to Summer 2006 Boston Consulting Group Survey of Consumer Spending Patterns
The positive sentiment among German consumers appears to have reached its peak in the late summer of this year. Consumers now consider the outlook for the economy to be rather more pessimistic than in the prior month. Expectations regarding their personal financial position are equally conservative. Only the inclination to make larger purchases in the near future remains high.
Facing rising gas prices, Americans are buying more alternative fuel autos, including hybrids, diesel and ethanol- capable vehicles, according to automakers.
Discover Business Card released the results of the inaugural Discover(R) Small Business Watch(SM) today, a new monthly Index of economic confidence of the nation's 22 million small businesses with five or fewer employees.
IBM and Internet Security Systems, Inc. today announced the two companies have entered into a definitive agreement for IBM to acquire Internet Security Systems, Inc., a publicly held company based in Atlanta, Ga., in an all-cash transaction at a price of approximately $1.3 billion, or $28 per share. The acquisition is subject to Internet Security Systems, Inc. shareholder and regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2006.
Luxury consumers' confidence plummeted during the second quarter 2006, dropping 14 points down to 99.2 from a high of 113.2 at the close of the first quarter. This follows two consecutive quarters of rising luxury consumer confidence. The index is based upon the results of a survey of over 1,000 luxury consumers (average income $147.9k) conducted in July 2006
Wireless technology, now the networking backbone in homes and offices worldwide, is about to see widespread adoption where it will have, perhaps, its most profound impact: on the plant floor and out in the field. The worldwide market for wireless technology in manufacturing is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26% over the next five years. The market was $325.7 million in 2005 and is forecasted to be over $1 billion in 2010, according to a new ARC Advisory Group study.
