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