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General Motors used to be a shoo-in as the world's largest automaker.
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It seems every couple of weeks there's a push for or against autonomous driving vehicles.
Right before the holiday weekend, we caught the new 2015 Toyota Prius testing on Los Angeles roads alongside a current Prius model.
Real SUVs are a dying breed.


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WTO Trade Agreements
As per a research put forth by HSBC, it is clear that the dominance of the US dollar as the standardized currency is coming to and end, paving a way for Asian and African countries to set new standards.
A new Silk route is in formation, as a trade link will be created among Asian countries of China and India, with Middle East nations, Africa and Latin America, as the US has begun losing prominence as a global superpower and primary consumer for world trade.
Emerging nations will increasingly trade among themselves, as their domestic consumers grow. A practical model of trade among emerging and emerged nations has been followed till date, whereby the growth of emerging nations depends upon exports to the developed nations. However, the development process by the emerged economies is not rapid enough to sustain this model for long.
The US is China's largest trading partner today, but in 20 years, India, Brazil or Russia are likely to be the main destinations for Chinese goods. India and Brazil already export more to the emerging world than to the developed world. Together called BRICS, these nations are soon to overtake the monopoly trade by the USA. The densely populated economies are proving to be tremendous sources of not just labour, but also foreign capital, raw material, and also business destinations for the American economy.
Let us take an instance of cars. The demand for cars is different, between an American and an Asian. The average American is taller, fatter and prioritizes on health and safety requirements, which means bigger, heavier cars. On the other hand, a car that appeals to a first-generation buyer in India or China needs to be within his budget, not heavy, reliable and with a good mileage, rather than massively safe,or what would appeal to an American. In fact, Indian exports are already making their way to ASEAN, Africa and other emerging markets.
Consequential to this collapse of the American economy as a monopoly ruler, it is most certain that the US dollar will lose prominence, paving way for domestic currencies to set standards, most likely Rupee or Renminbi. New economic and commercial zones, such as Singapore and Hong Kong are gaining momentum - gradually shifting the control of capital flow from developed nations.
According to the HSBC report, of the top 10 container seaports in the world in 2009, one is in Europe, one in Dubai and eight are in Asia - of which five are in mainland China. Twenty years ago, not a single Chinese port figured in the top ten. HSBC, which also did a study estimating that China will be the top and India the 3rd largest economy in 2050, has based its revolutionary predictions on the fact that shipping , rail, air and electronic connections are increasing among emerging nations. The activities of aids to trade are gaining rapid momentum in Asian countries, and that too, at a largely visible rate.
Besides heavy investments in the infrastructure sector in the form of railway construction in Colombia, ports constructions in Myanmar etc., China has inched further to protect its supplies of raw material and energy from Africa, Middle East and Latin America.
History is evident of this economic growth phase. South Asia is undergoing similar political and economic phases as Europe and America did at the end of the Wars. However, in the 50s and 60s, emergence of trade barriers changed the economic status of these regions , and in the 80s and 90s, opening up of capital market flows led to a new benchmark in the rise of these economies.
In fact, history can be repeated for China, which had been the founder of the original Silk route under the Han dynasty in 200 BC. Recent trends and statistics are constantly indicating towards a revolutionized global economy, with its reigns in the hands of the BRIC nations and India speeding up to a position of Number 3 by 2050. In the meanwhile, there will be a complementary drop in the shares of the western markets.
BRIC: In economics, BRIC is a grouping acronym that refers to the countries of Brazil, Russia, India and China, which are all deemed to be at a similar stage of newly advanced economic development. It is typically rendered as "the BRICs" or "the BRIC countries" or alternatively as the "Big Four".
See also a paper on China: The Emerging Superpower, by Major H.A. Hynes

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United Kingdom: Inflation drops to lowest level since August 2022 in January
Inflation eased to 10.1% in January from December’s 10.5%. January’s result represented the lowest inflation rate since August 2022, and was below market expectations. Looking at the details of the release, the change in prices for recreation and culture was largely steady in January. In contrast, prices for transportation grew at a slower rate. Meanwhile, housing and utilities prices accelerated.
The trend pointed up, with annual average inflation coming in at 9.4% in January (December: 9.1%). Meanwhile, core inflation fell to 5.8% in January, from December’s 6.4%.
Lastly, consumer prices dropped 0.56% over the previous month in January, swinging from the 0.37% increase logged in December. January’s result marked the weakest reading since January 2019.


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‘It’s just the best’: How a new ‘tough’ pillow became the best comforment for women
As we head into spring, it’s been a tough year for men’s health.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest winners and losers from a year of pillows and comforers.
– Nike, which has been on a roll, has been doing well in terms of sales and revenue.
It’s up more than 60% year over year and it’s not going anywhere.
It was up almost 50% in the U.S. in the first half of 2018.
– Amazon, which saw strong growth in its Prime delivery service, has also made some strong moves in 2017.
It increased its average order size and said it would focus more on online shopping.
– Samsung, the world’s biggest maker of wearable devices, has started selling some smartwatches.
But it’s also working to address its issues with the quality of its hardware and software.
– Apple, which had been the largest smartphone maker, has moved more into hardware.
It has made a lot of big changes, including a major move into the high-end Apple Watch line.
– Microsoft is getting into the health industry with a range of devices that help users track their health.
The company has launched an app that helps users track heart rate, blood pressure, sleep, sleep patterns, blood sugar and more.
But the apps are often limited in their functionality, and it is difficult to access data about what’s going on in your body.
– Google has been quietly adding new health features to Android, and has also introduced new services to the platform.
Google Glass has been an obvious success, but the company also is looking at other ways to make it easier for users to use the wearable.
– Apple has announced that it’s going to start releasing a new Health app in 2018.
The new app will include a new, simplified HealthKit app, which will allow users to track and manage their health data.
It will also have new tools to make health tracking easier and more personal.
The app will have a “better way to see how you’re doing” to make sure you’re getting the right treatment, according to the company.
Apple’s Health app will also include a personalized dashboard of your health, including how much time you spend awake and how much you eat, how you exercise and how you sleep, among other things.
The dashboard will be available on iOS and Android devices.
Apple also is also adding a new feature called the HealthKit Connect, which is meant to be used to connect your health data with Apple Health to help you get the most from your device.


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Even with Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) having practically sold out all of its production slots for this year and expressing optimism about 2019, the head of Daimler AG’s global commercial vehicles division expressed concern over potential fallout from a global trade dispute.
“The true solution is that we become more and more global. All problems we face are global problems,” Martin Daum said in response to a question during a press briefing following the unveiling of the all-electric eCascadia and eM2 truck models.
Earlier this month, the United States upset allies by implementing tariffs on steel and aluminum. That sparked retaliatory measures by the European Union, Canada, and Mexico. It also has raised the prospect of a wider trade war.
Daum said the result of tariffs and a trade war would be “citizens of those countries suffering by paying more.” He added that he does not think in terms of “national borders,” and is “always committed to the countries we work in.”
In looking specifically at North America, he noted Daimler has a “huge Mexican base” that includes both the selling of trucks to fleets and manufacturing vehicles for export.
Roger Nielsen, president and CEO of DTNA, said that pricing would not be altered for existing orders, but that tariffs would increase production costs.“Those costs eventually … find their way through the whole value chain,” he said.
Nielsen was hesitant to make any predictions on whether this could hurt truck sales moving forward, since “freight needs to be moved” and many fleets simply need to replace their older equipment.
With healthy backlogs at its factories, Nielsen noted DTNA is actively monitoring the supply chain, and working to identify any bottlenecks to ensure suppliers “are keeping pace with customer demand.”
Daum also stated that strong truck sales in 2018 extend beyond North America and Europe. He cited Indonesia and India as two markets of particular strength, while Brazil and Turkey are among the areas still struggling.


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Galloway, NJ April 1, 2021 – PRESS RELEASE – A new cannabis and hemp research institute at Stockton University (CHRIS) will provide education, research and resources for the local and national market.
The new institute builds on Stockton’s academic cannabis studies programs to develop research that focuses on hemp growing practices, non-medicinal cannabis research, laboratory testing, and the creation of hemp and cannabis educational materials.
“As the first New Jersey university to offer a minor in cannabis studies in 2019, Stockton stands ready to conduct critical research in areas that can provide opportunities for our students and emerging industries and fuel the state’s economy,” said Professor of Biology Ekaterina Sedia , Coordinator of the Cannabis Minor.
Robert Mejia, associate professor of cannabis studies at Stockton, said the institute will host educational and career fairs and help set the standard for hemp and cannabis education in New Jersey and the nation.
Initially, the focus of the CHRIS test laboratory is on the provision of test services for hemp growers, processors and manufacturers of finished products. Although New Jersey was the third state to introduce guidelines for growing hemp, the state’s hemp industry is barely in its infancy.
The ability to manufacture a whole range of environmentally friendly hemp consumer products, including building materials, food, and ethanol and plastic substitutes, will lead to a more sustainable future, Mejia said.
“Hemp was an important part of the American past and we want to make it an important part of the American future,” said Mejia. “We used to know how to grow and process hemp, but because of the cannabis ban, we have to learn again. As we learn, we will share these valuable lessons with our community and nation. ”
In addition to hemp testing, CHRIS plans to grow hemp in Stockton fields and in the greenhouse and hold educational events.
Another goal is to work with partners from the community to provide education, training and employment opportunities for the post-prison population.
“We see this as a way to connect with our local community and help those harmed by the war on drugs,” said Mejia.
The new institute’s first event will be a virtual cannabis curriculum, running April 21-22, bringing together cannabis educators across the country to share ideas, network, and develop strategies for improving cannabis education in the world Discuss higher education.
“There is so much public confusion about cannabis and hemp and the topic affects so many different areas,” said Sedia. “Through our research and training, we aim to be leaders in academia as well as supporting businesses and local communities as the industry grows.”
Subjects for call-up are cannabis curricula in science, cultivation, law, medicine, and social justice.
For more information about the institute and how to convene the curriculum, see stockton.edu/chris.


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In the image above there are two wearables. One is Fitbit’s recently released Charge 5, a $179.95 fitness tracker designed to measure everything from your heart rate to your sleep and even your skin temperature. The other is Amazon’s new $79.99 Halo View fitness tracker, which Amazon says can measure everything from your heart rate to your sleep and skin temperature. Ten points if you can tell me which is which.
The Halo View was just one of a host of new devices announced by Amazon at its now annual fall hardware event this week. But while many of Amazon’s new products feature completely original designs and features, like its cute Astro “home robot” or Ring-branded home surveillance drone, there were a handful that bear a striking resemblance to preexisting products.
Take Amazon’s new $59.99 smart thermostat, which works with Amazon’s voice assistant Alexa, and promises to detect when you’re home and adjust the temperature accordingly. That’s very similar to what other Alexa-enabled thermostats like the $250 Ecobee smart thermostat offer, but at a fraction of the price. Not to mention Amazon’s design is also similar to a preexisting smart thermostat produced by a company called Tado (which itself retails for the equivalent of around $240).


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In his 2003 hit song “Celebrity,” country crooner Brad Paisley sings about the perils of celebrity and “acting like a fool just ’cause you’re on TV.” Yet, many alcohol and non-alcohol beverage brands recognize that the star power of athletes, musicians and actors often equates not only to deeper consumer connections but also to increased brand recognition that translates into sales.
Already a popular practice in the beverage industry, the pace of endorsements and investments by famous names has accelerated in recent years, according to a January 2015 article in Fortune.
“Even as singer Justin Timberlake completed his 20/20 Experience World Tour in the final weeks of 2014, he still found time to regularly tweet about his tequila brand [Sauza 901] to his nearly 40 million Twitter followers,” it stated.
Additionally, Super Bowl champion and Green Bay Packers’ linebacker Clay Matthews made his singing debut on a new commercial for Cytosport’s Muscle Milk that launched in mid-November last year. In the comical commercial, he sings “Lean on Me” and helps athletes who need an extra hand running, swimming, doing yoga and so on.
Another popular brand endorser is the Cleveland Cavalier’s NBA champion LeBron James, a longtime partner of Sprite. Since 2003, the same year he joined the NBA, “King” James has been supporting the brand’s “Obey Your Thirst” message. Its newest campaign “Wanna Sprite” depicts James making a softer, gentler pitch for the soda brand. “I’d never tell you to drink Sprite, even if I was in a commercial for Sprite, which I am,” he humorously says in the new ad. Instead, “I’d ask you.”
Due to the popularity of these TV commercials and celebrities promoting both alcohol and non-alcohol brands to their millions of fans on Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms, it’s likely that beverage brands will continue to use celebrities to promote their products and engage with consumers, particularly teens and multicultural millennials.
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Step 1: As the first step just go to the official Spyine website and sign up for an account. This app provides you an opportunity to see the details of time and date of their conversion of Viber account on the target person’s device. After a series of delays, injunctions, and appeals, TikTok is still available on US app stores and, at the time of writing, 14 November 2020 will be the final deadline for halting all TikTok’s activities in the U.S. In this case, Lookout researcher Kristin Del Rosso has associated the malware with another 30 rogue Android applications that use the same command and control infrastructure of a larger surveillance campaign that’s been active since at least April 2019. Amongst those other 30 apps were fake tools claiming to be media players and, intriguingly, a tool that let a user search for the customer name of a Libyan mobile number.
These hackers use every opportunity to commit cybercrime and, with the U.S. TikTok assets and also issued executive orders that would ban TikTok, as well as WeChat, from operating in the U.S. Most recently, Donald Trump has ordered ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, to sell its U.S. When it’s installed on a smartphone or tablet, the spyware portrays itself as TikTok, but using the name TikTok Pro. It is vital that users ensure all apps are installed from official stores, such as Google Play, and never click on unknown links received through ads, SMS messages, or emails. This disallows apps to be installed on your device from unknown sources. After this, an application is run on the target device in order to retrieve the data from it. This is a common technique used by malware developers to bundle the main load inside the Android or device package to avoid easy detection from users. To be honest, till date there’s no spy app that makes it possible to spy on an Android phone without app installation. You can also use the GPS tracker feature to spy on the phone location.
If the iPhone you want to spy on is not on the list, you can connect it with the computer to generate new backup data. how can i spy on a cell phone without installing software on the target phone? If chances are the iPhone that you want to spy on is jailbroken already, then there’s an even better way to spy. 1. Can you spy on someone’s Android phone without touching it? Reading SMS/text messages is one thing, but information is power and being able to see locations and listen to phone calls lifts your abilities to another level. In fact, people will never know how you are finding out all the information about them. Check out Spyic Live Demo here! Here you can use one simple trick which will ensure your license key from the original mobile spy software. Clearly, anyone can see the enormous benefit of a cell phone spy app such as Auto Forward. It packs a lot of features offering a lot of different methods to get data off a target Android phone.
If you ever lost the data, you can very easily get access to all the things very easily. Often, when popular applications come under fire and are featured prominently in the news, hackers get excited as these newsworthy apps can become their latest target. Recently there has been a huge wave of SMS messages, as well as WhatsApp messages, making the rounds in group chats and individually, asking users to download the latest version of TikTok at an unknown and unconvincing link address-unfortunately, many people are still downloading this malicious app anyway. This fake notification tactic is used to redirect the user’s attention, meanwhile the app hides itself in the internal storage of the device, making the user believe the app to be faulty. As demonstrated in this research, it is very easy to trick victims to fall for such attacks, especially when that app is on the news agenda and highly popular. In doing so, users can become victims to malicious apps portraying themselves as the original app. It is a spying app that is perfect for spying on your girlfriend’s phone. And not only will you be able to see another person’s texts, you will see every other sort of activity which has happened on the phone.


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The progressive transition from conventional to electric vehicles is reflected by the proliferation of charging stations around the country, from rest stops to fast-food restaurants.
Expectedly, more will open up around the state in the near future. For instance, Ohio has just been granted federal funds to assist in constructing EV charging stations around the state.
The Biden-Harris Administration approved $1.5 billion to all 50 states on Tuesday. Notably, this is just a part of a $5 billion plan for the next five years.
With the Toledo AAA location, Bob Kazmierczak claimed that more drivers are shifting to electric vehicles due to the increasing gas prices and aiming to “go green.”
This is supported by a recent study that revealed that one-quarter of Americans plan to buy an EV as their next vehicle.
Kazmierczak further noted that it is only logical for our automobiles to evolve as technology advances.
“All the safety pieces, right? So, all the automated driver assist systems, the automatic braking and adaptive cruise control and crash avoidance,” he said. “So, all of those things that we’ve been seeing come about over the years are now being rolled into one, which is really neat.”
On the other hand, Kazmierczak encourages customers to research electric vehicles in general and the specifics of their selected model beforehand.
“Make sure it fits your needs. Look at its charging capabilities, make sure that you have the ability to do so at home if that’s possible,” he explained. “Also, it may take a little more planning.”
Furthermore, he urges EV owners to download the AAA app to easily locate the nearest EV charger while waiting for the development of more charging stations.


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Demand in India, the world’s second largest gold consumer after China, remains tepid due to lower disposable income and virus related restrictions.
“Demand is around 35-40% of normal at this time of year,” said Amit Modak, CEO, PNG & Sons. “The rise in rate, restrictions on shop timings due to the pandemic and lower disposable incomes especially among low ticket size buyers have crimped demand.”
Even in Zaveri Bazaar, India’s bullion and jewellery hub, demand remains weak since re-opening on June 5 after over two months of a nationwide lockdown to prevent the virus outbreak. However, marriage- based buying has commenced with most weddings deferred till September and beyond.
“Customers are scared to visit shops in the current times, though people have started buying for the marriage season,” said Kumar Jain of UT Zaveri, a retail jeweller in Zaveri Bazaar.
“Marriage season buying has commenced in a small way in certain places as customers feel prices could rise further or over fears of another lockdown,” added Modak.
Gold of 22 carat which is used to make jewellery also hit a record high of Rs 45,570 per 10 gm. The prices are based on those provided by India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) which exclude 3% GST. IBJA rates are used by RBI for pricing of Sovereign Gold Bonds, which are gaining popularity as an investment tool.
“While demand for physical gold will pick up in forthcoming months, investment demand as observed by ETF flows are surging on haven buying and rising inflation expectations,” said Surendra Mehta, national secretary, IBJA.
Gold ETFs in India saw Net inflows of Rs 815 crore in May on haven buying.
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Trends come and go, never fleeting faster than when a crisis rears its head. App stores represent one of the most rapidly changing areas in the consumer market. The old “fifteen minutes of fame” quib from Andy Warhol applies well in this scenario. Some apps last years, while others only last months or weeks—it’s inevitable that users will want something new. The main challenge plaguing app marketers face is the inability to amend their campaigns when the winds of change shift.
Just like our digital world around us is always in flux, so are our app stores, designed to shift with the interests of the users and to protect their interests. Rules and algorithms change constantly to ensure fraud is minimized－by deleting fake reviews or warning users before deleting apps for which they’re still paying subscriptions. App store optimization (ASO) regulations have also changed to prevent app marketers from filling app store descriptions with relevant keywords incoherently. Beyond the preventative measures, they also change by country depending on social, political, and economic situations.
App marketers must be aware, however, of the statistical likelihood that users will keep using their apps. Apps that don’t have a lot of value don’t have a long lifespan, because users move on quickly, and most apps don’t have long-term value to users. This varies by the types of app and its long-term relevance. Messaging apps tend to have higher retention rates, which makes sense because communication is an ongoing essential need, whereas gaming apps can have shorter lifespans because they are recreational and non-essential—dispensable in nature. Localytics found that after three months, an average app’s rate of continued use after the first time is about 29 percent. In general, app retention rates are about 5 percent. This has been the trend for the last decade. On average, since 2012, the average rate for apps being used more than once has stood around 30-40 percent, according to Statista data.
COVID-19 changed the narrative quite a bit in the app store and rapidly, too. While the same sort of guiding principles in marketing the apps, like ASO, didn’t change dramatically, the focus of users did. For starters, as users around the globe found themselves at home, app installs and time spent using apps rose 20 percent. According to Visual Capitalist analysis, delivery and social media apps experienced an enormous rise in use, but not necessarily any significant increase in downloads. Media and entertainment, healthcare, online shopping, and communication apps saw both an increase and installs and users. For example, between February and April 2020, Instacart experienced a 650 percent rise in new users, while gaming apps saw an increase in 75 percent between March 12 and 19. As could be anticipated, video conferencing apps for business skyrocketed in downloads, nearly tripling in weekly downloads from October 2019 to April 2020.
These kinds of user behavior patterns in the app store are expected, but others are a little more noteworthy. Sensor Tower reported a 24 percent increase in mental-health app store downloads in April, a statistic that isn’t surprising given the mobility restrictions of the lockdown, but one that is less likely to catch the attention of marketers. Unique and anticipated behavior patterns in the app store tended to follow the geographic transition of the coronavirus. Areas the virus hit earlier, such as the European continent, saw the aforementioned trends in the app stores. Others that were yet to be hit hard saw their app stores’ activity remain largely in a pre-COVID state until the virus actually struck. These trends, both in their geographic transitions and their content, can tell app marketers much about the next few months, considering the anticipation of a resurgence in most countries.
The key in gauging the trends and reacting accordingly is to be able to pivot quickly, whether from campaigns of conversions, downloads, or encouraging retention/more usership. Directing a budget into one basket can have dangerous results, because as soon as the epicenter changes or data shows a change in user attitudes, budgets can go to waste. In an unpredictable world that is the COVID-19 pandemic, most app marketers will have to be flexible. The opposite doesn’t ring any truer, though, by speculating too much. A vision for what’s coming is critical and seeing already where the pandemic is moving and where it’s moving away from is a start.
New Zealand, for example, revealed recently it had reached zero cases, while in South America COVID-19 is hitting hard. And the app stores are reflecting the presence of the virus. In New Zealand, AppAnnie analytics showed that on April 1－during the peak of the pandemic curve worldwide－in the Apple Store, the top five apps downloaded were Zoom, Houseparty, TikTok, Microsoft Team, and Disney. As of the end of June, where the number of cases dropped below 50, the top apps data changed to predominantly games, while Tinder moved up from fourth highest-grossing to second, and SkySports resurfaced amid talk about sports returning.
South America’s ap stores show signs of a continent struggling to contain the virus. Brazil, a country with a large Android majority and one that has eased restrictions while deaths are peaking, has witnessed Tinder drop in the top-grossing category but also has seen the messenger and social apps drop off significantly from the top five Android app store list. Peru, a country that experienced a later explosion of cases, saw an app store drive to communications apps by late June when the pandemic started to wreak havoc, with social media and communications apps topping the charts.
Another trend that could determine the future of the app store while COVID-19 continues to grip the planet are the changes in the direction of the virus’s mutation. The Telegraph reported on June 20 that an Italian infectious disease clinic chief believes its virulence has died as it has mutated. This could signal that in some areas, as the public opens, app store trends could return to pre-COVID status.
Given these types of quick pivots in the app store, app marketers will also shift budgets accordingly. Appsflyer data shows the correlation between the number of new cases per day and the app store budgets, especially in China. Moving forward marketers will also shift their budgets to continents and regions that experience a jump in app usage and specific types of apps that meet the needs of their COVID-19 situations.
- Appsflyer data shows the correlation between the number of new cases per day and the app store budgets, especially in China.
Regardless of what the pandemic has in store next for humanity, app marketers across the spectrum must be prepared to manage the quick change. A jump in cases in one area can inculcate marketers with a feeling that an opportunity exists elsewhere. The key is to always be on a swivel, because during these challenging times, the tide turns quickly.
The article was first published on Business 2 Community on July 23rd, 2020


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Dachser is to acquire Azkar SA, its Spanish logistics partner, in a move to strengthen its European overland transport network.
Azkar had sales of €367m last year and is one of Spain’s leading groupage operators. Dachser has held a 10 per cent stake in the company since 2008. Azkar operates at a profit despite the dire state of the Spanish economy.
Following the acquisition the business will continue to be headed by José Antonio Orozco and the current management team. For the time being, the company will also continue to operate under the same name.
Dachser chief executive Bernhard Simon said: “Our corporate business models have seen very similar developments in key areas.” As well as the full-coverage branch office network across the Iberian Peninsula, Azkar’s strong position in contract logistics also ties in well with Dachser’s strategic orientation.”
José Antonio Orozco said: “We are the number one in Spain. With Dachser behind us, we will be able to secure our future and have access to a dynamically evolving, global logistics network.”


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Elon Musk’s Tesla to slash more than 7,000 jobs
In a bid for profitability, electric car maker Tesla will be cutting seven percent of its workforce — more than 7,000 people.
The layoffs were announced by CEO Elon Musk in an email to staff, where he also outlined the company’s financial challenges.
“While we have made great progress, our products are still too expensive for most people. Tesla has only been producing cars for about a decade and we’re up against massive, entrenched competitors. The net effect is that Tesla must work much harder than other manufacturers to survive while building affordable, sustainable products,” he wrote.
He further added:
“There are many companies that can offer a better work-life balance, because they are larger and more mature or in industries that are not so voraciously competitive. Attempting to build affordable clean energy products at scale necessarily requires extreme effort and relentless creativity, but succeeding in our mission is essential to ensure that the future is good, so we must do everything we can to advance the cause.”
Some 3,000 jobs had been terminated in the middle of last year as part of a restructuring exercise.
Musk ended last year in the headlines for smoking marijuana while smoking weed. The incident led to NASA calling for a safety review not only at Tesla, but also at its aircraft competitor, Boeing.


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Delray Beach, FL (PRWEB) November 18, 2011
HoneyMark, the importer and distributor of rare Manuka honey products, has announced its partnership with Nutritional Products International (NPI).
HoneyMark, based in Boston, carries a number of products containing Manuka honey, which has a wide array of nutritional and therapeutic benefits for consumers. NPI is a leading nutraceutical company that will distribute HoneyMark's products to retail and online outlets all over the U.S.
"This partnership will mean that we will get more products in front of consumers at retail locations across the country," said Frank Buonanotte, CEO of HoneyMark. "The demand for Manuka honey continues to grow as more people realize the tremendous benefits our natural products bring both traditionally and topically, especially in fighting harmful bacteria."
Manuka honey is made from the nectar found in the Manuka plant, which only blooms six weeks out of the year. This honey contains certain phytochemical compounds not found anywhere else in the world, and has more vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants than any other type of honey.
Raw and unprocessed, HoneyMark's products are laboratory tested for their antibacterial and phytochemical potency. The company uses Manuka honey in all of its products, which include body care, facial care, wound care, foot care, hand hygiene and more. It also has supplements available in capsule form and will soon launch a line of fruit-infused Manuka honey products.
"Demand for Manuka honey and HoneyMark's high-quality products will only continue to grow as more consumers learn about them," said Mitch Gould, CEO of NPI. "We look forward to expanding the scope of this very versatile line of products and helping more people realize the nutritional and therapeutic benefits of Manuka honey."
NPI (http://www.nutricompanies.co) is one of the world's leading nutraceutical companies, providing sales and distribution services for worldwide brands. It specializes in working with key buyers across the United States, providing a fast track to the world's most important market.
To learn more about HoneyMark, visit http://www.honeymarkproducts.com.


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2XU hires Randy Becker
January 9, 2014
Carlsbad, CA — 2XU (“Two Times You”), the leading sports apparel and compression brand, has hired former tennis professional Randy Becker to head sales operations in the tennis and golf markets in the US. Becker brings years of proven sales and marketing experience to assist 2XU expanding distribution of its best-in-class compression apparel to two sports where athletes are widely adopting compression wear for performance and recovery enhancement.
“I’m incredibly enthusiastic to join the 2XU team,” states Becker. “Over the years, 2XU has proven global success in delivering products that enhance the performance and recovery for athletes of all ages and skill levels. I look forward to being a part of the brand’s ambitious growth goals.”
Becker has been involved in the tennis world for over 30 years, since early childhood and met with success on the Pro Tour. He still enjoys many hours on the court at clubs near his home in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to his playing career, Becker coached the Maze Cup and USA v. Japan Exchange. His extensive experience in tennis includes time as a consultant for top industry brands, Director of Player Development and Board Member for USTA NorCal.
“Interestingly enough, I didn’t discover 2XU through my involvement in tennis”, says Becker, “it was during the preparation for my first triathlon.” Deciding to participate in his first IRONMAN® Triathlon in 2011, Becker was introduced to 2XU’s triathlon and compression apparel which he quickly discovered had tremendous benefits on the court.
“I’m confident that 2XU’s compression apparel will be embraced in the tennis and golf communities, much in the same way it has in triathlon, running, skiing and swimming. The benefits will become obvious to these athletes very quickly,” concludes Becker. “Tennis players and golfers are seeking competitive advantages like any other athlete and there is currently little innovation in the way of high performance apparel. The market is underserved in this respect and 2XU apparel is exactly the type of breakthrough technology it needs.”
Chris Sinkovich, 2XU Director of Sales says of the announcement, “We are extremely excited to have Randy on board to help launch 2XU Compression into the tennis market. Randy’s passion and understanding of the tennis market are a huge asset for us and we’re excited to develop these new channels with him leading the charge.”
Becker will lead a team of top industry reps in partnering with various tennis and golf outlets and influencers. Later this month, he’ll be conducting clinics at the upcoming Davis Cup tie with Great Britain in San Diego, California.
About 2XU: 2XU is a world leading sports apparel brand, setting the benchmark in high performance compression. Designed and tested in consultation with industry experts, all 2XU garments employ intelligent physiological design, cutting edge performance fabrics and construction. The premium Australian brand is now stocked in multiple countries around the world. 2XU is worn by professional athletes the world over including the majority of players in the NFL and NBA, as well as by over 40 collegiate athletic teams.
To learn more about 2XU, please visit 2xu.com.


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WILMINGTON — Chef Keith Rhodes’ food truck, which has criss-crossed the city for several years, now has a permanent home.
The food truck, a spin-off of Rhodes’ award-winning restaurant Catch, has set up shop at many of Wilmington’s breweries, most of which lack kitchen facilities. But now ‘Catch the food truck‘ will be in full-time residence at Flytrap Brewing in downtown Wilmington.
Flytrap Owner and Brewer Mike Barlas said the partnership is long standing.
“Our relationship with Chef Rhodes goes way back,” Barlas said. “He was there at our grand opening with his Wing Star food truck.”
Barlas added, “We’ve both grown. For a long time they’ve wanted a permanent home for the Catch food truck. At the same time, we were transitioning to larger brew equipment. We’re to that point now where we can handle larger crowds with eight to 10 of our own beers on tap. We always thought about Catch as a good fit for here, and so we talked to them and it just all kind of worked out.”
According to Barlas, Rhodes and Flytrap are still working out some last-minute details. He would say that the the food truck hopes to serve both appetizer-sized small bites and full sized entrees. Barlas also said having Chef Rhodes’ food truck on location would hopefully lead to future food and beer events.
“We’ve had some great events here already,” Barlas said. “We had Chef Rhodes recreate the Phun (Rhodes’ former Asian tapas restaurant) menu. We’re looking forward to planning specials to pair with beers, and having Chef Rhodes incorporate some of our beers. There’s a lot of great stuff coming, it’s just a perfect synergistic pairing.”
Barlas said the Pepe’s Tacos truck will still make its weekly appearance on Friday nights. The Catch food truck will be open Saturday through Thursday.
“We open at three, so the truck will probably open between 4 and 5 and stay open until 8 or 9. We’ll be there for the after-work appetizer and beer crowd, and then later for the sit-down dinner crowd. Sundays we’re still working on, but it will probably be an afternoon thing,” Barlas said.
‘Catch the food truck’ will start its residency June 1 at Flytrap, located at 319 Walnut St.


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Two weeks ago, it was doubtful that anyone working at a grocery story would consider themselves an emergency worker.
By Corey McDonald/Hudson County View
However, amid the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus, thousands of grocery store workers in Hudson County – and throughout the country – are now one of the economy’s most essential laborers, working to ensure residents can buy food as some part of the world come to a near standstill.
Yet the job comes with new anxiety, as social distancing becomes nearly impossible for workers on the cash register, for instance.
“This is a very difficult scenario; it’s uncharted waters. We haven’t been through this before and people just don’t know how to react,” said John T. Niccollai, president of Local 464A of the United Food and Commercial Workers, which represents thousands of grocery store workers in the region.
Gov. Phil Murphy on Saturday ordered a near lock down for the entire state, mandating that non-essential retail business be closed until further notice.
Of course grocery stores were among a number of businesses deemed essential, along with pharmacies, gas stations, auto mechanics and repair services, convenience stores, banks, and liquor stores – among a few others.
For grocery store employees, that means taking extra precautions for their own health.
“You can’t just stop your life. You need money so you have to come to work,” said Josh, a 27-year-old employee at ACME in Jersey City who declined to give his last name. “But you still need to take precautions.”
Last week saw day after day of lines extending through stores, empty shelves a regularity and customers with masks and gloves in and out of the front door with great consistency.
While many fears haven’t been quelled yet, employees haveÂ taken comfort in a slow down this week.
“Last week it was hectic. But it looks like it could be getting back to normal,” Josh said. “Then again, I could be wrong because tomorrow it could be a sh*t storm.”
“It comes in spurts now,” said Valerie, an employee at the Hoboken ShopRite who also preferred not to give her last name.
She said she’s been working her usual hours, “but it’s been much harder” recently.
Companies like ShopRite and ACME have provided their workers with gloves and hand sanitizer, employees from both stores said.
The companies have “been very, very cooperative and accommodating during this pandemic,” Niccollai said.
“Obviously the health and safety of our associates and customers is our number one priority,” said Dana Ward, a communications manager with ACME.
ACME and similar stores say they are following U.S. Centers for Disease Control guidelines: not recommending gloves and masks for employees but having them available for anyone who ask for them.
“We have an abundance of gloves; gloves are not a problem,” Ward said. “Masks obviously are harder to come by.”
These items are facing a surge in global demand, and many hospitals and health care facilities – let alone grocery stores – are having trouble getting the amount they need.
“The problem that we really have is none of us, the employers, the union, our medical centers — we can’t get the supplies that we need and that’s really been the biggest problem,” Niccollai stated.
“Many of our members would like to work with gloves, masks and have protective devices around the cash registers up front, and obviously the employers are trying to provide all that, but you can’t buy them. We can’t even get masks for our medical center.”
To ensure additional protection, Ward said ACME had installed plexiglass on the cash registers, as “a huge sneeze guard, so to speak,” Ward said.
Niccollai is telling his union members to wash their hands frequently and sanitize as best they can. But another problem – again, one that the entire country is facing – is a shortage of available tests.
“We have members through our medical center that we suspect could have the coronavirus, and we can’t get them tested – they’ve gone to the testing center in Bergen County … and have been in line for several hours and then they indicate they’ve run out of tests,” he said.
“So what we are doing is very interesting. We’re swabbing them for the flu, and if they have all of the symptoms of the coronavirus and they test negatively for the flu, there’s a good probability that they have the coronavirus.”
From there, he said, members are given a prescription to take to a hospital to get tested their.
“But again, not all hospitals have tests,” he said.
For now, as the virus spread continues in the New York metropolitan region – largely considered the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak – employees are taking it day by day.
“They understand they have a job and they have to be there but they also have obligations to themselves and their families to work smartly and to work safely,” Niccollai said.
“We’re just trying to stay positive right now,” Josh said.
Follow Corey McDonald on Twitter @cwmcdonald_


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Zhanna has a background working for an American multinational food and beverage company as well as at a number of translation agencies serving similar top multinational corporations. She enjoys discovering new cultures as well as learning new languages. She is also a lover of all things fabric and floral ,especially if they are design-related. Zhanna is a graduate of Belarusian State Economic University with a major in Intercultural Business Communications.
A Bitcoin market Independent Reserve has launched a new feature of Bitcoin trading directly in both U.S. and Australian dollars.
A Bitcoin market Independent Reserve has recently announced that it has become the first Australian exchange with a possibility of Bitcoin trading directly in both U.S. and Australian dollars.
Independent Reserve was founded in 2013 in Sydney, Australia. One of the unique features of Independent Reserve is that the company is underpinned by Australia’s highly regulated financial sector and is audited annually by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
According to Independent Reserve website, the company is overseen by an experienced advisory board, chaired by Michael Go, with over 25 years’ experience as an executive in global markets.
As said by Adrian Przelozny, the company’s Chief Technology Officer, such development would enable Australians to trade Bitcoin without facing the currency risks of converting to USD:
“People wanting to trade Bitcoin directly – as opposed to purchasing it through a facilitator as they do on some other Australian venues – have up until now faced the prospect of converting AUD to USD before they can do so,” he said. “With the AUD falling against the USD, this hasn’t been great for Australians. Now, we have created a distinct pool within the exchange whereby people can trade Bitcoin in AUD without losing any value in currency conversion. It’s a big win for Australians.”
A new feature of Independent Reserve allows customers to issue a single buy or sell order that can be fulfilled directly within the AUD Bitcoin pool. Furthermore, it enables having multiple accounts in multiple currencies and customers are able to break single orders across multiple currencies.
According to Mr. Przelozny, there was a strong trend towards people using Bitcoin to avoid hefty international currency exchange fees, and that multi-currency exchanges were a further step towards facilitating this:
“People wishing to use the Bitcoin ecosystem to make payments in Australian dollars can enjoy pricing efficiency by avoiding traditional currency conversion fees.”
However, by buying Bitcoins in one currency and redeeming it in another, Independent Reserve customers can avoid high fees and charges from traditional FX providers.
The significant enhancement will allow Independent Reserve to expand internationally and add additional currencies in future. Another good news is that later this year Independent Reserve will enable its customers to exchange Bitcoin directly in New Zealand Dollars as well as AUD and USD.
According to its website, the mission of Independent Reserve is to transform digital currency technology into secure, robust and regulated financial services. The foundation is a strong and experienced executive team, with a broad range of skills in corporate leadership, financial markets, software engineering and regulatory compliance.


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Facebook on Thursday reported in an official blog entry the business dispatch of Express Wi-Fi in India. The commercial internet that offers “quick, dependable and moderate” information contacts by means of neighborhood hotspots.
As per the post, Facebook sells Express Wi-Fi as an answer that gives “a minimal effort, high transmission capacity elective” for getting on the web and to get to applications, download and stream content. Individuals keen on utilizing Express Wi-Fi can join with a retailer and buy a day by day, week after week or month to month information pack. It’s vague precisely how much it costs to utilize Express Wi-Fi. Facebook’s blog post says that rates will be set by its partners in the region.
Express Wi-Fi in India will provide more cheap internet than mobile data packages
The social media networking giant likewise is now in an association with Bharti Airtel to send an extra 20,000 hotspots throughout the following couple of months. This will empower millions more Indians to be online.
Facebook says it will likely “develop the quantity of Express Wi-Fi hotspots in India quickly”. Currently just 360 million Indians, out of a populace of 1.3 billion, have web access, as per Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI’s) Performance Indicator Report.
Facebook has been trying the setup in India since a year ago. With the dispatch today, Express Wi-Fi is presently live in five nations: India, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria and Indonesia.
Who is to say that Pakistan will be the next one on the map of globally connected citizens?
Image via Information Security Buzz
RS News or Research Snipers focuses on technology news with a special focus on mobile technology, tech companies, and the latest trends in the technology industry. RS news has vast experience in covering the latest stories in technology.


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This week, we celebrate Avengers: Endgame and comics in general by checking out Marvel Star Trek comics! Join us for a look at Star Trek Unlimited and a quick run-through of Trek on the comic page!
Get “Captain Saru”, our favorite Kelpian, on Amazon!
Get your DS9 doc tickets!
Suit up with our Trek T-shirts!
Join our crew on Patreon and get access to our new Voyager recaps!
Click through our Amazon link on enterprisingindividuals.com to support the show!
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for Trek news and updates!
Listen to “Season 4, Episode 6.5 Supplemental: Trek Comics” on Spreaker.


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More than 36 million gadgets that operate on the Android platform, can be infected by Trojans.
This virus is called Judy, and distributed through Google Play.
This information was announced by the Israeli company working in the field of IT security. In the study, the largest store content programmers found about 40 applications that have been infected with a Trojan Judy. Most vulnerable to the virus turned out to be gadgets powered by Android. According to experts, whiter than 36 million such devices could be infected Judy.
According to programmers, Judy belongs to the category of so-called clickers, and striking smartphone great transition to sponsored links. It is noteworthy that all of the infected apps were created by the same company Kinivini, and were in Google Play for several years.
But it is not clear whether this involved the developer, or it was the work of hackers.
© 2017, paradox. All rights reserved.


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Storm Reid's Sheer Two-Piece Set Looks Straight From the "Euphoria" Wardrobe Closet
It seems that "Euphoria" has started rubbing off on Storm Reid's personal style. While vacationing in Cabo with friends, the 18-year-old actor wore a mesh two-piece set by Heron Preston that would fit right into the popular HBO show. The crop top and flared low-rise pants were completely sheer and covered with the same abstract camouflage print in varying shades of brown. Reid accessorized with gold hoop earrings, sparkly square-toe sandals, sunglasses, a beaded necklace, and several bracelets and rings before showing off the full look on her balcony.
The star has been enjoying some well-deserved time off this week, hanging at the beach in a blue sleeved bikini from her forthcoming Pacsun swimsuit collection and lounging poolside in an orange halter two-piece and matching coverup. Reid has been busy this year: in addition to promoting season two of "Euphoria" and studying drama and African American studies as a freshman at the University of Southern California, she's also managed to squeeze in a handful of fashionable public appearances.
Earlier this month, she attended the Costume Designers Guild Awards in a custom lace Prada dress, and back in February, she sat front row at the luxury fashion house's Milan Fashion Week show in a sunny-yellow shirtdress.
Shop Reid's exact Heron Preston camo set ahead, and keep reading to browse similar mesh pieces.


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MASSENA - When SeaComm Federal Credit Union celebrated its 50th anniversary on June 8, 2013, they wanted to give back to the community that has supported them.
In return, the Credit Union National Association gave back to SeaComm by presenting them with a Diamond Award for their event. Awards are given in each of 29 categories ranging from advertising to community events, and they submitted for recognition under the community one-time event category.
We are a member of CUNA. There are over 1,100 credit unions that belong (to CUNA). Being part of that allows us to be part of the competition. I thought, why not put in our 50th event, Tammy J. Harrigan, SeaComms vice president of marketing and communications, said.
The 50th anniversary celebration, held at their 30 Stearns St. location, included a carnival; chicken barbecue; novelty vendors providing cotton candy, popcorn, snow cones and ice cream; carnival rides; bounce houses; live band; fortune tellers, Cubby the Clown, who handed out nearly 2,000 balloons; and a fireworks show from across the road at Bushnell Field.
It was a great event. Everything was free for members with a wrist band. We had over 3,000 people, Ms. Harrigan said. We had the Massena firemen take care of the barbecue. It was another great way for us to give back to the community.
Our 50th anniversary event was a significant milestone for this institution. It represented everything we wanted our membership and the community to know about us. On June 6, 2013, we celebrated our humble roots and at the same time what was to come, SeaComm President and Chief Executive Officer Scott A. Wilson said.
Ms. Harrigan said a 12-person committee, with a budget in hand, started meeting in November 2012 and began working on the events.
We knew kind of what we wanted to do, Ms. Harrigan said.
When it was all over, she submitted the event for consideration for the Diamond Award in the Credit Union National Association competition. The Diamond Award recognizes outstanding marketing and business development achievements in the credit union industry.
The Diamond Award competition is the most prestigious competition for excellence in marketing and business development in the credit union industry, according to Michelle Hunter, chair of the CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council and senior vice president of marketing and development at Credit Union of Southern California.
Credit unions that receive this these awards should be extremely proud of their accomplishments and know that their work represents the very best examples of creativity, innovation, relevance and execution. The Diamond Awards are not easily earned and the CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council is proud to honor those who are deserving of this recognition, she said.
Ms. Harrigan said Seacomm was proud to have received the award.
The Diamond Award is a pretty big award for the credit union industry. Its one of the credit unions largest competitions for the marketing industry. It made us feel really good, she said.
She accepted the Diamond Award during the councils 21st annual conference held this month in Orlando, Fla. The award was presented by the CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council, a national network comprised of more than 1,100 credit union marketing and business development professionals.
It is always exciting to be recognized with an award for a job well done. Its even more of an honor when it is at the national level, Mr. Wilson said.
This is a tremendous recognition and significant achievement to be selected from across the country, he said.
I am so proud of what this credit union accomplishes on a daily basis, and this is one more concrete way to validate what I already know, and that is we have the best of the very best working at the credit union. This complements our other national recognition as Credit Union of the Year by the National Association of Federal Credit Unions in 2012.
Mr. Wilson commended Ms. Harrigan for her efforts.
Tammy Harrigan..., who oversaw the 50th anniversary signature event, is our key creative leader and ensures everything that the credit union puts out is fresh, the highest of quality and fits into our overall strategy, he said.
In addition to the Diamond Award, SeaComm will also receive the CAMEO Marketing Award in May in St. Petersburg, Fla., for a Visa promotion they ran last year.
That award recognizes innovation, creativity and resourcefulness of credit and debit card marketing campaigns. Ms. Harrigan said there are seven categories, and SeaComm took first place in the Loyalty Category based on their asset size.


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One of California’s largest firearm stores recently added a peculiar new gun to its shelves. It requires an accessory: a black waterproof watch.
The watch’s primary purpose is not to provide accurate time, though it does. The watch makes the gun think. Electronic chips inside the gun and the watch communicate with each other. If the watch is within close reach of the gun, a light on the grip turns green. Fire away. No watch means no green light. The gun becomes a paperweight.
Armatix iP1, a .22 caliber semi-auto, is the country’s first smart gun. Its introduction is seen as a landmark in efforts to reduce gun violence, suicides and accidental shootings. Proponents compare smart guns to automobile air bags — a transformative add-on that gun owners will demand. But gun rights advocates are already balking, wondering what happens if the technology fails just as an intruder breaks in.
James Mitchell, the “extremely pro-gun” owner of the Oak Tree Gun Club, north of Los Angeles, isn’t one of the skeptics. His club’s firearms shop is the only outlet in the country selling the iP1. “It could revolutionize the gun industry,” Mitchell told the Washington Post.


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Mann Packing Co. Inc., of Salinas, CA, is enjoying considerable success with its fresh-cut sweet potato line. “ Our fresh-cut sweet potatoes are fresh, washed, ready-to-cook cubes or crinkle-cut spears, packaged in microwaveable bags,” describes Elena Hernandez, marketing and communications specialist.
Other producers are also having success with value-added sweet potatoes that offer greater convenience. “Our individual microwave sweet potatoes are growing daily,” reveals Mike Kemp, business analyst for Market Fresh, in Nixa, MO. “More and more consumers are finding this is an easy, quick solution with a healthy kick.”
But some producers report mixed results with the value-added sweet potato category. “The steamables, tray packs, individually wrapped sweet potatoes are all very significant to today’s consumer, but the fresh-cut is not,” counters George Wooten, president of Wayne E. Bailey Produce Co., headquartered in Chadbourn, NC.
Foodservice, however, are piquing consumer interest in sweet potato fries. “People go to fast food restaurants and see sweet potato fries, and they want to try them at home, too,” says Jimmy Burch Sr., partner in Burch Farms, located in Faison, NC.
Some retailers report that fresh-cut products are an important part of their increased sweet potato sales. “A lot of the increase in sweet potatoes is because of the restaurants, pre-cut sweet potato fries and the cubed sweet potatoes; we carry those two in the fresh-cut section,” says Ed Osowski, director of produce at Martin’s Supermarkets, a 21-unit chain located in South Bend, IN.
The sweet potato fry looks to have a significant role in the continuing increase in demand for sweet potatoes. “The advent of the sweet potato fry, and of restaurants serving them, has assisted in increasing demand, agrees Sue Langdon, executive director of the Benson-based North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission.
The divergence of opinion could have to do with the learning curve in creating fresh-cut sweet potato products that catches consumers’ eyes, and earns their approval. “Fresh-cut sweet potato sales were lagging behind the spike seen in frozen sweet potato sales,” admits Hernandez. “As a result, Mann Packing conducted consumer research to find out how the situation could be remedied. Consumers revealed they eat sweet potatoes at home and in restaurants, but they weren’t aware that fresh-cut sweet potatoes existed, were preservative-free compared to their frozen counterparts, or where to find them in stores.”
It also took some work to come up with fresh-cut sweet potatoes with an attention-getting appearance. “When consumers saw a package of fresh-cut sweet potatoes, they said they looked like carrots, so we decided to change the cut of the sweet potatoes to a crinkle-style, add more information on pack, and activate more direct-to-consumer communication activities to increase awareness for the product,” explains Hernandez. “Then crinkle-cut helps make the sweet potatoes resemble French fries, and a plate shot on the package front includes graphics that communicate immediate usage ideas and helps further identity the product.”
These fresh-cut sweet potatoes do not belong near the other sweet potatoes, and should be displayed instead with the other convenience vegetables. “We recommend stocking our fresh-cut sweet potatoes as part of the overall convenience veg display in the produce department,” suggests Hernandez.


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(Techstars Stories, August 21, 2018) It’s back to school time, founders! We can just smell the new books and excitement as students get ready for a new year. Why are we so excited about the new school year? Because we know that for some ambitious young people out there, this will be the year they start a company, inspired by some new problem that they see or learn about at school. It means new students at the proliferating entrepreneurial programs at universities around the world. It means more smart startups from more smart entrepreneurs — and we’ve gotta love that.
(Martin Zwilling, startupprofessionals.com, July 27, 2018) Creating a great investor pitch is probably more difficult for technical entrepreneurs than creating a great product pitch. But it’s critical to have one. Just as a great business can’t exist without a product, a great product won’t survive without a business to sell it. It’s up to you as an entrepreneur to create both, with the ability to pitch either one, to the right people.
(MSU HR SourceLIVE, December 7, 2017) This holiday season, give back to the MSU student community by purchasing your gifts from the Student Marketplace! The MSU Entrepreneurship and Innovation Student Marketplace was developed to showcase businesses run by MSU students who are beginning their journeys as young entrepreneurs. The idea behind the Marketplace was to create an online space where products made by students can be featured, with new products being added all the time!
(Founder Institute, December 6, 2017) I’ve started 9 businesses and have invested all of my time, all of my network, and most of my money into each and every one of them. Most have done well and others have failed, but I wouldn’t advise an entrepreneur trying to build an impactful company to pursue any other strategy.
(MSU Today, November 27, 2017) For Michigan State University Spartans, entrepreneurship is more than a skill or discipline—it’s a mindset. It’s a way of thinking and working that opens doors, creates connections and accelerates innovation across disciplines.
Spartan innovators imagine a better world, then work to make it a reality. MSU supports them by connecting them to experienced business leaders and start-up funding opportunities and by cultivating university-wide entrepreneurship programs and community collaborations.
(Jesse Yaker, 360 Perspective, September 13, 2017) Jesse Yaker is a senior majoring in political science in the College of Social Science who spent the summer in Israel on an internship. Read more about his story.
(Caleb Hoover, MSU Today, August 10, 2017) Ten teams, consisting of 14 Spartans, have been selected to attend this year’s Clinton Global Initiative University annual meeting at Northeastern University in Boston.
Michigan State University undergraduate and graduate students have commitments in the areas of peace and human rights, environment and climate change, education and poverty alleviation.
(venturewell.com, March 21, 2017) The concept of the Entrepreneurial Mindset (EM) is gaining traction within higher education. There is a growing community focused on developing courses, trainings, workshops, degree programs, and minors that foster EM as well as research around the the best way to define, measure, and assess its impact. There’s a growing consensus that it is feasible and desirable to engage students in experiences that develop an entrepreneurial mindset, and that doing so will better prepare them for success.
(Jonathan LeBlanc, The State News, April 27, 2017) Land Grant Goods which was founded by environmental studies and sustainability sophomore Alex Marx and education senior Bethany Kogut, sells honey and herbal teas with the hope of producing jam and cosmetics.
Residential Initiative on the Study of the Environment, or RISE, director Laurie Thorpe said the name of Land Grant Goods came from her veteran experiences with being a part of several land grant institutions.
(Michael S. Melfi, michiganbusinessnetwork.com, April 26, 2017) Why would an experienced entrepreneur, business executive and Forbes contributor decide to join academia? Perhaps to create an environment beyond the classroom learning experience.


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Lion King now joins the It’s a Small World Jr. 4 set as being confirmed to make it’s debut at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA later this month.
|Mufasa. Photo copyright Disney|
Lion King will show up at D23 on the last day, Sunday, August 21. As rumored, there will also be an artist signing beginning at 10am that same day. Lion King will be a Disney Store exclusive and will officially hit shelves on August 29.


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Volkswagen’s brand has suffered significant damage following the diesel emissions scandal that’s also cost the motoring giant billions of dollars. It has a long way to go in order to regain consumer trust and the company is now looking to all-electric cars where emissions are not an issue. Volkswagen has confirmed that it’s going to introduce a new all-electric car in Paris next month that’s going to have a 300-mile range, making it a bonafide competitor to the Teslas of the world.
The confirmation comes straight from Volkswagen CEO Hebert Diess who revealed this during an interview with German magazine Wirtschafts Woche.
He revealed that the new car is going to have a range of up to 300 miles on a single charge but didn’t go into the specifics of its technical features. The CEO also said that this car is going to be about the same size as a VW Golf but with the cargo space of a Passat.
However, Diess did mention during the interview that for Volkswagen to meet its goal of producing millions of all-electric cars every year, it’s going to have to produce batteries in-house or at least have a supplier based in Germany. That was an interesting comment given that there have been rumors about VW planning a multi-billion euro battery factory in Germany.
Volkswagen is going to unveil a prototype of this car in Paris next month and this prototype is going to be very close to the actual model that will go into production by 2018 or 2019.


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Mario Lopez Joins Izea's Staree Platform as a Celebrity Ambassador
IZEA (OTC: IZEA) today announced Mario Lopez as celebrity ambassador to their latest platform, Staree. Lopez joins existing celebrity ambassadors Kendall Schmidt and Logan Henderson in contributing exclusive photos, videos, and updates to the platform in addition to endorsing Staree in various marketing and public relations efforts.
After unveiling Staree to the public at-large last month, thousands of social media influencers have applied to join the platform. In addition to Lopez, fans can interact with hundreds of other celebrities through interactive comments and questions or easily pass along exclusive content through various social media channels.
Since 2008, Mario has served as anchor for the syndicated entertainment news magazine show, EXTRA, and is also host for MTV's America's Best Dance Crew. He has enjoyed a long, successful career on and off the stage, starring in a multitude of television shows and movies including Dancing with the Stars, George Lopez, Nip/Tuck and Saved by the Bell. Mario is also an author of two books including Mario Lopez Knockout Fitness and Mario and Baby Gia.
"Social media lets me connect with fans in real-time," said Mario. "Through Staree, I can show them what's happening through pictures and videos on my personalized Staree profile. In addition, Staree allows me retain control over my content and have the ability to work with sponsors that are relevant to me and my fans."
Lopez's Staree profile can be found at http://www.staree.com/mariolopez. "We're thrilled to welcome Mario to Staree," said Ryan Schram, Chief Marketing Officer, IZEA. "He is an icon in the entertainment industry and a great representative of the Staree brand -- charismatic, connected and entrepreneurial."
Staree allows users to post photos and videos from their mobile device or desktop, and share them with friends through Facebook and Twitter. Users make money from display advertising targeted to their content and product placement in photos and videos.
"We know how powerful the end result can be when pairing a well-known celebrity with the right brand," stated Michael Heller, CEO of Talent Resources, a New York City-based global marketing firm responsible for brokering Lopez's deal. "Mario loves connecting with his fans, which made him a natural fit for Staree."
A video with Mario Lopez regarding the announcement can be found here.
Individuals interested in applying for inclusion in Staree can visit http://www.staree.com. Brands and agencies looking for sponsorship opportunities can call IZEA Client Development at 1-877-525-IZEA or contact the group online at http://www.izea.com.
(c) 2013 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.


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Samsung reported a record $63.1-billion revenue for the third quarter of 2020-21. It was a 10 percent increase from the same quarter last year with a 26 percent higher operating profit over the previous quarter.
The company's semiconductor business posted $22.6 billion in revenue and DRAM sales for servers were strong. There was a strong demand for computers in the period, thanks to the work-from-home format. The company was able to maintain strong performance despite shortage in components worldwide.
Samsung's mobile division continued to perform well with a revenue of $24.2 billion. The popularity of the Galaxy line and the new foldable phones - Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 - made this a very profitable quarter for the mobile division and made a massive contribution to the overall company revenue. It did confirm, however, that the big marketing investments for the new foldable phones did affect the bottomline.
The phone display business posted $7.5 billion in revenue. The demand for small and medium sized OLED panels drove revenues higher compared to the previous quarter. Their biggest customer when it comes to display panels is Apple.
Samsung says it is optimistic for the fourth quarter despite acknowledging the current component supply issues. It expects more revenue from its display business since there is a proven demand for OLEDs in all devices.


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Brisbane-based company Bigmate has announced the commercial availability of a technology which enables businesses to pre-screen for higher skin temperatures as workers enter or leave buildings.
The thermal screening tool, known as “Thermy” uses thermal cameras and advanced analytics to analyse skin temperature, automatically sending an alert when it detects an elevated temperature.
Temperature checking has emerged as a tool in the fight against the spread of coronavirus and is likely to play a greater role as communities try to strike a balance between public safety and easing lockdown restrictions. For example, in China a Starbucks employee checks a customer’s temperature when they arrive to pick up their coffee as part of a “contactless experience” the coffee company rolled out. While Disney boss Bob Iger said parks like Disneyland could reopen with extra restrictions, comparing temperature checks to bag checks.
The Thermy product was 90 per cent complete and scheduled to launch later this year when the company decided to realign its engineering resources and launch the product as soon as possible in response to the crisis.
Bigmate’s managing director Mark Shield says that there has been “significant interest” in the product since it was unveiled earlier this month and the company is in discussions with mining companies, industrial logistics organisations and businesses that rely on people coming to a site every day.
“The world was turned upside down four weeks ago and there are lots of organisations that rely on people coming to site,” Shield told Which-50.
“If you look historically, influenza and those sort of things are a productivity killer onsite. Currently it’s COVID-19. So organisations are looking for technology to be able to help the overall solution and we’ve had significant interest right across the board.”
While the technology can assist businesses with their current challenge to keep their workforces safe, Shield stressed the system is not intended to be a medical device.
“It is observational technology but it is designed to play a critical role in helping organisations speed up their ability to protect workers and their families in the fight against highly contagious virus outbreaks such as COVID-19, the everyday day flu and beyond,” said Shield.
Founded in 1996, Bigmate develops critical risk management solutions to keep industrial workers safe. Its early products used telematics to monitor worker safety and driver behaviour, however three years ago the technology business began developing computer vision applications.
Thermy is based on Bigmate’s “Warny” solution, which uses computer vision algorithms to protect people working around dangerous machines, such as forklifts, trucks or industrial cutting machines. Warny is used by some of Australia’s leading industrial companies to detect instances of spontaneous combustion of materials, overheating of equipment and fires in the workplace.
“The technology we’ve been developing over the last couple of years is very robust. Those Warny boxes are in industrial sites right across the country now. From that base technology we were able to add different applications,” Shield said.
One of the ways in which Thermy logically extends Warny’s capabilities is by using thermal cameras, providing real time information through dashboards, hosted in Australia on Amazon Web Services (AWS) for remote viewing and trend analysis.
The plug and play solution was designed to be an affordable and scalable solution that large and small organisations can implement easily. The company says it could be used in a wide range of facilities, including factories, territorial borders, warehouses, government and private offices, and any location where people are moving through entrances and walkways.


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The return of Binance to the Japanese cryptocurrency market could see a new dawn for crypto in a country that had seen interest leveling out in recent years after an initial boom in popularity.
Binance stopped Japanese operations in 2018 following orders from the Financial Services Agency. The FSA is the government agency that regulates insurance sectors, securities and exchange, and banking in the country.
The reason Binance was ordered to stop is because of strict cryptocurrency exchange regulations that had been in place since 2017. The regulations require exchanges to be fully licensed in order to operate.
The purchase of Sakura Exchange BitCoin in November 2022 saw Binance acquire a licensed platform, announcing its return to the Japanese market. A name change to Binance Japan took place shortly after the acquisition.
This move took many in the industry by surprise as it appeared to be moving against the tide. Other global crypto exchange giants Coinbase and Kraken have recently announced a halt to Japanese operations, citing difficult market conditions.
While many may be questioning the decision to re-enter a market that others are leaving, others could see it as an astute move that will fill the void left by the other two major players.
The Potential Growth of Crypto in Japan
Binance Japan was relaunched on August 1st and offers users the opportunity to purchase and withdraw a variety of cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum and Bitcoin.
Cryptocurrency might not reach its peak of November 9th, 2021 when a single bitcoin was worth $67,617.02. However, the market still has a lot of value and with around 5 million estimated crypto owners in Japan, Binance still has a big market to target. With roughly 4% of the Japanese population owning some form of cryptocurrency, there is still huge potential for growth. With more and more online services accepting cryptocurrency as a form of payment, and a range of other benefits, the re-entry into the Japanese market could herald an exciting new era.
Potential Uses of Cryptocurrency
It is unlikely that the global or Japanese crypto market will see the rapid growth that generated huge interest in the early 2020s. However, the emergence of companies and services that facilitate the everyday use of cryptocurrency will open the market to an audience that may have looked at it as a novelty rather than a genuine alternative to official circulating currencies.
Globalization has been spurred on by improved internet access and quality as a result of 5G rollouts and the switch to fiber optic services. Many businesses have embraced online technology as a way to reduce costs and improve efficiency. A decentralized currency will only benefit from this as businesses find it easier to interact with other companies around the world.
The landscape of Japanese business has the potential to embrace crypto technology and Binance could benefit from this. The re-emergence of Binance in the Japanese market also has the potential to spark interest in other crypto uses.
Using cryptocurrencies to make digital payments can improve efficiency and convenience. Without the need for banks and intermediaries, payments can be processed quickly and easily.
It also removes the issue of exchange rates when making payments to other countries. This could be beneficial to Japanese businesses carrying out international transactions.
Gambling in Japan is strictly regulated, with limited markets available. This has led to increased online betting activities with offshore betting operators.
The lack of regulations around using online betting sites operated outside of Japan allows Japanese citizens easier access to greater sports betting markets and online casinos.
The potential for high revenues could see an update on gambling law in Japan in the future, but at present offshore betting offers the best options.
The rise of online gambling and cryptocurrency came about at the same time, so it is inevitable that the gambling industry would capitalize on this. Specially designed crypto casinos offer users a way to gamble directly with a variety of cryptocurrencies. They can also offer a range of enticing sign-up bonuses to encourage new users. This can include deposit matching with cryptocurrency.
As of 2022, Japan had 1.8 million migrant workers. This number is double that from 2012 and underlines the importance of foreign workers to the Japanese economy.
Many migrant workers who work in different countries will send remittances back to family or friends in their native land. Regularly transferring money abroad can result in costly charges and are subject to fluctuating exchange rates.
Cryptocurrency offers an easier way to send money to another country and has significantly less expensive fees than traditional money transfers.
Investment & Trading
The hype around crypto investment appears to have died down considerably. However, there are still opportunities to make money. Investing in new cryptocurrencies can see users make a good return as their value grows.
As with any investment, there is an element of risk involved and a good knowledge of the market is essential.
Trading crypto allows users to capitalize on growth or minimize losses. Binance Japan facilitates the trading of cryptocurrencies for Japanese users and makes it easier for people to invest or capitalize on their investments.
Privacy, Anonymity, and Protection Against Asset Sanctions
Some cryptocurrencies stand out from competitors by offering greater levels of privacy and anonymity when using them to pay for a product or service.
The decentralized currencies allow users to freely use them in any market that accepts them and also offer a level of protection against potential sanctions.
The freezing of assets can come about in a variety of ways. This can be due to police investigation, financial irregularities, or financial difficulties. Political instability can also have an impact on the ability to access funds from banks.
Cryptocurrency offers protection against this and can be accessed from anywhere as long as the owner has the information required to access their digital wallet.


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Knowing your oats about the fiber-cholesterol connection.
Millions of Americans have jumped on the "bran wagon."
For nearly two years, America has been experiencing oat bran mania, ignited by research showing that the soluble fiber contained in oats can play a role in reducing blood cholesterol, thereby decreasing the risk of heart attacks.
So the humble oat has come into its own, and not just in the conventional hot oatmeal breakfast. We now have oat bran muffins, bagels, breads, cereals, brownies, fruit bars, granola and even a contradiction more curious than most - oat bran-fortified potato chips.
Meanwhile, amid the oat bran hype, confusion reigns among the public. So what are the facts according to the best scientific evidence?
Some studies have reported that large doses of soluble fibers - such as those present in oat products and beans - have reduced blood cholesterol levels as much as five to 15 percent. But authorities interviewed by Arthritis Today say the impact of soluble fiber is actually much less than a 15 percent reduction
"Soluble fibers may give about a three to five percent reduction in blood cholesterol level," says Dr. Margo Denke, a physician specializing in nutrition and lipids (fats) research at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.
Nancy Ernst, R.D., nutrition coordinator for the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, agrees. She says reports summarizing studies of oat bran's effects on cholesterol levels don't specify which studies were well controlled in their research design. "Of all the studies, some did show as much as a 15 percent reduction," she says. "But many of them said that the 15 percent was not the change achieved by fiber alone. It was achieved when people changed the saturated fat in their diet and added fiber."
Ernst believes that the best controlled and most practical research on oat bran fiber's cholesterol-lowering properties has been done by Linda Van Horn, Ph.D., R.D., of the Northwestern University Medical School. Dr. Van Horn set out to determine if adding oat bran or oatmeal to a low-fat, cholesterol-lowering diet would produce additional cholesterol-lowering benefits.
"Unfortunately, the media have frequently looked only at the oat component and have ignored the fact that a fat-modified diet is the most effective way of lowering blood cholesterol," Dr. Van Horn says.
In both of her studies, all participants followed a low-fat, cholesterol-reducing diet. The control groups continued on this diet alone throughout the studies' duration, whereas the experimental groups added 56 grams (two ounces dry, equaling two cups cooked) of oat bran to their daily low-fat diet. Dr. Van Horn and her colleagues recommended that at least half the bran be eaten as oatmeal or oat bran cereal and the remainder be eaten in the form of a muffin or other recipe.
In both studies, the groups that added oatmeal or oat bran to their daily food intake achieved an additional two to three percent reduction in serum cholesterol over and above that caused by the fat-modified diet alone.
Scientists believe that the cholesterol-lowering properties of oats are due to the water-soluble fiber, specifically perhaps a gum called beta-glucan common in oats, which, in purified form, also has been shown to lower serum cholesterol, according to Dr. Van Horn.
"So the bottom line is that oats, indeed, can be a helpful part of a fat-modified diet and a lifestyle that lowers serum cholesterol," says Dr. Van Horn. "But they're probably not the only food that has that effect. Oats are among a variety of foods that can be included in the diet to produce the desired result."
Dr. Van Horn believes that once research is done on other foods containing water-soluble fiber, such as beans, barley, carrots and fruits, a precise picture of their cholesterol-lowering ability will make firm guidelines possible. At this point, she recommends these foods not only for their potential cholesterol-lowering abilities, but also because each has a distinctive combination of important nutrients for a varied, balanced diet.
Dr. Van Horn applauds the renewed public interest in dietary behavior that includes sources of water-soluble fiber. "For too long, we have spent our time telling people what not to eat," she says. "We now believe it may be better to tell them what to eat."
Despite the hoopla surrounding oat bran, however, it's important to point out that no one food can correct the faults of an otherwise unhealthy diet. Some people seem to think that oats are like a miracle drug that will suck cholesterol out of the bloodstream regardless of what else they eat each day.
The biggest dietary problem in the United States, Dr. Van Horn says, remains our intake of fat.
"You can't eat your cheesecake then have an oat bran chaser and expect your cholesterol to go down," she says. "There are no magic bullets. Adding oat bran to the diet has maximum benefit as part of an overall lifestyle approach to lowering risk."
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OMRON has claimed 43rd rank in the "Best Japan Brands 2023" brand value ranking, among the top 100 Japanese brands evaluated by Interbrand, the world's largest branding company. This is the sixth consecutive year since 2018 that OMRON has made the list.
"Best Japan Brands 2023" is an Interbrand award program to calculate the brand value ranking of the Japanese Brands by using a brand valuation method that converts the brand value into a monetary amount.
OMRON's brand value amounted to US$1.155 billion, a continued increase of 6% over the previous year. OMRON was highly evaluated for its long-term vision "SF2030" in which the company has announced a concrete roadmap for improving its corporate value and clearly indicated the direction in which the brand is headed.
OMRON will continue to evolve our ways of creating and communicating value, and thereby contribute to creating a better society.
To know more, please visit Interbrand’s website.


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Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyeremanten, has charged stakeholders in the maritime sector to act their part to support government’s aggressive industrialisation initiatives by creating the right market linkages and facilitating trade.
Addressing the 8th African Shippers’ Day in Accra, he indicated that trade facilitation and industrialisation are at the centre of the African development dialogue, to help tackle unemployment and poverty.
But the success of such interventions depends on a competitive shipping environment, he said.
“We can see sustained economic growth only when we industrialise and diversify the regional economy through value addition to increase forex earnings and import substitution.
This will help generate revenue to finance development agenda and stabilise our currency; but now that these have been identified, we must begin to realise the critical role of the shipper in connecting industry and trade facilitation.”
A competitive shipper, he said, would translate into a competitive industrial sector if other measures are put in place.
“With government’s industrialisation agenda as well as other regional trade arrangements such as the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA), this is the time for shippers to lend the much needed support.”
To better serve this economic course, Mr. Kyeremanten urged governments across the region to enhance their port infrastructure and also empower corridor management institutions to enable them create the right trade linkages to boost intra-regional trade.
The 8th African Shippers’ Day, organised by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), under the auspices of the Union of African Shipper Councils (UASC), pooled together shipping stakeholders across the continent to share ideas on how to improve the lot of shippers in the region as well as stimulate the growth of the industry.
The event was on the theme: “Trade facilitation and its impact on Africa’s industrialisation.” It was meant to propose the right mix of a thriving international trade within a well-tuned economic policy framework to speed up industrialisation and the resultant enhancement of economies of the continent.
Chief Executive Officer of the GSA, Benonita Bismarck, said: “Without the shipper, there will be no merchant ships and therefore the shipper must have the pride of place in the trade facilitation and industrialisation discourse.”
She congratulated shippers across the continent whose sweat and toil have contributed immensely to the development of Africa.
To the UASC, she assured that her outfit remained committed to the union’s ideals as a rallying point for shippers’ interests within the sub-region.


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Legal Expert Says MetaBirkin Project Intended to Use Hermès’ Brand for Economic Gain
Olta Andoni, general counsel at financial firm Enclave Markets, said artist Mason Rothschild was looking to “piggyback” off the French luxury brand’s reputation. But even artists who are creating digital art aren't free of consumer protection laws.
Feb 9, 2023 at 9:46 p.m. UTC
Feb 9, 2023


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Will the Barang Naik phenomenon result in fewer people patronising street food – and turning to healthier home-cooked food at home instead (but even home-cooked food is getting expensive as a cursory glance at prices at the wet market will confirm)?
Or will the higher-end restaurants be the ones that suffer if their customers desert them and turn to cheaper street food options?
One reason for the hike in food prices is that Malaysia does not have self-sufficiency in our basic food supply. We are too busy building expensive condos and houses instead of providing our people with affordable food.
Thanks to blog reader Kumaran for this link.
Thanks to blog visitor Smart GrandDaddy for the video links.
So tell us, are you cutting back on eating out?


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New GM CEO Must Seek Young Buyers
DETROIT (AP) _ When G. Richard Wagoner Jr. assumes the job of CEO of General Motors Corp. on June 1, he will be the youngest chief executive ever at GM, running the world’s largest automaker at age 47.
But whether he can keep the company in good health will depend in part on improving GM’s standing among consumers half his age. With rivals hustling harder for younger buyers, Wagoner will have to show that GM can compete profitably for those consumers and keep bringing them back as they grow older.
``I think it’s critical that we engage that group,″ Wagoner said Friday. ``History has shown that when you get a buyer into your family and treat them well, it’s easier to keep them than to attract someone new.
``We’ve got to focus on products that meet their needs. The challenge has been getting something that’s eye catching ... at a price point that they want to pay.″
The average American car buyer is in their early 50s, the time of life when many Americans are able to afford new vehicles more often. While GM remains strong with older buyers, research from The Polk Co. shows that the vehicle lines with the most pull with buyers under the age of 35 are imports _ namely makes such as Isuzu, Honda and Volkswagen.
While Chevrolet, Pontiac and Saturn sell about one-fifth of their vehicles to customers under 35, the number drops precipitously for other GM vehicle lines, Polk found. Karen Piurkowski, director of loyalty with Polk, said buyers in the age range from 23 to 35, commonly labeled Generation X, tend to consider foreign manufacturers more than their predecessors.
``GM has a big challenge ahead of them as people move up through these population segments,″ she said. ``It’s not as natural for (Generation X members) to be as loyal to a domestic manufacturer, whereas the baby boomers were always a Ford family or a GM family.″
Younger buyers have not always been a major concern of automakers, since they tend to choose cheaper, smaller vehicles that carry slim profits.
In recent years, GM has shifted its attention from small cars to trucks and sport utility vehicles. The company has said it loses money on every Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire it builds; those models will be 10 years old by the time GM brings out their replacements in 2004.
``Our research on younger buyers says they aren’t necessarily interested in small cars,″ Wagoner said. ``I don’t necessarily believe that traditional small cars with more progressive styling are what young buyers are after.″
Other automakers have gone after younger buyers with more force. Among the new vehicles targeted at the market are Chrysler’s Neon and upcoming PT Cruiser, the Toyota Echo and Ford’s Focus _ all well-equipped models that carry far more options than cars of that size and price had before.
Ford said Friday that one fourth of all Focus buyers so far were under 25 years old _ a higher share of younger buyers than any other vehicle sold in the United States.
To compete with those models, Wagoner said GM would use more expressive vehicles that are a step above the bottom of the market.
He points to the Pontiac Aztek, a new SUV coming out this year and the Pontiac Piranha, a concept car that will be shown for the first time at this week’s Chicago Auto Show, as the types of vehicles that eventually will bring younger buyers back into the GM fold.
``Our view is that we’re increasingly focused on the kind of things that will attract youthful (buyers) into the family,″ Wagoner said. ``That’s why we’re putting so much more emphasis on the Internet, because more people are using it and because of the kind of people that are using it as well.″
Analyst Jim Hall with AutoPacific said the Aztek and an upcoming Saturn SUV had the potential to make GM a contender for those consumers.
``The fact that they’re developing vehicles like that at all is amazing,″ Hall said. ``Their attitude for a long time was that they were going to be a fast second to market with a new product. The irony is that being second to market is a losing proposition.″