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You can take a photo or scan a document from your iPhone or iPad using your Mac. Here’s how to do this with the Continuity Camera.
When Apple announced the new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac mini powered by the Apple M1 processor, there was a lot of tempered excitement. This has to do with the fact that Apple is embarking
Not sure how to use Portrait mode on your iPhone? Here's everything you need to know, including how to change the depth of field or lighting.
New software updates are always fun and exciting, as these usually usher in new features. Sometimes, the software updates points to unannounced features or even new hardware that is on the way.
The iPhone 12 is going to be expensive to repair, especially seeing as third-party repairs are out the window. Here's what you need to know.
Over the next few months and years, we are going to see different versions of applications released. There are going to be some growing pains and a whole lot of waiting, depending on the
For years, users have been “stuck” with an Apple ID from an email that may not even be accessible anymore. If you wanted to switch to another ID, you could, but it require an entirely different
The day has finally arrived. Apple’s transition away from Intel-based Mac computers has started with the arrival of the Apple M1 chip. This new processor is found in the late-2020 versions


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The U.S. is preparing a review of China’s bid for market-economy status in the World Trade Organization, the Wall Street Journal reported today. Finishing a busy day in trade, Trump also signed two executive orders designed to enhance enforcement of current trade pacts and promised to end “the theft of American prosperity.”
The Trump administration appears ready to formalize China’s unfavorable status in trade cases, which means the country’s goods would be eligible for higher U.S. tariffs, the paper said, citing documents from the Commerce Department website. The review is expected to be announced as early as this week, it said.
The first of the two trade orders Trump signed today calls for completion of a large-scale report to identify “every form of trade abuse and every non-reciprocal practice that now contributes to the U.S. trade deficit,” Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told the Washington Post.
The second order focuses on stepping up the collection of anti-dumping and countervailing duties levied against foreign governments that subsidize products so they can be sold below cost.
White House National Trade Council Head Peter Navarro said the U.S. is leaving billions of dollars on the table as a result of lax enforcement of commitments in current trade pacts. The order will establish more effective bonding requirements, among other measures, Navarro said
Officials at commerce will have 90 days to produce the country-by-country, product-by-product report that will serve as the basis of future decision-making by the administration on trade-related issues.
Both manufacturers and steelmakers praised the orders ahead of signing this afternoon.
“AISI has consistently urged that the United States take aggressive action to address trade barriers that distort global trade and international competition and harm U.S. industries, including the U.S. steel industry,” said Thomas Gibson, president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute. “The executive orders today provide key guidance on that path, especially with regard to increased enforcement and an enhanced look at anti-dumping and countervailing duty collection at our borders. We are pleased that the president and his team remain committed to leveling the playing field for American manufacturing, and we look forward to continuing the steel industry’s strong role in working with (the) administration to combat these unfair practices and ensure a fair and competitive global trade arena.”

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ZOO Advertising Sydney has strengthened its digital capabilities with the acquisition of digital and branding agency, Spring In Alaska.
An Official Honoree in the 2014 Webby Awards, Spring in Alaska has been recognised on many occasions for their exceptional work produced since 2002. Their strong client list includes Woolworths, Kimberly Clark, Cancer Council, University of Sydney and ABC Classic FM.
Managing Director of ZOO Sydney, Simon Cubbin, said, “In January 2014 we responded to our clients feedback to provide cutting edge creative work that can bring brands to life and help them cut through the noise in the digital world. To do this we needed to do much more that contract freelance work or simply contract specialists.
“Over the last 12 months we’ve talked with many agencies with the specific aim of finding one that represented an absolute desire to do great work, as well as being a perfect cultural fit and adept in their field. The combination of these things was so important to us, and we’re so thrilled with the end result.”
Having worked closely over the last six months, 2015 has seen ZOO and Spring in Alaska merge.
Simon Cubbin says, “We’re very excited to have the Spring in Alaska team join ZOO in 2015. Not only do they do unique work that our clients are happy with, but they’re also lovely, intelligent people. Having a specialised digital and branding team on board means that we are now a stronger full service agency, which will benefit our current and future clients immensely”.
After several client wins towards the end of 2014, this acquisition gives the agency a fantastic springboard into the new year.
In this piece, Doddle APAC CEO Justin Dery explains why retail marketers should look beyond traditional delivery options this Christmas. 2020 has been a year like no other, and marketers across the world, regardless of industry, have been forced to rethink brand interaction, upweighting digital and tracking rapidly evolving consumer behaviour. This year’s sales season […]
Following an extensive search, Sydney WorldPride today announced the appointment of Adam Zammit to the newly created role of Director, Partnership & Revenue. WorldPride – an international festival celebrating LGBTIQ+ culture and joy – will be held for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere, when the festival comes to Sydney in 2023. Zammit’s key […]
PAW Patrol’s heroic pups are on a roll this summer and ready to spread the word about the importance of water safety, through the PAW Patrol Safety First! prosocial initiative. The water safety program, created in partnership with world champion swimmer and water safety advocate Michael Phelps, launches today with a public service announcement. Starring […]
Independent creative agency, The Core Agency, has created a new campaign for national in-home aged care and disability support provider, Just Better Care. Just Better Care is one of Australia’s largest accredited providers, delivering in-home social and lifestyle support services that enable people to live independently.Its network of over 40 franchise territories provides affordable and […]
Creative agency Andpeople has teamed up with active-streetwear label P.E Nation to create a custom-built augmented reality (AR) dressing room ahead of the label’s latest launch. The digital dressing room was unveiled to coincide with the launch of P.E Nation’s ‘Sustainable in Snow’ collection. In partnership with Andpeople and the globally recognised team behind the […]
From Airbnb to Calm and all the apps in between, the rise of app-based companies calls for specific app advertising solutions, according to Snap Inc. Following the launch of Snap Connect—a tool to help marketers learn about direct response (DR) advertising strategies on Snapchat—Snap has launched an advertising product suite built specifically for app marketers. […]
Ad tech vendor Adform had made a significant step towards promoting transparency in digital advertising, becoming the first global ad tech vendor to subject its tech stack to an independent audit. The audit follows a report released in May 2020 by the ISBA and AOP in the UK. The research, which was executed by PwC, […]
Actor Matthew McConaughey is shining a light on Australian Local Legends, as part of Wild Turkey’s latest ‘Wild Turkey With Thanks’ initiative. In the latest phase of the ‘With Thanks’ platform, McConaughey, who is the creative director of Wild Turkey, chats with Aussies who have stood with conviction, supporting their environment and communities throughout the […]
Queensland’s largest club, mutual insurer, bank and roadside assistance provider, RACQ, launched its new campaign on Sunday, shining a light on its membership model. It’s all smiles and verything is a little brighter when you’re an RACQ member, according to the company’s new campaign, ‘Membership makes all the difference’. It also revealed some of the […]


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OAN’s Brooke Mallory
10:54 AM – Friday, December 22, 2023
The health authority ordered the closure of a McDonald’s after a customer reported seeing a “crack pipe” in their food bag.
After inspectors examined the fast-food establishment, they also reportedly found unhygienic conditions inside.
However, the restaurant has now reopened.
A customer claims that he found a “crack pipe” this week in his food bag at a McDonald’s location in southwest Columbus. This particular McDonald’s was located at 619 Harrisburg Pike.
When the customer discovered it, they went back to the store and complained to the restaurant supervisor, asking how it got there and how the employee could accommodate him.
According to legal documents, the supervisor then walked towards the customer’s car in order to collect his information, but the customer instead angrily approached the drive-thru window to demand a resolution.
The supervisor then called the police, and the customer departed. However, the police never responded to the call.
According to the health authority’s assessment, the eatery’s sitting area, front service counter, and drink station were all undergoing extensive renovation while the officials examined the premises. They reported that there was “dust, garbage, debris, and construction equipment” in the vicinity.
A department representative told reporters that inspectors noticed contaminant-blocking plastic sheets between the food processing and eating facilities, and that the top surfaces of beverage service equipment, including the soda dispenser, frappe machine, frozen beverage dispenser, and coffee maker, contained dust, trash, screws, disassembled computer parts, and wooden trim pieces.
A safety screen that separated the kitchen from the construction site had also been taken down and left there while work was being conducted.
The health department attested to having carried out a follow-up inspection and giving the establishment the “all-clear” to continue operating.
The site has now reopened, according to McDonald’s corporate HQ.
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Comcast is reportedly in talks to buy DreamWorks Animation
According to the Wall Street Journal, the price could be over $3 billion.
'Warcraft' among Universal's first Ultra HD Blu-ray offerings
More than 100 titles are expected to be available by the end of the year.
'Battlestar Galactica' movie starts coming together
Three high-profile producers have signed on to tackle humanity's fight against the Cylons.
'The Last Starfighter' is getting a TV series with VR scenes
Certain scenes in 'The Starfighter Chronicles' will have VR versions that immerse you in the action.
Man lands in jail for using phone to pirate movie at the theater
The concept of someone recording films at movie theaters for pirating purposes seems so outdated....
The time travel movie 12 Monkeys is becoming a TV show in 2015
If you're so enamored with time travel in TV shows that even Doctor Who isn't enough, we have good...
Waze partners up with Universal Pictures to let celebrity voices give you driving directions
GPS turn-by-turn directions are staid and boring, whether they are relayed by a male or female voi...
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial Blu-ray trailer and box art pop up online (video)
Ever since Universal announced during CES 2012 that it would deliver many of its classic films on...
Jaws debuts on Blu-ray August 14th remastered and upmixed (video)
Universal Pictures promised it would celebrate its centennial by bringing classics out of the vaul...


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Broe buys $80M loan, property portfolio
The Broe Real Estate Group of Denver paid cash for an $80 million portfolio of non-performing loans and foreclosed property, mostly in the southeast U.S., the company said Wednesday.
The private real estate development company said it has bought more than $500 million worth of distressed real estate. The properties included apartments, condominiums, commercial and residential land developments.
Broe did not reveal the seller, saying only it was a “billion-dollar regional bank.”
“We have a strong interest in continuing to make significant moves in this space, as we have more than $1 billion of capacity to continue buying portfolios of distressed real estate,” Pat Broe, CEO said in a release.
Another Walmart coming to Arvada
A new Walmart store is coming to Arvada to anchor the Arvada Plaza, at West 58th Avenue and Ralston Road, which has been an urban renewal site for a decade.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to build a 135,000-square-foot store. It will be the company’s second in Arvada. It is partnering with Industrial Retail Group of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Plans are still developing about a new building’s exact location, said Wendy Forbes, city spokeswoman.
A public meeting has been scheduled for Jan. 16 and more information can be found on the project, and the site, at www.arvadatriangle.org.
Wal-Mart Stores last year pulled plans for a store at the former University of Colorado Hospital campus site at East 9th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard.
“This urban renewal area and the residents [who] live around it have waited over 10 years for an opportunity to begin revitalization,” Forbes said in a release. “A retailer such as Walmart will lead to the betterment and financial stability of our community.”
Backwoods buys Boulder’s Neptune Mountaineering
Austin, Texas-based Backwoods Retail Inc. bought 40-year-old outdoor retailer Neptune Mountaineering, 633 S. Broadway St., Boulder.
The sale price was not disclosed.
“When the company’s founder, Gary Neptune, made the decision to sell the store, we began discussions and found a lot of common ground between our two family-owned companies histories’,” Backwoods CEO Jennifer Mull said in a release.
No changes are planned for the store’s name or the museum within the store, which “has become one of the most extensive collections of its kind throughout the country,” according to Backwoods.
Mellow Mushroom to sprout in Lone Tree
A new Mellow Mushroom restaurant is coming to Lone Tree after the company signed a 15-year-lease for a 6,796 square-foot retail building at 9271 Park Meadows Drive, which once housed the Hops brewery/restaurant.
Mellow Mushroom owners plan renovations to the building, including an indoor/outdoor bar and extended closed patio, said Mark Grillo, president and managing broker of Grillo Commercial Real Estate, who represented the restaurant.
Matt Call of NavPoint Real Estate Group represented the building’s owner.
The restaurant is schedule to open in June.
More Real Deals
Griffis/Blessing Inc. of Colorado Springs bought the 216-unit Willow Run Village Apartments, 12621 North Zuni St., Broomfield, for $28.2 million.
The garden-style complex, built in 1999, was sold by Baron Properties.
Dennis Huspeni covers real estate and retail for the Denver Business Journal and writes for the "Real Deals" blog. Phone: 303-803-9232.
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Ledyard National Bank reduced its stake in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 147,539 shares of the iPhone maker’s stock after selling 436 shares during the quarter. Apple makes up 3.8% of Ledyard National Bank’s investment portfolio, making the stock its largest holding. Ledyard National Bank’s holdings in Apple were worth $33,306,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.
A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Traynor Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Apple by 1.9% during the third quarter. Traynor Capital Management Inc. now owns 131,177 shares of the iPhone maker’s stock worth $29,612,000 after buying an additional 2,413 shares during the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Apple by 1.6% during the third quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 12,349,066 shares of the iPhone maker’s stock valued at $2,787,678,000 after purchasing an additional 189,423 shares during the period. HighPoint Advisor Group LLC increased its position in shares of Apple by 1.0% during the third quarter. HighPoint Advisor Group LLC now owns 87,494 shares of the iPhone maker’s stock valued at $19,305,000 after purchasing an additional 861 shares during the period. Jentner Corp increased its position in shares of Apple by 40.6% during the third quarter. Jentner Corp now owns 1,579 shares of the iPhone maker’s stock valued at $356,000 after purchasing an additional 456 shares during the period. Finally, Accredited Investors Inc. increased its position in shares of Apple by 18.8% during the third quarter. Accredited Investors Inc. now owns 57,671 shares of the iPhone maker’s stock valued at $13,019,000 after purchasing an additional 9,121 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.22% of the company’s stock.
In other news, Director Arthur D. Levinson sold 1,521 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $167.71, for a total value of $255,086.91. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,134,804 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $190,317,978.84. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Chris Kondo sold 3,408 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $190.00, for a total transaction of $647,520.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 8,940 shares in the company, valued at $1,698,600. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.05% of the company’s stock.
A number of brokerages have weighed in on AAPL. UBS Group upped their price target on Apple from $180.00 to $185.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 30th. Rosenblatt Securities set a $200.00 price target on Apple and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 22nd. BidaskClub raised Apple from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 24th. Macquarie reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $235.00 price target on shares of Apple in a research report on Monday, October 29th. Finally, Bank of America reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $235.00 price target on shares of Apple in a research report on Monday, October 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twenty-four have given a hold rating and twenty-two have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Apple presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $191.66.
NASDAQ AAPL traded up $0.79 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $170.22. The stock had a trading volume of 7,776,020 shares, compared to its average volume of 36,903,219. The firm has a market cap of $837.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.29, a PEG ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 1.13. Apple Inc. has a 1 year low of $142.00 and a 1 year high of $233.47. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 29th. The iPhone maker reported $4.18 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.17 by $0.01. Apple had a net margin of 22.72% and a return on equity of 50.92%. The company had revenue of $84.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $84.07 billion. As a group, equities analysts expect that Apple Inc. will post 11.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.73 per share. This represents a $2.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.72%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 8th. Apple’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 24.52%.
ILLEGAL ACTIVITY WARNING: “Ledyard National Bank Sells 436 Shares of Apple Inc. (AAPL)” was originally reported by Fairfield Current and is the sole property of of Fairfield Current. If you are accessing this piece of content on another website, it was illegally copied and republished in violation of United States & international copyright and trademark legislation. The original version of this piece of content can be read at https://www.fairfieldcurrent.com/news/2019/02/12/apple-inc-aapl-holdings-lessened-by-ledyard-national-bank.html.
Apple Company Profile
Apple Inc designs, manufactures, and markets mobile communication and media devices, and personal computers. It also sells various related software, services, accessories, and third-party digital content and applications. The company offers iPhone, a line of smartphones; iPad, a line of multi-purpose tablets; and Mac, a line of desktop and portable personal computers, as well as iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS operating systems.
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As Russia continues to attack Ukraine, promotional products companies have launched fundraising drives to help the suffering Ukrainians and refugees now fleeing to nearby countries. We’ll maintain a running list here as companies announce their respective programs, with details on how to contribute.
ASI has launched a fund drive, in collaboration with the American Red Cross, to raise money for Ukrainians and refugees. Donations will go directly to Red Cross workers on the ground there and will help with the purchase and distribution of food, water, clothing, bedding, hygiene sets, blankets, tents and SIM cards.
Top 40 supplier PCNA (asi/78897) will donate 1% of total March product sales to refugee relief efforts. Donations will be distributed via PF Concept, the Netherlands-based European division of PCNA’s parent company Polyconcept, which has operations across Europe, including in Poznan, Poland. PF Concept is also distributing blankets, clothing and power banks to refugees. In addition to funds raised through purchases from PCNA, direct donations may be made to Red Cross Poland.
Redwood Classics Apparel (asi/81627) will donate 10% of every purchase made online from now through March 18 to the Red Cross Canada Ukraine Relief Fund. The Government of Canada has also agreed to a full match.
Mirror Image will donate $15 from each purchase from its line of T-shirts supporting Ukraine to Vostok SOS, an humanitarian crisis organization that provides medical aid, evacuation services and trauma support.


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January 22, 2022
The titanic, albeit controversial legacy of late Apple (AAPL) co-founder Steve Jobs drew renewed interest this week when the tech giant became the first company to reach a market capitalization of $3 trillion.
The feat owes in no small part to the development of the iPod and iPhone — both overseen by Jobs — which shaped the behavior of billions of people across the globe in how they listen to music and connect with loved ones.
. . .
Legendary Apple designer lends his touch to new Ledger Stax crypto wallet
“We need a user-friendly — no, a ‘user-delightful’ — tool to bring digital asset security to the rest of us, not just the geeks,” said Fadell.


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We are just two months away from the launch of the Galaxy S24, and most of its hardware specifications have leaked. However, it is rumored that most of the exciting features of Samsung's next-generation flagship smartphone will come from the software. And Samsung has revealed one AI feature that will allow people to translate calls and messages in real time. Now, more AI features and design traits have been revealed.
Galaxy S24 Ultra to feature uniform and thin bezels
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is rumored to feature largely the same design as its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 Ultra. However, there are a few design changes that bring even more optimizations, including thinner and more uniform bezels, according to a render from usually reliable tipster Ice Universe. The phone reportedly features a flat-screen display with a slight curve towards the part where the glass meets the titanium frame.
Galaxy S24 could have several AI-powered features
Another report from tipster @Tech_Reve claims that many core features of the Galaxy S24 will be bolstered with AI. Apparently, it will analyze the user's frequently used apps and usage patterns to proactively offer results to automatically handle complex tasks. Some of the features include analyzing a user's destination and travel time to offer information such as weather, traffic conditions, and other app features.
One more Galaxy S24 feature that is rumored is the phone's ability to compose an email in a desired format. It could also proceed to send the email. There could be several other AI features embedded across various functionalities in One UI 6.1. Samsung will reportedly market the Galaxy S24 as its first AI phone. The company has developed its own AI model called Gauss, and the Galaxy AI could be the AI assistant that uses Gauss.
You can have a look at all the One UI 6.0 features in our in-depth video below.


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NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — Retail stocks inched higher on Wednesday, led by discounter Family Dollar Stores Inc., after the retailer’s fiscal fourth-quarter profit rose a better-than-expected 23% and the company’s outlook for the new year also may top Wall Street expectations.
It said Wednesday that its fiscal fourth-quarter profit rose to $74 million, or 56 cents a share, from $60.1 million, or 43 cents a share, a year earlier. Sales in the quarter ended Aug. 28 rose 8% to $1.96 billion, as previously announced.
Analysts had been expecting earnings of 51 cents a share in the latest quarter, according to FactSet.
The 6,800-store chain said it plans to accelerate the pace of openings and remodelings. Its board authorized share repurchases of as much as $750 million and canceled a previous $400 million buyback plan authorized last year. See full story on Family Dollar.
Larger rival Dollar General Corp. DGT, -2.00% fell 1.5%.
Best Buy Co. BBY, -0.85% shares were up less than 1%. The largest U.S. electronics retailer said Tuesday that it plans to increase television marketing as it focuses on a so-called connected world strategy to drive holiday sales, its biggest-selling period. Read story on Best Buy’s holiday game plan.


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TOWNSHEND, Vt. – Grace Cottage will hold its traditional Hospital Fair Day on Saturday, Aug. 6, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on the Townshend Common. The Fair will include all of the favorites: A birthday parade, an all day auction, bingo, pies, jewelry, t-shirts, bargain booths, fried dough and other food, kids’ games, live music, and more.
This free, all-day, family-friendly event, which is now in its 72 year, will be held rain or shine.
Volunteers are needed to help with the auction and other booths on either Friday or Saturday. Please call 802-365-9109 for information.
Grace Cottage is also still accepting donations of furniture and other auction-worthy items, books, and White Elephant items, if you can deliver them. Please call 802-365-9109 to arrange for your donation.
For more information, visit www.gracecottage.org


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Greek, Chinese leaders discuss investment, cooperation
GREECE's leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras spoke on the phone with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who assured him Chinese businesses are interested in new investments in the country, a Greek government official said on Wednesday.
"The Chinese premier assured Alexis Tsipras
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RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – As the most common refrigerant for air conditioning units becomes more scarce and expensive, counterfeit refrigerants are flooding the market.
Those fake refrigerants are posing a safety issue for you as well as a danger that they could ruin your entire air conditioning system.
In this part of the country, air conditioning is as necessary as electricity or running water.
Many of us don’t think about our A/C units until they stop working.
If your A/C needs refrigerant to fix it, you could find the repairs have become very pricey.
Air conditioning contractors say the price of R-22 refrigerant is one of their biggest expenses driving up repair costs these days.
“It’s exorbitantly expensive today,” says Brian Kelly of Allen Kelly & Company of Raleigh.
R-22, sometimes referred to by its brand name “Freon,” is being phased out to protect the Ozone, which is why it’s getting so expensive.
But, 30 years ago it was a different story.
Contractors say they could buy a cylinder of R-22 for $20 dollars wholesale, now that same size cylinder is about $800 dollars wholesale.
And consumers are well aware of the increased repair costs.
“R-22 is very expensive. A shop I worked at had some repairs done and it was $300 to 400 dollars to fill small compressors,” says Bruce Temple, who noticed increased refrigerant costs.
New A/C units use a coolant known as R-410a, but there are still tons of units out there that use R-22.
And the skyrocketing price of it is spawning a lot of counterfeits, which if used, can wreck your A/C unit or worse.
“It can actually create compressor problems,” explains Kelly. “The compressor is like the engine on your car – you don’t want to replace it.”
The ATF reports some counterfeit refrigerants have actually exploded or caused fires destroying both A/C units and adjacent homes.
HVAC contractors are trying to avoid getting scammed by counterfeit refrigerants. They look for a special seal enclosing the valves of their canisters and make sure they buy from a reputable wholesaler.
“We won’t deal with a third-party supplier,” says Kelly. “We’re not buying it off a pickup truck or a flea market in Wake County.”
Some R-22 manufacturers like DuPont have gone a step further, adding specially designed security labels to their products so contractors know the R-22 they are buying is legit.
But, as consumer, how can you make sure you’re A/C unit is protected against counterfeit coolants?
You should make your service tech has what’s known as EPA section 608 Certification which requires the tech know about things like Ozone depletion, substitute refrigerants and safety.
You should also be very skeptical of a really cheap price quotes for an R-22 recharge, which would indicate the repair tech is using a low cost counterfeit.
Also, look closely at the labeling of the refrigerant your tech using.
You can learn more about R-22 and its replacements here.


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Microsoft Band 3 Latest News & Update: Wearable Device Was In the Works, Reveals Leak; Company Denies Any Wearable for 2016
Reports suggest that Microsoft is bringing its Band line to an end. However, recently a leaked image in the Windows Central forum revealed that a successor to the Microsoft Band 2, the Microsoft Band 3, was indeed in the works.
As per the leak, the Microsoft Band 3 was being made completely waterproof for the first time, specifically meant for swimmers. Moreover, the device would have tracked blood pressure with built-in EKG and radio frequency identification (RFID) support, rumors suggest. It is not known why Microsoft abruptly ended its line of fitness trackers. A user who goes by the name FUD Hater, posted the image on the forum but chose not to reveal the source due to NDA concerns, writes Tech Radar.
This has led many to believe that the leak is not valid despite the image looking quite convincing and in line with what Microsoft would have done with the Microsoft Band 3. However, the company has formally mentioned that it is not planning to release a fitness tracker in 2016 though it would continue to support the software for Microsoft Band 2.
The leak revealed that the Microsoft Band 3, which was in the works, would have been a more comfortable one with a new clasp mechanism and slimmer design than its predecessor. Had the device been released, it could have easily beaten other trackers with its advanced sensors.
As per The Verge, Microsoft said that it is still deeply committed in supporting its customers and exploring the wearable space. However, tech enthusiasts believe that the company has ended the Band line. The Band team has also been reportedly transferred to other projects. Microsoft has not released any official statement regarding the Band 3 and has neither denied nor confirmed these rumors. Stay tuned on GameNGuide for more updates on Microsoft Band 3 wearable.
See Now: 'The Walking Dead' Season 8 Gets Preview Special on AMC


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2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:36
Audi remains the best car brand in Germany. BMW made a small, Daihatsu a very large leap forward.
The best car brand in Germany is Audi. That was the result of the current ADAC car brand comparison test. Second place in the “Automarxx” ranking, calculated from various statistics such as the TÜV report, customer surveys and breakdown statistics, was achieved by BMW. Last year Bayern were still in fourth place. As in the previous year, Mercedes won the bronze medal. Toyota and VW are in fourth and fifth place.
Best image at Porsche
According to a survey of 4,000 Germans, the sports car manufacturer Porsche has the best image, followed by BMW and Audi. The automobile importer Daihatsu can look forward to an enormous gain in terms of image. The small car specialist has improved from 23rd place in the previous year to 14th place this year.
When it comes to the environment, Toyota is one step ahead. According to the ranking, which also includes the results of the ADAC Eco-Test, the Japanese build the cleanest cars. BMW and Smart can also look forward to a good environmental image. When it comes to safety, Mercedes-Benz is the leader, followed by BMW, Audi and Volvo. (mid)
The Renault Zoe remains the most popular electric car in Germany. The French Stromer sold 9,431 units last year
The car market in Germany increased in February. After two months, the new registrations are at the level of the previous year. 268,867 passenger cars The German car market rose again in February. VW and Skoda lead the respective domestic brands and importers
According to the current used vehicle report by Dekra, the Audi A6 is once again the most reliable vehicle of all classes. In total, more than 500 flowed
Mercedes is again the strongest brand in the ADAC AutoMarxX study. In the overall standings, the Stuttgart-based car manufacturer Audi and BMW made second place
The discount level in the German car market increased again significantly in February. Self-registrations are also higher than in the past two


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Around Home Entertainment
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Microsoft firmly behind the HD DVD
Well, Moore was overridden a year ago, and in light of Niel Thompson's comments last March and Peter Moore's "Xbox 360 flexibility" comments at CES in January of this year, it seems that Blu-ray support is again, getting the boot. Microsoft notes in it's Gamerscore marketing blog:
We firmly stand behind the HD DVD format as the best choice for consumers. Current reports indicating that Microsoft has a back-up plan, which includes Blu-ray support are incorrect. We re fully committed to HD DVD and have absolutely no plans to support other optical formats.


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Mayank Pareek won’t forget the crisis of 2008 in a hurry. In November that year, less than two months after the infamous Lehman Brothers crash, India’s biggest passenger car maker, Maruti Suzuki, felt its blow straight in the jaw. By the end of that month, it suddenly lost a quarter of its sales compared to the previous year. December was no better. Sales fell by another 10 percent.
By then, analysts were already predicting the end of the world. What’s more, no one inside the company had witnessed a slowdown of this kind. What saved the day was that the senior team got on top of the situation with alacrity. “The slowdown forced us to do a lot of things differently that we hadn’t done earlier,” admits Pareek, executive director and one of the senior-most Indian executives at the Japanese multinational.
Almost on cue, Maruti’s sales made a smart comeback in January, posting a 5 percent rise. Its rivals though weren’t as lucky. Their struggle lasted for six whole months.
Four years later, Pareek and his team at Maruti once again face the same prospect of slowing sales. After the heady growth rates of 20-30 percent for the past two years, auto sales are likely to grow by just 5-10 percent in 2012. And that’s just the best case situation. If the economic turmoil in the Euro zone worsens—or the US unleashes a war on Iran, forcing oil prices to head north—there’s simply no guessing the wreckage.
Not to forget the year-long policy paralysis that has beset governance in India, held up investment and damaged investor sentiment. And so, if the UP elections throw up a hung assembly—and hurts the Congress’ chances of regaining its political legitimacy, governance could once again take a back seat. Forget about the General Sales Tax (GST) and hopes of a common market, or a Direct Tax Code that brings much-needed clarity on matters of tax. In fact, it could very well spark off the prospects of even a mid-term poll.
In 2008, the crisis came without warning. This time, things have been simmering for a while. Growth rates in India have come down, capital markets remain frozen for most part and money supply has been tight. Export demand across many categories has been hurt due to the massive slowdown in the West.
On the face of it, it seems like a whole big muddle. You’d imagine CEOs of even the best run Indian companies would be worried stiff—and tentative about how to plan, amidst all the uncertainty this year. But guess what? After talking to CEOs across industries as diverse as infrastructure, retail, software, financial services, telecom, and industrial products, it is amply clear that India Inc. is fighting back.
“In a situation of adversity, your grey cells start becoming more active. When you put steel into 1,500 degrees Celsius, its molecular structure starts to change. It is the same for our brains,” says Ajay Shriram, chairman and senior managing director, DCM Shriram Consolidated, a company which makes industrial intermediates.
As businesses hunker down to deal with the tough times, the next few months will prove whether they’ve indeed learnt the lessons from the 2008 slowdown. For the moment, let’s look at the range of interventions that they have up their sleeve.Stress-Test Your Growth Assumption
At this year’s Auto Expo in the capital, Pawan Goenka didn’t just spend time examining the shiny, new cars on display; he also spent considerable time chatting up his rivals on how they saw the year ahead. What the president of M&M’s automotive and farm equipment division heard merely confirmed what his own team had told him. Expect no more than 5-6 percent growth in the first half of the year and about 8-10 percent in the second half. That seemed to make sense, except that the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), which M&M was part of, seemed to be a lot more bullish. It predicted a 12 percent growth in sales across the year in its report released at the Auto Expo.
That’s when Goenka took an unusual step. In normal course, M&M would have completed its budgeting exercise for the year by January. Goenka decided to take a rain-check. “We’ve pushed back our budgeting exercise by a few weeks to February,” he says. In the interim, his teams will re-validate their growth hypothesis all over again, so that their forecasts are a lot more robust. Part of that will mean carefully studying the SIAM report, which bases its projections on industry-wide data.
“Basing your decisions on data is very important, it removes subjectivity,” says S.D. Shibulal, CEO & MD, Infosys. Unlike M&M, Infosys perhaps has a relatively easier time doing its forecasts. “Our universe is our client base, and since 95 percent of our business is based on repeat orders, we have a good hold on client budgets and very often, we are part of the budgeting process,” he says. External issues like currency or country-specific regulations are then added as approximations to Infosys’s famed forecasting model. This data-driven approach, led by the uncertain European market, may have perhaps prompted Infosys to issue its fourth-quarter guidance, which predicted flat sales.
Forecasting methods may have become a wee bit more uncertain because of another factor: The level of competition. “Post 2008, the focus of MNCs on developing countries, especially India, has dramatically increased,” says Vineet Agrawal, president, Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting. MNCs are no longer happy with the 10 percent growth that they were used to. Targets are up by 20 percent for the next year. “You suddenly discover the Indian CEO no longer reports to someone in Hong Kong or Singapore. He now has a direct line with the worldwide CEO, who is now coming down twice to India,” says Agrawal. Focus on Project Execution, Release Cash Flows
Batten down the hatches, stop bidding for new projects. Instead, focus on first completing the existing projects on time and releasing cash flows. At GVK Group, that’s exactly what Vice Chairman G.V. Sanjay Reddy is consciously doing. “In the past, growth was the biggest problem. How do we grow? We were desperate to get opportunities. The change now is that we are saying enough—forget about growth for now. Let’s figure how to get beyond from where we are,” says Reddy.
The basic rule that Reddy has laid down is: Protect the downside risk. In other words, figure out how not to lose. So for instance, GVK Group is pushing ahead with two hydel power projects of 880 MW that are under construction: One in Alaknanda and the other in Punjab. On its transport vertical, it has three more road projects under construction, which will be funded from the first project, which is already generating positive cash flows. And on its airports business, it is focussed on the Mumbai airport (which will be ready in a year from now) and Bangalore airport expansion.
While doing this, Reddy has pulled the plug on two gas-based power projects that were going nowhere because there was no fuel to get started. This is in spite of having sunk in over Rs. 200 crore in the ventures.
Arch rival GMR too is shifting focus from asset-building that defined its approach in the last decade to building cash-flows. Even till a year ago, GMR was among the most aggressive Indian companies bidding for practically every infrastructure project that was available. “We don’t want to go for new projects. We have to sweat these projects and get cash out of them,” says Subba Rao, president and group CFO, GMR Infrastructure. At the New Delhi airport, GMR is hoping to chivvy up cash flow, once the revised tariff order comes into effect from April 1 this year. There’s a plan to also monetise 1,500 acres of land at the Hyderabad airport. Both GMR and GVK are still weighed down by debt and their share prices have been beaten down on the bourses.
Protecting margins and sustaining cash flows isn’t an easy task in a commodity business, where raw material prices tend to fluctuate wildly. Ask Ajay and Vikram Shriram, the two brothers who lead DCM Shriram Consolidated, which makes PVC compound and resin for automotive, footwear and agricultural applications. It has tried to use every trick in its manufacturing book to cut costs and stay in the game. “Our ability to manage our raw materials, including changing them, is better because of the lessons learnt in 2008. We are more nimble now,” says Vikram Shriram. At their carbide plant, expensive carbon forms an integral part of the ready raw material for the furnace. The DCM Shriram group has developed a technique to substitute cheaper, undersized raw material and also used waste to reduce raw material costs. Similarly, for their power plant, the group has been able to use cheaper Indonesian coal, through process innovations done in-house, and saved on margins.
Hunt for New Pockets of Growth
When Maruti began to look at the root causes of the 2008 crisis, Pareek says they found much of the pain was isolated to the major cities, partly because of the meltdown in the Sensex. “While most of the major cities saw a drop in demand, cities like Dhanbad grew 47 percent. While that was from a lower base, the slowdown did not affect smaller towns,” he says. The same trend seems to be in vogue this year as well.
This is validated by Wipro’s Agrawal too. “Even in 2008, if you stepped out of the six-seven metros, life was running as usual. That’s because the lower middle class—a worker in the factory—did not lose his job. In my assessment, it was the stock market phenomenon, which only affects the large metros and cities.”
That’s why Maruti is making another determined bid to expand into the hinterland, just like it first did in 2008.
The way the auto maker has planned its expansion is interesting. It has tried to identify niches in every new market that it has entered. For example, blue potters in Jaipur and orange farmers in Maharashtra. “These are poor people, but two or three of them, who sit on top of the chain, make enough money to buy an entry-level Alto. There would be artisans in another town, five-six of whom make good money,” says Pareek. In all, Maruti has targeted 217 niches and claims that it sells nearly 5,000 vehicles a month to people in such groups. “The idea is to identify up to 300 niches this year, in order to make sure they can be served, and serviced properly.” This micro-marketing strategy is yielding results. Maruti has been able to penetrate deep inside rural India, with around 4 percent of its total sales coming from villages with less than 100 households. And around 26 percent of sales come from rural areas, up 3.5 percent in 2008.
True Value, its brand for second-hand cars, is also a vital strategy against the slowdown. It sold over 2,46,000 such vehicles last year, representing a 9 percent growth. And here’s the beauty: Many of these customers later make the transition to buying a new car from the company, when the economy recovers.
At the same time, it is making its marketing even more granular, thanks to its invaluable database of 9 million customers. “We took out past customer data and mined it. We could then better target those individuals who have been our customers before,” says Pareek. For example, one customer, presumably a fleet owner, in Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi, owned 30 Omni cars. After mining the data, the company found that the customer always bought the same model. He was then offered the Echo. He bought three of those.
Bharti Airtel is following much the same approach, targeting smaller segments of customers, rather than a pan-Indian one-size-fits-all strategy, which CEO Sanjay Kapoor describes as a sniper approach, as opposed to a shotgun approach.Keep Your Eyes Fixed on the Long-Term
For one, M&M’s Goenka says he isn’t pulling back any of his long-term plans. In fact, R&D investments will always be the last to be cut, he says. “We have to invest today for growth three years from now. If we had slowed down our investments in 2008, we wouldn’t have the Reva acquisition and the XUV launch,” he says. Part of his plan is to be conservative about deploying capital in 2012-13, but continue investing for projects in 2016. For the short-term, he has one trick up his sleeve: As part of every new product launch, he’s keeping a couple of low-cost variants as a fall-back option. In case the market starts down-trading, he says he could launch two new variants of the XUV—W2 and W4—within three to six months.
Through this downturn, Infosys too is continuing to make long-term investments as part of its larger plan to be a global consulting and services company like an Accenture. Last quarter, it recruited 450 locals in various countries, and it upped that to 650 this quarter. Also on the anvil is a $120 million development centre in China, which will be ready in two years. “We want to increase our global talent. It fits in our strategic direction, which means we need more consultants and local managers. I don’t think I can transform a retailer in Germany without knowing German, we are staying our course,” says Shibulal.
While infrastructure was GVK’s forte in the last decade, in this one, Sanjay Reddy’s focus will be entirely on his big bet in Australia to emerge as a big resources company. It not only opens up an exciting new opportunity, but mining also helps de-risk the infra business model, where the lack of suitable coal linkages is crippling growth.
Over the next one year, Reddy says they will use the Hancock coal mines that they acquired in Australia for $1.5 billion last year to learn all about the resources business—and use it as a platform for growth over the next few years. “We are hoping to achieve financial closure of the project this year and start constructing,” says Reddy. Part of his confidence also stems from the fact that Reddy has been able to retain practically all of the 200 members of Hancock’s senior team.Re-Look at the Current Business Model
There’s no better time to plan an organisational revamp, than when growth begins to slacken. Remove the chinks, speed up decision-making and even think about hiring better people, when the talent market isn’t overheated. That’s exactly what many smart firms are doing.
At Max Group, this is seen as the best time to go on a hiring spree. It put out ads in newspapers looking for agents for its insurance business. Last year, it let go of a whole bunch of non-performers and this year, it plans to up the quality of its sales agents. Part of that is driven by the changes in its business model, says Max India’s MD Rahul Khosla. After the IRDA regulations were changed, the whole industry has been moving away from ULIP-linked to more savings-related products. Still, almost 50 percent of the policies sold by life insurance companies are linked to equity investment. At Max though, almost 90 percent of the products sold are pure saving policies. This is useful in a slowdown because the returns in such policies are not as volatile as in the equity-linked ones, which track the stock markets.
Interestingly, selling these pure saving policies is tougher as the returns are lower than in an equity-linked one. But in a slowdown, customers are realising that at least their policies are not in the red and still give some returns. Thus, Max’s conversion rate—or the number of customers who continue to give premium in the second year—is the highest among private life insurers.
At JSW, there’s a big push to muscle into the territory vacated by secondary steel producers, who have been hit by high interest costs and costlier inputs. Secondary steel producers mostly make steel for the construction industry and many have cut production in the present slowdown. JSW is altering its product mix to make more and more of this steel and selling it through its retail stores, JSW Shoppe. This forms an important part of its overall strategy to de-risk its business model by reducing its export contribution and focussing more on the home market and other emerging markets like Africa and South East Asia, according to Seshagiri Rao, joint managing director and group CFO, JSW Steel.
At GVK too, an external firm is advising the promoters on how to relook at roles and responsibilities, speed up decision-making and improve the leadership talent pipeline. “This is a good time to hire leadership talent for our businesses as talent costs are somewhat more realistic,” says Reddy. A key part of the objective is to also free up the promoter’s time, so that he can focus more on strategy/growth. “When we looked at the gaps, we found that as promoters we needed to invest more time in meeting key stakeholders—and aligning the interests of key government officials and investors.” In a year’s time, once GVK starts to look for new opportunities in markets like Africa and Indonesia, it will allow Reddy to be at the forefront of that new drive to emerge faster, stronger and bigger. (Additional reporting by Mitu Jayashankar)
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(This story appears in the 17 February, 2012 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)


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Wal Mart to pay more for sustainably sourced products
4th February 2008 by Alex Briggs
Wal Mart CEO and President Lee Scott announced that Wal Mart is willing to pay more for sustainably sourced products, stating
“The drive will see the retailer favour – and in some cases even pay more – for suppliers that meet our standards and share our commitment to quality and sustainability. Paying more in the short term for quality will mean paying less in the long term as a company. Higher quality products will mean better value, fewer problems, fewer returns and greater trust with our customers,”
The move by Wal Mart is further proof that the retail industry is listening to the voices of consumers. Scott closed out the speech by saying, “”Our customers want products that make them feel good about their purchases,” said Scott.
“They want to walk into our stores and be confident that the products on our shelves are safe and durable. They also want products that are made in a way that is consistent with their own personal values.”


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LEGALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY KEY CONCERNS FOR IRISH CONSUMERS
Legality and sustainability key concerns for Irish consumers.
– New research for Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority shows most consumers feel more needs to be done to safeguard Ireland’s marine resources –
– Most willing to change food buying habits as part of sustainability focus –
– Strong consumer support for reporting of illegal activity –
While quality is the main priority of Irish consumers (96%) when buying fish or shellfish, knowing it has been caught legally (85%) and in a sustainable manner (87%) have emerged as major concerns too, on par with price (87%). These are among the findings from a new survey¹ of consumers who eat fish regularly commissioned by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), the independent statutory body responsible for the regulation of the sea-fisheries and the sea-food production sectors.
The vast majority of those surveyed (92%) believe more should be done to safeguard the sustainability of Ireland’s marine resources. There is overwhelming support for the reporting of illegal fishing to the authorities (90%) with most (77%) consumers saying that they would not buy fish if they knew it was illegally caught. The importance of traceability also featured strongly in the results, especially amongst younger consumers, with almost half (48%) of those aged under 35 saying that having greater confidence in the traceability of a product would encourage them to eat more fish on a regular basis.
Tim Donovan, Authority Member, SFPA commented:
“Like many other parts of the economy, the sea-fisheries and seafood sector has seen some constriction of activity and sales due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Nonetheless the resilience of the sector and the potential for further development of domestic and overseas markets is widely acknowledged. Consumer trust in the quality, provenance and safety of Ireland’s seafood produce is critical to achieving these ambitions and cannot be overstated. It is essential to the reputation and future success of the sea-fisheries and seafood sectors which so many communities around the coast rely on for a living.”
“Everyone linked to the sea-fisheries and seafood sectors must remain attuned and responsive to this, doing everything they can to assure that trust. Fundamental to this is regulatory compliance and where people believe sea-fishing related activity to be suspicious, illegal, or potentially harmful to fish stocks, reporting these concerns to us.”
“As the research shows, consumers feel very strongly about sustainable and legal fishing. The public can play an important part too in safeguarding marine resources and assuring trust in seafood. Anyone who comes across any suspicious sea-fishing activity in their localities can report it to us, which they can do anonymously and confidentially.”
The research highlighted that concern for environmental matters is very high amongst consumers – particularly for aspects relating to the marine environment. Most regular consumers of fish (82%), especially those living in coastal areas, are willing to change their buying habits to reduce their impact on marine resources while three out of four (78%) stated they only want to buy fish that is caught in a way that does not deplete stocks.
Ireland’s seafood economy is valued at an estimated €1.09bn² per annum with domestic consumption accounts for 37% of this figure. Currently the industry supports over 16,000 livelihoods² with over 1,994³ Irish-registered vessels, 309 aquaculture production units² and 160 seafood processors².
Anyone who wishes to report suspected illegal sea-fishing activity can contact the SFPA Confidential Line on 1800 76 76 76, by email at email@example.com or through the SFPA’s website, SFPA.ie/Confidential-Line.
conducted online by Amárach Research on a total sample of 1,500 adults during 8th -21st December 2021.
³Licensing Authority https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/5907a-sea-fisheries-administration/


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Mar 05, 14UPM Biofore concept bows in Geneva
UPM and students from the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences have teamed up to unveil the Biofore concept at the Geneva Motor Show.
Mar 05, 14Volvo Concept Estate is one sexy Swede [video]
Volvo has unveiled the Concept Estate at the Geneva Motor Show.
Mar 04, 14Lexus RC F GT3 concept is ready to race in Geneva
Lexus is looking to beef up their racing pedigree by introducing the RC F GT3 concept at the Geneva Motor Show.
Mar 04, 14SsangYong XLV to underpin future B-Segment 7-passenger SUV
SsangYong has unveiled its new XLV concept (which stands for eXciting smart Lifestyle Vehicle) during the 2014 Geneva Motor Show
Mar 04, 14MINI Clubman Concept is virtually production ready
Designed to preview the next-generation model, the Clubman concept measures 26 centimeters longer and approximately 17 centimeters wider than the current model.
Mar 04, 14Hyundai Intrado Concept graces Geneva - hints new compact crossover
Hyundai has unveiled in Geneva today the Intrado concept which paves the way for an upcoming compact crossover.
Mar 04, 14Nissan BladeGlider demonstrates innovation and excitement in Geneva
First unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, Japan, in November 2013, the Nissan BladeGilder has been presented at the Geneva Motor Show, making its first official European appearance
Mar 04, 14Subaru Viziv 2 Concept presents future SUV philosophy [video]
Subaru has presented its next generation Viziv concept at the 84th Geneva Motor Show
Mar 04, 14Alfa Romeo 4C Spider previews confirmed 2015 production model
It turns out previous rumors were spot on as Alfa Romeo has unveiled today in Geneva the 4C Spider concept.
Mar 04, 14Maserati Alfieri 2+2 Concept celebrates brand's centenary
After several images hit the web a few hours ago, Maserati has introduced in Geneva the stunning Alfieri 2+2 concept which hints at a new production model.
Mar 04, 14Audi TT Quattro Sport Concept surprises Geneva crowd with 420 HP
Besides introducing the third-gen TT, Audi is also presenting in Geneva a very powerful TT quattro sport concept.
Mar 04, 14Mazda Hazumi concept goes official in Geneva, previews next-gen Mazda2
After a couple of leaks, Mazda has taken the wraps off the Hazumi concept which paves the way for the next generation Mazda2 due later this year.
Mar 03, 14Honda Civic Type R concept promises to signal a new era for the marque [videos]
Following a leak earlier today, Honda has officially unveiled the Civic Type R concept. It previews the production model that will be launched in 2015.
Mar 03, 14Italdesign Giugiaro Clipper concept is Volkswagen's Model X
Italdesign Giugiaro has introduced their new Clipper concept at the Geneva Motor Show.
Mar 03, 14Volkswagen brings Multivan Alltrack concept to Geneva, could spawn production model
Volkswagen has introduced the Multivan Alltrack concept at the 84th Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland.
Mar 03, 14Skoda VisionC concept is an edgy Octavia five-door coupe
Skoda has fully revealed the VisionC design study which gives us a first glimpse of the company’s first ever five-door coupe.
Mar 03, 14Volkswagen T-ROC concept unveiled, could preview a new crossover
Volkswagen has unveiled the T-ROC concept at the company's preview event in Geneva.
Mar 03, 14Mazda Hazumi concept leaked for a second time
The Mazda Hazumi concept has been leaked ahead of its debut at the Geneva Motor Show.
Mar 03, 14Hyundai PassoCorto concept by IED shows futuristic styling in Geneva [video]
The striking Hyundai PassoCorto concept has been spotted in Geneva ahead of tomorrow's proper public unveiling.
Feb 28, 14Italdesign Giugiaro teases new concept for Geneva Motor Show
Italdesign Giugiaro is teasing a brand new concept programmed to be unveiled on March 4 at the Geneva Motor Show.
Feb 28, 14Lexus RC F GT3 concept heading to Geneva with 540 HP
Lexus has released images and preliminary details with the RC F GT3 concept confirmed to be officially unveiled at the 84th Geneva Motor Show next week.
Feb 27, 14Volkswagen T-ROC concept announced for Geneva
Volkswagen has announced plans to introduce the T-ROC concept at the Geneva Motor Show.
Feb 27, 14EDAG Genesis headed to Geneva with a tortoise-like shell
Set to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on March 4th, the Genesis is described as a "futuristic vehicle sculpture" that provides a look into the future of automotive development and production.
Feb 27, 14Citroen C1 Swiss & Me concept wearing Swiss flag heading to Geneva
Citroën will be presenting in Geneva not only the second-gen C1 but also this Swiss & Me concept of their latest city car.
Feb 27, 14Skoda VisionC concept unveiled, previews five-door Octavia coupe
Skoda has released several renders of the VisionC concept programmed to be unveiled in a few days at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.
Feb 27, 14Volvo Concept Estate officially revealed ahead of Geneva debut [videos]
Following a teaser and several leaked images, Volvo has revealed the Concept Estate which will be shown in the metal next week in Geneva.
Feb 26, 14Alfa Romeo 4C Spider concept coming to Geneva - report
Italian media is reporting Alfa Romeo will showcase next week in Geneva a concept previewing the forthcoming 4C Spider.
Feb 26, 14MINI reveals near-production Clubman concept
MINI has taken the wraps off the Clubman concept which will be showcased in public next week at the Geneva Motor Show.
Feb 24, 14Hyundai Intrado concept unveiled with hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain
Hyundai has taken the wraps off the Intrado concept which will receive its first public outing next week at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.
Feb 21, 14Subaru Viziv 2 concept teased, arriving next month in Geneva
Subaru will be showcasing early March a follow-up to its VIZIV concept which will likely serve as a preview for a crossover.


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Most new car dealerships fail mystery shopper test: Calgary survey
We’ve all seen them – car dealership ads promising deep discounts or low monthly payments on brand new cars.
But does the promise in the pitch disappear at the dealership door?
That’s what the Automobile Protection Association’s (APA) team of mystery shoppers wanted to know when they visited 22 new car dealerships across Calgary.
They shopped at many of the big brands – Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Kia, Nissan, and Toyota - to see if they could purchase vehicles at the advertised prices. W5 tagged along with our hidden cameras rolling.
This frame grab from video shows an APA mystery shopper visiting an Alberta new car dealership.
In the end, 19 out of 22 dealerships failed the APA’s survey and didn’t honour the advertised price - many charging hundreds or thousands of dollars more.
APA President George Iny says that when so many dealerships fail to deliver the advertised vehicle at the advertised price, there is a problem in the market. “The market in Alberta, in Calgary at least, for new vehicles is out of control. It’s rampant with deception and misrepresentation.”
Some costs were buried in the fine print of the ad, such as an additional annual payment of $2,251 per year.
Other dealerships, meanwhile, had extra costs that were not disclosed at all in the ad and only revealed inside the sales office – obligatory accessories like a $1,495 “value added package” or a $225 block heater, and extra fees for particular colours of paint or for a so-called “post-delivery inspection”.
“In almost all cases there were extra charges, many of them mandatory, and some of them completely bogus,” said Iny.
Alberta law prohibits hidden costs
In Alberta, it’s the law that car dealership ads must have all-in pricing, and no extra fees. Only tax can be added to the advertised price, and in Alberta, that’s just 5 per cent GST.
The Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC) is the organization that’s supposed to be enforcing this consumer protection law. AMVIC was given that authority by the provincial government in 1999.
AMVIC Executive Director John Bachinski says he is disappointed by what the APA survey found.
“It means we’ve got more work to do,” he said.
W5 reviewed AMVIC’s record of enforcement actions taken in 2014 and discovered that in all of 2014, AMVIC found only 16 instances of dealerships not honouring the advertised price.
However, in just two weeks the APA found 19 dealerships not honouring the advertised price.
Bachinksi says they will be taking on a similar study to the one the APA did and expanding it to Edmonton. “We see it as very important and we will be taking action.”
Service Alberta also investigating AMVIC
W5 is not alone in asking questions about AMVIC’s oversight of the car sales industry. We learned that Service Alberta - the provincial ministry responsible for AMVIC – recently conducted a review of AMVIC’s complaint handling and investigation resolution practices.
W5 obtained a confidential draft report which found that “basic investigative principles were often not followed” at AMVIC.
The report also raised questions about interference in investigations from John Bachinski himself – including telling investigators what to conclude.
The large majority of AMVIC investigators “indicated that they are frequently provided direction either directly or implied, as to how to proceed with an investigation” and “those directions suggested the appropriate outcome of an investigation”.
When asked about the report, Bachinski told W5 “I’m not in a position to comment on it. It’s a confidential report. It’s a draft report that AMVIC hasn’t had a chance to respond to.”
Service Alberta Minister Stephen Khan also declined to comment on the draft report.
“It’s not a public report,” Khan said. “I think it would be very unfair of me to make comments about the report prior to being able to sit down with the board and the board chair.” Although he added: “We’re going to sit down and help the board ensure that AMVIC is delivering the kind of consumer protection that Albertans demand.”
In the meantime, Iny has a warning for Calgary car buyers.
“There’s no boots on the ground when it comes to consumer protection. The new vehicle market in Calgary was out of control in the period that we shopped. There wasn’t a serious effort by most retailers to try and match their advertised price.”
Stringent U.S. new car sales regulations
In several U.S. jurisdictions, such as New York State, the rules on car dealer pricing and advertising are tough.
In 2013, the New York State Attorney General reached a $135,000 settlement with a Toyota dealership for adding a so-called $499 “administrative fee” to the purchase price of used vehicles.
The Attorney General said that no extra services or benefits were provided to customers who were charged the fee and so the dealership had to repay $86,826 to 174 customers who were charged the “bogus” fee and pay an additional $50,000 in costs and penalties to the state.
In 2014, the Attorney General cracked down on six other car dealerships for deceptive and misleading advertising practices including: discounts and rebates that were not available to most customers; using footnotes or asterisks in an ad that contradicted or modified the principal message of the ad; and using a print size that was so small it was not easily readable.
The dealerships had to pay fines ranging from $7,500 to $15,000 and agree to reform their advertising practices.
New York State’s print size regulations include a provision that says the font in an ad can be no smaller than 10 points in size.
Alberta allows for much smaller print in ads – the law there says the font can be as small as 8 points. However, it’s not clear that this regulation is being enforced in Alberta - W5 measured many of the dealership ads the APA shopped in their survey and found several contained print smaller than 8 points.


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The Samsung launched the wireless Charger Duo in 2018 and after the success of that product the company has decided to launch a new model. This time, the company has upgraded the technology and designed the new model with the support of Qi charging tech. The product glimpse was launched yesterday at the life unstoppable virtual event with three more products, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy Watch 3, and the Galaxy Buds Live.
The specifications of Samsung wireless charger trio are still hidden and we can’t wait to know more about them. Although, the image has subtle messages to convey so let’s take a look:
Abundant space: The charger has the enough comfortable space for three different devices i.e. Smartwatch, Smartphone, and earphone. Ample space ensures that the average user will never be in a crunch for battery.
Compatibility: This product has the compatibility to function for the devices related to other brands as well. But, we can’t say anything about its charging speed. Considering the fact that Samsung has never failed to amaze their customers we are sure we can expect the same.
As the information related to its dimension, and tech specifications have not been revealed yet. However, this product looks like an interesting purchase as it is definitely going to save our time and add a premium value in our lifestyle.
Author: Afshan Mukhtar


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Chad Hurley and Steve Chen, who co-founded video sharing site YouTube in 2005, unveiled their latest effort, video creation application MixBit.
Twitter is porting its popular Vine video sharing application from smartphones to tablets, releasing a new version optimized for Amazon's Kindle Fire. The free Vine app is available for download from Amazon's Appstore for Android.
A week after Facebook added video capture features to its Instagram photo sharing application to combat Twitter's fast-growing Vine app, Vine shares have fallen off precipitously, according to data from social analytics firm Topsy obtained by MarketingLand.
A day after stating it is working on new features, Twitter-owned video sharing service Vine issued a series of clips hinting at what users can expect in the weeks ahead.
Facebook is rolling out new functionality allowing users to reply to posts by inserting photos. While Facebook has not yet formally announced the upgrade, the social network confirmed to The Verge that the new commenting feature allows desktop and mobile Web users to upload and share JPEG and PNG image files in response to status updates.
Facebook will add video capture capabilities to Instagram, bringing the photo sharing application in line with rival Twitter's popular Vine, TechCrunch reports.
Twitter released an upgraded version of its official client for Microsoft's Windows Phone, enabling users to view Vine video clips directly from their timeline.
More than four months after releasing its Vine video sharing application for Apple's iOS, Twitter is making good on its promise to launch a version optimized for Google's rival Android operating system.
Twitter is rolling out an updated version of its Vine video sharing application, adding front-facing camera support as well as mentions.
NEW YORK--Mentions of the word "Boston" rose 200 times the normal rate following the explosions at the Boston Marathon on Monday, according to Michael Sippey, vice president of consumer products at Twitter.


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Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.
Everything about Tesla is groundbreaking, including its direct-sales model. Laws in New Jersey, Ohio, Texas and Michigan have sought to prevent the electric carmaker from bypassing third-party dealerships and selling cars directly to customers. Last week, Tesla scored a big win in Maryland, when the state's governor signed a bill allowing the company to operate its own dealerships in the state. In other green transportation news, a 28-year-old woman is preparing to row all the way from Japan to San Francisco in a rowboat, with no support vessel. Airplane manufacturers have yet to unlock the potential of 3D-printing airplane parts, but the engineers at GE Aviation recently conducted a test, offering a possible glimpse of the future. The team created a mini jet engine that can roar up to 33,000 RPM, and it comes right out of a 3D printer.


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Sign the petition today!
Former Vice President Joe Biden Will Join Rally in Support of Stop & Shop Workers
31,000 UFCW Stop & Shop workers walked off their jobs on April 11 to protest the company’s proposed cuts to health care, take home pay, and customer service as well as unlawful conduct by the company during negotiations. Join former Vice President Joe Biden, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh (invited), UFCW Locals 328, 371, 919, 1445, and 1459 at a rally in support of these workers and their fight for a better life.
Thursday, April 18 at 2pm
Stop & Shop at South Bay Center, 1100 Massachusetts Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125
To attend, sign the petition below or text “RSVP” to 698329.
Every day, all across New England, the employees of Stop & Shop work hard to serve our customers and provide for our families.
Thank you for supporting better jobs and grocery stores across New England
Why We're Striking
- Reduce holiday + Sunday pay for part-timers
- Bonus instead of wage increases
- Unlawfully withhold info from the union in bargaining
- Reduce number of sick days for new hires
- Raise healthcare premiums by up to 90%
- Decrease take-home pay
- Reduce pension benefit by up to 72%
- Exclude 1,000 spouses from healthcare
- Decrease customer service with self-serve tech
- Reduce sick days and holidays for new employees
- Double out-of-pocket healthcare for many employees


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It's an issue so important that the Prime Minister made a plea to the nation about it.
In a press conference to the country last week, Boris Johnson asked citizens to avoid touching anything in supermarkets that they do not intend to buy, in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The Prime Minister warned people that they could catch the virus by handling items touched by someone with COVID.
In a press conference, Johnson said the virus "can be passed on not just by standing too near to someone in a supermarket queue, but also by handling something touched by an infected person".
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Issuing a reminder that one in three with COVID-19 do not show symptoms, Johnson stressed the importance of washing our hands "now more than ever".
The Prime Minister urged people to only touch items they were going to buy; especially when it came to loose produce.
"When you are buying loose foods such as fruit, vegetables, or bread in a bakery, try and only touch what you are going to buy," he said.
With most other establishments closed, supermarkets will be the only place that many visit where they will come into contact with a substantial number of people.
After the statement, some shoppers were left confused about what they should touch.
Find your nearest vaccination centre by inputting your postcode into the tool below:
Here's what Lidl, Aldi, Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and Sainbury's has to say about touching products in stores:
Asda is a little vague when it comes to its own in-house rules.
The company website simply states: "Please touch less where you can."
In 2020, discount supermarket Aldi issued guidance to customers to only touch trolleys that they then intended to use inside their shops.
So far, no guidance has been issued on touching items within stores.
Lidl has brought in disposable gloves for customers to use when picking up freshly baked goods from its in-store bakeries.
Customers are advised to put them on before touching tongs and bagging their items.
Lidl says: "Whilst we always urge customers to use the tongs provided in our bakery, as a temporary measure, you’ll also notice there are disposable gloves for you to use in order to bag loose items yourself, safely.
"We're continuing to monitor this area of our store, and will change the way we’re doing things if necessary."
Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury's
Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury's don't currently appear to have any guidance about touching products or trolleys in supermarkets.
Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said that Food Standards Agency advice shows the risk of COVID-19 transmission through packaging or food is "negligible".
"Sage data has always highlighted that retail is a safe environment," he said.
"Supermarkets continue to follow all safety guidance and customers should be reassured that supermarkets are COVID-secure and safe to visit during lockdown and beyond.
"The FSA is clear that the risk of COVID-19 transmission through food or packaging is negligible.
"Nonetheless, customers should take established safety precautions – wear a face covering, do not touch your face, and wash your hands regularly."


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Lyft Opens its First European Hub to Develop Autonomous Driving Technology
【Summary】San Francisco-based ride hailing company Lyft, Uber’s main rival in the U.S, has announced its first official expansion into Europe. However, Lyft will not to pick up passengers yet, it has opened its office in Munich, Germany to work on autonomous driving technology.
MUNICH — San Francisco-based ride hailing company Lyft, Uber's main rival in the U.S, has announced its first official expansion into Europe. However, Lyft will not to pick up passengers yet, it has opened its office in Munich, Germany to work on autonomous driving technology.
The company said that the hub's main focus will be self-driving vehicles, with a "talented group of new colleagues". Workers there will develop advanced localization and geometric mapping technologies to aid its autonomous driving effort.
"They'll build the layer of software that helps our self-driving cars know precisely where they are and what's around them," Lyft said in a blog post. It didn't say whether it plans to start its ride-hailing service in the city, after it announced an expansion to Toronto, its first outside the U.S., in November.
The technology Lyft is referred to is SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) for level 5 autonomous cars. SLAM works by updating a map of an unknown environment, while simultaneously keeping track of a autonomous car's location within it.
Lyft Backed by General Motors
In 2016, General Motors invested $500 million into Lyft as part of a $1 billion investment, while also revealing its own plans to build self-driving cars. Last summer, Lyft announced its own self-driving car division before unveiling further plans with Ford to get autonomous vehicles onto roads by 2021.
Lyft has been ramping up its partnerships to keep pace with rivals such as Uber in the autonomous vehicle space. Earlier this month at CES, Lyft partnered with self-driving car tech startup Aptiv, and launched a passenger pickup service in Las Vegas using eight BMW 5-Series vehicles.
Lyft is joining BMW in the area. BMW is also headquartered in Munich, and announced a new autonomous driving development center last year.
Munich certainly offers close proximity to a major automotive company that is known to be investing heavily in self-driving cars and which only a few weeks ago displayed a close alliance with Lyft in Las Vegas. Munich also happens to be a major university city, which might make it easier for Lyft to recruit talent.
Lyft has now raised more than $4 billion in funding, including a $1 billion round a few months ago led by Alphabet's investment arm CapitalG. Lyft also announced its first international expansion in November, starting with Toronto, Canada. Lyft also met with London transport officials last year to discuss possible expansion of its service.
Originally from New Jersey, Eric is a automotive & technology reporter covering the high-tech industry in Silicon Valley. Eric has over 15 years of automotive experience and a bachelors degree in computer science. These skills, combined with technical writing and news reporting, allows him to fully understand and identify new and innovative technologies in the auto industry and beyond. He has worked at Uber on self-driving cars and as a technical writer, helping people to understand and work with technology. Outside of work, Eric likes to travel to new places, play guitar, and explore the outdoors.
Porsche Ventures Invests in Israeli Vision Sensor Start-up TriEye
Electrify America & EVgo Announce Agreement Giving EV Drivers Access to Each Company’s Charging Network
Waymo is Sharing its Massive Self-Driving Dataset With Researchers
Tesla Reveals Specs of its New AI-Powered Full Self-Driving Computer
Waymo is Headed to Florida to See How its Self-Driving Vehicles Perform in the Rain
Russia's Yandex is Looking to Grow its Self-Driving Car Fleet Tenfold to Accelerate Developement
UPS Buys Stake in Self-Driving Truck Startup TuSimple, Testing Deliveries Since May
Continental Develops a ‘Road AND Driver’ Camera System for Autonomous Vehicles
- Velodyne Acquires HD Mapping Startup Mapper.ai to Advance its Lidar-based Driver Assist Software
- As the Trump Administration Seeks to Rollback Nationwide Fuel Economy Standards, Automakers Strike Secret Deal with California to Keep Them in Place
- Waymo Looks to Expand Globally With Renault-Nissan Partnership
- Continental Develops a ‘Road AND Driver’ Camera System for Autonomous Vehicles
- BMW Appoints Oliver Zipse as its New CEO as the Carmaker Shifts Focus to Electric & Self-Driving Cars
- Driverless Sensor Startup Sense Photonics Raises $26 Million in Series A Funding
- Autonomous Car Startup Aurora Plans Large Expansion in Silicon Valley
- Trump Administration Set to Freeze Automaker Fuel Efficiency Penalties
- An Electric BMW iX3 Might be Launched in the U.S. with a 75 kWh Battery
- Volkswagen Showcases Pedestrian Detection System, Claims Works at Speeds of 40 MPH


text: HomeBitcoin2020 in review: Cointelegraph art team limited edition NFT drop 2020 in review: Cointelegraph art team limited edition NFT drop By Crypto News Pipe December 30, 2020 Bitcoin 0 Comments Crypto 20/20 hindsight: A visual review of 2020 limited to 2,020 copies… for just 0.02020 ETH Source: 2020 in review: Cointelegraph art team limited edition NFT drop Tags:Bitcoin Related Posts Key Bitcoin price indicators signal bulls bought the $43K restest How Will The Crypto Market React To Next Week’s Senate Hearing On a Digital Dollar? Big mining move: Bitcoin’s hash power increases 42% in two days About Author Crypto News Pipe Crypto News Pipe is a cryptocurrency news aggregator service. It presents a continuous flow of articles organized from thousands of publishers and magazines. Add a Comment Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment:*Name:* Email Address:* Website: Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.


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Guy de Jonquieres (how's that for a name, eh?) makes some salient points in an editorial in today's Financial Times. The web article's subscription only, so I'll give you a taster.
Some commentators predict China may rival US information technology leadership in only a decade... Since the late 1980s, the number of science and engineering doctorates awarded in China has exploded. It now has more researchers than Japan. Its annual research and development spending, though still well below US levels, is rising five times faster, while the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development says China's biggest exports are now high-tech products.
But those dazzling statistics mask an often more mundane reality. The bulk of China's "high-tech" exports are actually low-margin commodity products such as personal computers and DVD players, assembled from imported components that account for most of their value.
He is also cynical about those who say this is merely a build-up to the real thing, a prelude to China's impending control built on the back of a huge population and high brainpower. "R&D effort is only a rather crude measure of input," he says. "China still has much to prove".
Of course, with the sale of IBM's PC arm to Lenovo recently, there has been a lot of speculation over China's high-tech future. With Japan sliding, it looks like there's a mantle ready to be taken - but really, it is South Korea that is the powerhouse we should be taking notice of.


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Maruti sets 1.2 lakh export target
Car market leader Maruti Suzuki India Ltd is targeting more than 70 per cent increase in exports in 2009-10 to over 1.2 lakh cars from 70,000 units in 2008-09.autos Updated: May 04, 2009 23:54 IST
Car market leader Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL) is targeting more than 70 per cent increase in exports in 2009-10 to over 1.2 lakh cars from 70,000 units in 2008-09.
Maruti's exports would be largely driven by the A Star, which is also being bought by Japanese auto maker Nissan.
"A Star is our prime export product on the back of which we intend to grow our exports," said Shinzo Nakanishi, managing director, MSIL. "We are targeting 60,000 units of the car to Europe, 10,000 units for non European markets and 30,000 units for Nissan. We also hope to sell 40,000 units of the car in the domestic market, which would take the total production of A Star to 1.4 lakh units per annum."
The company said achieving a double-digit growth in sales this fiscal would be very difficult. It is targeting only a 3-5 per cent growth in line with Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers' prescription.
"I am happy with the 9 per cent growth we achieved in April and the signs are good. We should also see some recovery in margins in the first quarter, but double-digit growth will be very difficult," he said.
The company has earmarked a capital expenditure of Rs 1,800 crore this year. The company's only new product this year would be the super hatch Ritz, to be launched in the middle of this month.
"We are expanding our K series line up in which we have 1 litre, 1.2 litre and 1.4 litre petrol engines," Nakanishi said. "The 1 litre is already being used in the A Star while the 1.2 litre will be first seen in Ritz.”
Maruti is also looking at the possibility of a diesel variant for the mid-sized sedan SX4.
First Published: May 04, 2009 23:52 IST


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The Department of Trade and Industry is looking to designate specific vehicles, starting with buses, for procurement by state agencies to raise domestic production and employment. This was stated by the departmental minister Rob Davies, speaking at the official opening of the Johannesburg International Motor Show at Expo Centre, Nasrec, last night (Monday, 10 October).
Davies reiterated that the designation of products is part of a government plan to leverage sales of locally-manufactured goods by state agencies. The new preferential procurement regulations will come into effect on December 7, 201l.
He said that in terms of the motor industry the first step would be to designate buses and he added that other categories of vehicles could be designated in the future.
“The South African automotive industry – manufacturing and retail – contributes at least 6% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the sector’s exports constitute almost 12% of total exports,” explained Minister Davies.
He continued by saying that this strong industry position had been made possible by support from government, mainly under the Motor Industry Development Programme (MIDP), which would be replaced at the beginning of 2013 by the new Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP) .
Investment under the MIDP in 2011 totalled R4-billion and the cumulative investment under this scheme since 2000 was R32-billion.
An estimated 90 000 people are currently employed directly in automotive manufacturing – vehicles and components – despite 20 000 jobs having been lost due to the economic downturn of 2008, while a further 200 000 are employed in the retail and aftermarket sectors, said the DTI Minister.
The key objectives of the new APDP includes stimulating expansion of the automotive manufacturing industry to produce 1,2-million vehicles per annum by 2020, with the associated deepening of the component industry and to make a positive contribution to the balance of trade.
According to the minister South Africa was largely immune to the recent global economic crisis which resulted in the collapse of vehicle sales and big job losses in certain countries; the existence of some of the major international automotive producers was even threatened.
Speaking at the same function the President of the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA), David Powels, who is also President and CEO of the Volkswagen Group in SA, said that the 2011 Johannesburg International Motor Show was taking place during an immensely challenging time in the global economy and it would be naïve to believe that South Africa is distanced from the global economic woes.
“On a retail level the challenge is to ensure ongoing dealer viability while satisfying ever increasing customer service expectations,” said Powels.
“From a manufacturing perspective the challenge is to continue to provide a range of products that meets the expectations of a rapidly changing world where operating efficiency, driven by a massive increase in the price of energy and concern for the environment, are impacting to accelerate the adoption of new automotive technologies.
“The Johannesburg Motor Show, which takes the form this year of an automotive lifestyle event, offers the South African consumer a unique insight into the automotive future with many of our exhibitors taking the opportunity to showcase new technologies that are either production ready or at an advanced stage of development,” continued the president of NAAMSA.
He added that the South African motor industry will illustrate to the world the way in which it has restructured and aligned itself to the complex challenges facing the global motor industry around the world.
“The South African motor Industry is also emerging out of an extremely tough business environment in which it has been forced to re-examine the prevalent business model to ensure global competitiveness in the years ahead. Together with our partners in the component industry, major focus has been placed upon localisation of component manufacture.
“Significant investment on the part of the of the supplier industry has resulted in a much leaner, technologically capable and skilled component industry enabling the local automotive manufacturers to target key strategic global markets, resulting in a dramatic increase in exports of South African manufactured vehicles, to the extent that export volumes for 2011 are forecast to reach a record of about 300 000 vehicles.
“We are working closely with the Government to ensure that the new Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP) which starts is 2013, takes the industry to new levels in the years ahead,” stressed Powels.
“The South African motor industry remains one of the most competitive in the world. It is intensely competitive and demanding with over 1 300 models and 61 marques competing for what is, in global terms, a relatively small market. The South African consumer justifiably demands an outstanding product and, equally, the highest levels of after sales service.
“The motor show will be used not only to showcase the South African motor industry and to project its global competitiveness but also to launch new products, technologies and services to a demanding, but highly involved consumer. The outlook for the South African domestic market remains relatively positive with steady growth being forecast in the medium term,” concluded the NAAMSA President.


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Brand committed to improving guest experiences in member hotels.
Best Western Great Britain says it has invested of £214m across its member hotels since 2015, which it claims reflects its ongoing confidence in the market despite concerns around Brexit.
With 251 independently owned and managed hotels under the Best Western brand, the figure equates to an estimated £855,000 per property between 2015 and 2019.
In addition, Best Western has confirmed it will invest a further £70m across in the UK during 2017, with £28m currently planned for 2019.
Best Western says that when asked about the impact of Brexit it found that 98.8% of its members were not concerned and continued to invest in improving their properties, showing no signs of cautiousness.
North of England Investment
Some of the most significant investments within the Best Western portfolio have been to properties in the North of England and Scotland, including over £6m at Castle Green Hotel in Kendal, BW Premier Collection; an estimated £8m at Ten Hill Place, BW Premier Collection in Edinburgh; and £3.5m at the Best Western Dundee Invercarse Hotel, Dundee.
Rob Paterson, Chief Executive of Best Western Great Britain, said: “The figures are a strong signal to guests and the industry that Best Western continues to invest for the future and change for the better. We are committed to improving guest experiences in our member hotels and the multi-million pound investments being made are increasing NPS scores, raising brand standards and guest expectations. In the last 18 months we have seen a significant pipeline of hotels approved or activated, with 50% of applicants this year for our new brands.
“What is encouraging for guests and investors is that the planned level of investment for 2019 remains high and will increase further. We are proud to champion independent hotels in Great Britain and have plans to make our membership model more attractive, accelerating our growth for guests in the next few years.”