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Ford and Tesla promise helping hands in storm-struck Texas
US-based automotive manufacturers Ford and Tesla have announced plans to deliver relief in storm-struck Texas.
The ongoing crisis – caused by a multitude of factors including frozen gas lines – has reportedly left more than 4.3 million homes and businesses across the state without power.
Following public recommendations from CEO Jim Farley, Ford officially requested its dealers allocate select variants of the F-150 pick-up truck for "loaner fleets."
According to the manufacturer, these will allow residents to operate heaters, TVs, blenders, mini fridges, and other small household appliances, thanks to the Pro Power Onboard battery pack and outlet system available as an option on the new-generation model unveiled in 2020.
There are reportedly 415 generator-equipped examples of the F-150 located in Texas, which will be distributed as needed in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk – who last year moved to the Lone Star State, citing “fewer government regulations” – announced on Twitter his company was providing “direct assistance where feasible.” It is not clear yet what exactly this assistance entails.
William Davis has been writing for Drive since July 2020, covering news and current affairs across the automotive industry. He has has a special knack getting under the skin of industry trends, autonomous technology, electric vehicle regulations, and local environmental policy. As the newest addition to the Drive team, William was brought onboard for his attention to detail, writing skills, and youthful enthusiasm. Despite writing for a diverse range of outlets – including the Australian Financial Review, Robb Report, and Property Observer since completing his media degree at Macquarie University, William has always had a passion for cars.See all of William's articles


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Ubisoft posted a tweet on their Twitter account in previous hours, mentioning that they will reveal the brand-new Tom Clancy game today around evening hours. The tweet says “Tomorrow, things are going to get wild. Tune in at 11AM PT / 8PM CEST for the worldwide reveal of a brand-new game in the Tom Clancy’s universe.“
Also IGN shared a short 25 second gameplay teaser clip of the game. It looks cool indeed, and we are looking forward to seeing more of it.

domain: news


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Intel warns about overclocking
Don’t do it with entry-level non-K Alder Lake-S CPUs
Enthusiastic overlockers have been pushing the limits of Chipzilla’s entry-level non-K Alder Lake-S CPUs and Intel is getting a bit worried about it.
G.SKILL helps Ryzen 5000 overclock well
Most used for breaking OC records
It turns out that G.SKILL is an almost sovereign leader in the AMD Vermeer Ryzen 5900 series overclocking scores at the HWbot.
MSI and Toppc break the memory record by hitting 5,608MHz
On MSI Z390I Gaming Edge AC and Core i-9900K
Just a few days after ADATA posted its own record, MSI and Toppc have broken it once again, hitting a rather incredible 5,608MHz.
ADATA hits 5,584MHz with XPG Spectrix D80 memory
New overclocking record
ADATA was proud to announce that its XPG Spectrix D80 RGB memory module has hit 5,584MHz while running on a 9th generation Core i9 CU and Z390 motherboard.
K|NGP|N pushed the RTX 2080 Ti to over 2.4GHz on LN2
Enough for 9,275 score in Time Spy Extreme
While most reviews have focused on the automated way to scan for the maximum stable overclock, Vince "K|NGP|N" Lucido was quite keen to pour some LN2 on the GTX 2080 Ti FE, pushing it to impressive 2,415MHZ for the GPU and 8,658MHz for the memory.
AMD Threadripper 2990WX overclocked to 5.955GHz
But only on one core
While extreme LN2 overclocking might not be the real representation on how good a CPU is, it is still nice to see how far these chips can be pushed, and Indonesian OC site, with a team led by IvanCupa, managed to push a single core of the 32-core AMD Ryzen Threadripper to an impressive 5.955GHz.
Core i7-8086K gets delidded and overclocked to 7,243MHz
By Roman "Der8auer" Hartung
We already had a hunch that Intel's 40th anniversary Core i7-8086K could be an impressive overclocker and Roman "Der8auer" Hartung has already delidded it and overclocked it to an impressive 7,243MHz under LN2.
EVGA officially releases EPOWER V board
Standalone VRM board
EVGA has now officially launched the fifth generation of its EPOWER board, a standalone VRM board that provides additional power for graphics cards and motherboards.
AMD Threadripper 1950X hits 5.2GHz on LN2
A sign of things to come
During its Capsaicin event at the Siggraph 2017 show, AMD brought a well-known overclocker Alva Jonathan, who managed to push the new Threadripper 1950X up to almost 5.2GHz on LN2.
DDR4 hits 4079MHz on AMD Ryzen platform
With a single G.Skill Trident Z 8GB module
AMD has been working on optimizing memory performance on its AM4 platform and it appears it has been doing a good job as, thanks to an overclocker from Australia, DDR4 managed to finally break the 4,000 limit with Gigabyte X370 motherboard, Ryzen 5 1400 CPU and G.Skill's 8GB Trident Z DDR4 memory module.


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Mehmet İşler, Vice President of the Turkish Hoteliers Federation (TÜROFED) and President of the Aegean Touristic Enterprises and Accommodations Association (ETİK), announced that the tourism sector experienced a double celebration during the Eid al-Adha holiday, with occupancy rates in accommodation facilities approaching 100%.
Mehmet İşler, Vice President of TÜROFED and President of ETİK, revealed the reservation rates during the Eid al-Adha holiday. İşler stated, “Extending the holiday to nine days and people making plans had a positive impact on the tourism sector. Tour operators welcomed this development. We observe a concentration of reservations during these nine days, with five days being particularly busy. In some places, the peak occurs in the first five days, while in others, it is towards the last five days. One thing is certain, the extended nine-day holiday also allows for smoother traffic flow during departures from and returns to cities. It was a very appropriate decision in terms of preventing traffic congestion at city entrances and exits. We can say that the tourism sector is experiencing a double celebration.” İşler also added that the occupancy rates in accommodation facilities are approaching 100%.
Ege Region, the Most Popular Destination
Highlighting the Aegean region as the most popular destination for domestic tourism, İşler stated, “The Aegean region offers a wide range of products that appeal to everyone. The lifestyle in the Aegean region, especially the vibrant nightlife by the seaside, attracts a high demand from domestic tourists. In addition to the lifestyle of İzmir residents, the diverse range of products that cater to everyone enhances the attractiveness and appeal of the Aegean region. There are accommodation options available for everyone, ranging from 1,000 liras to 1,000 euros. Due to this rich diversity, the Aegean region experiences significant demand in the domestic market.”
“75% Increase in Italian Visitors”
Emphasizing the importance of the international market after the domestic market, İşler continued, “The reservation flow, which had been slow until the election period, has started to return to normal. Especially the reservation flows from our two main markets, Germany and Russia, have begun to increase. The increase in room reservations in Italy, a country that shares the same basin with the Mediterranean region, is also remarkable for 2023. Compared to the previous year, there is a 75% increase in Italian visitors. By gradually increasing the diversity in our tourism market, we have started to see new increases in other markets apart from our two main markets, on which we are dependent. While we are currently setting our sights on making 2023 the best year ever in tourism, it seems that the holiday season will also be fruitful. Currently, the occupancy rates have reached nearly 100% during the Eid al-Adha holiday. We are witnessing a rapid sales graph, especially with last-minute bookings. It can be said that citizens are making their reservations for the remaining places within these 100% occupancy rates.”
“The Best Year Ever in Turkish Tourism”
Mehmet İşler, noting that the year 2022 set new records in tourism, stated that the reservation data indicated that 2023 would be a year in which these records would be surpassed. He said, “In 2023, Turkish tourism is poised to achieve the best year ever, setting a new record. Especially compared to May of last year, we started this season with a 16% increase in Turkey, and a significant increase of 24% for the first five months. This is a strong indicator that 2023 will be better than both 2022 and 2019. Our most important markets, Russia and Germany, continue to share the top two spots consecutively. However, it appears that the reservation flow will continue to increase after the earthquake, elections, and exams, as the weather quickly heats up. It seems that we will achieve our goal of 60 million tourists and $55 billion in revenue by the end of the year. As you all know, last year, Turkey welcomed 55 million tourists and generated $45 billion in revenue. This year, in line with the 2023 tourism strategy, we will achieve the target of 60 million tourists and $55 billion. This will secure a place for Turkish tourism in history as the best year ever.”


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August 18th 2016
Go Green Global Technologies Corp. (OTC Pink: GOGR) (“Go Green”), an innovative water and fuel technology company, is pleased to announce that Captain Roberto Salamone has been engaged as a consultant and will be leading the Maritime Industry compliance and sales initiatives for the Sonical™ line of products. Captain Salamone, a former executive with Carnival Cruise Lines, is CEO and founder of Stelcon LLC, a maritime consultancy company.
“We are excited to have Captain Salamone lead our efforts towards driving sales in the Maritime Industry” said Go Green’s CEO Jeffrey Prisco “His first mandate is to guide and fast track approval for Go Green’s products to be compliant with classification societies requirements for all the maritime industries including passenger and cargo vessels, leisure yachts and super yachts and fishing vessels.”
“The Maritime Industry is a target market where the need for a technology like the Sonical™ fuel and water products would solve many problems” said Chairman of Go Green Mark Del Priore “In addition to the benefits relating to the fuel application there are also applications on ships relating to water of which our products can also help”
“The Sonical™ line of products present a tremendous opportunity for all the Maritime industry applications,” said Captain Roberto Salamone. “Not only does Go Green’s products have a high ceiling on revenue potential, but in addition the Maritime industry will benefit from the Sonical™ system by significant cost savings on their fuel bills while they will meet new strict emission standards”
Highlights of Maritime Market:
-90,000 Maritime vessels are effected by new 2015 EPA emission standards
-Cruise line companies have been preparing to install exhaust scrubbers on the stacks of their ships for a cost of approximately $5-10million per ship. Carnival Cruise Lines has announced a $400million capital expense to reduce emissions across their fleet with the exhaust scrubbers
-DuPont through their wholly-owned subsidiary Belco Technologies Corp. has entered the Marine Scrubber industry and recently equipped the entire fleet of Interlake Steamship Company.
-Maritime executives are attracted to the much lower cost of the Sonical™ system. The cost of Go Green’s Sonical system would be less than $1 million per ship compared to the scrubber’s price. In addition, because the Sonical™ system treats the fuel before combustion a fuel savings component is an added feature that will provide the ship operators a potential ROI of less than 6 months
-Units have been prepared for field testing with two Cruise ship operators as well as the process to obtain certification required to sell to the Maritime market has begun
Go Green Global Technologies Corp. (OTC Pink: GOGR) is a U.S. water and fuel technology licensing, marketing and development company. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Go Green Technologies Corp., it provides solutions worldwide utilizing the proprietary patented Sonical™ process for both non-chemical water treatment and fuel combustion applications. The company is a leader in the emerging Pulsed- Power technology sector and has a portfolio of intellectual property that includes three United States patents. Since inception, the company has focused on innovative technologies that lead to a cleaner and more efficient planet. More information is available at www.gogreentechcorp.com.
Jeffrey Prisco, CEO


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Jiashan, China - 24 February 2014 - ReneSola Ltd, a leading brand and technology provider of solar photovoltaic (PV) products, has opened a new office in Lyon, France. The office will provide regional sales and customer support services.
Mr. Xianshou Li, ReneSola's chief executive officer, said, "Our new office in France joins our already expansive global sales and marketing network, which enables us to target the most compelling solar markets worldwide with local expertise and provide our customers with the quality and timeliness of service that they require."
Pascal Cervantes, General Manager of ReneSola France S.A.S., added, "ReneSola's inverter products and LED lighting systems perfectly match the current needs of the francophone markets, and our new office will build on the brand awareness that ReneSola has enjoyed in France since 2009."
Founded in 2005, ReneSola (NYSE:SOL) is a leading brand and technology provider of solar PV products. ReneSola solar PV modules can be found in projects ranging in size from a few kilowatts to multi-megawatts in markets around the world, including the United States, Germany, Italy, Belgium, China, Greece, Spain and Australia.


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Kroger is expanding its autonomous grocery delivery service to Houston, following an earlier test in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Almost 1,000 deliveries completed as part of pilot programme
Kroger is working with self-driving vehicle company, Nuro, for the expansion of this programme. It will operate from two Kroger stores in the Houston market, making deliveries into four zip codes. Like Scottsdale, the pilot will start with Nuro's self-driving Toyota Prius fleet before introducing the next generation of the custom driverless vehicle later this year. Through the first stage of the pilot, Kroger and Nuro have successfully and safely completed thousands of deliveries to customers in Scottsdale.
Potential to significantly scale-up in Houston
The initial pilot has confirmed for Kroger the flexibility and benefits provided by autonomous vehicles. Customers have also been very receptive to having their groceries delivered in this way. Through moving the test to Houston, where Kroger has a significant presence, there is an opportunity to significantly scale up the programme in the future.
Improving the economics of grocery ecommerce
Self-driving vehicles could be an important component in improving the economics of grocery ecommerce. Last-mile delivery represent a significant proportion of overall costs. Retailers in North America are currently testing several fulfilment and delivery models as they look to reduce channel costs. These include hyper-local robotic fulfilment, third-party crowd-sourced delivery platforms and shared, centralised distribution models.
Kroger is just one of many retailers pushing forward with automated last mile trials. Check out our delivering the goods blog, which rounds up all the latest developments and what’s driving them.


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While chip-maker AMD reported a loss for the third quarter, it cut its losses by 34 percent over the second quarter, which analysts see as an indication that the worst of the price war with Intel could be over, according to The Wall Street Journal. AMD's loss in the quarter totaled $396 million, compared with a profit of $136 million in the same period last year.
Meanwhile, orders for chip equipment fell 10 percent in September from August, according to the trade group Semiconductors Equipment and Materials International. It said $81 in orders was received for every $100 of product shipped.
North American-based chip equipment makers had $1.23 billion orders in September, down from $1.37 billion in August. The total represents a decrease of 25 percent from September 2006, according to Reuters.


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From campaign promises about factory jobs to recent rumblings about a border adjustment tax, American manufacturing has been thrust to the forefront of political debate.
Big ticket items—cars, airplanes, air conditioners—might get the most attention. But for most Americans, the issue of trade hits closest to home in the kitchen, where the vast majority of gadgets and cookware are imported from overseas.
According to the International Housewares Association (IHA), a 1600-member organization that represents the $346.9 billion industry, 88 percent of IHA-members’ products are made outside of the U.S., and 65 percent of those products wear a “Made in China” label.
“As an industry, we’ve been globalized for a generation and a half,” said Perry Reynolds. He’s been the Vice President for Trade Development for the IHA for two decades, and has witnessed sea changes from the beginnings of offshoring to the resurgence of a “buy American” movement.
We spoke at the International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago. The five-day trade fair is IHA’s signature event, and attracts more than 60,000 visitors from all over the world—mostly manufacturers showing off their wares and buyers deciding what to put on shelves—to the massive McCormick Place convention center.
Reynolds didn’t want to speculate as to what changes the Trump administration might make to U.S. trade policy—it’s too early, he told me. But it quickly became clear that the industry is preparing for a shift. “I suspect something’s going to change,” he said.
We discussed the vagaries of shipping costs, issues with warehousing, and the effects of the administration’s proposals on currency values. But when I asked how the housewares industry might have to to adapt to new political realities, Reynolds paused. “It’s not a clear-cut issue,” he said, choosing his words carefully. “It appears to be more simple from a distance than it does up close.”
So I decided to get as close as I could. I hit the show floor and spoke with representatives from eleven different housewares companies that made at least some products in the U.S. I asked them why they continued to make here, and what prospects they saw for the future. I ended up talking with first-generation immigrants, fourth-generation family owners, circumspect PR folks, and outspoken CEOs.
I found their company histories and reasons for building products here to be as varied as the wares they sold. For some, patriotism was just as important as pragmatism. Others liked keeping quality control close to home, and some simply found that a “Made in U.S.A.” sticker made their products easier to sell.
Here are their stories.
Nordic Ware — St. Louis Park, MN
Population: 45,250 as of 2010 Median household income: $66,432 as of 2015 Best known restaurants: Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, BlueFox Indian Bar and Grill
My first stop on the show floor was Nordic Ware. The company has been around for 71 years and is best known for inventing the Bundt pan.
In 2017, Nordic Ware still sells plenty of its famous cake pans. But, as is evidenced by its massive display at the entrance to the Housewares Show, a whole lot more products now wear the Nordic Ware badge alongside a “Made in USA” label.
The Nordic Ware booth was festooned with cake pans and baking supplies of all shapes and sizes, from Halloween-themed cookie stamps and dessert molds to Danish pancake pans and traditional cookie sheets. Nearly all of them featured a little American flag logo on the packaging.
David Dalquist is the second-generation family owner of Nordic Ware. His late father founded the company, and his 91-year-old mother is still involved in the business.
When I spoke with Dalquist, he credited the company’s success to the wide variety of products that surrounded him—all made possible thanks to local manufacturing.
“The one edge we have over the Asian imports is creativity,” he said. “We know what the American markets want.”
Unlike other people I spoke with, Dalquist wasn't afraid to talk politics. While he was quick to tell me that he didn't agree with Donald Trump on all issues, he said he was happy to see the Trump administration bring a new focus on creating manufacturing jobs.
After all, Nordic Ware employs 400 people in its Minneapolis-area factory, which Dalquist sees as evidence that America can still provide jobs in the manufacturing industry.
“It’s proof you can do it,” he said.
Key product: The original Bundt pan, $22.34 on Amazon.com
American Maid — Riverside, CA
Population: 303,871 as of 2010 Median household income: $57,196 as of 2015 Best known restaurant: Simple Simon’s, Anchos Southwest Grill & Bar
When investor Moe Vazin bought a struggling California plasticware company out of bankruptcy in 2003, he knew one thing: He was going to keep manufacturing in the U.S. So far, that strategy has worked out well.
“We’ve grown slowly and surely,” he said. Vazin runs the company along with his wife and a barebones sales and logistics staff—a strategy he said keeps prices low on the products he ships from his Riverside, CA plant, which employs 150 people.
He also gives Walmart a great deal of credit for its promise to put $250 billion of American-made products on store shelves by 2023—including some of the plasticware his company makes.
“They’ve been very, very positive with U.S. manufacturers,” he said. “They’ve been a blessing.”
Though the bulk of American Maid’s sales continue to be domestic, he’s starting to export more and more products to Central and South America, where buyers view the Made in U.S.A. label as a promise of quality.
“We have a higher standard,” Vazin said. “There’s no cutting corners.”
A mother shopping at Walmart Centroamerica in Guatemala, for instance, might buy an American Maid bottle for her family because she trust that a bottle made in the U.S. will truly be BPA-free.
For Vazin, the growing popularity of American Maid in other countries is proof that a promise of superior product engineering and stringent product safety regulations can resonate with consumers—just like goods from Germany and Switzerland command a premium in the U.S.
I can't help but feel that it's somewhat ironic, then, that one of American Maid's best-selling products in the U.S.—a large water jug—is designed for keeping drinking water on hand during emergencies, or when local water supplies fail.
Key Product: A 5 gallon water jug, $6.94 at Walmart
Aura Glass — Danbury, CT
Population: 80,893 as of 2010 Median household income: $66,676 as of 2015 Best known restaurants: Barbarie's Black Angus Grill, Stanziato’s Wood Fired Pizza
During the week, Ankana Carpenter and her husband Keven both work as engineers. But this weekend, she was at the Housewares Show in Chicago for the first time, showing off the spill-resistant glass the couple created.
The stemless Aura Glass, which first launched on Kickstarter, pivots on a stainless steel ball. The unique design makes it easier to aerate wine without spilling it, but added complications to the manufacturing process. That’s one reason why the Carpenters decided to partner with a U.S.-based glassmaker to bring their idea to life.
Born in India, Carpenter said that being “patriotic and loyal” was important to her—and you couldn’t beat the quality of American-made glassware. But for such a small company, it also made sense to mitigate risk by building close to home.
“It was important to keep that control close to us, and hand-hold the quality,” she said.
Aura’s small booth may have been dwarfed by those of better-known companies, but the husband-and-wife team behind the company aren’t unusual in the industry. In fact, 68.2 percent of housewares companies are small businesses with annual sales below $10 million.
While they still haven’t quit their day jobs, the Carpenters have hired an employee, signed a distribution agreement with a major retailer, and are beginning exports to Japan, Australia, Sweden, and New Zealand.
Key product: The Aura Glass, $49.95 for two
Epicurean — Duluth, MN
Population: 86,110 as of 2010 Median household income: $45,034 as of 2015 Best known restaurants: Northern Waters Smokehaus, Duluth Grill
Epicurean can be counted among the seven percent of housewares companies that manufacture solely in the U.S. (A further 32 percent make at least some of their products here.)
Fifteen years ago, however, Epicurean didn’t exist. Dave Benson owned a company that sold composite wood surfaces to skateboard parks. One year, he cut some leftover materials into cutting boards as gifts for friends and family.
They liked them so much that he started selling them to the public. Pretty soon, Benson made cutting boards his full-time job, and founded Epicurean. Today, he employs 65 people at a 60,000-sq.-ft. facility, building cutting boards that are beloved by foodies.
Manufacturing in Duluth was a natural progression for Benson. He grew up nearby and went to college in the city. His brother Greg even runs a nearby business building outdoor furniture from recycled plastic.
Familiarity aside, Benson quickly learned the benefits of building products in the U.S.
“We like the fact that we make everything ourselves,” he said, “We have control over the quality.”
Epicurean cutting boards start as raw material in Tacoma, WA. That gets shipped to Duluth and turned into a finished product. Even Epicurean’s packaging is made nearby.
World Kitchen — Mira Loma, CA; Charleroi, PA; and Corning, NY
Population (Corning): 11,183 as of 2010 Median household income (Corning): $51,022 as of 2015 Best known restaurant (Corning): Hand and Foot, The Cellar
You probably wouldn’t expect a company with a name like World Kitchen to have a robust manufacturing presence in the U.S. But some of World Kitchen’s brands—like Corning, Pyrex, and Snapware—make some of the most famous products to ever wear the Made in USA label.
One reason? “Making glass is not an easy process,” said Matt McDonell, World Kitchen’s director of brand marketing. That's especially true for break-resistant Corelle dishes and oven-safe Pyrex. In fact, high-end glass manufacturers tend to concentrate where there’s expertise—whether it’s in France, Eastern Europe, or the industrial cities between the Great Lakes and the Appalachian Mountains.
According to the IHA’s Reynolds, it’s not unusual for glass to be made domestically. “It’s heavy to ship,” he said. “It’s probably simpler to make it closer to the consumer.”
Unlike some of the startups and family-owned companies that manufacture in the U.S., World Kitchen’s brands are leaner versions of companies that once employed thousands. Today, World Kitchen has a total of 3,000 employees worldwide, including about 975 who work in U.S. factories—but the Pyrex factory alone once employed 2,100.
The same goes for World Kitchen’s American-made competitors Libbey and Anchor Hocking—the latter’s ups and downs famously chronicled in the best-selling book Glass House.
Indeed, many other World Kitchen brands with a history of U.S. manufacturing now rely on imported product—Revere Ware, for instance, hasn’t been made in the U.S. for over a decade.
But those brands that are still manufactured here embrace it, and play up their heritage. The designs on the Market Street New York line of dinnerware from Corning’s Corelle, for instance, are inspired by real locations in the company’s hometown of Corning, NY.
Igloo — Katy, TX
Population: 14,102 as of 2010 Median household income: $70,526 as of 2015 Best known restaurants: Joy Love Burgers, Da Vinci Ristorante Italiano
Igloo makes the vast majority of its hard-sided coolers—including the well-known Playmate—in a 1.5 million sq. ft. factory about 30 miles west of Houston, in Katy, TX. It employs over 1,200 people.
Igloo has been manufacturing its Playmate coolers in Katy for 45 years, but it also makes new products there—like the Trailmate beach cooler.
According to Candi Whitsel, Igloo's senior vice president of marketing and product management, manufacturing in the U.S. is good business for the company. “We’re shipping a lot of air,” she said, and paying to move empty boxes from Asia just doesn’t make sense.
The factory in Texas also offers time savings that outsourcing would not. “We can turn things around quickly,” she said.
Key Product: The Playmate cooler, $17.99 at Target
Hutzler — Canaan, CT
Population: 1,212 as of 2010 Median household income: $48,438 as of 2015 Best known restaurants: Roma Pizzeria, Pops Diner
Lothar Hutzler came to the U.S. from Germany in the 1930s with experience making metalware. But wartime materials shortages led him to build items like cookie cutters, measuring spoons, and funnels out of plastic.
Today, although the company outsources some of its wares, many of its classic products are made in the U.S. In fact, I recognized a lot of the products at the Hutzler booth from my own grandmother’s kitchen—including a green nylon “Lopol” spatula that she bought in the 1960s, and that I still use today.
It makes sense that a company would continue making legacy products where it always did. But new products also wear a Made in USA label. For instance, the new cake decorating bags Hutzler debuted at this year’s Housewares Show are all made right in Canaan, CT.
Still, Hutzler isn't alone in having to outsource some products. According to the IHA's Reynolds, it's an issue for the entire housewares industry. "There are some we do a great job of making in the U.S., and a lot of things we don't have the capacity to make," he said.
Vita-Craft — Shawnee, KS
Population: 62,209 as of 2010 Median household income: $77,271 as of 2015 Best known restaurant: Big Bam’s Burgers, Oishi Sushi
Like the proverbial ‘80s rock band that can fill stadiums in Tokyo but not Toledo, Vita-Craft is big in Japan.
But unless you’ve encountered one of its door-to-door salespeople in the U.S., you’ve probably never heard of the Shawnee, Kansas-based manufacturer of premium stainless steel cookware.
Gary Martin wants to change that. He’s in the unique position of trying to grow domestic sales for a Japanese-owned, American cookware manufacturer that’s been based in Kansas since 1934 but remains largely unknown outside of Japan.
It comes as no surprise to him that Japanese consumers value Vita-Craft’s 5-ply cookware, made from surgical-grade stainless steel. Like German knives and French stoneware, American pots and pans are the pride of a serious cook. “They recognize the quality, and they recognize the value.”
Vita-Craft’s Japanese CEO Mamoru Imura apparently feels the same way. “He allows us to run the company, and he values the product being made here,” Martin said.
Martin hopes that expanded partnerships with retailers and a new line of cookware created in partnership with celebrity chef Tyler Florence will grow Vita-Craft’s presence in the U.S., which in turn will help him expand the cookware factory that currently employs between 30 and 50 people.
“The best thing is, I create jobs,” he said.
But in the end, what matters is quality. “I’m not going to say you should buy my product because it’s made in the U.S.A.,” Martin said. “I’m going to say I make a good quality product in Shawnee, KS.”
Key Product: New Tyler Florence cookware—coming soon to retailers
Libman — Arcola, IL
Population: 2,916 as of 2010 Median household income: $49,303 as of 2015 Best-known restaurants: El Taco Tako, The Dutch Kitchen
Arcola, IL is home to the world-famous Lawn Rangers, a drill team that marches with lawnmowers and brooms. In addition to appearing at the annual Arcola Broomcorn Festival, the Lawn Rangers marched in President Obama’s 2009 inaugural parade.
Even if you’ve never heard of Arcola, you’ve probably heard of Libman—or at least used some of the company’s green-and-white mops, brushes, and cleaning supplies, all of which are made in the U.S.
Libman is also the largest cleaning supply company in the world to be fully vertically integrated, meaning that everything from a dustpan's handle to the bristles on its brush are made in house.
“It helps us control quality,” said Eric Minor, Libman’s senior director of marketing. “If we’re making it, we know what goes into it.”
Libman employs about 500 people—a big deal in a town of just under 3,000. However, almost none of those employees work on an assembly line. “We’re fully automated. Robots everywhere,” Minor said. Former assembly line workers were reassigned rather than laid off—and that's good news for Arcola.
“We’re kind of a one-company town,” said Minor. “A lot of families depend on Libman.”
Key Product: The tornado mop, $18.79 at Amazon
Handi-Foil — Wheeling, IL
Population: 37,648 as of 2010 Median household income: $56,110 as of 2015 Best-known restaurants: Bob Chinn's Crab House, Taqueria
Company president David Sarnoff seemed tight-lipped when I met up with him at the Handi-Foil booth. “We’re a private company,” he said—and he wasn’t just talking about corporate ownership structure. Despite making the roasting pans that are as much a part of American Thanksgiving dinners as cranberry sauce, it turns out that the family-owned business is pretty media shy.
Still, after conferring with the CEO—who is also his father—Sarnoff opened up a bit. Handi-Foil was founded in 1981, but David Sarnoff is the third generation of his family to make aluminum ware for the kitchen. His grandparents started a company that made drip pans for range burners, and his brother runs Handi-Foil’s food service division.
From colored finishes to new sizes, Sarnoff says a constant focus on new product is how Handi-Foil commands 73 percent market share. “We come out with new items every year,” he said.
The company has factories in Wheeling and Naperville, IL, and wouldn’t manufacture anywhere else. In fact, Sarnoff seemed insulted when I asked him if he kept production in the U.S. for a competitive advantage. “We want to make in the U.S!” he said. “We employ thousands of people. That’s our preference.”
Sarnoff didn’t spout off any buzzwords about sustainability, but he did seem pretty proud of Handi-Foil’s commitment to reducing waste—including a line of pans that are made from 100% recycled aluminum. Next year, he said, he might update the old-school booth to brag a little more.
“We wish more companies were like us,” he said.
Key Product: A recycled aluminum roaster pan, 98 cents at Walmart
Chef Specialties — Smethport, PA
Population: 1,655 as of 2010 Median household income: $45,208 as of 2015 Best-known restaurants: Corner Bistro & Pizza, Smethport Drive In
Denise Frontino gave up trying to explain where to find Smethport, PA on a map, but she couldn’t say enough about Chef Specialties, the fourth-generation family-owned pepper mill manufacturer she’s worked at for 23 years.
“Almost any restaurant you walk into, you’d find our pepper mills,” she told me.
Chef Specialties’s mills are hand-built, come with a lifetime warranty, and have always been built in Smethport—which, for the record, is about halfway between State College and Buffalo. The company employs mostly women, many of whom have over 10 years of service with the company.
Other manufacturers I spoke with competed against low-cost imports from Asia. But upscale pepper mills tend to be made in France and Germany—countries with high labor costs and a reputation for quality work.
Still, Frontino told me that she’d put her company’s mills against any others in the world. “We have quality people who do a great job for us,” she said.


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A recent report from consulting firm Redseer revealed that online food-delivery companies witnessed a moderate 7% growth in their business during the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.
The growth was attributed to their cautious approach towards marketing campaigns and advertisements, resulting in limited expenditure.
Due to the focus on attaining profitability, online food delivery platforms such as Zomato and Swiggy reduced their marketing expenditures during the latest edition of the IPL, according to the report.
This approach aligns with the overall trend among consumer internet companies to prioritize cost efficiency and profitability over aggressive marketing strategies.
According to the Redseer report, instead of relying on extravagant and attention-grabbing advertisements, food delivery companies adopted subtle and understated strategies, leading to a 7% increase in their business.
The report highlights the effectiveness of these more subdued approaches in driving growth for these platforms during the IPL.
Kushal Bhatnagar, an associate partner at Redseer Strategy Consultants, highlighted the shift in approach by online food delivery giants during the IPL seasons from 2017 to 2020.
During this period, these companies made a significant presence on prime-time television with attention-grabbing advertisements and offered attractive discounts of 50% to 60% at various restaurants, resulting in a more than 50% surge in business during the IPL 2020 season.
However, in the IPL 2023 season, there was a noticeable change in strategy and approach.
In previous seasons, food-delivery platforms effectively collaborated with over-the-top (OTT) platforms and developed tailored advertisements to maximize their impact.
This integration, along with customized marketing campaigns, played a significant role in driving the increase in business during those seasons.
In the IPL 2023 season, JioCinema, owned by Viacom18, served as the digital broadcaster for the tournament, whereas Disney Hotstar held the broadcasting rights for previous editions of the IPL.
As per the report, food delivery companies experienced consistent growth in their business from 2018 to 2020, with the percentage increasing from 43% to 52% during this period.
However, a significant decline occurred in 2020 when the IPL was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite a slight recovery in 2021 and 2022 with growth rates of 6% and 7% respectively, the figures are still far below the levels observed before the pandemic.
Additionally, food delivery witnessed a growth of nearly 2.5 times among customers residing in tier-2 cities and beyond, in comparison to more established markets.
Copyright © 2009 - 2024 Restaurant India.


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More than 3,000 groups across the UK have signed up to participate in this year’s Giving Tuesday so far, from charities such as the RSPB and the Scouts Association to retailers Clarks and ASOS, large businesses including BT and Samsung and institutions such as the National Gallery and the University of Manchester.
Giving Tuesday is now less than a month away, this year taking place on 3 December.
Last year, more than £7.8 million was raised in online donations in the UK on the day, with 1.5 million in a YouGov poll saying they were more likely to do some for charity as a result of the event.
Launched in the US in 2012 to follow post-Thanksgiving shopping sprees, there are now Giving Tuesday events in more than 100 countries, with the movement brought to the UK by the Charities Aid Foundation in 2014.
Gráinne Mathews, who leads Giving Tuesday in the UK for CAF, said:
“Giving Tuesday is a chance for all of us, no matter where we live or what we do, to help a cause close to our hearts.”
“This year we are encouraging people to make a #GivingTuesdayPledge, which means you might be doing something on the day for a charity that you love or you can pledge to commit to doing something in the days and months ahead. Either way, you are still part of this incredible generosity movement.
“A #GivingTuesdayPledge could mean giving a small monthly donation to a charity or setting aside time each month for volunteering. It will all add up to make a world of difference.”
More information on how to take part, as well as free resources for participants are available on the Giving Tuesday site.
Can you believe it? Only 4 weeks to go until #GivingTuesday 🙃 There's still plenty of time to get involved. Here's how:
🔹 Charities: https://t.co/31SFSz7c0m
🔹 Individuals: https://t.co/VJPbThXwKn
🔹 Businesses: https://t.co/AbRHMXpR45#charitytuesday pic.twitter.com/Tkh0KxVFDk
— #GivingTuesday UK (@givingtuesdayuk) November 5, 2019
Here is UK Fundraising’s round up of some of last year’s activity:
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Sydney auction market due for another record breaking spring
- From: The Daily Telegraph
- September 02, 2014
FOR sale signs are expected to spring up across Sydney ahead of what could be a record period for real estate sales.
With winter auction results already up on last year, the market is predicted to spike even further in the first month of spring.
Already a popular time with vendors because of the warming weather, auctioneers forecast September sales to eclipse previous years — with vendors lured into the market by low-interest rates and high clearance levels.
RP Data reveals auction numbers for the first seven months of this year are already up 63 per cent on the corresponding period in 2013.
Auctioneer Rocky Bartolotto expects the volume of home auctions this September to be as much 50 per cent higher than last year.
“Looking at the level of bookings ahead it’s going to be a much stronger auction market,” Mr Bartolotto said.
By contrast, no period in 2011 or 2012 had more than 800 auctions a week, with the weekly average at roughly 400.
RP Data analyst Robert Larocca said low interest rates meant “more people are planning to buy, so more people are selling”.
“A higher auction volume is inevitable when you consider most people selling their home plan to buy a new home after,” he said.
“Prices are moving upwards and there seems to be a shortage of stock. We thought we should take advantage of this environment,” Mrs Horley said.
Market conditions are a double-edged sword for the family, who are also in the market to buy a home in the same area.
Buyer’s agent Gavin McPherson warns that the Horleys, like many buyers, may struggle to find a good deal.
“There isn’t a deal to be done in a hot auction environment that doesn’t have the vendor popping champagne,” Mr McPherson said.
Sydney’s auction clearance rate, indicating the proportion of homes successful sold at auction, has been near 75 per cent since May. The long-term city average is roughly 65 per cent.
The Horley’s home is on the market with selling agent Monique Dower of Belle Property and is being auctioned September 20.


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19 October 2012 07:33 [Source: ICIS news]
The shutdown of the acetone-based line will likely limit the producer's exports in November, market sources said.
''LG will likely have no fresh offers to some markets until the end of November or in early December,'' a trader said.
The company has already delayed a mid-October shipment to early November, possibly because of the upcoming turnaround, another trader said.
Market players said the expected reduction in supply from LG Chem is unlikely to have a significant impact on the Asian market, given the current weak demand and the restart of a few facilities in northeast
LG Chem, the largest IPA producer in
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One retail store; wholesale
A roaster-retailer, Moto also has a thriving service business that fixes cranky San Diego espresso machines.
Dunkin' brands has gone public again. Some highlights from its complex and tasty history.
|Google is becoming a wireless carrier|
|Oil boomtown: 'We could see 20,000 layoffs by June'|
|2015: The global economy's 'sink or swim' moment|
|Is this the next CEO of Starbucks?|
|Tim Cook on his way to the billionaire club|


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Nissan has announced that they will build their new X-trial model strictly in Japan. The announcement came just two days after the EU-Japan Free Trade Agreement. The agreements allows manufacturers to import Japanese made cars without having to pay tariffs. The company says that the decision to move production to Japan is more based on the company’s sales than on Brexit. Nissan union officials, however, question if that statement is true.
Nissan Blames Poor Performance in England
The car manufacturer was once the biggest in England. Recent sales have been badly hit by lack of interest from buyers looking for diesel cars within the country.
Blow to Region’s Economy
Business Minister Greg Clark called the announcement a blow to the region’s economy. The government says that they will now reconsider $78.46 million package to help train new employees. The government designed the payments so that more employees could receive training in technology. They believed the employees would build new Nissan cars. Currently, Nissan makes about 30 percent of all vehicles driven in England. The company imports many of them from Japan. Officials with the government say that Nissan’s announcement is a serious blow to the economy. They point out that the entire region can suffer because of trickle-down economics.
Continuing Uncertainty Over Brexit Makes Long-term Planning Difficult
Nissan says that continuing uncertainty over Brexit makes long-term planning for companies very difficult. Therefore, they felt it was necessary to take this step. The company had already laid off about 11 percent of its Great Britain workforce. More layoffs are likely to come after this announcement. The company currently employs about 70,000 people at this plant in Northeast England.
Investing in New Technologies
Nissan has been investing in new technologies hoping that they can create new models that are more desired by drivers. The company says that they still have confidence in their Sunderland employees.
The company has tried to stay out of arguments over Brexit for fear of getting used as a political football. This announcement has workers at their Sunderland, England, plant very anxious about the future of their jobs. The announcement also comes on the heels of announcements about Charles Ghosn creating even more uncertainty among workers. Employees are hopeful that company officials will greet them on February 4, 2019, with more details.


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BlackBerry stock slips as tablet gets lukewarm responseApril 20th, 2011 - 1:39 pm ICT by IANS
Toronto, April 20 (IANS) The launch of its PlayBook tablet didn’t reverse the fortunes of BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) on the Toronto stock market Tuesday as its stock slipped almost four percent.
RIM stock, which has plunged about 20 percent since last month, further dived 3.77 percent to close at $50.85. The iconic company’s stock has plunged almost 65 percent from its high of almost $150 in June 2008.
Tuesday’s decline followed after RIM joined battle with rival Apple in the tablet market by launching the PlayBook in North America.
The tablet, which doesn’t give users access to email, contacts and calendar and is way behind Apple’s iPad in apps, received lukewarm response, compared with the frenzy generated by the iPad when it hit markets last year.
While the Apple tablet sold more than 300,000 units on its launch day, the BlackBerry tablet fared very poorly in comparison.
“…Most of the people buying the PlayBook are office (corporate) guys. Others are coming in just to have a look at the tablet,” a salesman at the city’s Best Buy store in downtown told IANS.
RIM has not announced any sales target, but analysts expect it to sell about half a million tablets in the current quarter which ends in six weeks’ time, generating about $300 million for the company.
On the other hand, iPad sales have generated $4.6 billion for Apple in the recent quarter, accounting for almost 17 percent of Apple revenue. In fact, the iPad has raked in $9.6 billion for Apple since its launch last year.
Though RIM is primarily targeting the tablet at its 60 million BlackBerry subscribers as the Wi-Fi tablet links with BlackBerry smart phone through BlackBerry Bridge without needing a wireless carrier, only about 12 percent of BlackBerry users say they will buy it.
According to a survey by the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), the majority of BlackBerry users say they will wait for at least four months before deciding whether to buy the tablet.
The current seven-inch, Wi-Fi-only PlayBook is available in three models of 16, 32 and 64 gigabytes of storage capacity in the price range of $499 to $699.
RIM has announced to launch 3G versions later this summer.
(Gurmukh Singh can be contacted at firstname.lastname@example.org)
- Not stopping PlayBook tablet, says BlackBerry - Jul 19, 2011
- No frenzy crowds to buy BlackBerry tablet on launch - Apr 19, 2011
- BlackBerry tablet called 'half baked' product - Apr 15, 2011
- PlayBook for those who want to work and play - Apr 18, 2011
- BlackBerry tablet to hit India within a month - Jun 11, 2011
- Apple blamed for delayed launch of BlackBerry tablet - Apr 08, 2011
- BlackBerry sells 250,000 PlayBook tablets - May 20, 2011
- Verizon, AT&T; crucial to BlackBerry tablet sales - Apr 22, 2011
- BlackBerry sells about 50,000 tablets on launch day - Apr 21, 2011
- BlackBerry to sell tablet below $500 to undercut iPad sales - Nov 11, 2010
- BlackBerry signs Indian-led company for tablet apps - Mar 31, 2011
- Rumours of 'BlackBerry Cyclone' to take on Apple TV - Jul 16, 2011
- BlackBerry partners Sprint as tablet market soars - Jan 07, 2011
- BlackBerry tablet may hit market April 10 - Mar 03, 2011
- BlackBerry tablet will be a winner: Market analysts - Jan 11, 2011
Tags: 60 million, apple tablet, bank of canada, best buy, best buy store, fortunes, half a million, ipad, launch day, lukewarm response, rbc, research in motion, rim, royal bank of canada, sales target, smart phone, tablet market, toronto stock market, wi fi, wireless carrier


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- BC Business
Payments Canada asked Colin Hansen, President & CEO, AdvantageBC to talk about the role his organization played in building a case for extended settlement hours in Canada. He also discussed how Western-based businesses stand to benefit and how AdvantageBC is continuing to work with Payments Canada to educate the greater business community about the benefits modern payments will bring to Canada.
We hosted a forum with Payments Canada to help companies learn how to take advantage of this opportunity and we are pleased to share the presentation in this online guide.
Payments Canada thanked AdvantageBC for their invitation to participate at the May 31 forum, and also their facilitation of roundtable discussions with some of their business members the day before.
Vancouver is rapidly climbing the ranks of the world’s financial centres – from 33rd on the Global Financial Centre Index in 2008 to 15th in 2018.
Join AdvantageBC at GLOBE Forum 2018, where business, government, and civil society leaders find inspiration, connections, and new opportunities in the clean economy.


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You are here
Tesla investigating incident of car catching fire in Shanghai
TESLA said it is looking into a fire in Shanghai involving one of its vehicles after a video of a car bursting into flames was circulated on social media in China.
The US electric carmaker has sent a team to Shanghai and is in touch with local authorities, Tesla said on its official Sina Weibo account on Monday. As far as Tesla is aware, there are no casualties.
The video, taken from a closed-circuit camera in the parking lot of a residential building, showed a white sedan bearing Tesla's logo emitting smoke from both sides of the car before catching fire on Sunday evening. The incident could add to concern about the safety of electric vehicles using high energy density lithium batteries to extend driving ranges, as rapid expansion of China's EV market pushed sales past one million units last year.
In 2018, China recorded at least 40 fire-related incidents involving new energy vehicles, a fleet that includes pure battery electric, hybrid plug-in and fuel-cell vehicles, according to the State Administration for Market Regulation. The Chinese regulator has called for scrutiny of new energy vehicle quality and recalled more than 130,000 of these vehicles last year.
In September, a TV station in the eastern city of Hangzhou reported that a D2 electric car under the Zhidou brand part-owned by billionaire Li Shufu's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group burst into flames on the road.
Separately, a plug-in hybrid SUV under BYD Co's Song brand caught fire while it was parked at the gate of Shanghai's Hongqiao railway station last August, ThePaper.cn reported. BLOOMBERG


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Orange Email set to close
Orange Email will close on 31 May 2017.
Customers on some legacy Orange Home Broadband and Orange mobile plans were given a free email address. However since then email services are now largely independent, and mostly offered by companies like Google, Yahoo and Microsoft. Orange haven’t given Orange Email addresses to new customers since 2012.
Since Orange Email was first introduced, a wide variety of providers have launched offering free email services with more advanced functionality. As a result, the number of Orange Email users has been in decline.


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If you've ever bought cheap 'designer' cosmetics that seemed too good to be true, that's probably because they are – stop using them now. A report from the City of London Police has revealed the true dangers of buying counterfeit beauty goods, including makeup, skin care, perfume and electricals which can sometimes prove "life threatening".
Lab tests have shown some fakes are laced with poisonous chemicals, including cyanide and toxic substances such as arsenic, mercury and lead, and that's not all.
"Counterfeit makeup is often produced in un-sanitised and un-hygienic factories and there have been cases where rats' droppings and poison have also been found in the phoney cosmetics" the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit said. Not only could users experience allergic reactions including irritation, rashes and burns, but potential longer-term health problems too.
So how many of us are at risk? They estimate that in the UK alone we're spending upwards of £90 million every year on fake goods and rogue websites are the main rip-off merchants that pretend to be selling us the real deal.
As we reported last year, in one of trading standards' biggest ever hauls, £10 million worth of fake luxe branded beauty goods were seized at the Channel Tunnel entrance and now the PIPCU are urging shoppers to "wake up – don't fake up" with a new awareness campaign.
They say trust your instincts, only deal with reputable sellers, and if you are not sure whether the items are genuine do not enter your payment details - it isn't worth the risk.


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Trade deficit finally declines
WASHINGTON - America's trade deficit, after setting records every month this year, finally posted a small decline to $30.4 billion in April as imports fell for the first time in 15 months.
Even with the overall improvement, the imbalance with China widened and the deficit with Japan set a record.
The Commerce Department said Tuesday that the small, 0.4-percent decline from a record-high trade imbalance of $30.6 billion in April reflected in large part a drop in crude oil prices after nine consecutive monthly increases.
In a second report, the government said the broadest measure of trade, the current account, climbed to a record of $102.3 billion in the first three months of this year, up 6.3 percent from a $96.2 billion deficit in the fourth quarter of 1999.
FTC approves Pfizer/W-L merger
WASHINGTON - Federal regulators have approved a merger that will leave one company dominating many U.S. medicine cabinets.
The $90 billion merger of Pfizer Inc. and Warner-Lambert Co., approved Monday by the Federal Trade Commission, will put many of the world's best-known over-the-counter brands under one company name.
Aetna US Healthcare makes deal
BLUE BELL - County-based Aetna US Healthcare, the health benefits unit of Aetna Inc., announced agreements with Hewlett-Packard Company and NetZero Inc. to give computer discounts and free Internet access to physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and medical students in the U.S., and to Aetna employees.
Greenspan sworn in for fourth term
WASHINGTON - Alan Greenspan was sworn in for his fourth four-year term as chairman of the Federal Reserve, a job often called the second most powerful in the country because of the central bank's control over interest rates.


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Apple has long presented itself as pro-privacy, the very best protector of its users’ rights to private lives. Recently however, the tech giant has increasingly come under scrutiny over how it uses customer data. The controversy specifically relates to the App Store, and how usage data is fed back to Apple — even when the customer has declined personalized recommendations and analytics sharing.
This came to a head recently when Twitter account Mysk, run by researchers in Germany and Canada, released a report claiming that “every tap you make” is recorded by Apple — and that this happens regardless of preference settings. While Apple has several related privacy toggles, Mysk say that:
“Opting-out or switching the personalization options off did not reduce the amount of detailed analytics that the app was sending […] I switched all the possible options off, namely personalized ads, personalized recommendations, and sharing usage data and analytics.”
How Apple Is Collecting Your Data
In a follow-up piece by Gizmodo, the researchers claimed that other apps collected data for Apple too, such as iTunes, TV, Books, and Stocks. Mysk found that most apps shared consistent ID numbers, which means Apple can track a user across different services. The researchers further stated that this tracking is the case across multiple iOS systems. The software allegedly transmits information on the user and their device, such as type of phone, ID numbers, keyboard languages, screen resolution, and internet connectivity.
Since these findings were released to the public, Apple has been sued in two class-action lawsuits. The suits allege that Apple “violates state law in connection with its illegal recording of consumers’ confidential activity on its consumer mobile applications.” Apple has not yet commented on either case.
Apple users should take what steps they can to safeguard their privacy and security. Watch this space as further developments arise. In the meantime, consider our popular Mobile Security app, which protects against tracking, ransomware, dangerous websites, unsafe Wi-Fi networks, unwanted access to your device, and more. Be safe out there, folks — and consider leaving a like or comment below.
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Australians travelling to New Zealand no longer have to worry about exorbitant roaming fees, or even paying a daily fee, with news that Vodafone is making its usual AU$5 Roaming charge free for trips to NZ.
In the wake of Telstra's changes to roaming charges we offer some tips and tricks for the frugal traveller, Gus Sorola from Rooster Teeth swings by to chat and Yule have a good time with our gift ideas.
Chances are you can't imagine travelling overseas without your smartphone. But what do you do when it comes to avoiding ridiculous data charges? There are plenty of ways to get full use of your phone when you're on the road.
Telstra has overhauled its pricing structure on International Travel Passes, giving customers more data but increasing prices by as much as AU$150 for travellers to the US, UK and Europe.
Europeans have finally been given a date for the abolition of roaming charges across the EU.
The carrier's customers can now take advantage of unlimited data and texting and 20-cents per minute phone calls across more countries.
Technically Incorrect: Posting to Twitter and Instagram, the president wants to highlight climate change. But a selfie stick? Is that wise?
Negotiations with Hutchison Whampoa could mean subscribers get free use of mobile phone networks in the UK, Hong Kong, and other countries, according to the UK's Independent.
The European Commission's decision means that Europeans who travel within the EU will pay the same mobile phone charges they do in their home country.
Disney Research may someday replace actors inside fuzzy costumes with fully robotic animatronic characters that will roam freely throughout its theme parks. We hope you know how to use a popcorn bucket or a mylar balloon as a defensive weapon.


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When GM unveiled its plan for the future late yesterday, it was clear that Pontiac’s days are numbered. To face the future, GM chooses to scrap Pontiac, reduce the number of factories from 47 to 34, lay off 21,000 employees, and offer its creditors shares instead of money.
GM has apparently taken the criticism it received from the US government to heart. President Obama and his administration have felt that the restructuring plan previously presented by GM was not ambitious enough.
When GM presented its revised plan for the future yesterday, it is clear that it is not a coward this time. There are extensive measures to be taken, and the most conspicuous is that Pontiac will be shut down.
GM thus departs from its previous plans which meant that Pontiac would be kept as a small and extremely niche brand. The phasing out of Pontiac is to begin shortly and is expected to be completed by the end of next year. GM also reiterates its ambitions to sell or shut down Hummer, Saturn, and Saab.GM CEO Fritz Henderson hopes the Saab issue will be resolved by the end of 2009.
GM also announces that the number of factories will be reduced from today’s 47 to 34 by the end of 2010.
The number of hourly employees in the US will be reduced by approximately 21,000 from 61,000 to 40,000. The costs for hourly employees are thus estimated to be reduced by as much as 34 percent. But it doesn’t end there. The number of dealers in the United States is to be cut in half, from the 2008 level when there were 6,246 GM dealers, to only 3,605 in 2010.
Even though GM is trimming its operations which reduces the cost of running the business, one big problem remains – debt. GM has large debts to various lenders, not least the US government. GM is now making an offer to the lenders to receive shares instead of money.
GM is offering 225 GM shares for every $1,000 in loans the creditors have. If the deal goes through, the lenders will own about ten percent of the automaker. If not enough lenders, at least 90 percent, take up the offer by June 1 at the latest, GM threatens to file for bankruptcy, reports the Reuters news agency.
When the plan was presented, CEO Frits Henderson commented with the words “We only want to do this once”. The measures are harsh, but according to Henderson, they are needed to ensure GM’s long-term survival. According to Henderson, the decision to let Pontiac go through with the requirements must have been extremely personal and difficult to understand.
GM to scrap Pontiac and GMC
With the risk of bankruptcy and increased savings requirements, the American car giant is preparing to close down even more of its car brands.
That’s what Bloomberg writes.
It is already known that GM wants to sell off or shut down Hummer, Saab, and Saturn, but now more can happen.
GM’s Pontiac and GMC car brands are said to be the closest at hand, according to insider sources cited by the news agency.
Thus, there would definitely be an end to cars from the brand that hatched models such as the classic muscle car Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, which Burt Reynolds drove in the “Now we blow the cop” films from the late 70s and early 80s.
Bloomberg writes that GM is now facing bankruptcy on June 1, backed by the US government.
But nothing is certain yet. An investigation is underway in talks with a government committee about whether GM can be saved without bankruptcy.
It is as part of that investigation that the future of Pontiac and GMC was discussed.
In February, GM presented a plan to be able to keep loans of roughly SEK 100 billion from the US government.
In that plan, the strategy was for GM to keep Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, GMC, and Pontiac, but sell off or shut down Hummer, Saab, and Saturn.
There, Pontiac would be kept as a niche brand.
But now it looks like GM needs to go further.
US President Barack Obama has recently ordered GM to review its survival plan to save additional money on employees, lenders, and its own operations.
On March 29, Obama fired GM CEO Rick Wagoner, saying the US government is supporting a “fast-track” bankruptcy for GM to reduce debt and other costs.
Fritz Henderson has been appointed as the new CEO and prefers that bankruptcy be avoided, but admits that Obama’s actions make bankruptcy more likely.
A bankruptcy is expected to lead to a new GM that retains only the best brands and other assets, sources told Bloomberg.
To avoid bankruptcy, Henderson must get the employees and lenders to save more money than the February plan’s proposal that unsecured claims of SEK 375 billion should be reduced by almost 60 percent to just over SEK 150 billion.
One of Bloomberg’s sources states that GMC has a better chance of survival than Pontiac.
GMC only sells light vans and flatbed trucks, so-called “light trucks” as they are called in the USA.
GM does not want to officially confirm anything.
“We continue to investigate our operations worldwide, including our car brands, and will take further steps to more aggressively restructure our operations,” said GM spokeswoman Renee Rashid-Mere, according to Bloomberg.
Chances are Pontiac and GMC can survive even if GM no longer wants them around:
“Among the decisions still to be made is what will happen to Pontiac or GMC if GM chooses not to keep them,” Bloomberg quoted the insiders as saying.
Saab, for its part, requested financial restructuring on February 20, after GM said GM would abandon Saab by the end of 2009.
The story of the creation of the Pontiac Vibe
The car is released by a joint venture between General Motors and Toyota on the Toyota Sprinter platform. The company simultaneously produced the Pontiac Vibe and the Toyota Matrix. Pontiac went exclusively to the US market and Toyota was assembled for Japan. The cars were twin brothers and their difference was in the steering position – in the Toyota Matrix it is on the right.
The release of this car pursued the main goal – the creation of a car that absorbed the characteristics of a practical minivan and an SUV, but at the same time remaining in the price range of an ordinary sedan.
The hatchback had a decent body height and was positioned as a trendy quasi-SUV or station wagon. The impression was reinforced by the roof rails. The car’s exterior was designed by John Mack in a sporty, dynamic style, aimed at a younger generation of buyers who, in addition to speed, also value functionality with functionality. Plus, a four-wheel drive car.
First-generation Pontiac Vibe (2003-2008)
The first generation of Pontiac Vibe was offered in three versions: front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and GT “Sport” modification (with a higher power engine of 180 hp and 6-speed manual transmission).
In connection with stricter environmental requirements in America, new engines were developed, the initial power of which had to be slightly reduced to meet the environmental requirements.
The model was produced on the back of a 4-door hatchback and had the following dimensions, mm: length/width/height – 4351/1775/1549.
The trunk is not very spacious, but if the rear seat is folded down, you get a flat floor (including a large refrigerator). To transport long items, you can simply open the rear window and load the item.
The positive features of the model include not only its dynamic and sporty design, perfectly executed in the best American traditions but also the interior of the cabin made of high-quality materials. The salon is full of spaciousness and is easy to transform, with modern functionality.
Large informative exterior mirrors, and high seating position, compared to the sedan (the seat is adjustable in height). A very useful feature – outlet 115V, 60 Hz, power up to 150W.
Disadvantages include poor visibility, due to too thick racks, small stock fuel tanks (50L), and insufficient sound insulation.
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Second-generation Pontiac Vibe (2009-2010)
The debut of the second generation of the model took place in 2007 at the Los Angeles Auto Show … 2009 Pontiac Vibe has incorporated all the best features of previous models, raising the bar to a higher level – becoming more powerful, more stylish, and more comfortable.


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ASPA recycling program only temporarily closed
The popular recycling program administered by the American Samoa Power Authority is temporarily on hold, but not necessarily discontinued. According to ASPA CEO Utu Abe Malae, the program will continue, but the semi-autonomous agency is reviewing how the program is being carried out and "how to make it better."
ASPA customer service manager Ryan Tuato'o explained that the program is temporarily closed as ASPA workers try to sift through the thousands of recyclables already turned in by local residents. He said it is tough trying to sort through the items, as everything has to be sorted by type, crushed to size, bundled up into cubes, and packed into a container before its shipped off to New Zealand.
"We are trying to get these items off to our vendors and that is why the program is temporarily closed," Tuato'o said, adding that the closure may be for a couple of weeks and may extend to a couple of months, depending on how fast they can get things sorted out and shipped off.
The recycling program has been active in the territory since last summer, when it was called the Recycling For Food Initiative. It was made to coincide with the Farmer's Market and basically encouraged local residents to turn in their recyclables to ASPA in exchange for coupons to purchase fresh produce from local farmers. The farmers would then submit their coupons to ASPA to receive credit on their utility bills.
The program became so popular that ASPA extended the program to include non-farmers to use the credit vouchers to pay down their electricity bills.
As the program progressed, people have been known to start lining up outside the ASPA Tafuna compound 3-4 hours before ASPA doors are open for regular business hours. This past week, hundreds of cars were parked bumper to bumper, with the line extending all the way down towards the Fagaima area. Some people even complained that because they work during the day, they don't have the time and opportunity to take their recyclables in and wondered if the program would be extended to include nighttime or even weekend hours.
Utu replied that the program hours have been extended to include Saturdays, “so that all customers could be accommodated.” He explained that ASPA plans to secure two other locations for recycling — one on the west side and one on the eastern end of the island, in addition to the Tafuna locationThe ASPA CEO said, "We have no plans to discontinue the program… as we are seeing that the island is much cleaner." He added, "This recycling program appears to be working better than other efforts, and we are reviewing our operations at the moment and trying to eliminate the backlog of recyclables. Once they are packed off in containers to New Zealand, then we will restart."
When asked about whether or not ASPA is making a profit off the program, Tuato'o said their goal is not to make a profit but they hope to at least break even. He said that the program itself is a great way for ASPA to help people pay down their utility bills, and in turn, motivates people to clean up their surroundings and promote cleanliness. "We are not in it to make money," he said.
Utu responded to the same question by saying, "We can afford the program to operate with a small loss because there are benefits of extending the life of the sanitary landfill, and cleaning up and protecting the environment, including marine life."
According to Tuato'o, ASPA is trying to make its money back, equal to the value of the coupons already issued to local residents, by sending off the recyclables they already have at the Tafuna compound as soon as possible, hence the temporary closure of the program. He said about 99% of the items are yet to be sorted, and that is why he is urging local residents to help them out by making sure all metal cans are clean, and caps for plastic bottles are removed from the bottles. "This saves us time and helps make the process faster," he said.
"Once everything is sorted and packed, ASPA funds can be replenished and based on our calculations, we should be able to break even."
Tuato'o explained that when the program was first launched, they literally had to beg people to come in and bring their recyclables. "We went from serving 200-300 people to about 800-900 people a day," he reported. "This means the program is a huge success, and shows us that people are trying to find a means to sustain and get by. This is ASPA's way of contributing to that."
OF IMPORTANCE: ASPA reminds its customers that the credit voucher coupons cannot be exchanged for cash but can be only applied to the oldest amount on a person's utility bill, whether it is water, solid waste, or electricity.
When asked why the recyclables are sent to New Zealand instead of the United States, Tuato'o explained that the program went through a competitive bid process and the New-Zealand based company they are dealing with offered the highest value in exchange for recyclables. For example, companies from the US were only offering about .38-cents for a pound of aluminum while the New Zealand firm more than doubled that, offering .79-cents per pound of aluminum. In addition, the transit time to New Zealand was faster, and the shipping charges were much less than having to ship to the US.
Right now, ASPA is only accepting plastics, aluminum, scrap metal, and tin cans. He said the acceptable items are based on the demand from their vendors. But some people don't understand and have started complaining, saying that others are getting more credit than them for lesser items.
Tuato'o explained that there are different values for different things. For example, clear plastic bottles like those used for water and sports drinks have a higher value than non-clear plastic bottles like the ones used for laundry detergents and bleach.
In addition, a trash bag full of soda cans that are not crushed is valued less than a trash bag full of crushed soda cans, as the value of the bag depends on the weight of the cans, not the quantity.
Knowing the value of your plastic bottles can be determined by looking at the bottom of the bottle, which features numbers from 1 to 7. The higher the number, the higher the value.
Tuato'o said they are accepting scrap metal items like car parts and roofing tins, and these items move faster than others, meaning they are crushed and sent off rather quickly. Tin cans like the ones corned beef and sardines come in are also accepted, although they need to be clean.
He explained that they do accept glass bottles but because the demand from their vendors for such items is not high, it is not worth it to ship it out. Instead, ASPA keeps the glass bottles, crushes them, and uses them (in addition to cinders) as topsoil to cover the trash at the Futiga landfill. In addition to reusing the glass bottles to benefit us locally, ASPA also crushes old glass bottles and offers them to interested locals who want to use them as decorations for their homes and floors.


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September 3, 2001
Her three children are strapped safely in the back of the sport utility vehicle, and Elise Reekie needs her morning latte for the drive to sports camp. But there's no time to get to the nearest gourmet coffee place, unbuckle the kids and strap them back in, so Reekie heads for the drive-through coffee kiosk in Edgewater for her large almond skim milk latte. "I need my special coffee; it's psychological," Reekie says. For other picky coffee drinkers pressed for time, Coffe No Delay has become a lifesaver.
June 23, 1995
Cinema Sundays at the Charles will resume this Sunday with a look at an amusing film by a well-known American independent. The screening, at 10:30 a.m., will be introduced by a Baltimore movie critic (who does not work for The Sun).The event marks the beginning of another three-film miniseries at the downtown art theater, with other showings set for July 9 and July 16.The series promises high-quality art house films weeks before their commercial release, although titles are never announced in advance.
August 12, 2007
It is a retail confrontation: McDonald's versus Starbucks, a real-life struggle pitting a fierce fast-food chain with 30,000-plus stores against a fierce gourmet coffee chain of more than 14,000 outlets. The world is their playing field. Some contend these two companies aren't direct competitors. But as they seek to increase profitability and expand worldwide, it is inevitable offerings and style will morph a bit. There are only so many ways to drink and eat quickly, short of intravenous feeding.
August 8, 1993
If you've been craving the flavor of coffee grown on the slopes of the Mauna Loa volcano on the island of Hawaii but just can't raise the plane fare, you'll be happy to know you can now satisfy your palate without leaving the county.A quick trip to "Coffee Coffee," a specialty shop in Bel Air that opened July 11 and sells more than 50 kinds of gourmet coffee from all over the world, will have your taste buds singing.Mary Romeo's motto -- "Life is too short to drink bad coffee" -- prompted her to open the shop, Bel Air's first, located in the Festival at Bel Air on Route 24."
December 10, 1994
GM again cuts production forecastGeneral Motors Corp., citing slow product launches and soft sales of luxury cars, slashed another 30,000 vehicles from its fourth-quarter North American production forecast yesterday.The reduction, which was larger than many Wall Street $l observers had expected, prompted analysts to trim their earnings estimates for the giant automaker and predict more difficult times for GM.Since September, GM has cut more than 80,000 vehicles from its fourth-quarter forecast for North American production, reflecting continued problems with new model launches like those for the Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire.
March 31, 1993
Gone are the days when coffee was simply a black sludge inhaled in the morning to get out of the house on time. Right under our noses, coffee has changed from a "cuppa Joe" into a "decaf low-fat latte."Coffee drinks such as cappuccino and cafe mocha -- which combine deep, dark espresso with steamed milk, foam and flavorings -- are growing in popularity.The signs suggest that the coffee craze that's in full bloom on the West Coast has hit the rest of the country. Specialty or gourmet coffees are in fact cannibalizing the regular coffee market, says Bob Dechillo, a spokesman for the National Coffee Association, a coffee industry group.


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When Twitter ($TWTR) announced last week that they were permanently suspending the President’s personal account I was surprised – but I really don’t think they had an option. It’s very clear that Twitter’s growth has been heavily influenced by Trump and I expect the company will see user attrition as a result. Already, over the last few days, their stock has been falling. That said, there was no way out here. The simple fact is that Twitter makes money from advertisers and this cohort is about as risk averse as can be. Brands don’t want to be next to controversial rhetoric so they often will blacklist platforms or services that could be considered threatening. During my time at Jarden when I was overseeing our global advertising, we were constantly tweaking our buys to avoid anything that could be considered controversial. If Twitter had done nothing, while their user base would likely have remained robust, their earnings would have fallen precipitously as advertisers abandoned the platform. This, also likely would have been a jolt to the stock – and ultimately their business model.
A recent report claims $TWTR is considering a subscription model to augment a significant decline in advertising revenue. This would be among the first of the big social media companies to consider this approach and I believe could lead to a reckoning in the industry. $FB is currently facing a backlash among advertisers who claim the social media company isn’t doing enough to control controversial rhetoric on its platform and will inevitably see a decline in advertising revenue. A few years ago, the idea of paying to access online “news” content wasn’t a thing. Publishers were primarily in the business of selling ads in offline media and as they built their online presence they carried this business model over. As consumers got irritated with intrusive ads, it became clear they had to change their offering. Newspapers such as the NYTimes piloted new paywall programs to test consumers’ appetite for subscription based products. The result was mostly favorable, and as a result, many publishers today have pivoted their business models to favor subscription over advertising revenue especially as it becomes increasingly difficult to get ad dollars from brands in a world in which the big tech companies ($GOOG, $FB, etc) dwarf smaller publishers in traffic.


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U.S. Olympic officials seek corporate sponsors
They want corporate sponsors to sign million-dollar deals
As they cheer on their athletes in Beijing, American Olympic officials are trying to secure their own gold: corporate sponsors.
The U.S. Olympic Committee is losing General Motors Corp. as one of its five top-tier sponsors but scored a victory last month when Anheuser-Busch renewed through the 2012 London Games. The rest - AT&T, Bank of America and Home Depot - are still negotiating possible renewals.
With sponsorships costing more than $10 million, USOC officials are working harder than ever to close deals at a time when companies are cautious about spending and have more options, from college sports to stock car racing.
"I think they are more challenged today because of all the choice and the short window when they get the spotlight," said Tony Ponturo, Anheuser-Busch's vice president for global media and sports marketing.
Anheuser-Busch Inc., which also sponsors football, basketball, baseball and soccer's World Cup, weighed the cost and decided the Olympics was a good deal, Ponturo said. He said the Games have a special emotional appeal and, unlike many sports events, connect with women, a sought-after market.
"You'd almost say the Olympics is an event beyond sports," he said.
Anheuser-Busch and other sponsors declined to disclose financial details. But Ponturo said the St. Louis brewer's deal in July cost in the "double-digit millions" and was about the same as previous sponsorships.
Rick Burton, chief marketing officer for the USOC, said he "wouldn't disagree" that the group is working harder to close deals.
"The companies have to make sure that being associated with the Olympics is going to help them ring their cash registers," he said.
But Burton said the "monster ratings" for TV coverage of Beijing should help to confirm the value of sponsorships. "If Michael Phelps swims for an eighth gold medal, the TV ratings are going to be through the roof," he said.
Bank of America Corp. is likely to renew but is reviewing whether the Olympics fits its marketing, spokesman Joe Goode said. The bank, which is based in Charlotte, N.C., also sponsors NASCAR and professional football and baseball.
Goode said Bank of America has found that customers who know about its Olympic support are twice as likely to consider using the bank and to recommend it to friends.
"There's a real business advantage to our USOC sponsorship," he said.
The USOC suffered a blow when GM announced it would not renew its sponsorship after it expired this year. GM cited changes in strategy and an evaluation of its return on advertising spending. The cost of GM's Olympic ties reportedly ran as high as $900 million, including TV advertising and vehicles provided to athletes.
Burton said the USOC should be able to find a successor.
"If you're looking at the Olympics in terms of these monster ratings and the stories that are coming out ... it's a pretty attractive place to be," he said.
Sponsorships can carry costs on top of advertising and payments to the USOC. The Home Depot Inc. helps to support Olympians during training by giving them part-time jobs at full-time pay. The company says 300 athletes have passed through the program.


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ASEAN Automotive On The Road To Recovery
Despite continued softness in the market, the automotive manufacturing market is steadily moving towards recovery. According to Global data, although the global light vehicle sales fell 33.8 percent in May compared to a year ago, it showed an improvement from April when sales fell a record low of 47.5 percent. Analysts believe markets will begin the long climb back and we will begin to get more signals on market demand for the rest of the year.
In fact, China will lead the global auto market recovery. With automotive production and supplies resuming and China lifting restrictions on the movement of people and goods since early April, vehicle sales have started to stabilise.
Here, we take a look at the latest developments in the ASEAN automotive market and its road to recovery:
With phase 4 of relaxations, Federation Of Thai Industries (FTI) expects gradual recovery of the automotive market as businesses restart operations.
However, May vehicle production production was down 69.1 percent in May YOY, totaling 56,035 units. They noted that 2020 vehicle sales could be 700,000 units if the outbreak stays under control, or 500,000 units if local infections continue into September.
Furthermore, 50 percent decline is expected for the auto parts market, but the Auto Parts Industry Club expects gradual recovery of auto parts industry as Thailand enters Phase 4 relaxation
AAPICO Hitech (AH) expects losses in its Q2/2020 amid the continuing decline in the local automotive industry from the beginning of the year due to the pandemic, Marklines cited a Thun Hoon report. Among AH’s businesses is the manufacture of OEM automotive parts. The company, according to the report, plans to boost its production capability this year to serve new auto parts products.
Mazda has reported sales of 1,602 vehicles in May 2020, down by 60 percent YoY, but up by 58 percent from the previous month. In a statement, Mazda is seeing positive signs that the automotive market is gradually recovering, given increased sales in every segment.
Mazda has announced that it will resume two-shift operations at all its plants in Japan in July. Its plants in Thailand and Mexico will be operating on limited days. Mazda expects global production volume in July to increase by 50 percent from June, according to a MarkLines report citing Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun.
Auto parts maker T. Krungthai Industries Public Ltd (TKT) has over THB500 million ($16.15 million) worth of backlog order in hand, waiting to be delivered to customers, according to MarkLines, citing a Thun Hoon report. TKT expects sales to recover in the second half of 2020.
GAIKINDO, Indonesia’s automotive manufacturers association, reported Indonesia’s total vehicle sales in May 2020 were 3,551 units, down by 95.8 percent YoY due to the coronavirus. Meanwhile, the government is encouraging innovation through its Industry 4.0 program which includes the automotive industry and EV industry.
Although sales have experienced a downward trend since the beginning of the year, PT Suzuki Indomobil Sales (SIS) remains optimistic that it can increase its market share this year. From January to April 2020, Suzuki’s market share increased to 11.5 percent, compared to 9.3 percent in the same period last year. (GAIKINDO)
According to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA), automobile sales declined 30.6 percent YOY to 19,081 units in May.
Vietnam ratified a free trade agreement with the European Union that will cut or eliminate 99 percent of tariffs on goods traded between the Southeast Asian country and the bloc, and provide Vietnam with a much-needed post pandemic boost, according to Bangkok Post. Vietnam will have a transition period of up to 10 years for some imports, such as cars.


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Tonight, I’m taking you all back to 2014. Five years ago we got introduced to a new character that took off as a new fan favorite.
Let’s continue that trip down memory lane for 2018, the middle of last year, covering the months from May through August.
For those that sell books to buy more books, media options and or deals are the best thing one can hope for when it comes to selling comics.
Continue reading “Things I Like and Don't Like for the Week of June 27th, 2018”
Last month comiXology had one of the largest sales of all time with the Marvel BOGO Sale. We offered everyone the chance to buy ANYTHING you wanted from Marvel and get the next Marvel item for free.
The results are in and here are the top 10 Marvel issues purchased:
Continue reading “Comixology's recent Marvel sale had 7 out of 10 female led titles in top 10”
Following up on the Spider-Gwen #2 sell-out another Spider-family book has sold out through Diamond Comics in advance of the book being shipped. Silk #2 has sold out at the distributor level. Continue reading “Silk #2 sold out before release”


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Indian auto makers see 'green shoots of recovery' as September sales rise
Auto majors Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motor led the recovery march of passenger vehicle (PV) sales in the domestic market during September, posting high double-digit growth as manufacturers bank on festive season demand to carry forward the momentum.
Tata Motors, Honda Cars India, Skoda Auto India, Kia Motors India also witnessed increase in their September sales.
While companies like Mahindra & Mahindra and Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) saw decline in sales, they said demand is picking up and there is a lot more confidence in the dealers.
Market leader Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) said its domestic sales increased 32.2 per cent to 1,52,608 units last month as against 1,15,452 units in September 2019.
The company's sales of mini cars comprising Alto and S-Presso stood at 27,246 units as compared to 20,085 units in the same month last year, up 35.7 per cent, while sales of compact cars, including models such as Swift, Celerio, Ignis, Baleno and Dzire, increased by 47.3 per cent to 84,213 units as against 57,179 cars in September last year.
Sales of utility vehicles, including Vitara Brezza, S-Cross and Ertiga, increased 10.1 per cent to 23,699 units as compared to 21,526 units in the year-ago month, MSI said.
Hyundai Motor India also reported a 23.6 per cent jump in its domestic sales to 50,313 units as against 40,705 units in September 2019.
"In the changing business environment, the green shoots of recovery are clearly visible with sales improving on a month-on-month as well as year-on-year basis,"Hyundai Motor India Director (Sales, Marketing & Service) Tarun Garg said.
Utility vehicles major Mahindra & Mahindra said its total domestic sales, which includes passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles and three-wheelers, were down 16 per cent to 34,351 units last month compared to 40,692 units in September 2019.
"At Mahindra, we are happy to witness a growth of 6 per cent in utility vehicles. It is also encouraging to see that the enquiry and booking levels in September were significantly higher compared to the previous months, both for UVs and SCVs," M&M Chief Executive Officer, Automotive Division, Veejay Ram Nakra said.
With market sentiments indicating a robust festive demand across segments, both in rural and urban markets, the company is positive that this festive season will augur well for M&M and automotive industry, he added.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) reported a 20.45 per cent decline in domestic sales at 8,116 units in September. The company had sold 10,203 units in the domestic market in the same month last year.
"We are seeing demand pick up and a lot more confidence in our dealers, thereby witnessing a 14 to 18 per cent growth in orders when compared to the last few months. September has been our best month so far, ever since the pandemic hit us in March 2020," TKM Vice President Sales and Service Naveen Soni said.
Factors leading to this can be attributed to the pent-up demand amongst customers as well as the onset of the festive season, he added.
Skoda Auto India also reported a 7 per cent increase in retail sales at 1,328 units in September as against 1,238 units in the same month last year.
"Skoda Auto India hopes that the festive cheer will help in carrying forward the momentum in sales and expects even better growth in the month of October," Skoda auto India Brand Director Zac Hollis said.
Kia Motor India clocked 147 per cent growth with 18,676 unit sales in September 2020, riding high on its newly launched compact SUV Sonet.
"The Indian auto market is recovering at a better-than-expected pace and we are progressing as per our defined plan," Kia Motors India Managing Director and CEO Kookhyun Shim said.
Similarly, Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) reported a 9.7 per cent increase in domestic sales at 10,199 units in September as compared to 9,301 units sold in September 2019.
"The September results saw an uptick in our dispatches in line with our plan and reaffirms slow but steady path to recovery, both for demand and supply," HCIL Senior Vice-President and Director (Marketing and Sales) Rajesh Goel said.
Tata Motors reported 162 per cent jump in its passenger vehicle sales in September at 21,199 units as against 8,097 units sold in the same month last year.
"PV industry witnessed recovery in Q2FY21, supported by festive sales in some regions and continued benefit from pent-up demand across the country. In September 2020, wholesales were higher than retail ahead of the festive season," Tata Motors President, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit, Shailesh Chandra said.
MG Motor India recorded a 2.72 per cent decline in its September retail sales at 2,537 units as compared to 2,608 units in September 2019.
"While the fresh booking trend continues to grow steadily for MG Hector and ZS EV, the retail sales were severely impacted in September due to Shraad and Adhik Maas," MG Motor India Director Sales Rakesh Sidana said.
In the two-wheeler segment, the country's largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp reported a 16.9 per cent increase in sales last month at 7,15,718 units as compared to 6,12,204 units in September 2019.
Similarly, Bajaj Auto reported 20 per cent increase in total sales in September at 4,04,851 units as compared to 3,36,730 units in the same month last year.
Chennai-based TVS Motor Co said its total two-wheeler sales during the month stood at 3,13,332 units as against 3,00,793 units in September 2019, up 4.16 per cent.
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India also reported a 8.48 per cent increase in total sales at 5,26,865 units in September as compared to 4,85,663 units in the same month last year.
"While the sustained uptick in customer sentiments has boosted the confidence of our network on ground, Honda will cautiously monitor inventory levels in the run up to festivals," HMSI Director – Sales & Marketing Yadvinder Singh Guleria said.


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T-Mobile Sidekick 4G Unveiled [Video]
T-Mobile has finally made the latest Sidekick phone officially as we already knew it is the Sidekick 4G but now we also have the officially specifications of this smartphone which is expected to hit the stores some time in Spring.
Apparently, the Sidekick 4G is powered by a 1 GHz Hummingbird processor and runs Android 2.2 FroYo. It also has a 3.5-inch display along with a 3 megapixel camera on the back and a front facing VGA camera. It supports HSPA+ networks and will users will be able to take advantage of T-Mobile’s 4G network. Also, the smartphone is put together by Samsung.
The price is still not announced but it is known that the device will be available in matte black and pearl magenta colors.
|Image – Via|


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Indian Mobile Internet Users Know Better About Their Mobile Data Tariffs Than The U.S. And U.K. Customers
Mobile Internet usages in India have increased tremendously in the last couple of years. And it's also pretty-known, 95% of mobile users in the country are still using pre-paid services. According to a recent survey report from Ernst &...
Getting sued is a frequent affair for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and therefore it is no surprise when a new lawsuit against the...
Masayoshi Son is bidding adieu to the domestic telecommunication unit that has long been central to his technology empire SoftBank Corp and...
When the going gets tough, the tough get going. But that doesn't seem to fit in case of LG Smartphone business.


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CHICAGO (CBS.MW) - Shares of Redhook soared almost 35 percent Thursday on new distribution deals and word that Anheuser-Busch raised its stake in the craft brewer to 34 percent from 30 percent as part of a restructuring of its holding in the company.
As part of the share switch, Redhook also will pay Anheuser-Busch $2 million in cash before Dec. 1.
Shares of Redhook rose 76 cents to close at $2.94 while Anheuser-Busch slipped 7 cents to $53.93.
At the same time, Redhook said it entered into a new distribution agreement with Anheuser-Busch that will move its products in the Midwest and the eastern U.S. It also disclosed a deal with Widmer Brothers Brewing in which both companies will advertise, market, sell and distribute each other's brands in the western U.S through the Craft Brands Alliance.


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While not exactly Nintendo news as the platform being targeted is Xbox One, it looks like a new Banjo-Kazooie game may be in the works. The above image shows off some of the franchises Microsoft has confirmed for the Xbox One. This also includes the Halo: Spartan Assault title that was confirmed for PC and Windows Phone 8, giving the image some authenticity.
Banjo-Kazooie is a much beloved Nintendo 64 title, so if Rare is crafting a new adventure for Microsoft, will you be getting on board the Microsoft train? Let us know in the comments.
[via Escapist Forums]
- Shigeru Miyamoto says VR must be affordable
- Zelda: Breath of the Wild has to sell 2 milli
- Ziggurat shown off on Wii U in new gameplay v
- Miyamoto: we’re not talking about NX be