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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a recall on Mazda and Nissan SUVs being sold nationwide, warning the faulty vehicles could increase the risk of accident, injury or death.
A total of 14,460 Nissan Pathfinders and 2668 Mazda CX-30 Astinas are affected by the recall, due to a pair of dangerous defects.
The Nissan recall applies to the 2014-2015 models R52 Pathfinders sold between September 2013 and January 2017. While the Mazda recall applies to the 2020 model CX-30 (DM) Astinas sold between January 2020 and February 2021.
The ACCC said the Nissan Pathfinder defect means the stop lamp relay may stick in the ‘ON’ position, which could result in the brake lights staying illuminated even if the brakes aren’t being applied. The ACCC says it could also result in a loss of engine power or the inability to shift the vehicle out of park or start the engine without depressing the brake pedal. “This increases the risk of an accident and injury or death to vehicle occupants or other road users,” the ACCC said.
The Mazda defect affects the boot’s power liftgate, meaning the boot may shut unexpectedly when the vehicle is parked facing uphill on a slope in high ambient temperature. The ACCC said the defect may increase the risk of injury if the lifegate was to lower onto a person while they were accessing the boot.
Both Mazda and Nissan will be in contact with affected customers, with Mazda saying they will be advising customers to present their vehicle to an authorised dealer for a free-of-charge inspection and repair once parts are available in May 2021.
Nissan consumers are advised to contact their Nissan dealer to organise an inspection and, if necessary, re-positioning of the stop lamp switch and replacement of the stop lamp relay, at no cost.


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Sony CEO: PlayStation and Xbox Will Still Remain Opponents
Sony and Microsoft are gearing up to face the future of streaming and that means they are working together on some key-based cloud technologies. But according to the PlayStation boss, Jim Ryan, this partnership does not mean that there will be a future where PlayStation and Xbox will merge into a single platform, according to reports.
Speaking with the Financial Times, Ryan discussed a bit about the “strategic partnership” deal that Sony and Microsoft signed last month. Thanks to the agreement, Sony will explore ways to incorporate Microsoft’s Azure cloud services, including in areas such as hardware and gaming.
However, Ryan states that this partnership will not lead to a sort of merger of different platforms. “There is to my knowledge… no scenario where the PlayStation and Xbox platforms combine,” Ryan said. “The two platforms will remain separate with their own separate identities and brands and fans.”
The partnership between Sony and Microsoft was seen as a way for Sony to strengthen its PlayStation Now streaming service, which was one of the first video game streaming services. PlayStation Now failed to attract due to technical difficulties and a lackluster library. Working with Microsoft’s Azure cloud technology could bridge the gap between PlayStation Now and the upcoming Google Stadia streaming platform.
With streaming becoming an increasingly popular trend in video games, Ryan says that PlayStation sees a new opportunity with PlayStation Now. “We are getting more confident with the [PlayStation Now] service and we are really going to start to push it hard this year and the year to follow.”
Ryan says Sony has solved the technical problems with PlayStation Now and will “work a little harder on the content proposition.” The partnership with Azure would also allow Sony to access multiple data centers to provide the streaming service.
What do you think about this news? Tell us in the comments below.

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Move over Microsoft and Sony, Google is reportedly making moves to potentially enter the video game arena with a gaming platform to rival Playstation and Xbox. Kotaku reports that Google is working on a streaming device code-named Yeti with plans to first build a streaming platform, then hardware, and finally bring various game developers ‘under the Google umbrella’.
Google previously hired former video game executive Phil Harrison and has been picking up talent recently from both console manufacturers and publishers like EA. They also recently met with multiple video game companies at E3 to reportedly gauge interest in a streaming platform and/or look at development studios they could purchase in their entirety.
The site says Google is focusing almost entirely on creating a streaming platform which, if it could work, could bring high-end PC quality gaming to almost any device as all the processing would be done in the cloud. If would effectively eliminate console-dependent gaming if successful. No word as to if or when Yeti will develop beyond the mere talk it is at this point.


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Fair and Handsome (F&H), the leading men’s grooming brand from FMCG giant Emami Limited, has introduced a pioneering packaging innovation for its face wash product. The men’s face wash segment is predominantly considered to be an urban phenomenon due to the metro centric approach of the industry.
Breaking away from the prevalent industry pattern, the brand has launched a uniquely innovative packaging of a convenient 7 gm tube packed in a flow wrap covering, which is easier to dispense, store and carry along.
The new packaging, priced at a nominal price point of only Rs 10 is the company’s pioneering initiative to penetrate the largely untapped market of smaller Tier III and Tier IV cities and rural India.
Commenting on the launch, Director Emami Limited, Mohan Goenka said, “Given the Indian weather, Face Wash has a huge potential for growth and is a highly relevant product for consumers. However, Men’s Face Wash, a low penetrated category is predominantly led by top urban markets. The launch of our new innovative Fair and Handsome Instant Fairness face wash pack, priced accessibly at Rs 10 is expected to cater to the aspirations of the value-conscious men in the untapped markets which are beyond urban metro cities. This step reaffirms our thought leadership in the areas of innovation and deep understanding of consumer’s unmet needs.”
The launch of the new Rs 10 tube in a flow-wrap pack would be supplemented by focused communication strategies in target markets through point-of-sales campaign and media support. The product is also available in 20gm, 50gm and 100gm pack sizes priced at Rs 35, Rs 80 and Rs 135 respectively.
Powered by the celeb equity of Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan, Fair and Handsome Face wash enjoys high brand recognition across demographics. The new innovative packaging comes in a flow wrap tube format adorning his image in a refreshingly blue colour scheme to add aspiration for the TG.
The Fairness Face Wash was introduced in 2014. Within a short span, it has become one of the front running men’s face wash brands enjoying a market share (volume) of 12 percent. Major brands in men’s face wash category account for nearly Rs. 250 crore with a 30 percent growth rate year on year. Approximately 80 percent of face wash sales come from urban India. This reflects the massive potential of the category to expand its penetration level to other demographies as well.
Face wash is a rapidly growing FMCG category. However, there are only a few brands offering the product in small sachets, and that too for women. In the women’s segment, there are brands such as Everyuth and Himalaya selling face wash sachets.
In 2014, Zydus Wellness, a part of Cadilla Healthcare Ltd, had introduced Rs. 1 single-wash sachets for its Everyuth Naturals brand. Herbal wellness major Himalaya Drug Company entered the segment in 2015 by launching Purifying Neem Face Wash in 5 ml pack.
Emami Fair and Handsome is now replicating the similar trend of small packs in men’s face wash category. It has chosen ‘tube in a flow wrap covering’ to entice the male customers whose primary concern is ‘affordability’. Leveraging the strong and deep distribution network of its parent company Emami, move by F&H has made its face wash accessible to those untapped markets targeting consumers who desire to look well-groomed but find face wash to be an expensive luxury and opt for bathing soaps for face cleansing. Besides, the company has also endeavored to initiate the new consumers in those untapped markets into learning the correct way of using face wash by graphical usage instructions on the back of the pack.
Through this packaging innovation, Emami has opened up a new market segment (sachets) in the men’s face wash segment. Other bands may also soon follow the suite to tap the rural customers, travellers along with the customers at lower-price points to drive sales.
Significantly, other personal care categories such as shampoos, creams, hair color and hair conditioners are also raking moolah by selling sachets/tubes. It all began with Cavin Kare when it had come up with Chik shampoo in sachets for Rs 1. That was 1983.
Today the country’s market is flooded with a plethora of national and international personal care brands. Leading brands such as L’oreal, TRESemme, Head & Shoulders, Dove, Garnier, Pantene, Himalya, Sunsilk, Clinic Plus, etc sell their shampoo in sachets. Some of them also offer hair conditioner in this packaging. Interestingly, sachets account for a significant share of their revenues. Sachets have also found their way into hair color brands likes Godrej, Garnier and L’oreal. In fairness creams category, Hindustan Unilever’s Fair & Lovely and Garnier are notable players in small sachet format.


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Last post on Dec 03, 2012 at 6:21 PM
You are in the Automotive News & Views
What is this discussion about?
#238 of 240 Re: no future for the C30 [steve_]
Oct 16, 2012 (9:25 pm)
Not surprising, they sold NONE of those. But with that goes the last Volvo available with a manual shift, and the only stand-out in the entire line.
#240 of 240 staying in Sweden
by steve_ HOST
Dec 03, 2012 (6:21 pm)
"Chinese-owned Volvo Car Corporation will spend about half of $11 billion of planned investment on a production upgrade in Sweden that it says will cut costs and help sales of its cars buck a market downturn.
The plans would mark a final technological break with Ford."
Volvo to upgrade production in Sweden (irishtimes.com)
"If anybody thought that Volvo had the intention to move to China, I think we, with these signals, can put those ideas to rest," Mr. Samuelsson said during a news conference at Volvo's headquarters on Monday. The company currently employs 14,500 people in Sweden."
Volvo Won't Quit Swedish Home for China (Wall St. Journal)


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Sony has announced that it will be taken the PlayStation Network down on Monday, January 27th for six hours to perform scheduled maintenance.
Beginning at 12:30pm EST (9:30am PST) and going until 6:30pm EST (3:30pm PST), the PSN will be being worked on for users on all systems. Sony, however, wants you be assured that you can still play multiplayer games during the maintenance period. Provided you’ve recently logged in, of course.
“”If you’ve signed in to PlayStation Network any time since January 20th you will be able to play games online and access partner apps such as Netflix during this maintenance period,” PlayStation Senior Community Manager Paul Sullivan said in a forum post on Thursday.
To make sure you can still play your “favorite games” online, Sony asks that you log in and play at least once prior to January 27th.
Want to get the latest gaming news sent directly to your inbox? Just use that little type box down below to sign up for our newsletter to get daily updates send straight to your e-mail. Just select Gamesided from the “Other Site” dropdown Menu! And don’t forget to connect with us on Twitter @Gamesideddotcom.
Gamesided.com is looking for bloggers to join the Gamesided family. If you are interested in this unpaid position, please contact editor Michael Straw at firstname.lastname@example.org.


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Over the next 12 month, Fayetteville area consumers will spend $7.1 billion on retail products.
Small business owners who want to compete for a share of this cash will need to advertise. As Professor Jef Richards at Michigan State University points out, “Advertising is totally unnecessary…unless you want to make money.”
Bottom line: Fayetteville consumers will only buy from retailers they know about.
There are many ways for Fayetteville small business owners to advertise. This includes local television, newspapers, or streaming media platforms like Pandora and Spotify.
But regardless of what product a retailer sells, the best option is advertising on Fayetteville radio. Radio reaches significantly more consumers in every major retail category than all of the other media choices.
Take carpeting and flooring products, for instance. According to Nielsen, 95% of all consumers in the market to buy floor-coverings. No other local media option comes close.
Amie Crouter, co-owner of Cape Fear Flooring in Fayetteville has been advertising on local radio for more than 18 years.
“We began advertising on Fayetteville radio in 2000, a year after we opened,” she says. “Radio advertising has really driven our growth from the beginning. We have always asked new customers how they found out about us. Overwhelmingly, we are told they heard us on the radio. Advertising on Fayetteville radio has provided an excellent return-on-investment for us.”
Fayetteville radio's mammoth reach is not just limited to carpet buyers. Furniture buyers, too, are almost universally reached by radio as well.
Kimbrell’s Furniture, a small business that has been in business in North Carolina since 1915, has only recently discovered the value of advertising on Fayetteville radio.
According to Cheryl Parker, General Manager of Kimbrell’s Person Street, Raeford Road, and Ft. Bragg Boulevard locations, up until now, the company’s use of radio has been sporadic.
This year, however, Ms. Parker convinced her district manager to advertise on Fayetteville radio continually for six-months.
After just three months, Ms. Parker has seen remarkable in-store results. “Our overall store sales have increased,” she says. “The only thing we’ve been doing differently is advertising on Fayetteville radio.”
“Since we started the current radio plan, our cash business has grown, our Hispanic business has grown, our good credit business has grown, and our military business has grown,” says Ms. Parker. So much so, that Kimbrell’s district manager has approved continuing Ms. Parker’s radio budget.”
Clearly, radio advertising provides Fayetteville small business owners with access to almost every consumer in the market for carpets and furniture. Radio's retail dominance also extends to the garage. The medium reaches practically every consumer in the market for new tires.
Joe Quigg began advertising on Fayetteville radio shortly after buying Ed’s Tire and Auto service from the original owner, Ed Melvin.
“Ed, who served as my mentor for the first few years, had been huge in yellow pages and newspaper advertising,” says Mr. Quigg. “He feared that if we quit advertising four days a week in the newspaper, then the world would end.
“I knew, though, that advertising on Fayetteville radio was right for us,” continues Mr. Quigg. “When I was in corporate sales, I was spending a lot of time in the car. My radio was always on. So, I knew it could reach the customers of Ed’s Tire.”
As his advertising strategy began to show positive results, Mr. Quigg stopped newspaper advertising altogether and started adding more Fayetteville radio stations into his mix.
“Every week that goes by,” says Mr. Quigg, “five or six customers tell me they came in because they heard us on the radio.”
“When it comes to spending money, I am very conservative,” continues Mr. Quigg. “I don’t like spending money I don’t have to. Our sales have grown every year since I have owned the business. Radio has been a big spend for us, but it has also been a big part of our growth. I wouldn’t be willing to do without it.”
No shopper is immune from the reach of advertising on Fayetteville radio. The medium permeates the life of almost every consumer. Here are a few more examples:
After comparing the value of radio advertising to other media, Deloitte, the world's largest business consulting firm suggests that "radio "should be a big part of the mix for those buying advertising."
Advertising expert Doug Schoen came to a similar conclusion in an article he published in Forbes.
"The implications of results like these are profound for the communications and advertising industries,” he wrote, “and as a marketing professional with over 35 years of experience, I found this data nothing short of fascinating. It’s quite clear that we should all be paying more attention to radio, its reach and potential to help our businesses. It’s doing the job with expert efficiency.”


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ISLAMABAD: A Japanese business delegation has expressed keen interest in the evolving investment opportunities in building water treatment and affluent plants for the emerging industrial sector in Pakistan for the better management of its wastes.
The delegation, led by Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Kuninora Matsuda, called on Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood on Wednesday.
The adviser highlighted the huge investment opportunity in technology upgrade of textile industry. He invited the Japanese side to create a special fund for its manufactures of textile machinery so that they can provide the technologically upgraded machinery to Pakistani textile manufacturers by capturing the significant market potential.
Dawood apprised the delegation about the incentives provided by the Auto Development Policy to new investors and expected more investment from Japan in this sector. Speaking on the occasion, the envoy said that Japan is providing technical assistance for capacity building of textile workers that is providing quality workforce for textile sector.


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Smartphones, what comes to mind when we hear the word smartphone? Some would say a PC that has some restrictions while others would just say a regular mobile device.
Well, there is nothing regular about smartphones because the line between PCs and smartphones is getting thinner than you can imagine.
Thanks to the release of the Razer phone that happened late last year, we have a new niche in the smartphone market of which Asus, Razer, Nubia and Xiaomi belong.
Samsung Gaming Smartphone, is it Galaxy G?
In the world of tech, giants want to remain, giants, whereas many other smartphone manufacturers are trying hard to get the top spot. There have been rumors of Samsung working on an alleged foldable smartphone which is expected to launch next year, but also the latest reports have it that the South Korean tech giant may also be working on it very own gaming smartphone.
To all Samsung lovers and game freaks like me, this device is going to be a gaming console on the go. The alleged gaming smartphone would feature remarkable specs too.
Since Qualcomm is yet to release the Snapdragon 8150 chip, this device will be coming with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SOC processor. We all know Samsung puts their best whenever it’s working on a premium device. It is a gaming smartphone so you should not be expecting any lag whatsoever because this device has enough memory to play FIFA 18, it comes with 8GB of RAM and will be available in three storage variant which is 64GB, 128GB and 256GB.
All ye gamers, you shouldn’t worry about the battery, the device will feature a 4000mAh in it. So play on!. And of course, it runs the latest Android 8.1.0 Oreo OS with 4G LTE support.
After seeing all these goodies I know we are wondering the price and release date of this smartphone, but I hate to break it to you this Baby has neither price nor release date yet.
Let me leave you with your imaginations playing your favourite games on this device. Signing out until next time. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave your comments below.


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Retailers are reporting sales gains for April that show a slowdown in spending from the previous month as cooler weather, an early Easter and renewed worries about the economy dampened shoppers’ enthusiasm to buy.
Teen retailer Wet Seal Inc. posted a bigger-than-expected sales drop.
The figures are based on revenue at stores open at least a year. That metric is considered a key indicator of a retail health because it measures growth at established locations while excluding results from stores recently opened or closed.
More breaking news
- PSEG lowers March power charge
- Personal touch still relevant in business world
- US consumer sentiment slips in February
- As tastes change, big food makers try hipster guises
- South Nassau seeks upgrade to urgent care center
- Regulator eyes revamped rules
- Legislature passes e-prescribing delay
- US home contracts rise to 18-month high
- Economic growth in 4Q revised down
- January construction contracts up 11%


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Latest rumors suggest that the Nikon Z8 / Z9 will feature flagship-level 14fps shooting. We already posted that the upcoming Nikon Z8 / Nikon Z9 could have a 60MP sensor, but according to the latest reports it could also feature a top continuous shooting speed of 14 frames per second using the mechanical shutter.
Nikon will announce a new mirrorless camera that features 60.8MP (9552×6364) sensor which is able to shoot 16-bit RAW NEF files (Nikon will introduce a lossy compressed RAW codec to reduce the file size). The previous rumors claimed that the IMX455 Sony 61MP sensor which is already used on Sony A7R IV will be on the next Nikon full frame mirrorless camera. Possible candidate for this sensor is the Nikon Z8.
So what’s next for Nikon. The upcoming Nikon D880 (Replacement of D850) is expected to arrive after the Z8 announcement. According to rumor mill, we’ll see the D850 replacement in early 2021.The high-resolution DSLR will also feature with 60MP IMX455 sensor from Sony a7R IV. Continue reading “Nikon Z8 & Z9 Rumored to Feature with 60MP and 14fps Burst”
According to Nokishita Camera, Nikon has registered a new battery named “EN-EL15c”.
Since Nikon Z6 & Z7 & D850 uses EN-EN15b battery this new battery EN-EL15c could be for the upcoming Nikon Z8 and Nikon Z9 full frame mirrorless cameras. Continue reading “New Nikon Battery Registered EN-EL15c”
Seven new Sony sensors ranging from 15-102MP (IMX311, IMX313, IMX409, IMX410, IMX521, IMX554, IMX555) spotted on the web.
The Sony IMX555 looks like the most interesting since it matches the Fujifilm GFX100 in resolution and shoots 6k. See all the Sony sensor details below.
Sony 102MP Full Frame Sensor with 6K Video Support in the Works
Continue reading “Seven New Sony Sensors From 15-102MP, IMX311, IMX313, IMX409, IMX410, IMX521, IMX554, and IMX555”
Japanese business publication Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun made an interview with Nikon’s CEO, Mr. Toshikazu Umatate. In this interview he says a flagship mirrorless camera—equivalent to Nikon’s D5 DSLR—will be introduced.
There were rumors about the Nikon D6 DSLR camera that is coming before 2020 Olympics. There is a slight possibility that Nikon postpone the release of Nikon D5 successor camera, instead a high-end mirrorless sports camera could be unveiled in the name of Nikon Z9. More here. Continue reading “Confirmed : Nikon Z9 (D5 Like) Z-mount Mirrorless Camera in the Works”
Nikon Z9 PRO FF mirrorless camera is rumored to be capable of 8K video recording.
At Apple’s WWDC 2019 event to demonstrate the video editing capabilities of new Mac Pro, Apple team used a 8K movie created by Ami Vitale who is a National Geographic photographer and also a brand ambassador for Nikon.
The upcoming high-end Nikon mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z9 could offer the required sensor in that video and an option to record 8K videos. From Nikon Z3, Z5, Z9, D5700, D7600 Rumored Specs
- Nikon Z9: Development announcement could be as early as in this summer. This is the previously rumored high-end Z-mount full frame mirrorless camera (Z8) with dual card slots to compete Sony Alpha A9.
Continue reading “Nikon Z9 PRO FF Mirrorless to Feature 8K Video”
Here are the latest Nikon camera rumors on Nikon Z3, Z5, Z9, D6, D760, D5700, D7600 .
Nikon upcoming cameras are expected both in Nikon DSLR and Mirrorless models. Especially for the DSLR cameras, the announcements will happen once the stock lines becomes clear for the new ones. So, you can expect the announcement of these DSLRs for the second half of 2019. Continue reading “Rumors on Nikon Z3, Z5, Z9, D6, D760, D5700, D7600 Cameras”


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Croma, one of the leading electronics retailers in India, has come up with an exciting offer for iPhone lovers. 50 customers from five cities can pre-book the iPhone 14 on Croma.com and get it delivered on Sep 16 before 9:30 AM with a surprise beakfast hamper. Titled ‘BreakfastWithApple’ this offer can also be availed by 5 customers at Croma stores.
“Through this campaign, the select 50 customers from Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata who pre-book their iPhone 14 from croma.com and 5 lucky customers per store from these mentioned cities will have their handset delivered before 9:30 AM on the day of the sale with an exciting Breakfast hamper. The offer is also applicable for 5 lucky pre-book customers at Croma stores. These privileged customers will be the first to get their hands on the latest offering by Apple including iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max on 16th September,” said a press release from Croma-Infiniti Retail Ltd.
According to the press release, the new iPhone 14 starts from Rs 79,900, and goes up to Rs 1,39,900 for the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Additionally, Apple is offering 6 months no cost EMI offers from leading bank cards, and attractive discount offers on exchange of eligible smartphones.


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After ‘confirming‘ in January its new LG Optimus G Pro smartphone won’t be released in Australia, LG recently lodged an Australian trade mark application for the smartphone’s logo.
The logo (pictured above) is currently ‘pending’ trade mark approval, and was lodged on April 11.
“The Optimus G Pro is not planned for release in the Australian market,” is what an LG spokesperson told PC World Australia earlier in the year.
The phone started out as a Japanese-only upgrade from the LG Optimus G smartphone, which was released in Australia in March. However, after garnering positive sales and reviews in Japan, the ‘Pro’ model recently went on sale in the US too.
The Australian trade mark – TM number 1551229 – is lodged under Class 9, which covers “telephone sets” and other associated portable devices.
Click to view a screenshot of the LG Optimus G Pro trade mark.


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* The Monsoon Plantation Trail initiative is an extension of Jeep India's CSR initiative ‘Mission One Earth’
* 22 Jeep SUVs traversed across 600 km as part of the trail
* A total of 44 tree saplings were planted in the foothills of the Western Ghats and plastic waste was gathered during the drive
The Monsoon Plantation Trail, organised by the Bangalore Jeep Club, was recently concluded in Sakleshpur. An extension of Jeep India’s CSR programme Mission One Earth, the trail’s kickoff was in perfect sync with the arrival of the monsoon. The trail, in lockstep with the brand's philosophy of ‘Responsible Adventures’, saw Jeep owners cover a distance of 600 km, including 18 kilometres of off-roading.
A total of 22 Jeep SUVs and 44 adventure lovers participated in the trail which also received location support from the Machaan Plantation Resorts.
The participants, in an effort to do their bit for the environment, planted 44 tree saplings in the foothills of the Western Ghats and collected plastic waste along the trail. They also distributed sweets, sports equipment, etc. among the children of the plantation workers.
Jeep Meridian, the company’s latest model in the country, led the convoy across the entire journey which also included driving across streams, some rather steep stretches, winded roads, etc. All in all, the drive proved to be a truly one-of-a-kind adventure for the participating Jeep owners.
A flagship Jeep India initiative, Mission One Earth (MOE) was launched in 2021 with the goal of encouraging and promoting ‘Responsible Adventure’. As a brand, Jeep believes that all terrains are sacred and it is its responsibility to tend to them. The first outing under the purview of this project was organised in October 2021 when customers travelled more than 2,000 kilometres in 20 Jeep SUVs from Shimla to Srinagar through Leh. The customers, together with residents of the Ladakh region, came together to help collect 1,500 kg of plastic waste from the roads. The plastic garbage gathered during this drive was later recycled and converted into Jeep merchandise. Besides that Jeep India also installed specially-designed, digitally-enabled reverse vending machines in key locations all across the Himalayan mountain passes.
Built on 80 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep® brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence. Jeep® Wave, a premium owner loyalty and customer care program that is available to the entire Jeep line-up, is filled with benefits and exclusive perks to deliver Jeep owners the utmost care and dedicated 24/7 support.
In India, the Jeep vehicle line-up consists of the Wrangler, Compass, Meridian and the soon to be launched Grand Cherokee. India is the first country for Jeep outside of North America to make 4 models locally and also for exports to other right hand drive markets around the world Jeep is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis.
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Feb 24, 2017 07:16 AM EST
'FIFA 17' Gets Some Big News, Winter Upgrades Arrived With Rating Refresh And Players Boost
EA Sports' latest entry to the FIFA game series, "FIFA 17," is about to get some big lift this week. The UK-based BT Sport has just won the rights to broadcast the competitive football gaming matches on British TVs. BT Sport made the big announcement this week.
FIFA 17 On Live TV
For the first time in the British TV history, FIFA fans will now be able to watch the best FIFA competitors on TV. As mentioned earlier by the UK online publication The Guardian, the UK-based TV broadcaster announced it would air the remaining four majors gaming matches in the competitive FIFA Ultimate Team Championship Series in April and May in an exclusive deal with the game's publishing company, Electronic Arts.
According to Simon Green, head of BT Sport, the "FIFA 17" live matches broadcast is yet another example of live innovation from the British broadcasting company.
Competitive interactive football gaming has attracted increasingly large crowd online in recent years. The industry is growing fast and many tournaments around the world are also taking place in some sold-out arenas.
Some of the biggest European football clubs, including Manchester City and West Ham United, have already announced their big presence in the gaming industry and even set their own official eSports players.
According to The Guardian, the remaining four EA FIFA Majors will be screened, starting April 8 with the North American regional final in Vancouver.
This will be followed by the Asia-Pacific regional final in Singapore on April 22 April, and then the European regional final in Madrid, Spain on May 6. Finally, the "FIFA 17" Ultimate Team Championship Final will be held in Berlin, Germany from May 20 to May 21.
The winner of the "FIFA 17" Ultimate Team Championship series stands to win a whopping £130,000 in cash prize, while the runner-up team will receive almost £65,000 on the prize.
FIFA 17 Winter Upgrades Hits the Road
"FIFA 17" is getting some big upgrades this week. According to Daily Stars, EA Sports has just released to the wild the latest FIFA 17 Winter Upgrades along with the further upgrades and downgrades for the Spanish La Liga League.
The game developer has made the huge announcement on Twitter. The news about "FIFA 17" updates has come after a raft of changes made in the Italian Calcio A-League, French Ligue 1 and the Premier League.
There's also some big news waiting for FIFA fans. The Spanish league is about to receive some big changes. Some of the teams that will be receiving big changes are Barcelona, Real Madrid, Athletico Madrid and Villarreal.
Additionally, the updates also include a boost for the likes of Gerard Pique, Yannick Carrasco, and Real Madrid's Carvajal.
In addition to the updates, EA Sports has also confirmed reports of upgrades and downgrades to new non-inform players.
Released in 2016, "FIFA 17" is a sports video game developed for PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Windows. The game is the first in the FIFA game series to use the Frostbite game engine.


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In the latest survey by Cesport of the Bicycle industry in Central Europe out of 2400 Bike, Bike commore
Much like other areas in Europe, Czechia has now reported significant growth in the electronic commemore
As expected, the Dutch fitness giant HealthCity is now taking steps to withdraw from Germany after pmore
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Retail Sales Boost for Bulgaria and Romania2017-05-25 source own
In Romania, there has been a 9.2% growth in retail sales with Bulgaria seeing slightly less; just under 6%. For both countries in March, this was fantastic news and large increases compared to February and the previous year. Also interesting, Bulgaria saw a huge increase in mail order and internet business; around 10%.
Image provided by; © Adrea | Dreamstime.com - Mall Photo


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Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today released a new report on the 2020 iPhones. The report reiterates that Apple expects to integrate time-of-flight sensors into future iPhones from 2020 onwards.
Sylvania HomeKit Light Strip
According to Kuo, two of the new iPhones introduced in 2020 will be equipped with time-of-flight sensors. These sensors could enhance the photo quality of the iPhone camera and provide new augmented reality capabilities. Digitimes reported this earlier in July, and we explained:
A flight-time VCSEL is similar to the infrared TrueDepth camera system that is now available in iPhones on the front of the device and allows face recognition. Adding such a 3D detection system to the rear camera would allow for higher fidelity 3D photography and potentially open up new possibilities for augmented reality.
Kuo also announces that Apple will remain at Face ID in 2020 and the launch of three models will predict new iPhones in 2020 with support for Face ID.
This is not the first time that Kuo has reported Apple's efforts in the field of timekeeping for iPhones and iPads. Last year, Kuo said Apple would bring 3D sensor technology to the iPad for the first time in early 2020.
A ToF system in the rear of the 2020 iPhones would work over much greater distances than the forward-looking TrueDepth sensors used for facial recognition. As Kuo points out in today's report, these types of sensors enable a variety of new augmented reality applications by delivering far more accurate 3D stills than Apple's current technology.
At the weekend, Kuo released a new report that says all this Three new iPhone models by 2020 will support 5G connectivity. He added that 5G iPhone models support both mmWave and sub 6GHz bands, allowing them to work well with US-installed 5G cell towers.
Apple expects to launch a brand-new iPhone range of 6.7-inch, 5.4-inch, and 6.1-inch screen sizes by 2020. For 2019, Apple expects the introduction of three new iPhone 11 models with new camera features and more.
Subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:


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Carlos Ghosn, the chief executive officer of both France’s Renault and Japan’s Nissan, says the alliance’s strategy to lower expenses through growing synergies is fruitful and the long-term cost savings goals can be achieved without additional partnerships or the expansion of current alliances.
According to the top executive, the duo managed to save “much more” than 3 billion euros ($3.31 billion) in 2014 by jointly developing new vehicles and technologies, up from 2.8 billion euros during the year before – the final figures for the “synergies” are scheduled to be revealed in July. Nissan and Renault are hard at work increasing the cost savings by jointly developing new cars and trucks, including electric vehicles, rendering them competitive across the industry and without the need for an additional partner or tie-up, with the internal goal of saving 4.3 billion euros each year in 2016. The Renault Nissan alliance has been disclosing the total savings incurred from their partnership as an indicator of strength of the two carmakers – with the advantages stemming from the broad range of collaborations on research and development of new vehicles and technologies such as driverless systems.
The alliance was established back in 1999 when the French partner saved Nissan from the brink of collapse, with a cross shareholding deal that saw Renault own 43.4 percent of Nissan, and in turn the Japanese automaker has 15 percent of the French carmaker, though without any voting rights. Today, Nissan has managed to outshine its partner, delivering around two thirds of the circa eight million autos sold by both.


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Manchester Social Enterprise, Stand4Socks Steps Up For Hospitals
Manchester-based social enterprise, Stand4Socks, makes emergency socks for our NHS workers, to help with the fight against COVID-19.
We’ve all heard of our front line staff struggling to receive the critical equipment they need to keep safe. When Stand4Socks were contacted by a handful of hospitals asking for an urgent supply of socks, they decided to step up.
They quickly learnt that PPE only covers down to the ankles, leaving socks exposed and needing to be left in hospitals. so that they can be washed at high temperatures, after each shift. This means that hospitals are in need of durable socks in an abundant supply.
Social entrepreneur, Josh Turner (29), who appeared on BBC Dragons’ Den, quickly decided that his business could effectively help by tweaking their ‘Buy 1 Give 1’ business model, to a ‘Buy 1 Give 2’ model.
Previously, for each pair of socks sold online, Stand4 Socks donated a specially engineered antibacterial pair to someone who is homeless, with more than 41,000 pairs of socks being donated across the UK to date.
To help the NHS, the team designed a new sock called Stand4 our Health Heroes, which features an ensemble of clapping hands and the words ‘Clap for our Heroes.’
Available for pre-order, due to the company’s ethical Sedex assured factories being closed for safety, purchasing this sock leads to 2 sock donations instead of 1.
The first pair donated continues to go to homeless shelters, which have seen a huge surge in demand and, as their core cause, Stand4Socks’ work supporting the homeless stays the same.
The second pair goes straight to one of our Health Heroes, as they tirelessly stand up to COVID-19 in our NHS hospitals.
“Everyone wants to do what they can to help currently, but often, they don’t know how. When I learnt about the NHS staff staying in hotels to protect their own families – I knew that this was something so small and simple that we could do to play our part. The response from our customers has been fantastic and makes me so proud.“Josh Turner, Founder of Stand4Socks
This forward-looking business, with true heart and soul, all began as the result of a throw-away question that founder Josh posed to some friends on a night out:
“What if socks could change the world?“
He was fed up with socks being poorly-made and treated as dull afterthoughts. For too long, they had been considered that gift that no-one wanted to receive on Christmas Day, which is ironic, considering that we wear them for an average of 16 hours per day.
Josh has always championed the idea that business is the greatest force for good. Using ethically sourced yarns, responsible production, 100% home composable mail bags and donating a pair (or 2) for each sold, the brand is doing good for the planet and the people living on it.
He hopes to take a positive step forward and show the market that not all fashion brands are the same, and who knows – maybe socks could change the world.
Josh was awarded the ‘Great British High Street Entrepreneur of the Year’ in 2017, and was shortlisted for the ‘Environmental Social Enterprise’ of 2019. Socks are being donated directly to NHS wards within 72 hours of socks being pre brought. The brand hopes to donate over 1,000 pairs in the next month.
You can find out more about Stand4Socks here.


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Apple’s rumored interest in producing television sets might prove a bigger challenge than its efforts with other consumer devices, if only because it traditionally has proven difficult to figure out what consumers actually will embrace. It took decades to create and then deploy high-definition television.
Part of the issue was technology. A major breakthrough occurred when it proved feasible to transmit a full HDTV picture in the same amount of bandwidth used by the older analog format, for example.
But it wasn’t quite so obvious what the demand might be. The theory was that more lifelike, sharper pictures would provide the incentive to drive massive adoption. All other things being equal, that makes sense.
But all other things are not equal. There was the “chicken and egg” problem that most content was not going to be available in high definition format. Secondly, there were other trends at work that made HDTV more valuable.
Flat screens appealed to consumers, irrespective of demand for HDTV. And flat screens made possible larger screens. Larger screens made the line structure of analog TV more visible to the eye. So you might argue that HDTV made more sense because it provided a better picture on a larger screen.
So the demand for flat screens and larger screens might be said to have created a demand for HDTV, to an extent.
But given a continuing shift in the direction of “more realism,” some have recently seen great promise in “three-dimensional” TV. And, to be sure, U.S. sales are growing smartly, up
nearly 74 percent in units and 64 percent in revenue in the first quarter of 2012, compared to the first quarter of 2011, according to NPD Group, albeit from a very-low base.
3D TVs accounted for 11 percent of all flat-panel TV sales in the first quarter, nearly double that of last year, and 22 percent of all 40- inch or larger sets.
While sales continue to grow, the majority of consumers still feel 3D is not a crucial television feature. And again, larger screens might provide the demand.
NPD Group Director of Industry Analysis Ben Arnold says “3D TV sales growth thus far has been more a function of the feature’s attachment to bigger screens than true demand for the technology,”, he says.
So it isn’t quite so clear whether it is the 3D feature, or the screen size, that is driving purchases. Any proposed Apple TV would have to provide something much more important than screen size.
Presumably Apple would be looking at ways to integrate access to online as well as broadcast and other video services. There might be a new way to provide navigation.
But consumer TV remains challenging in terms of integrating video sources, since each video service provider uses its own decoders, programming guides and remote controls. Also, the TV has been seen as a sort of “monitor,” with many consumers expecting they will have to integrate external audio, game players, DVD and Blu-ray players, digital video recorders and Wi-Fi access to the Internet.
Apple might be able to integrate its own services. But it will be difficult to imposible to easy integrate all the other possible devices that users might want to use.
Perhaps Apple really can revolutionize the TV set. But it won’t be easy.


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Do you know where your food comes from?
We've been working with client Whole Foods Market to launch a series of panel discussions aimed at answering that question through broader conversations about some of today’s most important food-related issues.
The inaugural event last month focused on animal welfare. While Whole Foods Market’s recent launch of a revolutionary 5-Step Rating system for meat was part of the inspiration behind this first discussion, we never envisioned this event as merely a promotional opportunity. Instead, we wanted to curate a conversation between thought leaders such as Salon.com’s Francis Lam and chef/restaurateur Tom Douglas, rancher Dan Probert and Whole Foods Market’s Elizabeth Fry. We invited KPLU environment reporter Liam Moriarty to moderate the discussion.
The goal with the series is to provide a platform for open dialogue on issues that are important to Whole Foods Market. Over time, these events will provide an opportunity for Whole Foods Market to go into depth on the different topics, share their perspective and glean feedback from key stakeholders in the community.
It goes without saying that we loved seeing a full house of bloggers, chefs and consumers, as well as having our hashtag trending on Twitter that night. But beyond that, it was most rewarding to see a rich, through-provoking conversation come out of that night’s panel, one that continued throughout the week on social media and beyond.
The next event in the Whole Foods Market Speaker Series will be June 21, tackling the critical issue of sustainable seafood and the future of the planet’s oceans. We’re in the planning process now – who would you like to see on that panel? What questions do you feel need to be addressed?


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Haircolorxpress International Inc., a franchiser of beauty salons that specializes in custom-blended hair coloring and cosmetics, announced the sale of franchise rights for eight areas in New York, New Jersey and other states for $4.7 million yesterday. The buyers will in turn try to sell individual franchises. Each area is assigned a number of franchises based on a formula linked to population, according to Larry Feldman, president of Haircolorxpress, which was founded in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in June 2000. Mr. Feldman said there are three operating franchises so far, all in Florida.
Steve Strunsky (NYT)Continue reading the main story


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The blog will be open for discussion and questions that users have about products or health issues
Winnipeg Manitoba, MB (PRWEB) August 20, 2008
Cranberry Crandale's co-proprietor, Florence Horan, founded the website in Fall 2007 with her husband, Lloyd Horan, after going through a family emergency.
"My sister had kidney failure in 1998, where we nearly lost her," said Florence Horan. "She has made a miraculous recovery thanks to the wonderful doctors and the cranberry product."
Medical studies have shown that cranberry products are often used to treat urinary tract infections (UTI), and there are benefits in regards to the cardiovascular and immune systems.
Horan's http://www.CranberryCrandale.com carries fresh freeze dried cranberry capsules and some informative electronic books. "The ebook and CD on our website is very informative on urinary tract function and the uses and benefits of freeze-dried cranberry capsules," said Horan. "The author is my sister who suffered from kidney failure. She's also a retired registered nurse."
Along with her site, Horan has also launched a blog, http://www.NaturalCranberryBlog.com. "The blog will be open for discussion and questions that users have about products or health issues," Horan explained. "It will be an informational tool; the blog will also talk about cranberry recipes."
As the website reaches its first year anniversary, Horan hopes to add more products, as well as promoting the great health benefits of consuming cranberry products.


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Cinderella Castle already got a new paint job, but it’s getting some more sprucing up now. We’ve also seen various hotel areas, hotel pools, and rides all over Disney World get some updates. And now a MAJOR spot in Magic Kingdom is set to receive some refurbishment too!
But, soon this spot will be CLOSED for refurbishment! According to the Disney refurbishment calendar, the Confectionery is currently set to close on March 29th, 2021.
The calendar then shows that the refurbishment is set to continue through at least May 22nd, 2021.
We say “at least” because Disney World park hours, and other information like refurbishment schedules, have only been released through May 22nd at the moment, so we can’t see the schedules past that date. It’s very possible that this refurbishment will continue past May 22nd.
Once more park hours and schedules are released into later in the year, we’ll be sure to check on this and see whether/how far this refurbishment gets extended.
Update: Park hours have been released through May 29th, and the Confectionery refurbishment is now listed through May 29th. We’ll keep an eye out for more updates.
What other refurbishments are going on around Disney World or set to start soon? Well, recently “It’s Tough to Be a Bug” in Disney’s Animal Kingdom closed for its refurbishment.
And at Magic Kingdom, we are STILL waiting for the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover to reopen.
The ride has been under refurbishment for an extremely long period of time, but we’re watching for any updates.
There are also refurbishments going on at the Big Blue Pool over at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and the Hippy Dippy Pool at Disney’s Pop Century Resort.
Recently, we got a FIRST LOOK at the new Polynesian Moana-inspired rooms and they are beautiful!
Reservations are now available for the Moana-themed rooms at the Polynesian.
Stay tuned for more updates about all of the projects being worked on throughout Disney World.
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
When is your next trip to Disney World? Let us know in the comments!


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If you weren't aware of ESPN's 3D channel, don't worry, you're not alone. The channel launched in 2010 has been marred by two things that ruin any capitalistic venture – high cost and low demand. 3D television hasn't quite taken off as was expected a couple years ago and instead has to be put in the class of flying cars and teleportation devices as futuristic trends that are sadly relegated to the future.
Given the lack of an important element of television – viewers – it was only a matter of time before ESPN 3D finally shut down. That time was today as reported by SportsVideo.org:
"As first reported by the Sports Video Group, ESPN will discontinue its 3D network by end of the year. ESPN 3D, which launched in June of 2010, has struggled to gain traction with viewers as the adoption of 3D television sets by U.S. consumers has yet to meet the sky-high expectations of set manufacturers. As the primary outlet for live 3D sports programming over the past three years, its demise represents a major blow to the viability of 3D sports in the U.S.
In an official statement ESPN said: “Due to limited viewer adoption of 3D services to the home, ESPN is discontinuing ESPN 3D. We are committing our 3D resources to other products and services that will better serve fans and affiliates. Nobody knows more about sports in 3D than ESPN, and we will be ready to provide the service to fans if or when 3D does take off. As technology leaders, we continue to experiment with things like Ultra High Definition television (also known as Ultra HD television or UHDTV) production tools to produce our current ESPN family of HD channels.”
ESPN 3D could have been the most fabulous technological innovation of our time, but it isn't worth more than a plastic spork if no demand exists for the product. Take this fact from USA Today as an example – 3D television viewership is so low that Nielsen is unable to capture any meaningful data about it. Furthermore, 2% of TVs in America had 3D capabilities as of last fall.
I can't say I know anyone who owns or even wants to own a 3D television. There's such little on offer in the marketplace that it's just not worth the investment. In fact, ESPN was by far the most substantial company to buy in to 3D television and with its exit, folks are wondering if the entirety of 3D television is coming to an end before it well and truly got off the ground.
It's not a complete loss for ESPN though. If and when 3D TV ever makes a comeback in 2176 or whatever, they will be well ahead of the curve. And that's the difference between ESPN and nearly every other television conglomerate in the world. With their billions and billions of dollars, they can afford a dalliance in 3D television when nobody else can.


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7-Eleven is the largest convenience store brand in the U.S., with about 9,000 units. For context, the chain has more locations than Taco Bell, Wendy’s and Burger King.
This is notable given that 7-Eleven has been elevating its foodservice options in the past few years, including through its Evolution Store prototype, first introduced in 2019. There are now nine Evolution Stores and each includes a restaurant concept.
7-Eleven isn’t the only c-store chain upping its food game. BP recently opened its first Ampm convenience store in New York, complete with a hot deli and grocery items, for instance. Casey’s features a pizza parlor and bakery with doughnuts made from scratch. QuikTrip recently expanded its menu to include made-to-order sub sandwiches in a handful of markets, while Pilot just debuted a Tex-Mex deli called Burrito Junction.
Notably, several Pilot travel centers are undergoing remodels as part of the company’s New Horizons initiative to improve food offerings. The initiative was launched in response to customer feedback, according to the company.
Such upgrades seem to be paying off. New research from Cardlytics finds that food sales at c-stores have increased to over 20% and that the category is likely taking market share away from traditional quick-service restaurants. Since 2019, convenience store share has increased from 18.42% to 21.39%, the report says, noting that all pay-at-the-pump transactions were excluded.
Cardlytics cites c-stores’ advantages as quicker prep time, more variety and shorter wait times. The average wait time at a QSR is about 7 minutes, for instance, while c-stores average 4-minute waits.
There is also the convenience factor. As c-stores upgrade their foodservice offerings to be on par with QSRs, consumers may be more likely to choose the option that is most convenient for them. Speed is one factor, but so is location (consider that 7-Eleven footprint) and additional offerings, like gas or beer. For the latter, the scale will always tip in c-stores’ favor.
In fact, according to a recent report from Bluedot, 70% of consumers enter a c-store when they’re pumping gas, and over 50% purchase snacks, while 20% buy grocery items and 16% get alcoholic beverages. Nearly 60% of those consumers believe c-stores to be on par with QSRs.
The lines between convenience stores and QSRs have been blurring for years, and it’s getting harder to determine if a line even exists anymore. In some instances, the answer is clearly no. Take Sheetz, for example, which offers drive-thrus and curbside pickup service. Wawa opened its first drive-thru in 2020 and plans to add even more as part of its goal to double its footprint.
Seven-eleven opened its first drive-thru last year and also recently added an outdoor patio to one of its Evolution stores in Dallas. That store also happens to include frozen margaritas, beer on tap and a self-espresso machine. The chain is also focused on delivery, adding partnerships with Instacart, Uber Eats, Grubhub
Last year, the National Association of Convenience Stores’ State of the Industry report found that about 23% of c-store sales come from foodservice, up from 16.8% 10 years ago. At least some of those gains seem to be coming from the QSR category, intensifying an already competitive space.


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Rio Olympics 2016: Here's why Indian politicians are in the eye of the storm at the global sporting event
Irom back in hospital after locals say her decision to end her hunger strike is an 'act of betrayal'
Congress gangs up on PM Modi over speeches outside Parliament, unmindful of Manmohan Singh's silence
- Android flagship HTC U11 Plus spec-sheet leaks ahead of November launch
- Queen, Prince William fighting because pregnant Kate Middleton stepped back from royal duties?
- Galaxy J7 catches fire mid-air on Delhi-Indore Jet Airways flight; should Samsung phone owners be worried?
- Kylie Jenner pregnancy: THIS Kardashian member already BANNED from delivery room?
- Conspiracy theorist discovers mysterious underwater pyramids near Florida using Google Earth
- China urges India to join BRI, says it's ready to address Indian concerns
- Karnataka govt to ban pillion riding on two-wheelers of 100 cc capacity
- Vijay's Mersal GST controversy: PPGI president Siddharth Roy Kapur stands by director Atlee
- Missing Pakistani journalist probing Indian citizen's case found after 2 years


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Yes! Rockstar just announced that GTA: San Andreas will get a mobile version for Android (both Google Play Store and Amazon Appstore), iOS and Windows Phone in December. No specific released date or princing so far though.
It was expected for the GTA San Andreas to come for mobile devices, after Rockstar released GTA III and Vice City for mobile devices, so it’s likely to hear about the release of GTA IV in the years to come.
Let’s focus now on GTA San Andreas, the biggest GTA of the PS2 era, because the studio promises new, improved graphics, new touch controls, new checkpoint and support for third-party controllers. Go back to the early 90s with the Grove Street Families when Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas comes to mobile devices next month: ‘Groove Street is king! Say it with me, Niggas! GROOVE STREET IS KING’Source: gsmarena


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"BMW should retain its lead," said Juergen Pieper, a Frankfurt-based analyst at Bankhaus Metzler. "It's ahead in terms of products and technology. Audi is feeling the most pressure this year as high-volume models like the A4 and the Q7 won't come out until 2015."
March sales at Audi climbed 15 percent to 170,450, while deliveries at third-place Mercedes rose 13 percent to 158,523. Audi, owned by Volkswagen Group, reported a 12 percent first-quarter increase to 412,850 vehicles, compared with a 15 percent improvement to 374,276 cars at Daimler’s Mercedes brand. The gains marked Audi's 51st straight monthly sales increase and Mercedes's ninth consecutive month of growth exceeding 10 percent.
BMW's gains were led by demand for its portfolio of SUVs, which are built at a South Carolina plant that the automaker is spending $1 billion on to expand capacity by 50 percent. First-quarter deliveries for the X1 SUV climbed 15 percent, the X3 11 percent and X5 14 percent.
"Sales of our BMW X-vehicles have been particularly strong," Ian Robertson, the automaker's sales chief, said in today's statement. "Despite continuing economic uncertainties, we are experiencing steady improvements in almost all regions."
Audi, which has never held the top luxury-car sales post for an entire year, will introduce 17 new or revamped vehicles in 2014 as part of a push to overtake BMW in the luxury-car market by the end of the decade. Audi's parent VW targets the top sales spot among all auto producers by 2018. The division introduced a fresh version of the A3 compact in 2013 and is rolling out the new sedan variant of the model in the U.S. and China this year.
BMW is responding with the upgraded X5 SUV introduced in November. The new 2-Series Active Tourer hatchback, X4 SUV and i8 plug-in hybrid sports car are coming out this year.
BMW Group, which also owns the Mini and Rolls-Royce brands, is forecasting that group sales will exceed 2 million autos for the first time in 2014, achieving the target two years earlier than originally planned. "We expect demand for premium cars to continue to grow faster than the total market, both in China and the U.S.," said Christoph Stuermer, lead analyst at PwC Autofacts.


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This is the second in a series of articles analyzing the results from this year’s Urban Science Dealership Transformation Index™ survey – conducted alongside The Harris Poll – on auto-buyer perceptions about the impact of electric vehicles on the automobile dealership model.
Just as automotive retailers begin to recover from the chip shortage that left most U.S. dealer lots empty, manufacturers have introduced a new wrinkle: a focus on electric vehicles.
That has required dealers to retrain their staffs – particularly employees in the sales and service departments – and spend millions upgrading their facilities. This comes at the exact time of economic turbulence in the U.S. that has resulted in high interest rates, skyrocketing new-vehicle prices and a downturn in loan approvals.
But dealers are committed to the cause – and with good reason. At least half of the auto-buying public and 70% of dealers believe EVs are the primary driver of change in the future of automobiles, according to a 2023 survey conducted by global automotive consultancy and technology firm Urban Science in collaboration with The Harris Poll. Respondents see EVs as more impactful than vehicle-to-vehicle communications, full online purchasing and other popular innovations.
The survey also shows more than half of dealers are most concerned about economic conditions as they contemplate the future of their businesses, a potentially critical factor in the transition toward sales of BEVs, which typically cost $10,000 more than a similarly sized and equipped internal-combustion-engine vehicle.
So why are dealers committed to the move from ICE to EVs? The answer is found in the car-buying public’s demographics.
As we noted in our previous report millennials are the key buyer demographic for dealers now and in years to come. Millennials (ages 27-42) and their Gen Z counterparts (ages 11-26) also are strong believers in EVs and their potential to change the future of the auto industry. Although only 41% of baby boomers (ages 59-77) and 46% of Generation X (ages 43-58) respondents think EVs are the future, 65% of millennials and 64% of Generation Z believe so.
And when many of these shoppers look for answers about EVs, they likely will turn to their local dealerships, the Urban Science survey insights indicate.
Importantly, when it comes to issues surrounding BEVs, auto buyers across all age groups have an increasingly positive view of automobile dealers. This year, 50% of respondents believed dealers are keeping up with understanding and advising the marketplace on EVs, compared with 41% in 2022.
The numbers for millennials, in particular, rose markedly, from 31% in 2022 to 40% this year. Fifty percent of Generation X respondents gave a positive score to dealerships in 2023 compared with just 38% in the prior year. Even boomers’ faith in dealerships grew, from 52% in 2022 to 57% in this year’s survey.
Those responses also represent a more positive view of retailers’ ability to support EV sales than dealers have of themselves, with only 32% saying they believe dealers overall “are keeping up on understanding and advising the marketplace on EVs.”'
The favorable outlook from millennials and Gen Xers represents a much-needed positive for retailers, which have flat scores in Urban Science’s Dealer Transformation Index (DTI), a composite rating based on auto buyer attitudes about automobile dealers reflected in the survey.
Does this mean that auto buyers will be ready to consider only EVs by 2030? Dealers are working hard to make that happen, and 36% of dealer respondents believe they will hit that goal. Half of retailers surveyed say their current staff is “excited about EVs.” And manufacturers and dealers who zone in on the concerns of auto shoppers, especially millennials, may have an opportunity to increase the current 17% of the buying public that says they will be EV-only ready by that target date.
But whether dealers are on target or overestimating the potential to convert consumers into EV buyers may hinge on three key factors: the price of the vehicles, their range limitations and the lack of charging infrastructure.
Both dealers and auto buyers surveyed agree lack of range is the greatest barrier to purchasing an EV, with cost a close second. The good news is both of those limitations appear to be lessening. Prices are expected to ease as battery costs come down, manufacturing efficiencies improve, EV volumes begin to reach scale and competition increases – and there are government incentives that can help bring down purchase prices in the meantime.
Range also is rising, with EVs capable of 300 miles (483 km) or more now reaching the market.
But charging infrastructure may prove to be the toughest barrier to entry for prospective EV buyers, with 64% of auto buyers surveyed saying they don’t believe public-charging infrastructure will be able to meet demand in three years’ time. Only 31% of dealers are skeptical of the charging infrastructure being ready in three years, a gap that suggests retailers may be underestimating the concerns of new-vehicle buyers when it comes to availability of public charging.
Auto buyers do show a willingness to install home chargers, with 57% of those responding to the Urban Science survey noting they would be willing to spend up $1,100 to fund a home installation, a sign that some buyers’ charging worries may not be insurmountable.
To persuade auto buyers to move toward EV adoption, dealers must:
- Expand their knowledge about all forms of electric vehicles. Auto buyers need expertise, and many are confident the dealership is the best source for such information. It’s critical that sales and service staff are fully informed, but everyone in the dealership should have or know where to find answers.
- Consider pricing. Even when dealerships can’t offer incentives to auto buyers, they can explain the nuances of local, state and federal incentives. That’s not an easy task because it can differ depending on a host of subjective factors on different trim levels of one model. The payoff is trust by the consumer and additional sales for the dealership.
- Educate buyers on how far some of today’s EVs can travel between charges to calm their notions of lack of range.
- Offer or help facilitate installation services for home charging equipment. Provide information on local public charging options for apartment dwellers and others incapable of standard “at-home” charging.
Urban Science: Our unrivaled near-real-time industry sales data, and consulting and technology offerings, have driven innovation, efficiency and profitability into every corner of the automotive industry. Our capabilities and industry expertise help OEMs and dealers, and the advertising technology firms that support them, stay ahead of industry trends and achieve business certainty in even the most chaotic market conditions.


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In our latest ‘Spotlight On’ sponsor profile, we chat to EMCON silver sponsor Elis, the global workwear specialist which has a base at Meadowfield Industrial Estate in County Durham.
Firstly, tell us about the re-brand from Berendsen to Elis. It’s more than just a name change isn’t it.
In September 2017, Berendsen became part of the Elis Group, an international multi-service provider, offering a range of textile, hygiene and facility solutions to a number of industries, including workwear for the health and safety sector.
Berendsen and Elis have been part of the same industry for more than a century and have now joined forces, coming together as one strong, international business.
Tell us more about the company.
Dedicated to providing first-class customer service, many of the largest companies across the world choose to outsource their workwear to Elis, safe in the knowledge that their certified garments are always available and at the highest standards. The company develops and delivers a bespoke workwear solution to each and every customer, empowering them to ensure success.
Already a leader in the majority of countries in which it operates, Elis employs 45,000 professionals across 440 production plants and service centres in 28 countries. The company currently works with 400,000 customers in organisations of all sizes, across all sectors. Elis’ dedication to helping companies keep their operations running like clockwork continues.
The merger means Elis now has the resources, investments and expertise to service more companies, in more industries around the world, offering general, safety, food and customised workwear solutions.
You’re a Silver Sponsor of this year’s EMCON event. What appealed to you about the event?
It is a local Durham event and a prime objective of Elis Durham is to create synergy within Durham and North East. EMCON is the perfect opportunity for us to achieve that.
What are you looking to get from the event?
We are really keen to network and forge new business leads. It’s very much about promoting the company to a diverse audience of potential customers.
For more information visit Elis, http://uk.elis.com/


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Singapore High Commissioner To Meet GATT Watchdog
Singapore High Commissioner To Meet With GATT Watchdog Regarding Controversial Free Trade Agreement
GATT Watchdog will tomorrow meet with Singapore’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Mr Tan King Jin, about the controversial “closer economic partnership” free trade agreement being negotiated between the two governments.
“We wrote to the Director of the Trade Division in Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry and the High Commissioner in July, seeking a copy of the text of the agreement which the New Zealand Government has refused to release. The High Commission contacted us and set up this meeting. Given the anti-democratic way in which the New Zealand government continues to handle trade negotiations, we congratulate the Singapore High Commissioner for taking the initiative to meet with us while he is in Christchurch on Friday,” says Aziz Choudry of GATT Watchdog.
“The text must be made available now – before negotiations are complete. The New Zealand government cannot attack critics of trade and investment liberalisation for speculating about the implications of this agreement based on what is known of the contents and yet at the same time refuse to release the text. Under pressure, even the National Government released the draft text of the MAI and a range of official documents relating to the failed agreement during 1997 and 1998 while negotiations were still taking place. What is the current government scared of?”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade clearly sees this as a first step towards a much larger CER/ASEAN Free Trade Area agreement. That is all the more reason why it should be subject to genuine analysis and rigorous scrutiny about its implications for New Zealand.”
“New Zealand claims to be a democracy. We find it unacceptable that decisions which will impact on New Zealand policy choices are not open to debate until negotiations have concluded when it will be far too late to really change anything. The Treaty of Waitangi also requires Maori to be co-participants in decisions affecting this country and yet they have been effectively excluded. It is simply not good enough that the New Zealand Government will not release the text until Cabinet has signed off on it.”
For further comment, contact Aziz Choudry
ph (03) 3662803


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British sports car manufacturer Lotus is enjoying a bumper time at the British International Motor Show in Birmingham this year.
The prestige British marque gave a UK debut at the Show to the Lotus Elise Type 49, one of its Lotus Elise Heritage Editions which commemorate the company's illustrious Formula One history.
Lotus spokesman Antony Bailey said: “It is always good to be back at a British Motor Show and this year's show at Birmingham has been one of the most professional and well run that we have been involved in for a long time in both the UK and Europe.
“We were delighted with the number of visitors to our stand, through whom we have gained a great number of potential sales, and it is encouraging to see that interest in Lotus is stronger than ever before.”
He added: “The Elise Type 49 has gained a huge amount of interest from both Lotus enthusiasts and those new to the marque and is looking to be a great success.”
Speaking at the Show, Lotus general manager Ansar Ali said: “We've had well over 300 genuine enquiries from visitors in our range on display and have already sold 15 cars at the Show.
“We're well on course to achieve our sales targets at the show and customer interest in the marque has been way beyond our expectations.”Published 2 November 2002


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Germany's minister for consumer protection has cautioned her cabinet colleagues against using the social networking site Facebook. The warning was issued over data security concerns.
Facebook has over 750 million users
A top member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet has warned her colleagues against using the social networking site Facebook to promote their work, citing data protection concerns.
Consumer Protection Minister Ilse Aigner said in a letter obtained by newsmagazine Der Spiegel that it was "crucial to ensure that the Facebook button is not used on any of our official government websites."
Aigner quit Facebook around a year ago in protest at the company's data security practices.
She said "fan pages" which users can join to get information about organizations should also be avoided "in light of justified legal doubts."
Aigner says the government should set a good example
She said ministries and members of parliament should "set a good example and give data protection its due."
The German government has persistently issued warnings over online security on websites such as Facebook. It says certain features on the popular social networking site such as the "Like" button - which allows users to indicate their preferences for particular postings - can be used by advertisers to gauge users' consumer preferences.
"This data can be used to create a detailed user profile, although Facebook denies creating such profiles for Facebook non-users," a statement from Aigner's industry later said.
It added that Aigner would visit the United States to speak with executives from Facebook and other firms "about respect for German and European data protection policies."
Author: Darren Mara (AFP, AP)
Editor: Kyle James
Dieter Hecking isn't the most glamorous of coaches. As he told DW, that was the whole point of Wolfsburg hiring him. DW's Jefferson Chase reckons he has proven out to be just what the Wolves required.
Thousands of people have marched through the Russian capital, at times chanting that President Vladimir Putin must resign. Police authorized the major demonstration in memory of Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov.
The year's biggest event for the mobile industry is now underway. It's a chance for the world's innovators to showcase new products and discuss technological evolution. DW's Chris Cottrell reports from Barcelona.


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April 2, 2014 – Grace Creek Media announced today that its on-demand YogaSessions.TV has added Opera TV to its growing list of distributors.
The Opera TV Store is featured in hundreds of apps, and deploys on millions of devices, including Tivo, Sony TV and Blu-Ray, Samsung Blu-Ray, Amino, Changhong, Hisense, Humax, Konka, MTK, Skyworth, Swisscom and TCL.
The distribution agreement with Opera TV provides YogaSessions.TV access to more than 350 million consumers worldwide.
YogaSessions.TV features a wide variety of videos taught by some of the leading names in yoga today like Nancy Goodstein, Abby Willis, Ted McDonald, Malachi Melville, Matthew Reyes and Kim Haegele.
“We are extremely pleased to be working with Opera TV, and look forward to bringing the channel to a growing global audience.” said Grace Creek Media President Andrew Walworth. Read More...


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Time flies when you’re having fun with photos. It was four years ago that Hellman & Friedman acquired Getty Images—the world’s largest distributor of stock photos, video, and other digital content—in a take-private deal valued at $2.4 billion. Since the deal closed, Getty Images has expanded its photographer grant program, partnered with Flickr on an imagery collection, launched a site devoted to stock photo rights, and tussled in court with a maker of car air fresheners. The company has also paid out a whopping $875 million in dividends, and now its private equity fund owner is cashing out. Enter an even bigger PE player, the Carlyle Group, which has inked a deal to acquire Getty Images for $3.3 billion. Additionally, Getty Images co-founder and chairman Mark Getty and the Getty family “will roll substantially all of their ownership interests into the transaction,” according to a statement issued yesterday. Getty Images management, including co-founder and CEO Jonathan Klein, will also invest significant equity in the company. The transaction is expected to close later this year.
Forbes is looking for a Associate Designer. next job ASME is looking for a Art & Production Designer. next job Levine/Leavitt is looking for a Studio Manager. next job Daily Mail Online U.S. is looking for a Evening Photo Editor. next job Verso Advertising, Inc. is looking for a Art Director. next job Digital Agency is looking for a Graphic Designer. next job Distillers List is looking for a Digital Producer Position. next job Education Week is looking for a Web Designer. see all
Starting October 30, learn how translate your written work into multi-dimensional and editorially relevant digital content! In this course you'll learn how to navigate a CMS, crop, resize, and optimize photos, create graphics, enhance static text through HTML/CSS, and measure the effectiveness of your content using analytics. Register now!


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As the world moves more and more information to cloud services from the likes of Amazon and Google, these services don’t always interact as effectively as they should. Amazon Web Services can save you money, but Panos Ipeirotis tells a tale that shows there are cases where the cloud can backfire, writes Wired Enterprise’s Robert McMillan.
When Panos Ipeirotis checked his Amazon Web Services bill last week, he started to sweat. It was $1,177.76 — much more than he’d ever been charged before — and it was going up another $50 to $100 with each passing hour. He had no idea why.
After a some investigation, he found the problem. He had accidentally invented details how he accidentally invented a brand new type of internet attack, thanks to an idiosyncrasy in the online spreadsheets Google runs on its Google Docs service, and he had inadvertently trained this attack on himself. He calls it a Denial of Money attack, and he says others could be susceptible too.
Ipeirotis, an information operations professor at New York University, had created a pretty unusual spreadsheet. As part of an experiment in how to use crowdsourcing to generate descriptions of images, he had posted thumbnails of 25,000 pictures into a Google document, and then he invited people to describe the images. The problem was that these thumbnails linked back to original images stored on Amazon’s S3 storage service, and apparently, Google’s servers went slightly bonkers. “Google just very aggressively grabbed the images from Amazon again and again and again,” he says.
Amazon forgave the charges, and Google says it’s investigating, but a new cloud attack was born: The denial of money-attack. In his blog post on the issue, Ipeirotis writes he believes Google will do the right thing and fix the problem. But until it is fixed, anyone can set up a similar spreadsheet and launch a costly suck-job on an cloud customer. “Google becomes such a powerful weapon due to a series of perfectly legitimate design decisions,” he writes.
Weigh in: Will the denial-of-money attack strike cloud services again? What should Amazon and Google do to stop this from happening again?Go Back to Top. Skip To: Start of Article.


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WOLLASTON – Footwear brand Dr Martens has launched a new repair and resale service, called ReSouled, in collaboration with secondhand fashion marketplace Depop and the Boot Repair Company.
Kenny Wilson, the firm’s chief executive officer, told The Guardian that secondhand sales could account for up to 15 per cent of its sales in a decade’s time.
“This is part of something really important for the business longer term. Our incredible strength is the durability of the product. I can own a pair for seven or eight years and they are still perfectly good for someone else who wants to buy them,” he said.


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Google Play Gets Updated, Hacked Within Four-Day Period
Google’s (NASDAQ:GOOG) Play has had quite an exciting past few days. First, it goes the way of the App Store by requiring passwords for every download. Then it crashes twice, preventing developers from uploading new apps and updates to existing apps and users from downloading that content.
Google was served in a class action lawsuit last week from a New York woman, alleging that Google Play, formerly the Android Marketplace, allowed minors to make unauthorized purchases by having a 30-minute window where further downloads and purchases could be made without a password.
Google Play has responded by adding settings that allow users to have their devices mandate a password every single time a download or purchase is made, maintain the original half-hour window of password-free downloads, or even to opt out of the passwords totally. The new options were implemented in the form of an update to Google Play. No reports indicate how this will affect the pending lawsuit.
However, this was change soon became old news when a hacker brought down Google Play’s entire system, preventing any downloads, regardless of what password settings Android users added to their devices.
Turkish hacker Ibrahim Balic, who previously hacked an Apple Developer page last year, took responsibility for the software that took down Google Play twice. He wrote on his website that he wrote an app to test a security flaw he saw in the Android app database. When he uploaded it to Google Play on Sunday, it affected the entire system.
“I really didn’t want to cause any damage but I couldn’t stop my feelings and I wanted to test it on Google’s Android Bouncer by uploading the malformed APK to Google Play. Then I realized that it caused Denial of Service on Google Play!”
Balic did not stop after the first attempt. He uploaded it again. This caused a second crash to confirm it was his work that brought down the system again on Monday. He said he reported the issue to Google, but has received no reply so far. On Reddit, he explained his reasoning behind the second upload attempt. “I know but I had to be sure,” he wrote in response to a user who asked him why. Another Reddit user advised Balic to get a lawyer.
Developers experienced the denial of service when they became unable to upload or update content on Google Play. They saw their ability to make these changes return only to lose them again after the second upload. Customers could not download new apps or update the ones they already had when the system was down. As of late Monday/Tuesday depending on the time zone, Google Play was up and running normally again.
Changes to Google Play affect many smartphone and tablet users. CNNMoney reports that Android software makes up about 80 percent of the smartphone market. The most popular apps on this platform are largely games like Candy Crush Saga and social media apps like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.


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A Rakuten survey of the sportswear brands most searched for online pegged Nike at No. 1 with 6.6 million searches per month with Lululemon not far behind with 5.73 million. Adidas was third with 2.555 million searches, New Balance, the oldest company in the search dating back to 1906, was fourth at 1.64 million and Under Armour was fifth at 1.15 million.
Utah was found to be the state that most Googled Nike with Minnesota favoring Lululemon. New York was the hottest spot for Adidas and the Empire State was deemed most interested by the online marketplace’s survey, followed by Mississippi and Kansas. Montana and Vermont generated the lowest number of searches.
The top 10 was rounded out by Gap Inc.’s Athleta, sixth with 1.05 million, Converse seventh at 1.01 million, Patagonia No. 8 at 937,000, Gymshark ninth at 902,000 and Fabletics rounding out the top 10 at 882,000.
Nike’s also top of mind when it comes to secondhand, too.
In a study released last month by internet marketing firm Savoo focused on European fashion resale, Nike finished second only to Spanish fast fashion giant Zara for the most listed items on popular secondhand sites.
Zara was most popular on Depop with 439,696 of its 670,616 listings devoted to the social e-commerce site with Nike second at 610,141 listings. Nike’s 210,000 eBay listings were topped only by Victoria’s Secret, fifth overall, with 340,000 listings on the online auction site.
Adidas was again third with 467,025 listings and its 8,076 items listed on the Asos marketplace was the high for the top 10.
H&M was just ahead of Victoria’s Secret in fourth, Asos was sixth, Levi’s seventh, Louis Vuitton eighth, Gucci ninth and Chanel 10th.
Savoo found Finland to be the Europe’s best country for sustainable shoppers, which was not much of a surprise given that the country is ranked No. 1 in the Sustainable Development Report’s ranking of all 193 member statea, getting a score of 86.51, according to a press release from Savoo.
Denmark was second among European countries and Slovenia third.
Germany, at No. 10 on the list, had the highest recycling rate of any country at 67.1 percent.
The UK blew away the field in number of flea markets and antique shops with 1,292, chased by Spain, ninth overall, with 344 pre-owned clothing shops.
Sweden, in fifth place, showed the most improvement from 2010-2020 reducing its footprint by 21.99 percent, trailed most closely by Finland at 20.37. The UK had the greatest regress at a negative 26 percent in reduction of footprint. Belgium at -2 percent and Germany at -1.91 percent.


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Dogfish Head, one of the nation’s largest, most successful craft breweries, is poised for a major expansion next month with the launch of its new, 100 percent “scratch-made” spirits line.
The Milton, Delaware-based company has enjoyed tremendous popularity with its self-described “off-centered” beers and ales since company president Sam Calagione founded it in June of 1995 in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
Then called Dogfish Head’s Brewings and Eats, the company’s first batch of Shelter Pale Ale was reportedly crafted in three small kegs fueled by propane burners. Paired with eats from the restaurant’s wood-fired grill, the reputation of the beer and the establishment grew rapidly.
In the summer of 2002, the company moved production up the road to Milton, DE into a new, 100,000 square foot facility to accommodate customer demand. At the same time, Calagione, who, according to Dogfish Head’s Distillery Manager James Montero “has a history of following his entrepreneurial instincts,” began experimenting with spirits as well.
“He actually cobbled together some farm equipment and fashioned it into a distilling unit,” Montero recounts. “We call it the Frankenstill. Dogfish Head has been using it for 12 years.”
Montero says the Frankenstill has been churning out a limited line of gins, rums and vodkas ever since, which are about to hit prime time. Production is being moved out of the Rehoboth pub into the new, custom-designed distillery in Milton, DE. He notes that the Frankenstill will not be retired; rather it will continue to be used for research and development, small batches.
Under the direction of head distiller Graham Hamblett, Dogfish Head will debut Dogfish Head Analog Vodka™, Compelling Gin™ and Whole Leaf Gin™. The spirits will be distilled in two, state-of-the-art 500-gallon copper stripping stills and a 250-gallon copper vodka column, sourced from Vendome Copper & Brass Works, a fourth-generation custom fabricator based out of Louisville, KY.
“You can make spirits from almost any type of raw material, we have chosen to start with the same ingredients that go into our beer,” says Hamblett. “In our process, everything starts in its rawest form, from scratch, and we will use the best ingredients available. We use a batch distillation approach through each stage. It’s a bit more work than other approaches, but it allows me to closely monitor and control each step of the distillation process.”
Montero says Dogfish Head will be targeting two primary consumer groups with its new spirits line. He describes them as “our core beer drinkers” and “those spirit drinkers not as familiar with the Dogfish brand or who don’t like beer. Dogfish Head will now have something to offer them.”
Reflecting on Dogfish Head’s brewing and more recent distilling successes, Montero notes that, “The journey of discovery for craft beer has been going on for 20 years. Dogfish Head’s expansion gives us the opportunity to talk to these types of consumers. It’s early yet in this journey. People are just starting to spend more time thinking about the spirits they put in their craft cocktails.”
Montero acknowledges that Dogfish Head is not alone in riding the relatively recent trend into craft distilling. Claiming that there are between 80-100 new distilleries per year in the U.S. and two new craft breweries per day, he notes that there is “a lot of new liquid entering the market.”
“Dogfish is not new,” he points out. “We have a 20 year history for how this category gets big and grows … It’s important to have brand and product distinction … making the investment to bring your story to life, to stand out on the shelves.”
“As the competitive market heats up, you have to be thoughtful and focused about what you do best,” Montero goes on to say. “That’s what we’re about – doing things consistently with the Dogfish Head brand.”
The story of Dogfish Head is just one example how brewers are moving into distilling and winemakers into brewing. There’s a new normal emerging, and producers like James Montero are setting the trend by offering their consumers an authentic brand experience.
In February 2016, the inaugural USbevX conference is gathering hundreds to producers and their stories, to exchange ideas, share innovation, and explore the new normal of the beverage industry.


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FCC Chair Fires Back at AT&T CEO Over Pricing
Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski rejected the idea that the blocked T-Mobile USA acquisition will lead to higher pricers for consumers. AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson recently said that consumers will face higher prices now that the deal has been blocked. Speaking to attendees at the CTIA Wireless trade show, however, Genachowski said that by blocking the deal the wireless industry should see more competition, which should in turn lead to lower costs for consumers. Genachowski said that the FCC is not opposed to mergers, acquisitions, and consolidation, but said that AT&T's attempt to purchase T-Mobile USA crossed the line.
Who is right here?
The Rule is Verizon, Sprint, ATT and Tmobile can never be combined. Someone should have told ATT this before attempting.
T-Mobile: "They are NEVER going to allow ...


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While the latest surveys show consumer confidence may be lagging into the summer months, General Motors says its Chevrolet division has plenty of confidence and is willing to put it on display in the showroom.
The automaker is introducing what it calls its “Chevy Confidence” program, which appears to be changing the rules, going where few caremakers have gone before.
Under the program, buyers will be able to return their Chevrolet within 30 to 60 days if they drive fewer than 4,000 miles and have no damage. “Love it or return it,” GM declared in a press release.
The return policy applies on both 2012 and 2013 models.
Negotiating the purchase of a new Chevrolet under the plan might also be a different experience. GM says it has applied special “no haggle” pricing on new 2012 models.
Carmax pioneered the “no haggle” price approach and some consumers prefer it. Others, however, would rather try to drive the best bargain possible with the sales person.
The Chevy Confidence program began this week and will run through September 4, GM said.
The promotion applies to new 2012 models as dealers prepare to make way for the 2013 models. Business Week points out the promotion has popped up precisely at the time Chevy has lost ground to Toyota, which seems to have regained its mojo in the wake of 2010's safety recalls and 2011's earthquake and tsunami.
Sales of the Chevy Cruze compact, the brand's popular small car, fell 7.4 percent in the first half of 2012, perhaps because of falling gasoline prices. For 2012 Chevy is introducing a new subcompact, the Spark, while redesigning the Malibu.
TheWall Street Journal reports Chevrolet's new program is a stark departure from years past, when carmakers slashed prices and added other incentives in an effort to clear the showroom for the new model year. These promotions usually afforded value-conscious consumers the biggest savings.
But those big savings for consumers tended to cut into automakers' profits. The Journal says Chevy's promotion is designed to entice consumers while still protecting the bottom line.


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4G From Nimans
Posted on 09/09/2013
The arrival of 4G is a ‘game changer’ that will revolutionise how customers communicate and access information on the go – allowing them to ‘take their office’ with them anywhere.
That’s the prediction of Mark Curtis-Wood from Nimans, as the distributor announces its 4G wholesale tariffs from O2 – designed to bring the possibilities of high capacity, high speed mobile connectivity to life.
“Future generations will view 4G as a watershed moment,” Mark explained. “O2 has announced services will be live in 13 cities by the end of the year with London, Leeds and Bradford the first to be up and running at the end of August. O2’s ambitious rollout plan means they are aiming for their 2G, 3G and 4G network to reach 98% of the UK population both indoor and outdoor up to two years earlier than the 2017 regulatory requirement.”
By the end of the year, O2’s 4G network will also be live in Newcastle, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Nottingham, Leicester, Coventry, Sheffield, Manchester and Edinburgh.
Mark added: “Over the last few months our Channel team has been busy preparing to enable us to bill the 4G tariffs and provide the tools and support to help our customers drive new margin opportunities.
“I’ve been in the industry long enough to remember the launch of 2G and 3G and the changes made to the way we worked and the additional margin opportunity they created. However the launch of 4G is going to be a 'game changer' for our industry and the technology which will underpin our digital future. It will support our move into new mobility solutions such as cloud services, digital storage and real time security but also as people’s general behaviour changes towards increased flexible working, social media and streaming of real time events and news.
“Mobile Internet is growing and this offers us huge opportunity across British business – from m-commerce to increased collaboration and helping businesses get closer to their customers. 4G will act as an enabler for more digital business. It’s the connectivity that will improve and transform these experiences.”
Mark says there are a number of ways in which 4G will help businesses to get closer to their customers and drive growth. “It could be used for mobile workers having their office in their pocket, saving costs from flexible working or digital signage within the retail sector – 4G technologies will help them to connect more. We’ll be working with resellers and their customers over the coming months to bring these possibilities of 4G to life. It’s a very exciting time and the dawning of a new era.”