BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Surprise! Americans like foreign cars more than their own]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/03/surprise-americans-like-foreign-cars-more-than-their-own/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/03/surprise-americans-like-foreign-cars-more-than-their-own/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/03/surprise-americans-like-foreign-cars-more-than-their-own/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Detroit lost control of its own market last month, as domestic market share fell below 50 percent for the first time in history, and they have no one to blame but themselves. According to USA Today, Paul Ballew, executive director of market and industry analysis at General Motors Corporation (NYSE: GM) said: "We are not going to cede market share to the competition." What Ballew failed to admit was the fact that they already have, and it's been going on for years.

Foreign automakers have seized the opportunity to take market share during the summer by offering tons of rebates, with Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) offering a record number of incentives, according to Edmunds.com. Despite the push, overall auto sales last month were down 12.3 percent compared to July 2006. Excluding Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.(NASDAQ: NSANY), BMW and Kia, every major automaker posted a decline in U.S. sales.

Industry experts cited months of higher-than-average gas prices, as well as the problems in the housing market, for soft sales. "Experts" failed to mention that most foreign cars provide tons of incentives, better miles per gallon and have a better reputation than American cars.

With the weakness in the overall industry last month, automakers could start to develop some creative and aggressive marketing ploys, Jesse Toprak, an analyst at Edmunds.com, told USA Today. The real question is will U.S. companies ever realize they need to develop autos that have better mileage, and steer away from building gigantic gas guzzling SUVs? With House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Massachusetts Rep. Ed Markey abandoning their push (subscription required) for an increase in fuel-economy standards, Detroit lacks any reason to even consider it.

Surprise! Americans like foreign cars more than their own originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 03 Aug 2007 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoauto sectorAutoSectorcarscryslerdcxdetroitffeaturedfordgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsGMmarkeynissannsanypelositmtoyotaFri, 03 Aug 2007 09:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Net neutrality debate heats up in DC: Score one for the pipes]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2006/04/27/net-neutrality-debate-heats-up-in-dc-score-one-for-the-pipes/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2006/04/27/net-neutrality-debate-heats-up-in-dc-score-one-for-the-pipes/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2006/04/27/net-neutrality-debate-heats-up-in-dc-score-one-for-the-pipes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Imagine an Internet environment in which you were taxed each time you downloaded an itune or searched for the directions and customer reviews of that trendy bistro you were headed to this weekend. Or perhaps, somewhat less ominously, imagine that Internet content providers from the behemoths such as Google, Yahoo!, Apple and Amazon to the little guys such as your favorite foodie blog paid the tax which pressured margins for these companies.

Yesterday, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce rejected an amendment proposed by Representative Ed Markey which would inhibit discrimination of Internet traffic. The vote shuns FCC involvement and serves as a defeat for these Internet companies and a victory for major cable and telecom companies such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon which own the "pipes" that contain the flow of Internet traffic

This net neutrality debate has been heating up big time in recent months as these "pipes" companies pursue an active lobbying effort to keep government regulation away from controlling how they charge those who utilize their infrastructure.

Both sides have a point. On the one hand, it seems like it would be grossly unfair for your Internet provider to allow slow connections to specific sites that you love to visit and have grown to love. On the other hand, the telcos and cable guys do own the pipes.

Personally, I have mixed feelings about it and simply don't want to see it become prohibitive for the little guys to fire up and operate cool and innovative new websites.

Nevertheless, how net neutrality unfolds in Washington over the next two years or so will have a huge effect on the landscape of the web we all surf daily though. At this point it is impossible to predict the resulting terrain. The details will require close scrutiny for those who have a strong interest in the Internet experience or the companies involved as votes such as yesterday's shift the dynamics of who might wind up paying for Internet traffic. 

Net neutrality debate heats up in DC: Score one for the pipes originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 27 Apr 2006 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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