Business World: 

THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY foresees a more stable supply situation at the very least following reports that Japanese parts production has picked up following March’s deadly earthquake and tsunami. Timing of a return to full output, however, remains uncertain given power shortages caused by the shutdown of the Fukushima nuclear plant, industry officials said.

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry last week said industrial production rose by 5.7% month-on-month in May from 1.6% in April, with transport equipment among the sectors leading growth. Inventory was said to have similarly increased by 5.1% in May from previous month on improved production of electronics parts and devices, among others.

And now I have even more reason to love my Audi……

Jul 11, 2011 2:20 PM

Audi’s CEO has revealed that the German automaker plans to build a vehicle assembly plant in North America and could also build an addition engine and transmission plant.

Audi CEO Rupert Stadler told Automotive News that details of the assembly plant—including its location, what models it will build, and its production capacity—will be finalized within three years.

Audi sold 101,629 vehicles in the U.S. in 2010, a production record. Stadler said the company plans to increase sales in America by 10 to 20 percent this year, and could surpass 150,000 by 2015.

Motor Authority reported that Audi’s U.S. sales have already increased 15.4 percent over the first six months of this year, as the company sold 55,909 cars from January through June.

Stadler also discussed the company’s “Strategy 2020” plan, which calls for Audi to sell two million cars worldwide by 2020. He told Automotive News that Audi will surpass 1.5 million in global sales a year earlier than its targeted date of 2015.

Audi’s lineup will increase from 38 models this year to 42 in 2015, and will hit 50 by 2020.

—Evan MacDonald, Consumer Reports.org

We can thank all the dot.coms of the late 1990s for the trend of having a “casual” or “dress down” Friday.  This trend fits perfectly in the California based business culture and is also shared by our relaxed Canadian friends.   Psychologically there is simply something very different about getting ready for work on Friday am.   It feels like a  “pre-weekend” day and instead of winding down, we are gearing up for the weekend.

Thank you dot.coms, wherever you are.



America needs to get back to the basics of creating things of value and there is no better time than now, says Bob Lutz, former vice chairman of General Motors.

“There is a dawning awakening on the part of most Americans that we cannot maintain the wealth of the nation by being bond traders [and] lawyers,” he tells Aaron in the accompanying interview. “At some point the country has to get back to work and create wealth through mining, agriculture or manufacturing.”

In his new book, Car Guys vs Bean Counters: The Battle for the Soul of American Business, Lutz makes the case for why there is now a “historic window of opportunity” for the United States to regain is leadership as the world’s top manufacturer and exporter.

He gives three key factors:

Sobered Unions: “[There's] a new sense of realism on the part of the unions that boy, if you overmilk the cow she is going to drop over dead.”

Drive for Competitiveness: There’s “a renewed emphasis on being more than competitive with the Japanese and the Germans,” especially when it comes to the auto industry.

Weak Dollar: “Right now with the dollar where it is and American wage rates where they are, there is no excuse not to manufacture in the United States.”

July 1, 2011…..from UPS

Effective August 1, 2011 UPS Freight rates will increase 6.9%.  This increase will apply to shipments rated on UPS/Canada/Mexico and also applies to off-shore rates and charges…..

Just a note for future manufacturing planning….keep it local.  We deliver.



I just read an article explaining that GM will have to halt production at their Shreveport, Louisiana plant due to faulty chips they received from China. Production will be stopped for over one week! Do you know how much revenue they’re losing?

All because of a faulty product they received from overseas. I’ve said it time and time again, you get what you pay for. If this happens to you, please give us a call. We have extensive re-work experience and can get you back on track in no time. For more details on this article and to see what some of the repercussions for GM are, you can check it out here – http://tinyurl.com/2f5mt6

Bob