LyrArc Article Gist
Chrysler has no new models in its product lineup except for the small Fiat 500 car and some product redesigns like the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. For about 2 years Chrysler has had liitle that is new to show buyers coming into its dealership showrooms. As competitors Ford and GM recovered sales after the 2008 crisis, Chrysler's sales have been dismal. A lot is dependent on how the new Jeep Grand Cherokee is seen by car buyers. Chrysler and Mercedes had essentially redesigned the Grand Cherokee by the time of the bankruptcy filing in April 2009 and Fiat's takeover. So even though it is presented as the new Chrysler, analysts say its not something Fiat's involvement created. What Fiat added is attention to some of the technical details, and working on the marketing aspects so that its off-road and on-road capabilities are presented in the best possible way to attract buyer interest, keeping price as close to sticker as possible. The question now is whether in Chrysler's difficult situation, the American car buyer will respond to the new Cherokee with interest. Sales peaked for the Cherokee at 300,000 in 1999 and dropped to 50,000 in 2009....

LyrArc Article Gist
Japanese perception of China as a source for manufacturing low cost goods is being challenged by the Honda strike in 2010. On the other hand increasing incomes in China will be welcomed by Japan as it opens up a larger market within China. For that to happen in the case of Japanese car manufacturers, the prices of Honda automobilies in China, which are high, have to come down.

LyrArc Article Gist
Chrysler's second quarter loss of $172 million, follows a first quarter loss of $197 million. Operating profit for the second quarter was $183 million, compared to $143 million in the first quarter. Chrysler's forecast is to breakeven on sales between $40-45 billion. Revenue was up by 8.2% in the second quarter to $10.5 billion. Main problem Chrysler faces is an old product lineup. A slowdown in the economy in the second half of 2010 and in 2011 could hurt Chrysler more than the other automakers. Chrysler has available cash of $7.84 billion and additional $2.3 billion available from U.S. Treasury and Canadian government loan agreements.

LyrArc Article Gist
Buick sales are up 60% this year. It has more to do with product quality of the cars, than the brand with which these cars were labeled. The Buick Lacrosse is winning the hearts of a younger demographic because of the styling, and the tech features such as iPod connectors and a 40 gig hard drive on the dashboard. This makes it GM's fastest growing brand in the USA. In the process Buick is leaving behind its old stodgy image and appealing to younger people. The Lacrosse released in 2009 has a sharp sculpted body and is changing how Buicks are viewed. Buick has discontinued its golf related advertising and cut ties with the Buick Open golf tournament. Now Buick is advertised in travel and culinary magazines. The Buick Regal is being advertised at rock concerts and with local bands. Customers are making their assessment on the basis of the value and styling, and not letting the image of old affect them, the shift in advertising only helps. Buick already sell well in China, where it is GM's main product. ...

LyrArc Article Gist
Apple shares which made a steep rise of over 50% with the introduction of the iPad in 2011, reaching over $600 by March 2012, fell by about 9% between April 9 and April 16, 2012. Apple faces questions about the extent of new innovations it can bring compared to the pace of innovation under CEO Jobs. How long it can maintain the high profit margins on the iPad and the iPhone before they are gradually eroded. And whether a lot of the growth in future years has already been priced into the price of the stock already, with the steep ascent in price in 2011-2012.

LyrArc Article Gist
The near-premium or near-luxury car segment that Honda is appealing to with its Acura ILX and Buick is appealing to with its Verano model. The European carmakers also plan to bring cars to the U..S. that are economically priced and have luxury features. White points out that baby boomer buyers in their fifties and sixties are particularly careful to compare these cars with the luxury features on a moderately priced Accord and Taurus, and can see any flaws in the near-luxury cars which indicate compromise such as afour cylinder engine or manual controls where electronic controls are expected. Honda's marketing people have looked at American buyers and see the new profile of a customer who is sophisticated but is also looking at price in today's more fugal environment for purchases, as the buyer they are targeting. But they will have to be careful as this category bumps up against the moderately priced cars that have some luxury features and are competitively priced to attract buyers.

LyrArc Article Gist
India's current account deficit of 4%- with imports exceeding exports of goods and services- and its small foreign exchange reserves of $293 billion as of April 14, 2012, place serious constraints on building a sizable energy fund to support additional imports of coal and other energy supplies. India is facing severe shortages of coal for the power industry. This places constraints on the country's growth rate. Finance Ministry officials and members of the Planning Commission are looking at setting up a $10 billion energy fund for securing additional supplies of crude oil and coal. Energy imports are placing a strain on India's finances and even the relatively small fund will need money from energy companies in the private sector.

LyrArc Article Gist
Mexico's GDP increases at 3.9% compared to 2.7% for Brazil in 2011. Foreign investment is increasing in Mexico especially in the automobile industry and in industries where Mexico is favored over China as a production location. The G-20 meets in Los Cabos, Mexico in June 2012.

LyrArc Article Gist
Poetry of migrant worker Xu Lizhi at a Foxconn factory in Shenzhen, China.

LyrArc Article Gist
Sanger, Erlanger and Rudoren describe in detail the differing interests of Congress, the Obama administration, the Iranian hardliners around Khamanei, the Israelis, the Europeans, and the Russians each quietly pushing its own interests. Beyond the physics of a deal, a Republican Congress, Democrat Obama and Iranian hardliner Khamanei, each are trying to get their own narrative to look right with public opinion they face, that they have not backed down. The Israelis find any deal unacceptable and reject even a small lifting of sanctions, because of the "existential" threat. Add to this Sunni Saudi Arabia which says it will match Shiite Iranian capabilities with their own uranium enrichment facilities if Iran is allowed to retain capabilities. And economic interests also figure into this- Russian interest is in keeping Iranian oil off the market as long as possible so that oil prices do not fall further in 2015, which means delay an agreement as long as possible. The French see the Obama administration as likely to give too much away for an agreement and want tougher terms....

LyrArc Article Gist
Japan's Business Federation Keidanren chairman, Sadayuki Sakakibara, says he "expects companies to make aggressive action" to increase wages. Keidanren says wage increases of at least 2.2% should be given. Prime minister Abe attended the new year's eve party hosted by Japan's three business lobbies and asked business leaders "to make a brave decision, when can you take action if not now?" Bank of Japan chief has talked to corporate leaders asking for wage increases. He also visited the new year's eve reception of the Japan Trade Union Confederation, as a way of supporting labor's demands for higher wages. BOJ's target is for 2% inflation, and Kuroda says wage movement is critical. About 17.5% of the total workforce are union workers at large companies who are affected by union-company wage negotiations in spring. Non-regular workers make up 38% of the workforce, and the wages for this group also need to be raised to have a serious impact on overall wages.

LyrArc Article Gist
The AKP party loses its parliamentary majority in the 2015 general election. It wins 41% of the vote compared to 50% in the 2011 general election. This gives it 258 seats in the Turkish parliament, compared to 327 seats in the last election. Kurds, liberals and secular Turks were part of the antigovernment protests in 2013. This part of the electorate voted for the Kurdish People's Democratic Party, which won 13% of the vote. The traditional secular party in Turkey won 25% of the vote, giving the opposition to the AKP a combined 38% of the vote. Turnout was 86% for the election. The Kurdish People's Democratic Party is led by a 42 year old human rights lawyer, who told reporters: "As of this hour, the debate about the presidency, the debate about dictatorship, is over. Turkey narrowly averted a disaster."

LyrArc Article Gist
Jobs and Bezos as polymath leaders combining various influences. Jobs influenced by calligraphy, design, technology and Buddhism- bringing this together in a fluid intelligence to come up with new products. An adventurous spirit also characterizes Bezos and Jobs.

LyrArc Article Gist
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) CEO, Natarajan Chandrasekeran, says rapid adoption of new technology will play a significant part in the plans of the Modi administration in India. The release of infrastructure projects worth over $100 billion that are in the pipeline but stalled because of lack of leadership and direction would give an immediate boost. The careful selection of new projects for the greatest impact on growth, rapid technology adoption, and the synergy between technology, human resource development and invested capital, could generate additional percentage points to the growth rate in India. Old myths on what is and is not possible will have to be discarded along the way.