Category Archives: Market Analysis

Automotive MEMS Sensor Market to Reach Record High in 2010

Driven by the rapid recovery in automotive production and inventory rebuilding among sensor component suppliers, the market for automotive microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensors will expand to record size in 2010, according to market research firm iSuppli, now a part of IHS Inc.

Marking a new high point for the industry, shipments of automotive MEMS sensors will reach 662.3 million units in 2010, up a robust 32.1% from 501.2 million units in 2009. The projected year-end levels – including the replenishment of inventory pipelines that were depleted during the recession of 2009 – will exceed even the pre-crisis high point in 2007 of 640 million sensors, iSuppli data research shows.

“The recovery in automotive MEMS shipments represents a happy turnaround from the depressed levels of 2009 when shipments cratered and reached a nadir, and the years ahead will provide additional room for expansion,” noted by Richard Dixon, Senior Analyst, MEMS and sensors at iSuppli.

Nonetheless, growth will slow in 2011, with shipments anticipated to climb just 7.3% as the market normalizes following the exuberance in 2010. Production then will pick up again in 2012, and growth rates end up north of 13% by 2014.

One significant engine of automotive MEMS growth is the use of sensors in passenger cars supporting mandated safety technologies such as electronic stability control (ESC) and tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS).

The United States and Europe have led the adoption of legislation on such safety systems and other countries like Australia and Canada have quickly followed suit. However, similar mandates are now being adopted in South Korea and are expected in Japan, accelerating overall adoption rates worldwide. The extra opportunity from both ESC and TPMS for automotive MEMS suppliers to Japan and Korea will correspond to additional revenue of $120 million in those regions alone for the next five years.

China will also account for a large portion of the automotive MEMS action. Compared to U.S. or European vehicles, the electronics content of low- and mid-range vehicles in China is about 50% or less, but sensor penetration will steadily increase – first in power train application in order to reduce carbon emissions that choke Chinese cities and as safety sensors for additional airbags & ESC systems.

Among the new applications providing suppliers greater production opportunities for automotive MEMS sensors, the most prominent include usage of gas sensors to control air quality in the cabin; infrared thermopiles to monitor temperature; microbolometers to aid night-vision systems and MEMS oscillators to boost rear-view cameras.

iSuppli notes that some consumer-oriented MEMS sensor suppliers are making inroads into the automotive market, widening the pool of players participating in the space.

In particular STMicroelectronics – the leading MEMS supplier for consumer and mobile application and which so far has targeted non-safety critical applications in automotive such as car alarms and navigation – has now entered the airbag market with a high g accelerometer.

Google Launches In-App Billing on Android Market

“We’re pleased to announce the launch of Android Market In-app Billing to developers and users. As an Android developer, you will now be able to publish apps that use In-app Billing and your users can make purchases from within your apps,” stated the blog post. This new launch will greatly enhance the sale of applications in the Android market, as prior to this, Android-based app creators could only sell their apps in the app market, and the monetary transaction was also a complex process. Moreover, owing to this constraint, the developers were left with no choice, but to offer their software free of cost to the users.

The negatives

Even though this in-app payment offer is very beneficial, and is one of major revenue source for Apple which also offers a similar service to its iPhone customers, it has some flaws. Malware and theft are major worries for Android app developers, while opting for selling their applications through this method. “It’s also worth noting the hidden (or at least partially obscured) costs of some apps that use this model. Previously, Android apps could be bought with a simple one-off payment – you knew exactly what you were paying, even if it was a relatively expensive app,” said a technology expert.

Google helping Android market develop

Google Inc. has been working at developing the Android market, and in its bid, it has also encouraged creation of new apps by developers. “Despite the developments, Google has a lot more work to do with Android Market, improving the buying experience for visitors, adding more methods for payment worldwide, and more,” added a market analyst.

B2b Market Places AT Service

The new business company entering in the business world has got it own fears. The traders need to understand that in order to survive in the international trade market they might have to face many challenges.

As you can see that, the international trade market has got many successful leading companies in it. The business transactions take place between these companies very fast, which has created a competitive atmosphere in the business world.

To cope up with the speed of these companies, a new company might have to make extra efforts.

The most important thing which a new company in the market has to do is building business relations.

When a company enters the business world, it is a big task to get in touch with new companies that might be interested to have a trade deal with you. If we look at the old conventional ways, traders used to travel place to place , from country to country and drop its business cards in offices of various business companies in order to meet appropriate business partners.

But now through b2b marketing it has now become very easy to make new business relations. On these hubs you can find numerous business companies. These hubs provide an online directory from which you can have data about new and old business companies.

The other most important thing is the marketing of the company and its products. it has been observed that advertising or marketing is the key to success to survive in the market. If a business company is not able to market its good on a huge scale, then there are very few chances of it to get stable.

When traders were using conventional ways of trading, they used to spend huge amount of money for advertising and marketing purposes. As they wanted their products and companies to be known by as many companies around the world as possible, so they used to give their ads in many different newspapers and many different websites.

This cost them a lot, but even then there was no surety that whether the product is getting the required exposure or not.

But now b2b marketing ways have solved the problems. It gives you the solution to market your products and services internationally by spending very less revenue.

You can easily place your buying and selling leads on these hubs. As these hubs are serving as meeting places for thousands of trading companies around the world, placing trading leads here can be a golden opportunity to expose your products and services in the international market.

Know The Basics Of Forex Managed Accounts Before Entering The Forex Market

It is a significant decision for you when you decide to venture in the foreign exchange market. The interest rates are considerably low in these days recession. You do not find any reason to keep your money with the banks in a savings, which gives you very little earning in the end. That does not give you enough motivation to keep your hard-earned money with them. Nevertheless, those who are willing to come out of the traditional mindset to earn safe money, can find it very profitable to invest in the Forex managed accounts.

To invest in the forex market one needs a brokering company with whom he may open his account. The brokering companies use to deal with many small investors. When you find the big players in the forex market, among which are the central banks, commercial banks and other financial institutions, you will know how small an individual investor’s tiny amount is in contrast to the billions invested by them. A beginner may find it impossible to trade in the market independently.

The brokering companies are able to open managed accounts for individuals. When you open a managed account with a brokering company, you need to invest a much larger amount than if you open a normal account. Still results are telling. Only 3-5% of the individual traders are seen to succeed in the market; hence you can guess well why the individual traders are advised to take the help of the professionals in the market.

You do not need to manage your own account when you open a forex managed account with a brokering company. From a team of currency investors, the brokering company select efficient traders with good success record and employ them to manage these accounts. Only the traders with a considerable track-record of success are chosen. Once they have become successful in the forex market, they will definitely know the use of statistical charts, software and news gatherers to analyze the trend of the market.

The manager of the account is given a power of attorney that should be used for a very limited purpose. The investor’s money can be used to trade in currencies by the forex manager. Nevertheless, the well-known companies bar the employee traders to directly access or withdraw the money of the investor. So, the personal account of the investor remains safe from unwanted withdrawal.

The forex brokering firms charge a fee on these kind of accounts. The charges are deducted from the net profit. If your account do not show any profit, you will not have to pay any fees for it. You will only be charged when you make some profit. If your account looses some money, these managers work hard to pull enough profit the next day. They will obviously try to make a profit that is not only sufficient to cover your losses, but also big enough to assure them of their fees.

Additionally, the trading company will provide the account details and the transaction history to the individual investor whenever he may need. When you open an account with these brokering companies, you are not barred by them to invest elsewhere. Your money is kept in a personal account and you are free to withdraw it whenever you need to do so.

Nevertheless, the investor should weigh his steps cautiously. He should observe what the broker does with his money. Some brokering companies provide the trader with the facility to interact with their forex manager. The individual is required to observe the risk his money is likely to be posed in to. He should note the activity and strategy of the broker. On being satisfied with this and when he feels comfortable with them, the individual investor should enter the agreement with the form.

Gucci Plans to Take the Share of China Luxury Products Consumer Market

“If everything goes well, the China’s Luxury Products Consumer Market will be the main market in the world.” Patriziodi Marco, SEO of Gucci said.

In the “Global luxury market report” released by Bain & Co in the end of 2009, it was reported that the total amount of luxury products consuming in China Home increased by 12%, reached to 9.6 Billion US Dollars. And Chinese people bought the luxury products overseas for about 11.6 billion US dollars.

China, overpasses the USA, becomes the second biggest country of Luxu Items Consuming, with the first one is Japan.

From the 2nd half year of 2008, many world-know brand named products met “Waterloo”, and Gucci seemed to take it earlier. And that is why Gucci is so eager for the blossom in China’s market. They so far own 35 outlets in China, covering 26 cities; and they plan to open another twenty stores in the next 3 years.

However, the big investment into the decoration of the grand stores adds more financial burden to Gucci. And they are now planning to take some stores which are not so costly, to make sure they could make money soon when they are ready to the market.

Patriziodi Marco said that, the Gucci Items now pay more attention to the better grade of matching of different products, and they much focus on the special design and crafts for the mid-and-high prices. Some examples improved this much, they are the classic collection from Gucci, such as New Jackie, Icon Bit Bags, New Bamboo Gucci Bags, and Diamante luggage series. They just enjoy a good market for these products can be afforded by more and more mid-class people.

In the marketing and sales, Gucci emphasizes the luxury tradition and fashion, the unique soul in Gucci brand. They start to show people the brilliant craft process directly; become one of the sponsors for the Equestrians; release the GuccilifestyleApp for I Phone; and set up outlets for Icon Sneakers.

All the Gucci did is to get itself ready to take bigger share of China Luxury Products Consumer Market.