Filed under: Rants and raves, Competitive strategy, General Motors (GM), Politics

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) reached a milestone of corporate governance this month, as it released its first-ever contribution list to section 527 organizations. In essence, political influence dollars. GM apparently wants to further its efforts toward making corporate transparency for its stockholders commonplace. It’s a good move by the world’s largest automaker.

For 2007, GM’s contributions to section 527 organizations are like this:

• Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) — $5,000.00
• Democratic Governors Association (DGA) — $10,000.00
• Democratic Governors Association (DGA) — $5,000.00
• Republican Governors Association (RGA) $ –15,000.00

In addition to the above amounts, GM made a few contributions in 2006 which it anticipates to be reported by the organizations below in 2007:

• Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) — $5,000.00
• Republican Governors Association (RGA) — $15,000.00

Nothing was contributed to state or local candidates in any state as reported by GM, however. Based on the millions in lobbying amounts given away by GM every year, the above amounts seem like drops in the proverbial bucket. At least the report (PDF link) is being voluntary disclosed. With all the money the automaker gave to Democratic and Republican associations, one could buy a newer Escalade, eh?

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Filed under: Rumors, Products and services, Consumer experience, Competitive strategy, Apple Inc (AAPL), PepsiCo (PEP), Amazon.com (AMZN), Marketing and advertising, Technology

Billboard.com announced today that Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) and PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) are set to reveal a new “promotion in which Pepsi customers can build up points by registering codes on bottle-caps and exchange them for merchandise and downloads from Amazon.com.” The announcement from the two companies is rumored to commence with a commercial airing during this year’s Super Bowl game, and the promotion will last through the end of this year.

The promotion is also due to coincide with the full launch of Amazon.com’s MP3 store, which was unveiled in a demo form in autumn. The two companies will utilize tracks and videos from three of the four major music labels, Warner Music Group (NYSE: WMG), privately held EMI Group, and Sony BMG, a joint venture of Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE) and Germany-based Bertelsmann Media Group; Vivendi (OTC: VIVEF)’s Universal Music Group will sit out the promotion, though that label will still offer music in the MP3 store. Sony BMG joins the MP3 market with its involvement in the promotion after announcing the sale of MP3 cards earlier this week.

This promotion illustrates the continued demand for high-quality MP3 tracks free from anti-piracy technology, like Digital Rights Management (DRM), which many anticipate will disappear by mid-year. The full launch of the Amazon.com MP3 store gives consumers another destination for media that’s playable across numerous players, acting in direct competition to Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL)’s iTunes Store. Apple spearheaded the move away from DRM last spring, after securing a deal with EMI to drop the technology. The benefit of the promotion is that it will broaden the number of consumers that are aware of high-quality tracks, while increasing the competition that’ll occur to spur continued development in this area.

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Filed under: Consumer experience, Competitive strategy, Google (GOOG)

Another day, more worries about Google (NASDAQ: GOOG)’s growing global power. The web advertising juggernaut has so much influence over the spread of information (and the advertising dollars that come along with that) that it’s hard to see just how powerful the company has become in just the last three years alone.

So here we’re in 2008, and — again — government regulators are growing more concerned about the power Google has. In a capitalist society, where does the free market end and the power of government begin? That’s a formula nobody can answer. When the U.S. government made its case against Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) a decade ago, it included pieces of how the company trampled on its competitors using illegal tactics. I’ve never agreed with the World wide web Explorer part of that litigation and never will — since, after all, consumers are free to download any free web browser they please. Is the growing government concern over Google’s growth in the same venue? It shouldn’t be.

Is anyone forcing you to use Google every single day? Nope — it’s your choice. Google ascended to the top spot in world wide web search without distributing a single piece of software to its customers or using any kind of illegal tactics at all. It simply provided the ideal and most complete experience. Customers recognized that and have made Google the top choice in world wide web search (and advertising along with it).

Does that require regulation? How absurd. It’s true that Google could provide privacy details (and much more) to each customer at regular intervals — but if it screws up, users will leave Google. But, when a company that does so much right for its consumers grows huge because of that fact, competitors turn to any tactic they have the ability to to try and stem the flood. Making a superior product, in the free enterprise tradition, would seem a better tactic.

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Filed under: Consumer experience, Competitive strategy, Market matters, Top Picks 2007, Valero Energy (VLO), Chasing Value, Oil, Headline news, Best Stocks for 2008

What can I say except to report the facts as they’re. Valero Energy (NYSE: VLO), one of my top picks of 2007, is my worst of 2008 — so far! The refiners have taken a big hit this year as the Department of Energy has reported that gasoline inventories are up at the same time that oil prices have only come down marginally.

This is putting the squeeze on oil refiners like Valero, which are not able to increase margins on slackening demand at the pump. Last year, Valero made me look great all year long, rising 36%, and this year I stuck with it: Chasing Value: Valero Energy (VLO) is just so refined.

If the economy continues to look gloomy and the inventory trend continues, with supplies remaining more than ample, then perhaps my best pick will turn into my worst.

In the meantime, we’re only 10 days into the new year, and January has been dismal. The market was up and down yesterday, finally ending higher, as fickle as I have seen it in a while, and it is up notably again today. Valero closed yesterday at $61.67, about $8 off my begin point. It is up this day even after the inventory report has been broadcast, so I think fickle is the word of the day, or even the week.

To find potential opportunities and verify my track record read Chasing Value or Serious Money.

DISCLOSURE: I own shares of VLO.

Sheldon Liber is the CEO of a small private investment company and the design and research principal for an architecture & planning firm.

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Filed under: Products and services, Competitive strategy, Google (GOOG), Apple Inc (AAPL)

Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG)’s Android was really set up to be displayed at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this week. After such a high-profile and hyped introduction this past fall, it would have been very Apple-esque (as in, releasing products right after announcing them at Macworld) of Google to facilitate some kind of hardware product introduction for this month’s CES in Las Vegas. But Google’s in the software business, not the hardware business.

What Android product did show up at CES this week, then? Asian electronics manufacturer Wistron NeWeb was the sole supplier of any Android pre-release hardware product. The GW4 model, which reminded some of the ubiquitous BlackBerry handset, was on display this week sporting some common features from today’s wireless handset manufacturing universe.

But, alas, there was no Android inside — just a Linux-based operating system. Heck, why would Wistron even demo a phone that’ll come with Android onboard when it ships to the U.S. market sometime in the second quarter — but has not trace of it in January? It’s puzzling and makes no sense. Remember, the hardware doesn’t mean anything — it’s the software that counts. Well, according to Bill Gates, anyway.

Google’s Android won’t win over wireless phone consumers without an engaging experience that goes beyond what is available this day on a modern cellphone — not to mention competing with Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL)’s iPhone. Perhaps later in 2008 the picture will become much clearer. Yes, Android was just announced to the world a scant few months ago, but now the expectation to deliver something outstanding is only becoming more massive each day.

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Filed under: Competitive strategy, Ideal Purchase (BBY), Circuit City Stores (CC)

Ideal Purchase, Inc. (NYSE: BBY) was downgraded by Cowen & Co. Tuesday from Outperform to Neutral even as the largest consumer electronics chain in the U.S. continues to beam proudly with all the success it’s been achieving recently. Best Buy CEO Brad Anderson even said, “We have never had to pull anything back in a significant way and don’t see that on the horizon. Right now we see indicators that it’s a tougher climate, but we don’t see indicators to say that its prone to be a really difficult one. So, what’s all the hubbub about?”

Cowen & Co. indicated that product cycles in the electronics sector may be slowing, which could crimp sales for the consumer electronics retailer. Cowen cited “strong products to drive sales” in the note sent to clients, specifically noting the bigger product cycles of TVs and personal are starting to wane as consumers rapidly replace older televisions with newer flat-panel units and Computer sales see double-digit growth outside the U.S. (and decent growth inside). Ideal Buy is also aggressively entering the Chinese and Indian markets. Let’s pause while collective head-scratching commences.

A glance at Best Buy’s main rival Circuit City Stores, Inc. (NYSE: CC), which had a disastrous 2007 (and was rumored to be considering throwing CEO Phil Schoonover to the curb), and it’s hard to see Best Buy doing anything but good in 2008. If product cycles are indeed slowing for larger-margin products, Cowen did say a lack of “compelling” products may injured it. I’ll cede that — but it’s the only thing standing in Best Buy’s way this year.

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Filed under: International markets, Forecasts, Competitive strategy, General Motors (GM), Marketing and advertising, Toyota Motor Corp. (TM)

This morning, Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) posted a rise of 6% for its global group sales to a total of 9.37 million cars last year. The company’s results put increased pressure on General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) for the title of the world’s largest automaker.

General Motor hasn’t announced yet its annual sales results, but analysts expect the company show 2007 sales of 9.3 million vehicles. As we can see, the sales numbers recommend a tight race in the company’s fight for the biggest automaker in global sales.

The current surge in oil prices helped Toyota to increase sales of its more fuel efficient cars, such as the Camry sedan and the Prius gas-electric hybrid models. General Motors has been able to keep the top industry spot for the past 76 years.

According to a statement from the Japanese automaker, Toyota’s group companies posted a growth of 10% for cars sold overseas during the last year, rising up to 7.1 million. The results offset a 4% drop in sales in Japan to 2.26 million automobiles. The sales numbers show that Toyota beat GM in profitability. Let’s remember that over the current years, General Motors had to face a difficult period when it had to close plants, reduce plans for truck production and cut jobs.

Some of Toyota’s executives admit they’re nervous about becoming the world’s biggest automaker as they are afraid to invoke a U.S. backlash similar to the “Japan-bashing” in the 1980s and 90s. Nonetheless, Toyota announced last month it plans to hit a target of 9.85 million cars sales worldwide this year, up 5% from last year.

The auto industry competition becomes even stronger as new rivals appear in China, Russia, South America and other regions. Analysts had also predicted weaker vehicle sales for Toyota as U.S. growth slows and a growing gap in Japan’s socioeconomic classes.

Looking ahead, Toyota plans to gain ground in new markets by setting up new overseas plants. The automaker aims to increase its production by 5% next year to 9.95 million vehicles. Despite strong competition, the company’s projects seem encouraging for many analysts who believe it’s just a matter of time before Toyota beats GM to become the biggest automaker in global sales.

In other automotive news, be sure to read up on the world’s cheapest car, the Nano, which Tata Motors (NYSE: TTM) has just unveiled for under $2,500.

Eliza Popescu is a financial writer for the on the internet investment advisory service Investor’s Observer.

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Filed under: Products and services, Competitive strategy, Ford Motor (F), General Motors (GM), India, Tata Mtrs Ltd (TTM)

As if Detroit didn’t have enough to worry about, Tata Motors (NYSE: TTM) has unveiled its long-awaited super-cheap vehicle at the Auto Expo in New Delhi. Called the Nano, it’s little and kind of cute, in a smooshed jelly bean kind of way. Its most attractive feature, though, is its price. For a mere 100,000 rupees, the equivalent of roughly $2,500, you can drive home in the world’s least high-priced vehicle (assuming you live in India, of course).

According to AutoBlog, here’s what you get for your 100,000 rupees: a two cylinder gasoline engine producing a whopping 30 horsepower, a four-speed manual transmission, room for five (very small) people, brakes of some kind, and, best of all, 54 miles per gallon of gas. You don’t get a radio or power steering or a second windshield wiper, but did you really anticipate to? Even so, the car is reasonably safe and efficient by Indian standards, and Tata claims that it meets all environmental and safety regulations in India.

It’s hard not to be impressed by the Nano, and by the potential of Tata Motors. Tata is already the largest auto manufacturer in India. Millions of Tata vehicles are already on the roads, and with the Nano, we have the ability to anticipate to see millions more. Tata also sells cars and trucks all over Asia and has a growing presence in the Middle East and Latin America. If you want to place a bet on the future of the global auto industry, you could do worse than buying some Tata stock. Just as General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Ford (NYSE: F) provided basic transport in the world’s fastest growing economy early 20th century, Tata is poised to sell millions of basic vehicles in the fastest growing part of the world in the 21st century.

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Filed under: Utilities, Web services

PDF Hammer is an online utility that lets you perform basic edits to PDF files. You can upload an individual file or multiple files and rearrange or delete pages and then export your project as a new PDF file. The site provides a quick and easy solution for combining multiple PDF documents into one file or for stripping away pages you don’t need in a long document.

The developer is working on adding additional features like the ability to rotate pages and apply watermarks and stamps to pages. The only thing that would make PDF Hammer easier to use? A desktop client. Sure it’s nice that you don’t have to register or download anything to use the application. But if you’ve got a bunch of files to edit, it can be kind of tedious uploading them one at a time.

[via makeuseof

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