U.S. inflation shows signs of cooling, but caution remains
Although the Federal Reserve remains cautious on cutting interest rates, underlying U.S. inflation appears to be cooling slightly at the end of 2024. According to a recent report from Bloomberg, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) excluding food and energy is expected to rise 0.2% in December, after rising 0.3% in the previous four months. Core CPI, a more accurate measure of underlying inflation, is expected to rise 3.3% year over year, unchanged from the past three months. Also read: CMA CGM defers peak season surcharge on shipments to US Although inflationary pressures appear to be stalling, the job market continues to perform strongly. Government data showed more than 250,000 jobs were added in December, beating expectations, while the unemployment rate unexpectedly fell. A strong job market coupled with resilient consumer demand has not dampened long-term inflation expectations, with a University of Michigan survey highlighting that 22% of respondents plan to buy big-ticket items now to avoid future price increases, a…
U.S. jobless claims decline as labor market remains stable
The number of new U.S. jobless claims unexpectedly fell last week, signaling a strong labor market as 2024 draws to a close. In a surprising development, the Labor Department reported that initial jobless claims fell by 9,000 to a seasonally adjusted 211,000 in the week ended December 28. For more details, visit the original report here. Also read: Post-Christmas rejection surge in U.S. truckload market The data, analyzed by economists polled by Reuters, showed the employment sector was in much healthier shape than expected at 222,000. The accuracy of forecasts amid seasonal fluctuations demonstrates the underlying strength of the economy. Other insights from IndexBox suggest employment continues to be stable, with recruitment agencies showing the number of people receiving benefits fell by 52,000 to stabilize at 1.844 million. In response to economic resilience, the Fed has chosen a conservative approach, forecasting just two rate cuts in 2025 instead of the four forecast earlier this year. The decision reflects confidence in…
Ford F-Series remains America’s best-selling vehicle for 43 consecutive years
However, GM's total truck sales (which include the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado) exceed those of Ford's F-Series December 30, 2024 17:29 The Ford F-Series is expected to once again be America's best-selling truck and best-selling car. Although final figures have not yet been released, Ford sold a total of 550,835 F-Series trucks in the first nine months of this year. That puts them 138,439 units ahead of the Chevrolet Silverado, but GM may have the last laugh. The year is coming to an end, but Ford has already declared victory in 2024. That's no surprise, though, as the F-Series has been the undisputed sales champion for decades. Ford noted that the F-Series has been America's best-selling truck for 48 consecutive years, and that continues again. In addition, the F-Series has been the best-selling overall model for 43 consecutive years. More info: 2025 Ford F-Series Super Duty powered by 7.3L V8, expensive While we won't have final figures until early…
Honda’s 70 MPG fuel economy rating remains high
Honda is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Insight, the first mass-produced hybrid in the United States Honda launched the Insight in December 1999 to celebrate 25 years of hybrid sales in the United States. This model will initially return 61 mpg city and 70 mpg highway. While the Insight never really caught on, 25% of Honda's sales now come from hybrids. Toyota is almost synonymous with hybrids, but Honda is celebrating a major milestone with the launch of their first hybrid in the United States 25 years ago. This is the futuristic Insight, which blends aerodynamics and electrification. While the original model was less practical, it was EPA rated at 61 mpg city and 70 mpg highway. Despite the passage of time, Honda notes that the first-generation Insight "remains the most fuel-efficient non-electric vehicle ever produced in the United States." More: Honda Prelude to return as hybrid sports car It's worth noting, however, that the EPA "regularly updates its…
F1: Monaco Grand Prix confirms new policy, remains in place
F1 has announced a contract extension with the iconic Monaco Grand Prix, ensuring the event remains a fixture on the F1 calendar until 2031. The Monaco Grand Prix, often hailed as the crown jewel of the F1 season, is expected to end its current run in 2025 after the race is contracted. However, both the Automobile Club de Monaco and F1 agreed to postpone the event for six years, cementing the event's status as a long-term favorite for fans and drivers. The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix is scheduled to be held from May 23 to 25, which is also the 75th anniversary of F1's first official appearance. From 2026, the race will move to the first full weekend in June each year. Despite its challenging layout and limited overtaking opportunities, the track's rich history and unique atmosphere continue to attract fans and drivers. As F1 celebrates its 75th anniversary next year, the Monaco Grand Prix will add a touch of…
America moves on, but Japan’s Mazda MX-30 remains
The SUV's interior features a black and brown leather combination go through Brad Anderson November 1, 2024 06:47 Japanese buyers can choose from three different powertrains for the MX-30. Several interior upgrades were made, including the installation of a large infotainment display. The MX-30's powertrain can now be started remotely via the MyMazda app. Last July, Mazda phased out its mediocre MX-30 EV in the United States due to poor sales. In fact, only 66 were sold in the first half of 2023, and in 2022, only 324 were sold nationwide. In Japan, the MX-30 continues to exist as BEV, range extender and MHEV, updated with a new variant called "Retro Sport". Special touches start on the outside with several black accents, including the wing mirrors and wheels, contrasting with the three newly launched paints. One of the paints has a terracotta hue that definitely gives the MX-30 an interesting style. The cabin of the SUV also comes with new…
China’s role in global trade shows remains strong despite visa policy
BEIJING — China is a major player in the trade show industry. As the world's second largest economy, economic growth is expected to reach 5% this year. This is great news for the trade show industry. “China’s economy is one of the most dynamic in the world, and its market offers huge business opportunities. Among them, thanks to the large investments in renewable energy, 5G and artificial intelligence in recent years, it is at the forefront of technological innovation. World leading position," said Ricard Zapatero, International Business Director of Fira in Barcelona. Fashion exhibition is one of the emerging fields. From Shanghai to Shenzhen, and even second-tier cities such as Dalian, Ningbo, Haining, and Zhuzhou, fashion exhibitions are booming in China. Giorgio Meloni, President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Government, and Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, recently held an important meeting in Beijing related to the Chinese trade exhibition…
Automation remains a focus for ILA
During the first week of October, the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) strike inevitably dominated national news coverage. Doomsday scenarios, people hoarding toilet paper and union president Harold Daggett's 7,136-square-foot New Jersey home, complete with a brick pizza oven and a sleek Bentley in the garage, are all socializing There was a stir in the media. At the heart of the ILA's concerns, however, is automation and its eventual impact on union jobs. Also read: Managing supply chains through disruption: ILA strikes on Gulf and East Coast in 2024 Like any other economic sector, port management is driven by the pursuit of profit and seeks to maximize productivity. Port automation has been an ongoing phenomenon for years, but union resistance has been particularly pronounced in the United States. "Smart Port" integrates digitalization, artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain, 5G and other technologies. Although the United States is the tech capital of the world, the country has long lagged behind when it comes…
2026 Audi A7 sedan renamed from A6, but remains
Audi's new A7 has been spied testing, and the images seem to confirm it's a sedan, not a hatchback The new A7 is a combustion-engine-powered replacement for the current combustion-engined A6. Audi isn't doing away with the A6 badge entirely; it will return as a midsize electric wagon and hatchback duo. Audi is changing its logo to help buyers more easily browse combustion and electric vehicle products. We got our first taste of this strategy this summer, when the long-running A4 sedan switched to an A5 badge for the 2026 model year, and now the A6 is transitioning into the A7. var adpushup = window.adpushup = window.adpushup || {que:()}; adpushup.que.push(function() { if (adpushup.config.platform !== "DESKTOP"){ adpushup.triggerAd("4d84e4c9 -9937-4f84-82c0-c94544ee6f2a"); } else{ adpushup.triggerAd("6a782b01-facb-45f3-a88f-ddf1b1f97657"); The reason for this upheaval is to give all internal combustion engine cars and hybrid cars odd numbers so that electric cars can overtake even-numbered cars. The A6 badge has been reassigned to the electric midsize car, but when it…
Review: Dacia Duster remains the king of budget SUVs
Dacia is steadily transforming into a brand ideal for a certain type of audience, proving that cars can be affordable and cool at the same time. Leading the way is the new Duster, which embodies the Romanian automaker's core values while ushering the brand into a new era. We recently tested this updated subcompact SUV with the entry-level 1.0-liter Eco-G powertrain in a variety of driving conditions to see how much it has evolved and improved over its popular predecessor. Review: Jeep Avenger proves ICE and manual combos still have appeal Launched in November 2023, the third-generation Duster brings major updates both internally and externally. Dacia's new design language gives the vehicle a more substantial appearance, although it only increases by 23 mm (0.9 in), taking the overall length to 4,343 mm (171 in). Currently, the only subcompact SUVs in Europe that are longer than the Duster are the Citroen C3 Aircross and Opel Frontera twins. However, Dacia will soon…
2025 Nissan Versa price rises by $1,000, remains US
While the small sedan has seen a price hike, the new price tag now covers standard LED headlights and three prepaid oil changes. The price of the 2025 Nissan Versa will increase by $1,060 to $1,190 across all trim levels. This subcompact sedan comes with standard LED headlights and three prepaid oil changes. 2025 could be the last year for the Versa, and it is expected to be discontinued soon. Nissan has announced pricing for the 2025 Versa, which remains largely unchanged from its predecessor. However, the subcompact sedan has seen a significant price increase, starting at $17,190 before destination, a massive $1,060 increase from the 2024 model - apparently inflation is not a rumor. The price hike means the 2025 Versa temporarily loses its title as the cheapest new car in the U.S. to the 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage, which starts at $16,695. However, the Versa still retains its position as the cheapest sedan, with a $605 price advantage over…
US freight demand remains stable, container prices remain stable
The global container shipping industry continues to witness an increase in demand for US freight, with 59% of supply chain professionals surveyed in August 2024 affirming this, while 30% of respondents said they did not observe a sustained increase in demand and 11% remained unsure about the trend. This also explains the continued upward pressure on US container prices and the above-average container leasing rates from China to the US. Figure 1 US freight demand survey conducted by Container xChange in August 2024 "Looking ahead, the key question remains: how will freight and container prices evolve over the next 3 to 6 months? On the one hand, several factors are likely to keep freight rates high or at least stable. For example, ongoing disruptions on the Red Sea continue to absorb capacity, with no clear resolution in sight. In addition, labor disputes on Canadian railroads and at U.S. East Coast terminals have led to delayed container turn times. This means…
Trump may cancel $7,500 electric vehicle subsidy, but remains open to Chinese car owners
The former president said he could offer incentives to Chinese brands to build cars in the U.S. go through Brad Anderson 17 hours ago The Republican presidential candidate added that he could appoint Elon Musk to his cabinet. Trump has said he does not support tax credits or tax incentives in general. Despite his previous opposition to electric cars, the former president now says he is a "big fan of electric cars." Donald Trump has said he might eliminate the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles, despite his recent change of stance on electric vehicles after receiving strong support from Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The former president and current Republican presidential candidate told reporters after a campaign event in York, Pennsylvania, that he doesn't like the tax breaks but warned that he has not made a final decision on the electric vehicle credits. Read: UAW files federal charges against Musk and Trump, accusing them of threatening workers “Tax credits…
U.S. consumer spending remains stable, with no signs of an early peak
Policy uncertainty in Europe and the United States has a negative impact on trade: “In a more uncertain environment,” a World Bank report states, “firms may choose to postpone investment and export decisions, and consumers may cut back on spending.” The latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) shows no sudden increase in U.S. consumer spending, supporting the view that the early peak season for container cargo is driven more by frontloading of imports rather than increased consumer demand. Also read: US consumer spending trends reshape container shipping dynamics © Ocean Intelligence According to Sea-Intelligence, year-over-year growth rates for “durable goods” fell sharply in early 2024, and although they have recovered, they have not yet reached 2023 levels. In contrast, spending on “non-durable goods” has been showing consistent growth since late 2022, but there was no unexpected spike in consumer spending in the late spring and early summer of 2024. The only significant increase in consumer spending…
HKTDC Wine Show: Demand for wine in Asia remains strong
HKTDC Wine Show: Demand for wine in Asia remains strong The Hong Kong Trade Development Council's annual wine exhibition will be held from November 10 to 12. The exhibition organizer isHong Kong Trade Development Council, China, HKTDC, the exhibition hall is located atHong Kong Convention and Exhibition CentreThe three-day exhibition is expected to attract 20,000 professional traders and nearly 1,000 exhibitors. In 2012, wine sales in mainland China reached $40.5 billion, with sales volume reaching 4.3 billion liters, up 125% and 55% respectively compared with five years ago. Therefore, fine wine manufacturers and suppliers are determined to enter the mainland China market. Hong Kong is the only place in the world that has reached a cooperation agreement with the mainland Chinese government. Under the Closer Economic Partnership Agreement, Hong Kong is allowed to export imported wine to mainland China and speeds up customs clearance procedures. mainland ports, making Hong Kong an important gateway to the mainland China alcoholic beverage market.…
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