Business Facilities - July 2008 - (Page 27)

motive manufacturing plants in an envious competitive position compared to their overseas counterparts. As we reported recently on our Business Facilities blog, GM, Ford and Chrysler are poised to invade overseas markets. Chrysler actually is shifting production of minivans and Jeeps from Europe to the U.S. to take advantage of lower costs and available plant capacity, and Ford is considering ramping up exports if it can match GM in bringing down its labor costs. GM, meanwhile, reportedly is planning to build a new small car in Lordstown, OH, that would be geared to overseas sales. Toyota, which successfully invaded the U.S. automotive market by building assembly plants in America that did not use union labor, is said to be very concerned about GM’s new labor pact with the United Auto Workers. The tables have turned. Exports of U.S.-made cars and light trucks have more than doubled since 2002, notching $50 billion in sales last year. U.S. carmakers are aggressively targeting buyers in more than 80 countries, including huge emerging markets in Asia and South America. We offer this summary as our way of recognizing that this year’s automotive ranking, while saluting some impressive upward movement in manufacturing growth, represent a snapshot in a rapidly changing picture. This year’s ranking, which factor in the number of cars and light trucks produced, show significant movement for some of the key players. Texas tops the list for the 2008 ranking, jumping up from last year’s 6th-place finish. Illinois jumps into the top 10 at 2nd place, while South Carolina moves up to 3rd place from last year’s showing in 8th place. Michigan also cracks the top 10 this year, perhaps a harbinger of what can be expected in next year’s ranking if industry analysts are correct about current trends. Vermont’s Green Valley: Innovative research and education Setting new standards for environmental solutions Experienced and dedicated workforce Did you know? The State of Vermont is an authorized EB-5 regional center making foreign investment available for your business start-up or expansion. For decades, Vermont has been growing businesses that are worldwide leaders in new technology, clean energy, and environmental stewardship. Growing this sector is a major priority for Vermont’s business and civic leaders. This is evident in our nearly 100 environmental businesses and our numerous public and private programs aimed at finding solutions for global environmental problems. We want you to be a part of this too. Interested in learning more, contact: Brennan Duffy at (802)828-1680 brennan@thinkvermont.com DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (866) 933-6249/www.ThinkVermont.com #0301 at www.BusinessFacilities.com BUSINESS FACILITIES 27 http://www.thinkvermont.com http://www.BusinessFacilities.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Business Facilities - July 2008

Business Facilities - July 2008 Contents First Word Snapshots Corporate Moves: New York The 2008 Business Facilities Rankings Report 2008 Rankings: Biotech Blasts Off 2008 Rankings: Green with Envy 2008 Rankings: Warm Climate for Business Nanotech Looms Large in Pennsylvania Metro Spotlight: Inland Empire, CA Food Processing Sites: Providing Sustenance as Well as Nutrition Sale-Leasebacks: Easing the Credit Crunch Corporate Moves: Georgia Metro Spotlight: Albuquerque, NM Advertiser Index Inside LiveXchange

Business Facilities - July 2008

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