New car prices have fallen from a year ago, primarily because the inventory shortage created by the Japanese earthquake has been entirely erased.

Singapore Airlines Cargo and China Cargo Airlines have inked a deal to begin operating joint freighters services between Singapore Changi Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport on June 26.

CaroTrans, a non-vessel operating common carrier and ocean freight consolidator, has opened a branch office in Le Havre, France.

When Sonja Zozula and Jerry Anderson founded LightSaver Technologies in 2009, everyone told them they should make their emergency lights for homeowners in China. After two years of outsourcing to factories there, last winter they shifted production to Carlsbad, Calif., about 30 miles from their home in San Clemente. "It's probably 30 percent cheaper to manufacture in China," Anderson says. "But factor in shipping and all the other B.S. that you have to endure. It's a question of, 'How do I value my time at three in the morning when I have to talk to China?'"

South American carriers LAN Airlines and TAM have banded together, forming the LATAM Airlines Group, reportedly the largest airline group in South America. The combined LAN Cargo, which has three smaller affiliate carriers, and TAM Cargo will now be able to offer routings to 169 cities around the world.

If you're a consumer in one of the world's developed economies and you think that Japan is full of powerhouse exporters, you're right. Hitachi, Panasonic, Sony, Toyota - many Japanese multinationals became household names in the second half of the 20th century. If you're a consumer in an emerging market, though, you probably don't view Japanese companies the same way. In fact, it's possible that you have never used a product made by one of those giants.

Enrique Almanza Hernandez, logistics expert and former central Mexico regional director at Autotransportes de Carga Tresguerras SA de CV, discusses key issues surrounding effective North American supply chain management and explores the state of fully integrated North American logistics - including the evolution of some Mexican carriers into true 3PL providers. Hernandez spoke with Danny Slaton, SMC ³ executive vice president of business and product development.

The International Air Cargo Association has applauded the recent agreements forged by authorities around the world to mutually recognize other countries' airfreight screening regimes. But more nations should follow the lead of these trailblazing countries, TIACA says.

The Indonesian economy has surged forward to its highest level in years. While growth is expected to be 6.1 percent in 2012, on June 7 the Jakarta Globe reported the government reckons it to be 7.2 percent next year. (World Bank estimates previously had suggested 6.4% growth in GDP in 2013.)

The board of directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States has approved two final commitments aggregating $171m in export financing for Aerovias de Mexico S.A. de C.V., or Aeroméxico, the country's largest airline. This transaction effectively triples Ex-Im support for Mexican aviation companies purchasing goods and services from U.S. companies.