A marketplace is the space, actual or metaphorical, in which a market operates. The term is also used in a trademark law context to denote the actual consumer environment, ie. the 'real world' in which products and services are provided and consumed.

Marketplaces and street markets

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A marketplace is a location where goods and services are exchanged. The traditional market square is a city square where traders set up stalls and buyers browse the merchandise. This kind of market is very old, and countless such markets are still in operation around the whole world.

• In the USA such markets fell out of favor, but renewed interest in local food has cause the reinvention of this type of market, called farmers' markets, in many towns and cities.
• In continental Europe, especially in France, street markets, as well as "marketplaces" (covered places where merchants have stalls, but not entire stores) are commonplace. Both resellers and producers sell their wares to the public.
• Markets are often temporary, with stalls only present for one or two days a week ("market days"), however some (such as Camden Market in London, UK) are open every day of the week. Such markets are normally specialist—the various stalls of Camden Market, along with the shops associated with it, sell a variety of alternative lifestyle products ranging from clothes and jewellery to CDs, instruments and furniture. An example of a large market is Chatuchak weekend market in Bangkok.
• Some large markets have become permanent institutions comparable to shopping malls. One example is the huge Seventh-Kilometer Market near Odessa, Ukraine.

The Roman term for market, still in use in a related sense, is forum. The modern shopping mall can be seen as an extension of this concept.

More on [ Marketplace ]

NYT > Automobiles

Behind the Wheel | 2009 Toyota Corolla: A New Term for the World Leader
Sat, 04 Oct 2008 06:09:44 -0000
Since the original model went on sale, the Toyota Corolla has become the planet’s all-time best-selling line of passenger cars.
Auto Ego: A Smooth 35-Year Ride
Sat, 04 Oct 2008 06:08:32 -0000
Jerry Hirsch has owned more exotic cars, but his 1973 BMW 2002 stands out for its distinctive simplicity.
Handlebars: A Lot of Smiles Per Gallon
Sat, 04 Oct 2008 06:15:02 -0000
Fuel economy as high as 60 miles a gallon could provide hesitant buyers with the perfect excuse to get a motorcycle.

Freep.com - RSS - Autos

Ford's MyKey aims to help watch over new drivers like a parent
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:58:00 -0500
Ford Motor Co. will introduce a feature for its vehicles designed to help parents encourage their teenagers to drive more safely and efficiently, the automaker announced Monday.
Consumer Reports gives Flex, Mazda CX-9 top marks
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:25:00 -0500
The new Ford Flex and upgraded Mazda CX-9 now rank among the top five three-row SUVs tested by Consumer Reports, the magazine reports in its November issue, which goes on sale today.
Ford white-collar cuts go deep
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:46:00 -0500
Younger current and former white-collar workers at the still family-controlled Ford seem to be particularly troubled by the historic contraction of the U.S. auto industry and relentless pressure of foreign competitors, especially Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co.

L.A. Times - Auto Industry News

Honda Insight hybrid to be cheaper, if dealers cooperate
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:51:40 -0700
The current estimate is that the Insight -- powered by a 1.3-liter gas engine and Integrated Motor Assist, good for about 45 mpg, on average -- will cost about $20,000, though final pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date next spring.
Sport utility bikes: a comparison
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700
When gas prices gushed over $4 a gallon earlier this year, bike shops were (and still are) swamped with people who suddenly wanted to use pedal power for commuting, socializing and shopping. Attracting particular attention are so-called "longtails" -- extra-long SUBs (sport utility bikes) with welded-on racks designed to haul big, bulky cargo, whether it's a 200-pound load of bricks, surfboards or three or four bags of groceries. Here's a look at four of the most popular SUBs I tested at the recent Interbike trade show in Las Vegas.
'Flash of Genius' Takes a Swipe at Ford
Fri, 03 Oct 2008 21:25:25 -0700
The folks at Blue Oval HQ, looking to get out ahead of the story, have posted a timeline on their website demonstrating an intermittent-wiper system in 1959, four years before Kearns came up with his design.

Daily automotive news and comment - from just-auto.com

THAILAND: Yontrakit to restart Peugeot assembly with vans
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:14:00 -0000
Thai vehicle distributor Yontrakit Automobile Company plans to restart Peugeot assembly in Thailand to help expand the French brand's presence here.
GERMANY [updated 11:05BST]: Opel to cut 40,000 cars from schedule
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:58:00 -0000
Opel confirmed on Tuesday it would cut production this year by 40,000 cars.
INTERVIEW: Steven Armstrong, COO at Volvo Car
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:10:00 -0000
Volvo Car Corporation is experiencing challenging times. Sales are down this year and it recently announced further job cuts in Sweden as a result of deteriorating market conditions. The CEO position in the company recently passed from a Swede, Fredrik Arp, to Ford journeyman Stephen Odell. Some have even questioned whether it is being readied for sale like its former Ford PAG partners. Dave Leggett recently met up with the COO who reports to Odell, Steven Armstrong.

Comments for AutoReport

Comment on Accessible Green Urban Driving from Nissan by Andrew Charles
Andrew Charles Fri, 03 Oct 2008 22:54:36 -0000
Nissan's version of the new Suzuki Alto. Odd they didn't use the Twingo as a base instead. This is a very basic car—note the rear windows are fixed.
Comment on SEAT Presents the New Sporty Limousine Exeo in Paris by Andrew Charles
Andrew Charles Thu, 02 Oct 2008 06:06:37 -0000
Another fine example of badge engineering from VW. After months of waiting, SEAT's "new" midsize sedan turns out to be nothing more than the "old" Audi A4 with a minor facelift to disguise its identity. It's not much of a step up from a Léon or Toledo, and has little visual connection to the rest of the SEAT range. Come on VAG, surely you can do better than this? By "B segment", SEAT refers to VW's own internal code system, where the Golf and related cars are the "A segment", the Passat, A4 and related cars are the "B segment", and the Ibiza and Polo become the "A0 segment". Outside VW the Exeo would be classed in he C/D-segment—lower midsize, if not compact. Indeed in many key domensions, the Exeo is smaller than most late-model compact sedans such as the Mégane, Astra and new Chevrolet Cruze.
Comment on BYD's Bid to Break the Chinese Mold by Ellington
Ellington Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:21:41 -0000
One day we're all going to turn around and find that China makes a lot of really good cars and other products. The economic forces in their favor are vast and there's simply no way they can continue to NOT compete in the world market. People scoff now, but just wait until Chinese cars are on sale in every country and they lead the way with vehicle efficiency and innovation.

Auto news - CNNMoney.com

How to buy a car - even now
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:25:36 -0400
Auto dealers are hungry for customers: Worried consumers are putting off buying big-ticket items, and buyers on the market are finding it harder to get a loan. So if your credit is solid, now is a great time to say, Let's make a deal.
Toyota pushes 0% financing
Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:39:06 -0400
After posting its worst sales decline since the 1960s, Toyota Motor Co. is offering an uncharacteristically splashy incentive offer. The automaker is offering 0% financing on eleven models nationwide.
Auto sales: What's moving, what's not
Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:02:57 -0400
Smaller vehicles are still selling relatively well, but sales of big trucks and SUVs continue to crater.

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