Varta for China

Well, after Johnson Controls bought US auto spare parts provider Delphi's global battery business last July, it seems it was solidifying it's move into developing markets servicable from China. It will be using the the firm's wholly owned Shanghai business to produce VARTA batteries and doubling production capacity to 6 million units in 2007. It also plans to open 20 flagship stores across the country.

You cannot help but realise that China moved from an emerging market to a developing one with a speed that defied even the most optimistic predictions only 5 years ago.