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ELSEGUNDO, CA - ISuppli reported that DRam global revenue declined by 19% to $6.5 billion, down from $7.97 billion in the third quarter of 2007, and dropped by 40% year-over-year from Q4 2006.

The revenue loss was attributed to a 31% drop in DRam selling price, partially the result of a 17% increase in production that contributed to a glut in the market. The industry continues to struggle with excess inventory, which is keeping prices down, iSuppli noted.

ISuppli reports that top-tier DRam suppliers engaged in large capital spending programs in 2007 in an attempt to corner the market and drive smaller competitors out of the industry. "Until the suppliers change their ways, this naïve game of scale will continue to cost the DRam industry every year," said Nam Hyung Kim, director and chief analyst of memory storage systems at iSuppli.

"There is a lesson to be learned from the fourth-quarter DRam disaster. In this game of upping the production ante, no supplier wins and the entire industry loses," said Kim.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – North American circuit board shipments fell 5.4% year-over-year in December, while orders rose 5.5%. For the year, shipments were down 8.7%, while bookings fell 6.3%, IPC said.

For the month, rigid shipments were down 5.9% and bookings were up 6.8% compared to 2006. For the year, shipments were down 8.9% and bookings were down 7%. Sequentially, shipments increased 8% and bookings increased 3.1%. The book-to-bill ratio was 1.01.

Flex circuit shipments were up 1% in December, while bookings were down 9.7% year-over-year. For the year, flex circuit shipments were down 5.7% and bookings were up 4%. Sequentially, flex shipments were up 5.6% and bookings rose 2.2%. The book-to-bill was 1.0.

Compared to November, all shipments were up 7.8% and bookings were up 3.1%. The book-to-bill ratio fell to 1.01.

LOS ALTOS, CA – Ongoing fallout from the subprime mortgage crisis and the predicted retrenchment of consumer spending has put a dent in the prospects for light vehicle demand, Henderson Ventures reports, with unit output is forecast to grow 2.5% this year, after a 5.4% burst in 2007, the research firm says.

The softening demand for vehicles will slow automotive electronics growth from 8.1% in 2007 to 5.6% in 2008. The pace will then accelerate to 7.9% in 2009 and 10.5% in 2010, when global automotive electronics production is forecast to reach $140 billion.

This year’s unit slowdown will be felt all over. For example, Chinese output growth will slow from 25.8% in 2007 to 15.5% this year.

Potential car buyers increasingly want onboard access to all entertainment electronics and gadgets they have at home, as evidenced by the profusion of video displays, MP3 player ports and power outlets. In short, increasing electronics content will help offset meager vehicle growth this year, Henderson reports.