Apple: iPad sales top 2 million since April

May 31, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

CUPERTINO, Calif.

Apple Inc. said Monday that iPad sales have topped 2 million since its launch almost two months ago. The Cupertino, Calif., company began selling the iPad on Friday in Asia and Europe. The iPad launched April 3 in the United States.

The company does not publicly break out sales figures by region, according to Natalie Harrison, an Apple spokeswoman. The company had previously said it sold 1 million iPads in the United States just 28 days after its launch. As a result of the strong demand at home, Apple had pushed back the start date of its international sales.

The iPad can be used to send e-mails, draw pictures and play games. It also can be used as an electronic reader. The basic model costs $499 in the United States, not including extras.

This past weekend, Apple began selling iPads in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The company said the device will be available in nine more countries in July and additional countries later this year.

Rome unveils plan to become green capital

ROME

Rome’s mayor unveiled a master plan Monday to transform the eternal city into a green, low-carbon, post- petroleum capital — aimed in part at bolstering Rome’s 2020 Olympic bid.

Mayor Gianni Alemanno presented the proposal alongside U.S. economist Jeremy Rifkin, who has been advising the EU on a long-term economic sustainability plan to address the global economic crisis, energy security and climate change.

The plan calls for Rome to invest around $615 million over the next 20 years in new industries and businesses, creating what city officials claim will result in thousands of new jobs and making the capital energetically independent.

It envisages three main areas of transformation: turning the congested historic center into a greener, pedestrian friendly space; developing the commercial/industrial “ring” around the capital; and improving the agricultural areas outside the city to reduce its carbon imprint.

Business leaders deny Chavez plot

CARACAS, Venezuela

Members of Venezuela’s largest business chamber said Monday that there is no pre-election conspiracy to undermine President Hugo Chavez by hoarding goods and boosting prices.

Chavez and his backers have accused business leaders of attempting to magnify Venezuela’s economic woes and weaken support for the socialist leader before legislative elections in September.

Chavez backers marched Monday to the chamber’s headquarters to demand an end to the alleged hoarding of goods and the random raising of prices. Organizers said more than 6,000 people joined the march.

Tensions between Chavez’s administration and Fedecamaras are increasing as Venezuela struggles with a deepening economic recession and the highest rate of inflation in Latin America, 30 percent.

GM Brazil to invest $386M to develop car

RIO DE JANEIRO

The Brazilian subsidiary of General Motors Co. plans to spend $386 million to develop and produce a new model of Chevrolet. A company statement issued Monday does not give details on the new model to be built at the GM assembly plant in Sao Caetano do Sul.

The announcement comes two months after GM announced its Brazil operation would invest $780 million to increase output and produce two other new models.

GM says it sold more than 595,000 vehicles in Brazil last year, giving it a 19 percent market share.

Associated Press