December 7, 2006

Welcome to the Hoover's EMEA 50, a monthly list of the companies in the Europe-Middle East-Africa region that are most searched on Hoover's. Derived by tracking the search requests of Hoover's subscribers, the Hoover's EMEA 50 provides insight on which companies are being watched most closely by corporate executives, as well as sales, marketing, and business development professionals, who represent a large portion of Hoover's customers.

The news behind the biggest movers on this month's Hoover's EMEA 50 ranged from executive moves to product development delays.

Airbus S.A.S. (From #84 to #50)

Considering the troubles Airbus has seen lately, it would be a shock if it didn't climb in the EMEA 50 rankings. The world's top airplane maker, which is owned by European consortium EADS, has had egg on its face this autumn after announcing that its oft-delayed superjumbo A380 jet would be delayed yet again, until late in 2007. At the same time, the aerospace giant announced the resignation of CEO Christian Streiff - just three months into his tenure running the company. (Don't cry for Streiff; he has already been named as the new CEO for Peugeot.)
News

Volkswagen AG (From #63 to #39)

It seems that a power play may be afoot at Volkswagen. In November the beleaguered car maker announced that its chief executive, Bernd Pischetsrieder, would step down from his post at the end of 2006. Meanwhile, car maker Porsche has been increasing its stake in Volkswagen, to the point that it has surpassed the State of Lower Saxony as the company's largest shareholder. This meshes with the news of Pischetsrieder's departure because the chairman of VW's supervisory board, Ferdinand Piëch, is a grandson of Ferdinand Porsche, the legendary car designer who helped create both VW and Porsche. (Piëch and his family still control Porsche.) Volkswagen has faced mounting troubles in the worldwide auto business, including flagging brands and labor problems in Germany.
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