Contents

Features

COVER: ON THE RISE? A8

Shaking off years of lethargy, the German economy is showing the first signs of a turnaround. Can the national zeitgeist keep up?

CHANGES ON MAIN STREET. . . A16

A new book talks about how ethnic groups reshape the U.S. marketplace

Departments

WORLD BRIEFING A4

India's labor troubles; Chinese Marlboros; global cell phones; and more

WORLD BEATERS A19

Vodafone's man in Japan; Nautica's new captain; Mercedes' top wheel

INVESTING A20

Banks are in a buying frenzy. Should you be looking for the next takeover target?

GLOBAL LIFE A22

Eco-conscious Costa Rica comes of age

ON THE COVER Illustration for TIME by Robert Neubecker