Motorola and Mattel, like many other American companies, are looking to China's consumer market, as well as its production base, as potential help for the bottom line. China's entry into the World Trade Organization 14 months ago coincided with the economic downturn in the US, causing even the biggest companies to look abroad for profits.
"The US auto manufacturers had a fantastic year in China, and a relatively lackluster year elsewhere in terms of profitability," Laudicina of AT Kearney said.
Motorola sees China as a profit leader. "China remains a critical part of our global sales and sourcing operations," said Jennifer Wey-rauch, a spokeswoman for Motorola. "As of 2001, China was 13 percent of Motorola's overall sales."
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