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Flying cars, top spec iPads and Africa’s newest tax haven – wealth roundup

Thursday, February 04, 2010 | Posted by: Fiona Cullinan
Categories: Personal | Tags: links, India, tax haven, Switzerland, emerging markets, iPad, Cadbury, flying car, auctions, Ghana, vintage, car collecting

These stories and more rounded up monthly on the Bespoke blog.

The reality of flying cars: Private and business jets have been around for decades, so what’s next for the ultra-rich consumer with a few (hundred) thousand to spare? Well, if you can’t get hold of a Virgin Galactic ticket into space, the next best way to one-up your neighbour may soon be the flying car. More than 150 flying car designs have already been flown, none apparently ‘elegant’ enough to go mainstream. Click on the link to see six designs – including a Jetsons-style flying saucer – that are fuelling the dream. And check out the latest model from Moller – the Skycar – over on Grant Thornton’s Innovation blog. The flying car – it’s only a matter of time. Probably.

The £2 million Jaguar: The car collector market is on the up again after two years of declining sales, reports the Wall St Journal. At the Scottsdale Car Auctions in January, the top seller was a 1956 Jaguar D-Type Sports Racer that went for $3.74 million (£2,074,000). Vintage planes were also a top seller for the Barrett-Jackson auctioneers.

Top-spec iPad: Last week’s unveiling of Apple’s latest desirable new gadget icon, the iPad, revealed a touch-screen tablet that is essentially a handheld TV/video player, internet browser, gaming device, book reader, photo display and personal organiser all in one. It came with a relatively low-entry price of $499 (for a 16GB Wi-Fi-enabled iPad). But if you have to have the best, then the top-end model is $829. This offers 64GB with 3G capability. Of course, then you’ll have to add on cost of connectivity, apps and all the accessories: Keyboard Dock, Camera Connection Kit, Dock, Case… Out in 60 days (UK price equivalents yet to be announced).

Cadbury: more than an iconic brand: It’s not all about the money, says Gill Corkindale, formerly management editor of the Financial Times. She reviews Cadbury’s ethical business roots and looks at the riches involved in people’s emotional connections to a brand, suggesting that Kraft number-crunchers shouldn’t ignore the strength of sentimental affections for the company once their takeover is complete.

India: the new land of opportunity: One of the most popular business posts being bookmarked at the moment is this one, looking at the rise and rise of India as it has moved towards a free-market economy. Check out Grant Thornton’s International and Emerging Markets blog for the latest India stories.

Ghana in OECD tax haven warning: The Guardian reports on the West African state’s emergence as an offshore financial centre.

Should wealthy drivers be fined more for speeding?: Switzerland is renowned as a fine country for the wealthy. But well-off drivers are being fined more for speeding as a deterrent to those who can afford to drive some of the world’s most powerful cars. However, a record fine of $290,000 imposed on the driver of a Ferrari has got the Wall Street Journal advising high net worth individuals to drive a Honda instead.

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