Honda expects its U.S. sales to increase between 3% and 5% next year, according to John Mendel, evp of American Honda auto operations. "I think they'll probably be the leader in terms of market share gain," agrees Erich Merkle, director of forecasting for IRN Inc. in Grand Rapids. He adds 3% to 5% growth for an automaker next year will be "phenomenal." Through November, Honda's U.S. sales this year are up 3.1% to 1.4 million vehicles, thanks largely to a redesigned Accord and CR-V. Honda should continue to receive a lift in 2008 from these vehicles, Mendel …

The operating rule for launches at P&G Prestige Products--a robustly growing division of the consumer giant with headquarters on the picturesque banks of the Rh"ne river in Geneva--is "fewer, bigger, better," says president Hartwig Langer. That philosophy also can be applied to the company's modus operandi. "From a single-minded growth point of view, there is no necessity to expand into other beauty categories," Langer says, noting that there is some expansion, such as Dolce & Gabbana's expected entry into color cosmetics, as part of the development of a fragrance brand. P&G also is working on a D&G secondary fragrance …

The release of the Mitchell Report on steroid use in baseball brings new details--and names--into the discussion, perhaps shattering any remaining notion that drug use was limited to a few individuals. The latter concern could weaken baseball's appeal to sponsors, experts say. "It creates the perception that the playing field isn't level, and that throws the very thing sponsors are interested in being associated with off-kilter," says Ken Ungar, president of Indianapolis sports-business consultancy Ungar Strategies. As tough as the exposure might be for the game as a whole, it will be even harder for the players named …

With the Wii, Nintendo has created a phenomenon that recalls crazes of Christmases past: Cabbage Patch dolls, Furby, Tickle Me Elmo. But in this case it is happening for a second consecutive holiday season. Estimates from industry analysts and retailers indicate that the company, which is based in Kyoto, Japan, is giving up $1 billion or more in sales in the holiday retail season, not including sales of games for those unbuilt consoles. Nintendo sold 981,000 Wiis in the United States in November, its best month yet, while Microsoft sold 770,000 Xbox 360s, and Sony sold 466,000 PlayStation 3 …

At a big cancer meeting in San Antonio today, scientists will introduce the first of a series of pivotal studies of Amgen's experimental osteoporosis medication, denosumab, known as D-mab. Even if the data are favorable, the twice-yearly injectable drug won't have an easy time becoming the success the company desperately needs. The new study will evaluate the ability of D-mab to strengthen bones of breast-cancer patients taking hormone blockers that put them at risk for osteoporosis and fractures. But the $7 billion global market for bone-building drugs is crowded. D-mab faces a host of rival drugs already on …