In the current global market environment, where Internet-related business alliances are becoming the order of the day, one big-name firm after another is getting on the bandwagon.

In a flurry of activity that could presage more new rounds of mergers and partnerships between non-Net and Internet companies, the world's two largest automakers have signaled to the marketplace that they plan to sell cars on their Web sites.

Soon after the world ushered in the new year, General Motors Corp. struck a deal with America Online Inc. to help consumers buy GM vehicles over the Internet. Ford Motor Co. has followed suit and signed a similar agreement with Yahoo! Inc., the world's largest Internet portal and search engine. Then came news that Time Warner Inc. has joined hands with AOL.

In Japan, five convenience store chains have agreed to set up a joint company to develop and operate a uniform e-commerce system.

The world was also stunned by the news that Steve Ballmer has succeeded Bill Gates as chief executive officer of Microsoft Corp. Gates declared that he is shifting his energies to become "chief software architect." He made clear that he is not retiring.

Similar deals appear certain to follow on new partnerships to facilitate the flow of information, money and merchandise. There is good reason. It is quite natural that industries are increasingly oriented toward Internet businesses, which are becoming the world's mainstream of information.

Internet businesses will yield major opportunities for manufacturers and dealers to lower prices, and both suppliers and consumers can easily access each other. What's more, Web sites have improved infrastructures enough to assure sound business transactions.

Given the growing interest of consumers in Internet-related marketing services, manufacturers and dealers cannot stay away from the Internet if they intend to improve their competitiveness and stay in business.

They cannot take their eyes off the new industry trend in assessing future market prospects.

The growing shift to Internet businesses can continue applying downward pressure on prices even after the economic recovery gathers steam.

The shift helps businesses work off backyard stockpiles of unsold products, lowers intermediate costs by simplifying retail outlets and corrects distorted pricing schemes.

The conventional wisdom that economic recovery raises fears of inflation and leads to higher interest rates will no longer hold in the 2000s.