Weak euro, strong machinery exports?

Over the last 120 days, the dollar to euro exchange rate has gone from a high of 1.51 on Dec. 3, 2009 to a low of 1.22 on May 17, a drop of 19.2%, according to X-Rates.com. That is the lowest trading level for the Euro against the dollar since April 17, 2006. Germany responded by limiting speculation on the currency, banning naked shorts on the euro, but the legions of machinery makers in the country might secretly be cheering the downward pressure on their currency and the discount of sorts it provides for foreign buyers. Should the trend continue through the fall, Euro zone K exhibitors might be able to offer a more competitive sales price to attendees doing machine shopping.