News

Engineer Deaths Won't Stop Tesla's Model S Plans

March 3, 2010 6:10 am | by Frank Jordans, Associated Press Writer | Comments

GENEVA (AP) — The death of three Tesla engineers in a plane crash last month was a heavy blow for the tight-knit Californian electric car maker, but it is holding onto its plan of producing and selling the new Model S within three years, its chief designer said Wednesday at the Geneva Motor Show.

Hyundai Rumored To Be Moving Production To Georgia

March 2, 2010 10:58 am | Comments

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Hyundai auto supplier Jay Mid-South says the Korean automaker is planning to move production from Montgomery to Georgia, triggering layoffs at the Gadsden company. Jay Mid-South division manager Brent Taylor tells the Birmingham News in a Tuesday story that production of the Santa Fe will be done at the new Kia plant just across the Alabama state line.

Cummins Laying Off 200 At Columbus, Ind. Plant

March 2, 2010 10:54 am | Comments

COLUMBUS, Ind. (AP) — Diesel engine maker Cummins Inc. is laying off nearly 200 workers at its Columbus MidRange Engine Plant in response to a drop in orders by Chrysler Group LLC. The Columbus-based company said Tuesday that the 194 layoffs will take place after Friday, cutting the plant'semployment to about 400 and paring its two shifts to one.

Toyota's Pain Means Big Breaks For Big 3

March 2, 2010 10:21 am | by Dan Strumpf and Dee-Ann Durbin, AP Auto Writers | Comments

DETROIT (AP) — Toyota's pain is its rivals' gain. All major automakers but Toyota reported higher U.S. sales in February, and most took customers from their powerful Japanese competitor, which has been struggling with a series of massive safety recalls. Toyota Motor Corp. said its U.

Mountz, Inc. Acquires Mr. Metric Fastener Lines

March 2, 2010 8:49 am | Comments

San Jose, Calif. — Mountz, Inc. acquired all assets of Mr. Metric, Inc, a fastener importer and distributor located in San Jose, CA. The value of the deal was not disclosed. Mr. Metric will serve as the flagship brand name for all Mountz fastener products. Fastener products will be integrated into the Mountz logistics system and sold under the strong Mr.

GM Won't Reopen Plants, Citing Expense

March 2, 2010 8:03 am | Comments

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors Co. will not reopen any factories, even though it has shortages of several new models, the company's top sales executive said Tuesday. Vice President of Sales Susan Docherty told reporters on a conference call that GM needs to use its current factories to the maximum rather than taking the expensive step of reopening a closed plant.

Feds Consider Brake Overrides In All New Cars

March 2, 2010 7:03 am | by Ken Thomas and Stephen Manning, Associated Press Writers | Comments

WASHINGTON (AP) — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Tuesday his agency may recommend that all new vehicles sold in the U.S. be equipped with brakes that can override the gas pedal. The idea seemed to be gaining support among lawmakers as Toyota officials returned for a third hearing on lethal safety defects.

China Plans 'Clean Energy' Overhaul Over 10 Years

March 2, 2010 5:43 am | Comments

SHANGHAI (AP) — China plans to have "clean energy" account for 15 percent of its total consumption under a 10-year renewable energy promotion program soon to be made public, a state-run newspaper cites the head of the country's National Energy Administration as saying. The government will spend billions of dollars on building nuclear and solar power plants, wind farms and on research into renewable energy technology, Zhang Guobao said in Tuesday's edition of the China Daily.

IBM Cuts 1,500 Nationwide, Mum On Details

March 2, 2010 5:07 am | Comments

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — IBM Corp. cut more than 1,500 jobs across a number of divisions Monday, a sliver of the technology company's nearly 400,000 workers worldwide. IBM wouldn't comment. Documents submitted by laid-off workers to the Alliance(at)IBM, a labor union representing a small percentage of IBM employees, indicate that at least 1,518 jobs were cut.

DuPont Restarts Production At Idled Plant After Death

March 2, 2010 4:45 am | Comments

BELLE, W.Va. (AP) — DuPont says it's begun restarting its idled chemical plant in Belle. The company halted operations last month after a series of leaks, including one that led to the death of a worker. Spokesman Roger Hess said Tuesday most units that weren't involved in the leaks have been restarted.

BAE Systems Guilty Of Conspiracy, Gets $400 Million Fine

March 2, 2010 3:36 am | by Pete Yost, Associated Press Writer | Comments

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense company BAE Systems PLC pleaded guilty to conspiracy on Monday and a judge imposed a $400 million fine, among the largest in the Justice Department's efforts to combat overseas corruption in international business. The defense contractor knowingly failed to ensure compliance with legal prohibitions on foreign bribery.

GM Recalls 1.3 Million Compacts For Failed Steering

March 2, 2010 3:23 am | Comments

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors Co. is recalling 1.3 million Chevrolet and Pontiac compact cars sold in the U.S., Canada and Mexico to fix power steering motors that can fail. The recall affects 2005 to 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts, 2007 to 2010 Pontiac G5s, 2005 and 2006 Pontiac Pursuits sold in Canada and 2005 and 2006 Pontiac G4s sold in Mexico.

Ind. Auto Parts Maker To Add 285 Jobs

March 2, 2010 3:12 am | Comments

HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) — Lear Operations Corp. plans to increase production at its northwestern Indiana factory and potentially add 285 jobs this year. The company announced Tuesday it would invest more than $2.2 million at the factory in Hammond to make seating for the Ford Explorer SUV. Southfield, Mich.

Gharda To Pay $8 Million For Texas Pesticide Fire

March 2, 2010 3:10 am | Comments

HOUSTON (AP) — A jury in Houston has ordered a chemical manufacturer to pay nearly $8.4 million in a negligence verdict over a 2004 industrial fire. The blaze at the Control Solutions Inc. pesticides warehouse forced some Pasadena and other nearby residents to take cover for hours.

Atlas Copco Completes Acquisition Of Quincy Compressor

March 1, 2010 10:50 am | Comments

Stockholm , Sweden, March 1, 2010 — Atlas Copco today completed the acquisition of Quincy Compressor from EnPro Industries, with the exception of Quincy’s Chinese operations, where regulatory approvals from relevant local authorities are still pending. Quincy Compressor designs and manufactures reciprocating compressors, rotary screw compressors and vacuum pumps, primarily under the Quincy brand.