News

GM, UAW Reach Wage-Cutting Deal At Small Car Plant

October 8, 2010 4:32 am | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | Comments

ORION TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — General Motors and the United Auto Workers have reached a cost-cutting deal that could help accomplish what once seemed impossible: Making a profit on small cars built in the United States. The deal, announced Thursday, could cut in half the hourly wage of some longtime UAW workers at a factory in Orion Township, Mich.

Criminal Negligence Case Opened For Toxic Sludge Avalanche

October 6, 2010 4:58 am | by Bela Szandelszky and Pablo Gorondi, Associated Press Writers | Comments

KOLONTAR, Hungary (AP) — Police say Hungary's top investigative agency is taking over the inquiry into the toxic sludge reservoir that burst, flooding several towns in western Hungary and killing at least four people. Police spokeswoman Monika Benyi tells The Associated Press that the decision Wednesday by National Police Chief Jozsef Hatala reflects the importance and complexity of the sludge disaster.

Geithner: Yuan Undervaluation Hurting U.S. Manufacturers

October 6, 2010 4:48 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | Comments

WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner stepped up pressure on China to make more progress in moving toward flexible exchange rates. Geithner said Wednesday that it is particularly important to see appreciation in countries where the currency is significantly undervalued. Geithner never mentioned China, but the speech was clearly aimed at the world's second-largest economy.

Majority Of 6,000 Kan. Beechcraft Jobs Saved By Gov.

October 6, 2010 4:41 am | by John Milburn, Associated Press Writer | Comments

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An agreement has been reached that could keep "the vast majority" of the Hawker Beechcraft general aviation jobs in the Wichita, Gov. Mark Parkinson said late Tuesday. Parkinson said he brokered a "long-term deal" with the company and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union.

Mother Sues Bayer Over Son's Chemical Exposure Death

October 6, 2010 4:39 am | Comments

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The mother of a West Virginia State University student is suing Bayer CropScience and the school over her son's death in 2008. Portia Gray's lawsuit claims her 19-year-old son, Ra'Sean Gray, died as a result of exposure to substances released during an explosion at Bayer's Institute plant.

Frito-Lay To Pull Noisy, Biodegradable SunChips Bags

October 6, 2010 4:37 am | by Emily Fredrix, AP Retail Writer | Comments

NEW YORK (AP) — Frito-Lay hopes to quiet complaints about its noisy SunChips bags by switching out the biodegradable bags for the old packaging on most flavors. The company is switching back to original packaging, which is made of a type of plastic, for five of the six varieties of the chips.

Prius Sales Drop For First Time In 17 Months

October 6, 2010 4:35 am | by Shino Yuasa, Associated Press Writer | Comments

TOKYO (AP) — Sales of Toyota's Prius hybrid in Japan dropped for the first time in 17 months as government subsidies for green cars expired, an auto industry group said Wednesday. Despite the lower sales, the gasoline-electric hybrid was the top-selling car in Japan for the 17th straight month in September, the Japan Automobile Dealers Association said.

Iran Blames Covert Western Sabotage For Stuxnet Worm

October 5, 2010 4:51 am | by Ali Akbar Dareini, Associated Press Writer | Comments

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran claimed Tuesday that a computer worm found on the laptops of several employees at the country's nuclear power plant is part of a covert Western plot to derail its nuclear program. Iranian officials have suggested in recent days that the Stuxnet worm that has affected computers of employees at the Bushehr nuclear power plant could be a conspiracy to damage Iran's nuclear activities.

Toyota To Sell Smart Grid System Alongside EVs

October 5, 2010 4:49 am | by Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer | Comments

TOKYO (AP) — Toyota is pairing its little known housing business with its expertise in green cars to sell computer systems that link homes, utilities and vehicles to reduce energy use. The world's biggest automaker said Tuesday the launch of its home smart grid system in Japan will coincide with its plug-in hybrid cars going on sale in early 2012.

BMW To Hire 600 More S.C. Workers

October 5, 2010 4:48 am | Comments

GREER, S.C. (AP) — BMW Manufacturing Co. says it will hire an additional 600 workers at its Greer plant to work as they are needed to assemble the company's vehicles. BMW told multiple media outlets on Monday it will hire the new employees at job fairs Oct. 13 and Oct. 20 at Spartanburg Community College's Tyger River Campus.

Initiative Reinforces Manufacturing 'Skills' For Young Workers

October 5, 2010 4:47 am | by Eric Gorski, AP Education Writer | Comments

As the White House stages a first-of-its-kind community college summit Tuesday, the Obama administration is proposing that stronger partnerships between two-year public colleges and big-name U.S. employers such as McDonald's and The Gap will help better match workers with jobs during the economic recovery and beyond.

AP: U.S. Economic Stress Eased In August

October 5, 2010 4:42 am | by Martin Crutsinger and Mike Schneider, Associated Press Writers | Comments

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation's economic stress eased slightly in August thanks to lower foreclosure rates in the hardest-hit states, according to The Associated Press' monthly analysis of conditions around the country. But the improvement was meager, and it added to evidence of sluggish economic growth.

Gov't Tightens Standards For 'Five Star' Passenger Cars

October 5, 2010 4:41 am | by Ken Thomas, Associated Press Writer | Comments

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Transportation Department is outlining changes Tuesday to the U.S. government's 5-Star Safety Rating System that will make it more difficult for new cars and trucks to earn top scores. Only two of the first 34 vehicles tested under the new program — the 2011 BMW 5 Series and a version of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata — received the top grade of five stars.

U.S. Car Sales Down Despite New Models

October 4, 2010 5:21 am | by Dee-Ann Durbin and Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writers | Comments

DETROIT (AP) — New models and Labor Day holiday promotions didn't do much to fire Americans' appetites for new cars in September. Sales at Chrysler and Ford rose slightly from August. They fell at General Motors and Honda and were flat at Toyota. Car companies say a recovery is still happening, but it's not as strong as they had hoped following a terrible 2009.

Apple Could Surpass Exxon As 'Most Valuable' Company

October 4, 2010 4:53 am | by David K. Randall, AP Business Writer | Comments

NEW YORK (AP) — Here's something to think about the next time you pick up a call on your iPhone: the device you're holding may soon be the signature product of the most valuable company in the world. Thanks to its line of gadgets that combine the ability to make calls, send email, read books, watch movies and listen to music, Apple Inc.