Bobby Meadows has joined Memphis Jewish Home & Rehab as executive director. Meadows, a licensed nursing home administrator, has 13 years of nursing home experience, including 11 as an executive director. Most recently, he served for six years at Allenbrooke Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Memphis.

2. AutoZone Announces Marketing Vice President - Saturday, April 06, 2013

Albert Saltiel has joined AutoZone Inc. as senior vice president of marketing and customer satisfaction.

Saltiel comes to the Memphis-based auto parts giant from Navistar International Corp., where he was chief marketing officer.

3. AutoZone Names VP of Marketing - Wednesday, April 03, 2013

Albert Saltiel has joined AutoZone Inc. as senior vice president of marketing and customer satisfaction.

Saltiel comes to AutoZone from Navistar International Corp., where he was chief marketing officer. He also has worked with Sony Electronics as general manager for marketing and with Ford Motor Co., where he held multiple marketing roles.

4. CBU Names Sumner-Winter Director of Stewardship - Wednesday, April 03, 2013

Wendy Sumner-Winter has been appointed director of stewardship and donor engagement at Christian Brothers University. In the newly created position, Sumner-Winter will oversee planning, strategy development and implementation of initiatives to increase communication and connections with the CBU community, including donors, alumni and friends.

5. Turley: ‘You Can Be Somebody in Memphis’ - Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Years after Henry Turley experienced the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike and the aftermath of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, took advantage of the Community Reinvestment Act and persuaded banks to reinvest in the Downtown core, not to mention spearheaded revitalization in the Harbor Town and Uptown areas, he’s making a “micro bet” on building nice neighborhoods around excellent schools.

6. White House Announces Anti-Theft Trade Strategy - Thursday, February 21, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration announced a broad new effort Wednesday to fight the growing theft of American trade secrets following fresh evidence linking cyberstealing to China's military.

7. New York Stock Exchange Will Reopen Wednesday - Wednesday, October 31, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) – The New York Stock Exchange will reopen for regular trading Wednesday after being shut down for two days because of Hurricane Sandy.

The exchange said in a statement Tuesday that its building and trading floor are fully operational and that normal trading will resume at the usual starting time of 9:30 a.m.

8. Wall Street Still Dark, Exchanges Test Systems - Tuesday, October 30, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — With large portions of lower Manhattan still dark early Tuesday, U.S. stock exchanges said they were testing contingency plans to ensure trading resumes as soon as possible this week after Hurricane Sandy smashed into the East Coast.

9. General Motors' Stock Rise Surprises Industry - Monday, October 01, 2012

DETROIT (AP) – Surprise! The top-performing stock among automakers in the U.S. this quarter is General Motors.

The company, which endured management upheaval during the quarter and announced that it would lose substantial cash in Europe, saw its shares rise almost 18 percent from July through late September. The gain was the best since the first quarter of this year, when the stock climbed about 23 percent. GM posted strong profits in that period.

10. Ritz Settles In as Commission Chairman - Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Shelby County Commissioners had some new seating arrangements and committee assignments Monday, Sept. 10, as commissioner Mike Ritz began his yearlong term as chairman of the body.

Former chairman and Democrat Sidney Chism was seated next to former chairman pro tempore and Republican Wyatt Bunker.

11. Love and Gibson Appointed To Countywide School Board - Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Shelby County Commissioners appointed Mary Anne Gibson and Oscar Love Monday, Sept. 10, to the countywide school board.

12. Auto Sales Weaken a Bit in Early July - Monday, July 23, 2012

DETROIT (AP) — The raft of gloomy economic news may be starting to hurt U.S. auto sales.

Industry analysts and dealers said this week that sales during the first half of July slowed a bit from the robust pace in June. But they still were expected to be better than July of 2011.

13. Fewer Auto Closings Reduce US Unemployment Claims - Friday, July 13, 2012

The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits plunged last week. But a big reason was that some automakers skipped their traditional summer shutdowns to keep up with demand, leading to fewer temporary layoffs of autoworkers.

14. Carmakers Report Strong June Sales, Easing Worries - Wednesday, July 04, 2012

DETROIT (AP) – From mini cars to monster pickups, sales of vehicles charged higher in June and eased concerns that Americans would be turned off by slower hiring and other scary headlines.

15. Facebook Investors to Cash Out More Shares - Thursday, May 17, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) – Insiders and early Facebook investors are taking advantage of increasing investor demand and selling more of their stock in the company's initial public offering, the company said Wednesday.

16. Second Budget Vote Tops Agenda - Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Memphis City Council members take the second of three votes Tuesday, May 15, on a city budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 as well as a property tax rate for the fiscal year to come.

But the council is still weighing its options and gathering information through a budget committee that continues meeting Tuesday morning at City Hall.

17. Auto Sales Surge in March, Led by Small Cars - Wednesday, April 04, 2012

DETROIT (AP) – Appealing small cars, low interest rates, truck deals and unseasonably warm weather helped the auto industry achieve its best monthly performance in almost four years in March.

18. Big Sales for Small Cars in February - Friday, March 02, 2012

DETROIT (AP) – Small cars sold big in February.

With gasoline prices spiking 30 cents last month, demand soared for compact cars like the Focus and Civic. That lifted U.S. sales for Ford, Honda and other major automakers that reported February sales on Thursday.

19. US Auto Sales Rise in January, Led by Chrysler, VW - Thursday, February 02, 2012

DETROIT (AP) – U.S. auto sales are off to a strong start this year, continuing their brisk pace from late 2011.

Chrysler had its best January in four years while Toyota got a boost from its new Camry. Volkswagen, which wants to aggressively expand in the U.S., reported much higher sales. One sour note was GM, where sales fell compared to a strong January a year earlier.

20. Saab Declares Bankruptcy as GM Blocks Chinese Deal - Tuesday, December 20, 2011

STOCKHOLM (AP) – After six decades of building cars renowned for their teardrop designs and quirky features, cash-strapped Saab Automobile gave up its desperate struggle for a lifeline Monday and filed for bankruptcy.

21. US Factory Output Declined Sharply in November - Friday, December 16, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. manufacturing output fell in November for the first time in seven months.

The decline was largely because factories made fewer autos. But production of home electronics, appliances and business equipment also dropped.

22. US Auto Sales Look Strong in November - Friday, December 02, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – People are finally replacing the cars and trucks they held on to during the economic slump, giving a boost to U.S. auto sales in November.

Chrysler, Ford and Nissan were among the companies reporting double-digit gains from last November, which is normally a lackluster month because of colder weather and holiday distractions. This November, buyers were lured by good deals, improving confidence in the economy and the need to trade in older cars.

23. Trucks, SUVs Power Strong Auto Sales in October - Wednesday, November 02, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – Car buyers were out in force in October, snapping up trucks and SUVs and taking advantage of deals on Japanese cars.

U.S. car and truck sales were expected to top 1 million in October, a surprising number for a month when sales are usually slow. When adjusted for seasonal factors, that would be the best pace since the "Cash for Clunkers" program in August 2009.

24. Takeovers, Anticipated European Deal Lift Stocks - Tuesday, October 25, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks gained steadily Monday on a round of corporate takeovers and reports that Europe's bailout fund will be larger than anticipated. The Dow Jones industrial average was up nearly 130 points in the late afternoon. The Nasdaq composite index turned positive for the year.

25. Ford to Add 5,750 US Jobs as Part of New Contract - Wednesday, October 05, 2011

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) – Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday it will add 5,750 jobs and invest $4.8 billion in its U.S. factories as part of a new contract deal with the United Auto Workers union.

26. US Auto Sales Up in September on Big Trucks - Tuesday, October 04, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – Pickups and SUVs boosted U.S. autos sales in September as dealers offered promotions, gas prices fell and contractors replaced aging fleets of work trucks.

Truck sales at General Motors, Chrysler and Ford grew in the double digits, outpacing cars. The September increases built on a healthy performance in August, when new models, cheaper financing and pent-up demand lifted the industry after several disappointing months.

27. General Motors Workers Ratify New Labor Contract - Thursday, September 29, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – Factory workers at General Motors have voted overwhelmingly to approve a new four-year contract with the company that has profit-sharing instead of pay raises for most workers and promises thousands of new jobs.

28. House Disaster Vote Sets up Showdown With Senate - Thursday, September 22, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Despite opposition from Democrats and some tea party Republicans, the GOP-controlled House on Wednesday took up $3.7 billion in disaster relief as part of a bill to avert a government shutdown at the end of the month.

29. UAW, Automakers Continue Talks as Deadline Nears - Thursday, September 15, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – United Auto Workers negotiators say they made progress with General Motors Co. during contract talks Tuesday night, but both sides are quickly approaching a deadline to reach new deals with GM and Chrysler Group LLC.

30. Car Dealers Fear Economy Could Scare Off Buyers - Friday, August 19, 2011

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (AP) – Jeff Swanson was in the market for a new car just a few weeks ago. Then the stock market went crazy.

So Swanson, 25, decided to keep his 10-year-old Pontiac Grand Prix for at least another year. Gyrations in stocks and talk of a weakening economy rattled Swanson's confidence about taking on another payment, even though his new job running a home for mentally disabled people seems to be secure.

31. GM to Halve Number of Vehicle Frames to Cut Costs - Wednesday, August 10, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – General Motors Co. has plans to become leaner in the future, cutting costs so it will make even stronger profits than it has so far this year, company executives told industry analysts Tuesday.

32. US Auto Industry Uneasy After Weak July Sales - Wednesday, August 03, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – Auto sales were expected to rise only slightly in July, adding to concerns in the industry that Americans are pulling back on car buying.

Analysts predicted a small increase in U.S. sales of new cars and trucks. A lack of discounts and lingering shortages of Japanese cars kept many buyers away. Americans also worried about the economy.

33. CRE Shows Q2 Improvement - Monday, July 25, 2011

Memphis’ commercial real estate landscape may be inching closer to recovery, as evidenced by the latest CB Richard Ellis MarketView report.

In the second quarter of 2011, Memphis’ office market saw continued signs of growth from existing tenants, and improved investment sale activity.

34. GM, Ford June Sales Rise, Honda Falls - Monday, July 04, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – Gas prices have hit a sweet spot for U.S.-based automakers. They've fallen enough to spur pickup truck sales, yet remain so high that newer small cars are selling as well.

35. White House Considers Big Boost to Fuel Economy - Tuesday, June 28, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration is telling American automakers that it would like cars and light trucks to average 56.2 miles per gallon by 2025 – a boost to fuel economy that would save consumers money at the pump and help with global warming but drive up the cost of automobiles.

36. Ford Insider Likely to Succeed Mulally - Monday, June 06, 2011

MACKINAC ISLAND, Michigan (AP) – The executive chairman of Ford Motor Co. says the automaker's next CEO likely will be a company insider.

Bill Ford Jr. said Friday he's very happy with the job being done by CEO Alan Mulally, who turns 66 in August.

37. US Auto Sales Cooled in May Due to Shortages - Thursday, June 02, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – U.S. auto sales cooled off in May as dealers started running short on some popular, fuel-efficient models and buyers were turned off by sharply lower incentives.

Deals aren't likely to come back until the end of this summer. Some experts are advising people to delay their purchases if they can.

38. Ambulance Co. Signs New Lease, Ups Space - Friday, May 20, 2011

A Nashville-based health care company is expanding its Memphis presence. First Call Ambulance Services LLC has signed a three-year, 13,500-square-foot lease at 5155 Wilfong Road, more than doubling its existing space on Federal Avenue.

39. Wal-Mart Remains Atop Fortune 500 List - Friday, May 06, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. remains atop the Fortune 500 list even as it struggled to keep its U.S. customers coming in the door.

40. Fewer People Sought Unemployment Aid Last Week - Friday, April 22, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Fewer people applied for unemployment benefits last week, resuming a downward trend that signals stronger job growth ahead.

Applications for unemployment benefits fell to a seasonally adjusted 403,000 in the week ending April 16, the Labor Department said Thursday. The decline partially reversed a jump in applications from the previous week, which economists said was largely the result of a seasonal quirk.

41. GM to Raise Car Prices Due to Oil, Metal Costs - Tuesday, April 19, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – General Motors Co. said Monday it will raise car and truck prices by an average of $123 per vehicle to make up for its increased oil and metal costs.

42. Auto Sales Up on Jobs Outlook, Fuel-Efficient Cars - Monday, April 04, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – U.S. sales of new cars and trucks rose in March, helped by a brighter jobs outlook and rising sales of fuel-efficient vehicles.

New vehicle sales rose 11 percent at General Motors, 16 percent at Ford, 23 percent at Honda and 27 percent at Nissan, all aided by sales of smaller, more efficient cars and crossovers, which look like truck-based SUVs but are more fuel efficient and nimble because they are built on car underpinnings.

43. Green Power - Thursday, March 24, 2011

The familiar hum of the fertilizer tank and sprayer on TruGreen service trucks is about to fade out.

Associates with the lawn care company that is part of Memphis-based The ServiceMaster Co. have already heard from customers who missed the hum and thought the new hybrid trucks being tested by TruGreen had missed their homes.

44. Strong Economic Data Point to More Hiring - Friday, March 18, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Factories are producing more cars, computers and household appliances, and applications for unemployment benefits over the past four weeks are at the lowest point since summer 2008.

45. GM Leads Auto Sales Jump With 49 Percent Increase - Wednesday, March 02, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – General Motors Co. led automakers with a 49 percent U.S. sales jump last month, aided by sweeter financing and lease deals and strong demand for newer models.

46. High Gear - Friday, February 18, 2011

The 2011 Memphis International Auto Show rolls into town Friday through Sunday, giving car enthusiasts a chance to check out more than 250 of the latest cars, trucks, SUVs and hybrids, along with many other special attractions at the automotive extravaganza.

47. AP Source: GM Hourly Workers Get $4,000 Bonuses - Tuesday, February 15, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – General Motors Co. will pay more than $189 million in profit-sharing to 48,000 U.S. hourly workers and millions more in performance bonuses to salaried employees, according to company documents obtained by The Associated Press.

48. GM, Chrysler, Kia Report Big Jan. US Sales Gains - Wednesday, February 02, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – U.S. sales of cars and trucks rose in January, a strong start to what the auto industry hopes will be an extension of last year's recovery.

In another good sign, sales to individuals were better than sales to fleet buyers such as rental-car companies, which are far less profitable for automakers

49. GM Says it No Longer Needs Gov't Loan to go Green - Friday, January 28, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – General Motors, in another sign of its progress since a government-led bankruptcy, said Thursday it is withdrawing its application for $14.4 billion in federal loans it had sought to help build more fuel-efficient cars.

50. Businesses Hiring in 2011 Face a Buyers' Market - Thursday, January 13, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Companies planning to ramp up hiring this year will have an added luxury: their choice from a flood of applicants, without having to pay a premium for top talent.

Unemployment remains near double digits, and there are nearly five unemployed workers competing for each available job. That is giving employers more confidence, while at the same time enabling them to keep wages low.

51. US Auto Sales Rise in 2010, But Remain Below Highs - Wednesday, January 05, 2011

DETROIT (AP) — U.S. auto sales sputtered back to life in 2010 and car companies expect them to keep climbing this year as the economy recovers and buyers grow more confident.

With sales of around 11.5 million new cars and trucks, 2010 was still the second-worst year in almost three decades, after 2009. And car companies are starting to wonder if they will ever reach the heights they saw in the early 2000s, when credit was cheap, incentives were rampant and sales topped 17 million.

52. Automakers Report Stronger October US Sales - Thursday, November 04, 2010

DETROIT (AP) – U.S. auto sales rose in October as buyers grew more confident in the economy and new models drew them into dealerships.

General Motors Co., which is preparing for an initial stock offering expected later this month, saw sales rise 3.5 percent in October. Last month is shaping up to one of the industry's best since August of 2009, when big government discounts spurred Americans to buy more cars and trucks.

53. Branding Music’s Mojo Focus of AdFed Luncheon - Wednesday, September 22, 2010

As Memphis musicians and studios struggle to find work among the rubble of the record industry, the concept of brand entertainment partnerships offers interesting possibilities.

Kevin McKiernan, president and CEO of Creative License, will talk about the ways advertisers and artists can work together at The American Advertising Federation of Memphis’ monthly luncheon Thursday from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn University of Memphis.

54. US Auto Sales Rise, Helped by Credit, Promotions - Wednesday, August 04, 2010

DETROIT (AP) – Automakers posted higher U.S. sales last month, a sign that Americans are still willing to buy big-ticket items even though concerns linger about the economy and hiring.

After a sluggish June, sales rose slightly for General Motors Co. and Chrysler. Foreign-based companies such as Toyota and Honda posted bigger gains. Ford, meanwhile, had flat sales.

55. Obama Hails Auto Bailout as Good News in Michigan - Monday, August 02, 2010

DETROIT (AP) – President Barack Obama on Friday heralded the recent turnaround for U.S. automakers, arguing that thousands of jobs and increased production vindicate his unpopular decision to bailout the industry.

56. Obama Naming 18 to Advisory Council on Exports - Thursday, July 08, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama declared good progress Wednesday on his pledge to double U.S. exports over the next five years, saying America's sales abroad were up 17 percent in first four months of this year.

57. Ford Motor to Repay $4B More in Debt - Thursday, July 01, 2010

DETROIT (AP) – Ford Motor Co., the only Detroit automaker to avoid bankruptcy protection, said Wednesday it will reduce its huge debt by another $4 billion as it continues to show signs of financial strength.

58. US Auto Sales Seen Slowing With Recovery in Doubt - Wednesday, June 30, 2010

DETROIT (AP) – When it comes to car shopping, Americans are tapping the brakes.

Forecasters expect U.S. sales of cars and light trucks to slow for June after months of improvement. It's another sign that people are beginning to doubt the economic recovery with unemployment still high.

59. Economy Adds 431K Jobs But Few in Private Sector - Monday, June 07, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) - Job creation by private companies grew at the slowest pace of the year in May, even while the hiring of temporary census workers drove overall payrolls up 431,000. The unemployment rate dipped to 9.7 percent as many people gave up searching for work.

60. First-Time Jobless Claims Drop for Second Week - Friday, June 04, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) - New claims for unemployment insurance fell for the second straight week, fresh evidence the job market is slowly improving.

And productivity grew at a slower rate in the first quarter of this year than previously thought, suggesting that businesses are reaching the limits of their ability to boost output with fewer workers. That implies they will need to hire more employees.

61. GM Rides Cost Cuts, New Model Sales to Q1 Profit - Tuesday, May 18, 2010

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors Co. rode expense cuts from its bankruptcy and strong sales of redesigned models to its first quarterly net income in nearly three years, drawing the company closer to a stock offering that would repay at least part of its government aid.

62. CEO Sees Ford Continuing to Improve Into 2011 - Friday, May 14, 2010

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Ford's chief executive told shareholders that the second-largest U.S. automaker will see "continuing improvement" into 2011 but wouldn't say when the company might reinstate a dividend.

63. Market Gains Set Up CEO Pay Bonanza - Tuesday, May 11, 2010

NEW YORK (AP) — America's top CEOs are set for a once-in-a-lifetime pay bonanza.

Most of them got their annual stock compensation early last year when the stock market was at a 12-year low. And companies doled out more stock and options than usual because grants from the previous year had fallen so much in value that many people thought they'd never be worth anything.

64. Auto Industry on Road to Recovery But Pace Slows - Tuesday, May 04, 2010

DETROIT (AP) - The U.S. auto industry stayed on the road to recovery in April, but it eased up on the gas pedal a bit.

Ford Motor Co. saw last month's sales rise 25 percent from a year earlier, while General Motors Co. climbed 6.4 percent. Hyundai, Subaru and others also continued to see gains from last year.

65. Jobless Claims Fall to Lowest Level in 4 Weeks - Friday, April 30, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans filing claims for unemployment benefits dropped for a second consecutive week, further evidence that the job market is slowly improving.

The Labor Department said Thursday that initial applications for jobless benefits dropped by 11,000 to 448,000, the lowest level in four weeks. The new total was slightly higher than economists had expected.

66. Rosy Earnings Show Corporate America is Back - Thursday, April 29, 2010

CHICAGO (AP) — Corporate America is back.

Companies that do everything from making appliances to selling cruises are reporting strong first-quarter profits — not because of the layoffs many of them used to dress up last year's earnings reports but because people are spending more.

67. Regulator Faults Wall Street Banks on Derivatives - Friday, March 12, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) - Wall Street banks are seeking exemptions to proposed new financial derivatives rules that could shield more than half the trades that should be subject to disclosure, a federal regulator said Thursday.

68. Toyota May Lengthen Warranties to Keep Customers - Tuesday, February 16, 2010

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Toyota Motor Corp. may offer incentives or increase the length of its warranties as it tries to recover from an embarrassing string of safety-related recalls.

69. Economy Grew at 5.7 Percent Pace in 2009 - Monday, February 01, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. economy’s faster-than-expected growth at the end of last year, powered by companies replenishing stockpiles, is likely to weaken as consumers keep a lid on spending.

70. Geithner Says $700B Bailout Program Will End Soon - Thursday, December 03, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner affirmed Wednesday the U.S. administration's intent to soon end the $700 billion financial bailout program.

Geithner did not provide details, but said the government is close to the point at which "we can wind down this program" and end it.

71. Auto Supplier Lear Exits Bankruptcy - Tuesday, November 10, 2009

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (AP) - Auto parts maker Lear Corp. emerged Monday from four months in bankruptcy protection, saying it has a healthier balance sheet, less debt and a backlog of new business.

72. Baker Donelson Honored By Corporate Counsel - Thursday, October 15, 2009

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC has been named to the 2009 edition of Corporate Counsel’s “Who Represents Corporate America.”

The annual list recognizes law firms that regularly serve as outside counsel for Fortune 100 companies. This is the fourth consecutive year Baker Donelson has been included.

73. Taking Off - Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Aviators attain flight and control the movements of their aircraft by precisely balancing the forces of lift, thrust, drag and gravity. The people piloting the aerotropolis initiative – the promotion of Memphis’ economy focused on the airport, other transportation assets and the connectivity among them – are negotiating their own set of physics in hopes of becoming airborne.

74. Taking Off - Monday, October 12, 2009

Aviators attain flight and control the movements of their aircraft by precisely balancing the forces of lift, thrust, drag and gravity. The people piloting the aerotropolis initiative – the promotion of Memphis’ economy focused on the airport, other transportation assets and the connectivity among them – are negotiating their own set of physics in hopes of becoming airborne.

75. Regulators Seek Tighter Derivatives Oversight - Thursday, October 08, 2009

As two federal regulators asked a House panel to tighten proposed legislation imposing new oversight on derivatives, Republican lawmakers contended the measure already could eliminate jobs and stifle companies’ ability to manage risks.

76. Wholesale Inventories Drop in July - Monday, September 14, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) – Businesses throughout the nation reduced inventories at the wholesale level for a record 11th consecutive month in July, although sales rose by the largest amount in more than a year, according to government data released Friday.

77. Dealers Should Get 'Clunkers' Money by Sept. 30 - Friday, September 04, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - The government has approved $500 million in reimbursements to car dealers for sales under the Cash for Clunkers program and dealers should be paid by late September, officials said Thursday.

78. Cash for Clunkers Generates 700,000 New Car Sales - Thursday, August 27, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) – Cash for Clunkers generated nearly 700,000 new car sales and ended under its $3 billion budget, the Transportation Department reported Wednesday.

Releasing final data, the government said dealers submitted 690,114 vouchers totaling $2.88 billion. New car sales through the program ended late Monday, and dealers were allowed to submit paperwork to the government until late Tuesday.

79. Survey Shows US Automakers Making Improvements - Wednesday, August 19, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) - All three U.S.-based automakers are doing a better job of satisfying their customers than they were a year ago, according to a recent survey.

General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC all posted significant gains in this year's American Customer Satisfaction Index released Tuesday by the University of Michigan.

80. Industrial Production Up for 1st Time in 9 Months - Monday, August 17, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) – Production from the nation’s factories, mines and utilities rose more than expected in July, with the first gain in nine months driven by increased output from auto companies.

81. Ford to Boost Production of Focus, Escape - Friday, August 14, 2009

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) - Ford said Thursday it will build more of its popular Focus and Escape models and boost total vehicle production later this year to help dealers restock depleted showrooms.

82. Factory Orders Unexpectedly Increase in June - Thursday, August 06, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - Factory orders rose in June for the fourth time in five months, an unexpected gain and the latest sign of recovery in the ailing manufacturing sector.

The U.S. Commerce Department said Wednesday that factory orders rose 0.4 percent, after a 1.1 percent increase in May. Economists expected a 1 percent drop, according to a survey by Thomson Reuters.

83. US Official: Clunker Car Deals Could End by Friday - Tuesday, August 04, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. government's wildly popular "cash for clunkers" program, offering $4,500 rebates to customers who trade in gas guzzling vehicles, is likely to end Friday if the Senate does not approve $2 billion more for it, the White House says.

84. GM Buyout Offers Fall Short of Goal, Layoffs Loom - Tuesday, August 04, 2009

DETROIT (AP) - About 6,000 General Motors Co. blue-collar workers have taken the latest round of early retirement and buyout offers, but it fell short of the company's goal, meaning more layoffs are likely.

85. Debt Reduction Pushes Ford to $2.3B Q2 Profit - Friday, July 24, 2009

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) - Helped by a lightened debt load, Ford Motor Co. posted a surprise second-quarter profit of $2.3 billion Thursday, following the worst loss in company history a year earlier. Shares rose 9 percent in afternoon trading.

86. Auto Parts Maker Lear Corp. Files for Chapter 11 - Wednesday, July 08, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) - Automotive parts supplier Lear Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection on Tuesday after receiving support it needed from lenders and bondholders to reorganize its struggling business.

87. US Factory Orders Rise More Than Expected - Friday, July 03, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) – Orders to U.S. factories jumped in May by the largest amount in nearly a year, another sign that the nosedive in manufacturing is nearing an end.

The U.S. Commerce Department reported Thursday that total orders rose 1.2 percent in May, better than the 0.8 percent increase that economists had expected. The April performance was revised slightly lower to a gain of 0.5 percent, from 0.7 percent.

88. Ford, Nissan, Tesla's Electric Plans Get $8B Jolt - Wednesday, June 24, 2009

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) - Cultivating the next generation of fuel-efficient vehicles, the Obama administration said Tuesday it would lend $5.9 billion to Ford Motor Co. and about $2.1 billion to Nissan Motor Co. and Tesla Motors Inc. in a government-industry partnership to build green cars.

89. Report: Some Bailed Out Banks Retain Jet Perks - Monday, June 22, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) – A number of executives of banks that received federal bailout money have continued to use corporate jets for personal reasons despite controversy over such perks, according to a Friday report.

90. Factory Orders Rise For Second Time in 3 Months - Thursday, June 04, 2009

Orders to U.S. factories rose 0.7 percent in April, the second increase in three months and further evidence that manufacturers may be recovering.

Still, the U.S. Commerce Department’s report Wednesday was below analysts’ expectations of a 0.9 percent increase. The department also sharply marked down the March figure to a 1.9 percent drop, compared to the 0.9 percent decline previously reported.

91. GM, Chrysler Say Slashing Dealerships Necessary - Thursday, June 04, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - The chiefs of General Motors and Chrysler told skeptical lawmakers on Wednesday they have too many dealers to support their slimmed down operations and sacrifices must be shared as they fight to overcome bankruptcy and survive. They acknowledged that slashing dealerships is causing pain in communities around the country.

92. GM All But Certain to File for Chapter 11 - Friday, May 29, 2009

DETROIT (AP) - General Motors, the company that put tail fins on a Cadillac and was once the nation's largest employer, moved to the edge of bankruptcy protection Wednesday as debtholders refused a last-ditch deal. Crosstown rival Chrysler hoped to pull off a quick exit from Chapter 11 and prove there is hope yet for a leaner Detroit.

93. UAW Trust to Get 17.5 Percent of GM Shares - Wednesday, May 27, 2009

DETROIT (AP) - General Motors Corp. will give the United Auto Workers union 17.5 percent of its common stock, $6.5 billion of preferred shares and a $2.5 billion note to fund a trust that will take over retiree health care costs starting next year.

94. GMAC Receives $7.5B in New Treasury Aid - Tuesday, May 26, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) - The U.S. government could eventually own a majority stake in GMAC Financial Services following its latest $7.5 billion aid package to the ailing auto financing company.

To keep loans flowing to would-be buyers of GM and Chrysler vehicles and shore up its capital position, the Treasury Department agreed Thursday to provide GMAC with $7.5 billion in loans. The new aid marks the second time the government has stepped in to prop up the former lending unit of General Motors Corp.

95. UAW Says It Has Tentative Deal with GM, Government - Friday, May 22, 2009

DETROIT (AP) - The United Auto Workers union has agreed on a tentative deal with the government and General Motors Corp. that would cut labor costs and change the way a union-run trust for retiree health care is funded.

96. GM Eliminating about 1,100 Dealer Franchises - Monday, May 18, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) - General Motors Corp. on Friday told about 1,100 dealers, or nearly 20 percent of its U.S. network, that they will be fired by the automaker late next year because their sales are weak.

97. Manufacturing Declines at Slower Rate in April - Monday, May 04, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. manufacturing activity contracted at a slower-than-expected pace in April, raising hopes that a steep plunge that began last fall may be moderating. The performance was driven by a rise in new orders reflecting higher business and consumer spending.

98. Union Leaders Recommend Approval of Chrysler Deal - Wednesday, April 29, 2009

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich.(AP) - The United Auto Workers union will own 55 percent of a restructured Chrysler LLC and its retiree health care trust will get a seat on the board if union members vote to approve contract concessions this week.

99. GM Employees May Get Shutdown Details This Week - Friday, April 24, 2009

DETROIT (AP) - Thousands of GM workers could learn as early as Thursday that they will be idle for up to nine weeks this summer as the automaker's plants stop making all but its most popular cars and trucks.

100. Norfolk Southern Sees Demand ‘Bottom’ This Quarter - Thursday, April 23, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) – Norfolk Southern Corp., which has a rail yard in Memphis and is considering a local site for a new intermodal facility, reported Wednesday it expects shipping demand to approach its worst level this quarter and possibly start to improve as early as the second half of this year.