NEW YORK (AP) – It was supposed to be our IPO, the people's public offering.

Facebook, the brainchild of a young CEO who sauntered into Wall Street meetings in a hoodie, was going to be bigger than Amazon, bigger than McDonald's, bigger than Coca-Cola. And it was all made possible by our friendships, photos and family ties.

2. Automakers Report US Sales Up in March - Wednesday, April 03, 2013

DETROIT (AP) – March is turning out to be the best month for auto sales in at least six years.

Major automakers including Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, General Motors and Nissan all reported increases, with some reporting their best monthly totals since the start of the Great Recession in December of 2007.

3. Automakers Report Growing US Sales in February - Monday, March 04, 2013

DETROIT (AP) – Americans want new cars and trucks, and they're not going to let higher gas prices or political dysfunction in Washington stand in their way.

General Motors, Toyota, Ford and most other automakers posted at least modest sales gains for February. Industry analysts estimate last month's sales rose about 7 percent from a year earlier as pent-up demand and cheap financing kept the U.S. auto sales recovery powering along.

4. 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.

5. Honoring a Pair Of Fundraising History Makers - Friday, February 15, 2013

Lights, camera, action. In 1980 the United Negro College Fund launched the Parade of Stars telethon. It became a nationwide fundraising program raising millions of dollars for generations of students, and support for historically black colleges and universities. It became the largest one-day African-American special event in the country. It changed black history – and American history – creating an acknowledged culture of fundraising in the African-American community. America’s largest corporations became engaged. Small churches, teachers, sororities and fraternities became engaged. Donors and volunteers from across the country organized to support UNCF and celebrate black philanthropy.

6. Why Geithner's Treasury Leadership Proved Divisive - Friday, January 25, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama has saluted the outgoing Timothy Geithner as one of the best U.S. Treasury secretaries ever. He's surely been among the most contentious.

Not since the Great Depression had an administration inherited so many grave financial threats at once. To many, Geithner deserves credit for helping steady the banking system and helping restore investor confidence. Yet his toughest critics say Geithner's policies consistently favored big banks over ordinary struggling Americans.

7. Tennessee, Kentucky Plants Cooperate in Building Corvette - Friday, January 18, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Two General Motors plants 90 miles apart will be utilized to build the newest incarnation of the Chevrolet Corvette sports car.

The vehicle is assembled at the GM plant in Bowling Green, Ky.

8. Toyota Retakes Global Auto Sales Crown From GM - Tuesday, January 15, 2013

DETROIT (AP) – Toyota has once again dethroned General Motors as the world's top-selling automaker.

The Japanese company sold 9.7 million cars and trucks worldwide in 2012, although it's still counting. GM sold 9.29 million.

9. Nonprofit Tech Innovators Inspire New Philanthropy - Monday, December 31, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – Scott Harrison knows his charity has funded nearly 7,000 clean water projects in some of the poorest areas of the world in the past six years. How many of those wells are still flowing with drinking water months or years later, though? That's a tough question to answer.

10. No More Government Motors: US Selling GM Shares - Thursday, December 20, 2012

DETROIT (AP) – The U.S. government's foray into the car business is slowly coming to an end.

The Treasury Department said Wednesday that it will sell its remaining stake in General Motors in the next year or so, winding down a $50 billion bailout that saved the iconic American car giant but also set off a heated debate about government intervention in private business that even influenced this year's presidential election.

11. Michigan House Approves Right-to-Work Limiting Unions - Wednesday, December 12, 2012

LANSING, Mich. (AP) – The Michigan House approved the first of two right-to-work bills Tuesday that would weaken union power in the historical labor stronghold as hundreds of protesters rallied at the Capitol.

12. Couple Convicted of Stealing General Motors Trade Secrets - Monday, December 03, 2012

DETROIT (AP) – A former General Motors engineer with access to the automaker's hybrid technology was convicted Friday along with her husband of stealing trade secrets for possible use in China.

13. Consumers Give US Economy a Lift Before Election - Friday, November 02, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – A flurry of reports Thursday showed that U.S. consumers are growing more confident and spending more, boosting a still-weak economy just five days before the presidential election.

14. Nissan to Add Shift, 800 Jobs at Tennessee Plant - Monday, October 22, 2012

Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. announced Friday it will add a third shift at a vehicle assembly plant in Tennessee, adding more than 800 jobs.

15. General Motors Hiring 1,500 for Computer Center Near Detroit - Tuesday, October 09, 2012

DETROIT (AP) – General Motors plans to hire up to 1,500 workers to staff a new computer technology center outside Detroit.

It is part of a move to bring 90 percent of information technology in-house, which GM believes will make the company more nimble and efficient. The carmaker plans to hire 10,000 people at four new technology centers in the next three to five years. The centers will help get breakthrough ideas into the company's cars and trucks, GM says.

16. 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.

17. New Mileage Standards Would Double Fuel Efficiency - Wednesday, August 29, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – The average gas mileage of new cars and trucks will have to nearly double by 2025 under regulations that were finalized Tuesday by the Obama administration.

The new rules will require the fleet of new cars and trucks to average 54.5 miles per gallon in 13 years, up from 28.6 mpg at the end of last year.

18. Navistar CEO Steps Down, Interim Replacement Named - Tuesday, August 28, 2012

LISLE, Ill. (AP) – Navistar International Corp. said Monday that its CEO has stepped down and named an interim replacement.

19. GM Now Building Ecotek Engine in Tenn. - Thursday, August 09, 2012

SPRING HILL, Tenn. (AP) – Carmaker General Motors has begun manufacturing its new Ecotek automobile engine in Tennessee.

Production began Wednesday at the former Saturn auto assembly plant, about 30 miles south of Nashville.

20. Ford, GM Sales Lose Ground to Japan Rivals in July - Thursday, August 02, 2012

DETROIT (AP) – General Motors and Ford lost ground to Japanese automakers last month as their rivals made a strong comeback from last year's earthquake.

GM's July sales fell 6 percent from a year earlier, while Ford's slipped 4 percent. By contrast, Honda sales leaped 45 percent while Toyota posted a 26-percent gain. Chrysler also did well, notching its best July in five years.

21. 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.

22. State Rated No. 1 For Automotive Manufacturing - Wednesday, July 18, 2012

A national publication ranks Tennessee No. 1 in automotive manufacturing strength for the third straight year.

Business Facilities’ July/August issue cited the state for economic growth potential, job growth, business and education climate, transportation infrastructure, data center hubs and other factors.

23. 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.

24. Feds Expand Toyota Fire Probe to 1.4M Autos - Tuesday, June 19, 2012

DETROIT (AP) – The government has expanded an investigation into fires that can start in the doors of several Toyota models, adding 600,000 Camrys and other vehicles to the probe.

The investigation now includes 1.4 million cars and SUVs from the 2007 to 2009 model years. When the probe began in February, it involved more than 800,000 Camrys and RAV4 SUVs from the 2007 model year.

25. GM to Buy Out White-Collar Pensions - Monday, June 04, 2012

DETROIT (AP) – General Motors Co. will change the way it makes pension payments to white-collar retirees, cutting its underfunded U.S. pension obligation by $26 billion.

26. JPMorgan Names Vice Chairman of Investment Banking - Thursday, May 24, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) – JPMorgan says that Joseph Walker is rejoining the bank as a vice chairman of investment banking.

27. 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.

28. Residential Capital Seeks Chapter 11 Protection - Tuesday, May 15, 2012

DETROIT (AP) – The U.S. government is hoping that Monday's bankruptcy filing by Ally Financial Inc.'s troubled mortgage business will help the company repay its government bailout faster.

29. US Factory Orders Fell in March by Most in 3 Years - Thursday, May 03, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – Demand for U.S. factory goods dropped in March by the most in three years, driven lower by a sharp fall in volatile orders for commercial aircraft. Still, more recent data suggest the decline may be temporary.

30. Toyota, Chrysler See Big April Sales Gains - Wednesday, May 02, 2012

DETROIT (AP) – Toyota and Chrysler saw big U.S. sales gains in April, but they came at the expense of General Motors and Ford.

When automakers finish reporting numbers on Tuesday, industry-wide sales are likely to rise only a little above April of 2011, but the annual pace is expected to match February and March. Automakers and analysts noted that this April had more Sundays than last year and fewer cars are sold on Sundays

31. 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.

32. Govt Loses About $49M on Sale of Small-Bank Stocks - Friday, March 30, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – The government has lost roughly $50 million on its sale of stock in six small banks bailed out in the 2008 financial crisis. But the Treasury Department says the three-year investment was profitable after counting dividends and investments.

33. 4 Businesses in Tennessee, State Agency Recognized - Tuesday, March 20, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – A national economic development publication has recognized four businesses in Tennessee for their community impact.

Amazon, General Motors, Quaprotek USA and MANN+HUMMEL were honored by Trade & Industry Development. The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development also was recognized.

34. Regions to Repay TARP - Thursday, March 15, 2012

Regions Financial Corp. will sell $900 million in stock to repay some of the $3.5 billion it received from the Treasury Department as part of the 2008 bank bailout, the company announced Wednesday, March 14.

35. Jobs Picture Brightens, But Incomes, Spending Weak - Friday, March 02, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – Steady declines in applications for unemployment aid are pointing to another strong month of hiring in February.

A healthy job market normally drives faster growth. But Americans' after-tax income actually fell in January, which led to a fourth straight month of weak consumer spending.

36. 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.

37. Super Bowl MVPs - Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Would you write a check for $116,000 for one second of TV airtime?

That was precisely the question Super Bowl advertisers faced this year. Thirty-second ads sold for a record $3.5 million, up a whopping 17 percent from last year.

38. 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.

39. Report: Taxpayers Still Owed $133B From Bailout - Friday, January 27, 2012

Companies that were bailed out during the financial crisis still owe U.S. taxpayers nearly $133 billion. Treasury’s plans to recoup that money have been slowed by the volatile stock market and weakness among smaller banks.

40. GM Likely to Recapture Global Auto Sales Lead - Tuesday, January 10, 2012

DETROIT (AP) – General Motors Co. is on track to retake the title of world's top-selling automaker, riding strong sales in the U.S. and China to beat Volkswagen and Toyota.

41. 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.

42. Kreuger Expansion Wins $5 Million State Grant - Thursday, December 15, 2011

The State Funding Board has approved $20 million worth of infrastructure and jobs training grants for seven projects around Tennessee.

The panel unanimously approved the state Department of Economic and Community Development’s request on Wednesday, Dec. 14, without debate.

43. 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.

44. GM Willing to Buy Back Volts - Friday, December 02, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – General Motors will buy Chevrolet Volts back from any owner who is afraid the electric cars will catch fire, the company's CEO said Thursday.

In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, CEO Dan Akerson insisted that the cars are safe, but said the company will purchase the Volts because it wants to keep customers happy. Three fires have broken out in Volts after side-impact crash tests done by the federal government.

45. GM to Offer Free Loaner Cars to Volt Owners - Tuesday, November 29, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – General Motors is offering free loaner cars to Chevrolet Volt owners worried about the vehicles catching fire.

The move comes after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Friday that the government is investigating fires involving the Volt's lithium-ion batteries.

46. GM to Build Equinox in Spring Hill; 700 Jobs Open - Tuesday, November 22, 2011

SPRING HILL, Tenn. (AP) – General Motors has announced it will begin building its Chevrolet Equinox at its idled Spring Hill plant next year and plans to begin making a midsized vehicle there in the future.

47. Factory Activity Slows as Economy Stays Sluggish - Wednesday, November 02, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. manufacturing grew more slowly in October, hampered by weaker demand for exports and slower production at factories.

But companies ordered more goods, factories slashed their stockpiles and auto sales rose. Those trends suggest manufacturing activity could rebound in coming months.

48. 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.

49. 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.

50. 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.

51. 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.

52. In the US, Two Housing Markets and Two Directions - Thursday, September 22, 2011

In America, it's starting to feel as if there are two housing markets. One for the rich and one for everyone else.

Consider foreclosure-ravaged Detroit. In the historic Green Acres district, a haven for hipsters, a pristine, three-bedroom brick Tudor recently sold for $6,000 – about what a buyer would have paid during the Great Depression.

53. Proposed GM Deal has 1,700 New Spring Hill Jobs - Wednesday, September 21, 2011

SPRING HILL, Tenn. (AP) – A proposed General Motors Co.-United Auto Workers contract includes 1,700 new jobs at the plant in Spring Hill. The work was originally slated for Mexico.

54. Tenn. in Talks With GM Over Spring Hill Plant - Friday, September 16, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam's office confirms that the state is in talks with General Motors to expand production at the automaker's Tennessee plant.

The state's economic development chief, Bill Hagerty, was in Detroit to meet with GM officials on Thursday, as were mayors representing communities surrounding the Spring Hill plant.

55. 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.

56. Web Presence Takes TDN To New Levels - Wednesday, September 14, 2011

When The Daily News Publishing Co. Inc. was founded more than a century ago, court filings were recorded manually, a tweet was a sound a bird made, and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerburg’s parents hadn’t been born yet.

57. GM Chief Says US Needs to Live Within its Means - Monday, September 12, 2011

SOUTH BEND, Indiana (AP) – The top executive at General Motors Co. says the United States needs to live within its means. He called for Social Security and health care reform and said improvements are needed in public education.

58. August US Auto Sales Better Than Expected - Friday, September 02, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – Car buyers shrugged off bad economic news and a major East Coast hurricane last month, lifting U.S. sales for most automakers.

General Motors, Chrysler, Ford and Nissan reported surprisingly strong sales results on Thursday. Toyota and Honda, however, continued to be hurt by model shortages from the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Both reported large sales drops.

59. 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.

60. 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.

61. 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.

62. New Mileage Standards Aim for Less Fuel, Pollution - Monday, August 01, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama and automakers ushered in the largest cut in fuel consumption since the 1970s on Friday with a deal that will save drivers money at the pump and dramatically cut heat-trapping gases coming from tailpipes.

63. Retail Sales Up Slightly in June After May Drop - Friday, July 15, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Consumers spent more on cars and in big chain stores in June but falling gas prices held back retail sales.

Retail sales rose a modest 0.1 percent last month, the Commerce Department said Thursday. That follows a 0.1 percent decrease in May, which was the first decline after 10 straight gains.

64. Auto Industry, Seeing New Life, is on Hiring Spree - Thursday, July 07, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – Volkswagen opened a plant in Tennessee last month with 2,000 workers. Honda is hiring 1,000 in Indiana to meet demand for its best-selling Civic. General Motors is looking for 2,500 in Detroit to build the Chevy Volt.

65. Shuttle Cost: More Than AIG Bailout, Less Than War - Wednesday, July 06, 2011

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) – At $196 billion, the amount of money taxpayers spent during the lifetime of the space shuttle program seems astronomical.

But the entire federal government spends that much in just three weeks. In big bucks Washington, even $196 billion is relative.

66. 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.

67. 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.

68. JPMorgan to Pay $153.6M to Settle Fraud Charges - Wednesday, June 22, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – JPMorgan Chase & Co. has agreed to pay $153.6 million to settle civil fraud charges that it misled buyers of complex mortgage investments just as the housing market was collapsing.

69. GM to Invest $65M in NY and Tenn. Engine Plants - Monday, June 20, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – General Motors says it will invest $65 million in two plants and create or retain 163 jobs at those sites so it can make more four-cylinder engines.

GM will add capacity at its Tonawanda, NY, plant to make engines for its Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain crossovers. It will invest $33 million there and create or retain 100 jobs.

70. Automotive Supplier Expands Plant in Tenn. - Monday, June 13, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – An automotive parts supplier is expanding in East Tennessee and creating 100 jobs.

Officials of SL Tennessee, Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty announced the $14 million expansion at SL's plant in Clinton. The parts supplier to General Motors has expanded its Clinton operation four times in the last decade.

71. Obama Promotes Job Training as Economic Imperative - Thursday, June 09, 2011

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) – President Barack Obama says the growth of the U.S. economy will depend in part on training new workers for jobs in the manufacturing industry.

During a speech at a Northern Virginia Community College campus on Wednesday, Obama highlighted the expansion of an industry-led initiative to boost training programs.

72. 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.

73. 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.

74. GM Sales Jump 27 Percent on Small Car Sales Gains - Wednesday, May 04, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – General Motors' U.S. car and truck sales jumped 27 percent in April as the economy continued to improve and $4 a gallon gasoline pushed buyers into more fuel-efficient vehicles.

75. GM CEO Says Discounts Helped Sell More Cars in Q1 - Wednesday, April 20, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – General Motors Co. CEO Dan Akerson said he doesn't regret the company's decision to increase spending on rebates and other deals earlier this year even though it has contributed to the company's tumbling stock price.

76. 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.

77. Consumers Buy More Retail Goods in March - Thursday, April 14, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Consumers spent more in March on furniture, electronics and at restaurants, but also paid more for gas.

Retail sales increased 0.4 percent last month, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. It was the ninth consecutive monthly gain.

78. 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.

79. Manufacturing Growth Slows Slightly in March - Monday, April 04, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Manufacturing activity cooled off a bit last month after expanding in February at the fastest pace in nearly seven years.

The Institute for Supply Management said Friday that the sector grew for the 20th straight month. The trade group's index of manufacturing activity dipped to 61.2 from 61.4 in February, the highest reading in nearly seven years.

80. Myers Tire Finds ‘Ideal’ Spot in Miss. - Friday, April 01, 2011

Airways Distribution Center at 8474 Marketplace Drive in Southaven is nearly at capacity with a new lease.

81. 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.

82. Manufacturing Growing at Fastest Pace in 7 Years - Wednesday, March 02, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. manufacturers expanded at the fastest pace in nearly seven years last month, but a sudden rise in the price of raw materials could threaten their profits.

The Institute for Supply Management said Tuesday that its index of manufacturing activity rose to 61.4 in February, up from 60.8 the previous month. That's the highest reading since it reached the same level in May 2004. The ISM's index bottomed out at 33.3 in December 2008, its lowest point in nearly 30 years.

83. Hybrid Luxury - Thursday, February 24, 2011

With gas selling at $3 a gallon, the staff at Lexus of Memphis gathered earlier this month for a training session.

The East Memphis dealership had just taken delivery of a first for the luxury carmaker – a five-door hybrid hatchback Lexus. The CT200h is the fifth hybrid Lexus has offered, but the first hybrid car classified as a luxury car that promises to top 40 miles per gallon of gas.

84. 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.

85. 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

86. 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.

87. General Motors Declares Quarterly Dividend - Thursday, January 27, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – General Motors says its board is declaring a quarterly dividend of about 64.7 cents per share on its Series B mandatory convertible junior preferred stock.

The dividend will total $64.7 million. It is payable March 1 to those who own stock as of Feb. 15.

88. New Electric Vehicle Chargers Dedicated in Tenn. - Wednesday, January 26, 2011

KNOXVILLE (AP) – Researchers in Knoxville have dedicated an electric vehicle charging station.

Right now its only for testing, but it can make electricity from sunlight and put electricity back in the power grid.

89. Cypress Realty Holdings Buys Millington Perkins Site - Tuesday, January 11, 2011

8472 New Wilkinsville Road
Millington, TN 38053
Sale Amount: $1.3 Million

90. Stage Road Dealership Sells for $4 Million - Monday, January 10, 2011

Bud Davis Cadillac Inc. has sold its former auto dealership at 7727 U.S. 64 (Stage Road) near Bartlett for $4 million to First Tennessee Bank as trustee.

91. 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.

92. Auto Industry Recalled 20 Million Vehicles in 2010 - Thursday, December 30, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) – Automakers recalled about 20 million vehicles in 2010, led by high-profile recalls by Toyota that prompted new scrutiny of the auto industry's safety record.

An analysis of federal data by The Associated Press shows that the number of recalls this year is the largest in the United States since 2004.

93. GM Recalling 100,000 Crossovers to Fix Seat Belts - Monday, December 20, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) – General Motors Co. is recalling about 100,000 crossover vehicles to fix seat belts that could fail in a crash.

94. Top GM Exec Says Federal Pay Limits Hurt Company - Monday, December 13, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) – The top executive at General Motors said Friday that the automaker's attempt to rebound from its bankruptcy is being hindered by salary limits the government has clamped on executives at companies that accepted federal bailouts.

95. More Auto Loans Going to Subprime Buyers - Wednesday, December 08, 2010

DETROIT (AP) – Consumers with less than stellar credit are getting car loans again as lenders loosen their standards, and the trend is likely to continue as more lenders get into the business.

96. November Auto Sales Show Industry in Recovery - Friday, December 03, 2010

DETROIT (AP) – After a year of watching auto sales slowly increase month by month, industry executives are finally willing to firmly declare that the U.S. market is in recovery.

People who had been too afraid to make a big car purchase are finally coming back to dealerships, a little more confident that they won't lose their jobs. And that's reflected in November's auto sales figures: Industry sales were up 16.9 percent for the month compared with a year ago. Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Honda, Nissan and Hyundai all posted double-digit gains.

97. Obama Promotes Auto Industry Success in Indiana - Wednesday, November 24, 2010

KOKOMO, Ind. (AP) – President Barack Obama promoted the revival of the U.S. auto industry Tuesday, taking his pitch to the heart of the Rust Belt where a bruising economy has taken its toll on Democrats.

98. Harrah's Cancels Plans for IPO - Monday, November 22, 2010

LAS VEGAS (AP) – Harrah's Entertainment Inc. canceled its initial public offering Friday, folding its hand for now on a risky bet on returning to the stock market just three years after it went private.

99. Economists: Nation Won't Really Rebound Until 2012 - Friday, November 19, 2010

LANSING, Mich. (AP) – In a good sign for a resurging General Motors, University of Michigan economists are forecasting a climb in motor vehicle sales over the next two years that should help bolster automakers' fortunes.

100. 50-Year Niche - Monday, November 08, 2010

Despite the sluggish economy, one Memphis-based, family-owned business continues to thrive.

While many competitors have either sold or liquidated their businesses, Delta Materials Handling Inc. is celebrating 50 years in existence.