REDMOND, Wa. - Microsoft has agreed to acquire Skype for $8.5 billion and will integrate Skype's technology with Xbox game consoles and Kinect motion-sensing devices, as well as Windows Phone platforms. "Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world," Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said in a statement reported
DETROIT - The Detroit Free Press reports General Motors is investing more than $2 billion to update 17 plants, creating some 4,200 new jobs. As many as 2,000 new jobs could go to its Hamtramck plant where GM builds the Chevy Volt, Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS. Both the Caddy and Buick are expected to
ANN ARBOR - In an analysis of General Motors announced plant investments for this spring, the Center for Automotive Research calculates more than 28,000 jobs will be retained or created, and will contribute almost $2.9 billion to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product. CAR has carried out the great majority of studies investigating the impact of
LANSING - Governor Rick Snyder's administration will wait until after legislative work on his tax proposal and the 2011-12 budget is completed before introducing a bill authorizing construction of a new Detroit-Windsor bridge, administration sources said. Snyder set a deadline of May 31 to complete action on the budget. Most observers expect that final action
LANSING - The Michigan Energy Office will make approximately $1 million available from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, better known as the federal stimulus, funds to showcase advanced lighting technology demonstrations around the state. Proposals are due by 3 pm May 26. The grants are designed to encourage highly visible upgrades to more
LANSING - Michigan has the fifth-worst business climate in the nation, at least in terms of the perception of 556 CEOs who participated in the annual Chief Executive magazine survey ranking the states' business climates. The survey is not based on metrics, but the general perception participating CEOs have of each state's business climate. The
LANSING - For years now, the story has been that young people leave Michigan in search of jobs and more exciting places to live. If Governor Rick Snyder and the forces at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation are successful in their new development strategy, young people will want to remain in Michigan and will have
DETROIT - Grants totaling $200 million from the federal government will help put Michigan on the rails for high-speed, or at least higher speed, train service, Governor Rick Snyder and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced at a news conference in Detroit on Monday. The funds will focus on improving the track lines from Dearborn
DETROIT ? Led by sales of fuel-efficient passenger cars and crossovers, General Motors reported April sales were up 27 percent from a year ago. April also was the best sales month for the Chevrolet Cruze and record sales for the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain compact crossovers. Retail sales, those to individual customers, rose 25
AUBURN HILLS - Chrysler Group LLC, 25 percent owned by Italy's Fiat SpA, posted its first quarterly profit in five years Tuesday - $116 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared with a net loss of $197 million in the year-ago quarter. Operating profit, excluding taxes, interest and pension-related costs, more than tripled to