DETROIT - It's not just Detroit-based automakers taking it on the chin with soft auto and truck sales, even Toyota Motor Corp. reported sharply lower sales last month, as consumer confidence remains low. GM's sales fell 53 percent, Ford's sales dropped 48 percent, while Toyota's declined 40 percent. Ford, which has so far sidestepped the
LANSING - Residents who want to put up small-scale solar, wind, geothermal or water energy devices on their property could see help from the state ensuring the device doesn't spike their tax bill under legislation before the House Energy and Technology Committee. The panel heard testimony Tuesday on HB 4103 , which would require the
DETROIT - Forty-four billion dollars. That's what GM's request for government aid is up to right now, when you count money it wants to get from governments in North America and Europe. The Wall Street Journal reports GM is also looking to sell off 25 to 50 percent of Opel, which could legally separate it
SAN FRANCISCO - Think twice before you open that video link from a friend on Facebook. The popular social-networking site has been hit by what's believed to be the fourth rogue app in a week or so and is investigating the spread of a new variant of the Koobface worm, according to security firm Trend
DETROIT - A sign that the global financial crisis is getting worse. Toyota Financial Services, the finance unit of the world's largest automaker, approached the Japanese government asking for a loan of 200 billion yen, or about $2 billion, the AP reports. Toyota Financial Services does 70 percent of its business in the United States.
WASHINGTON DC - The Obama administration's proposed budget will increase investments in renewable energy and fuel efficiency, while projecting billions of dollars in revenue from carbon regulations. The budget blueprint, published on Thursday, bumps up the Department of Energy's 2009 spending by 40 percent with more basic science research and loan guarantees for energy technologies
LANSING - A measure that would save businesses $35 million for interest owed by the state to the federal government for the advances on the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund was passed unanimously in the House Thursday. Michigan received a waiver from the federal government on the interest it owes for taking out $1.3 billion in
NEW YORK - New York newspaper Newsday plans to begin charging online readers for access to its content, rejecting a trend toward free online newspaper content. The move, which comes as the newspaper industry is mired in financial turmoil, was announced Thursday during a conference call in which Cablevision, the newspaper's owner, also announced it
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama will propose a combined $634 billion in upper-income tax increases and cuts to government health spending over 10 years to fund a new program aimed at getting health coverage to all Americans, a senior administration official told the Wall Street Journal Wednesday. The spending cuts are aimed not just at
LANSING - Legislative officials expressed regret that the Detroit City Council voted Tuesday to reject a plan to expand Cobo Center, but said they were still committed to efforts to expand the facility and keep the North American International Auto Show in the city. Gov. Jennifer Granholm also expressed disappointment at the action, and doubted