If there was anything certain about the federal bailout of the banking sector, it's that the venture would not stop at the banking sector. Giving out hundreds of billions of dollars in government assistance to one industry is like giving out free beer to the students in one corner of a college campus - it has a way of attracting a crowd. ...more

November 1, 2008

First, the $700 billion rescue for the economy was about buying devalued mortgage-backed securities from tottering banks to unclog frozen credit markets. ...more

October 26, 2008

Kirk Kerkorian's investment firm said Tuesday it sold 7.3 million of its shares in Ford Motor Co. and plans to further cut what is now a 6.1 percent stake, for a potential loss of more than half a billion dollars on the investment. ...more

October 22, 2008

The chief executive of Chrysler LLC said Monday that his company hasn't reached any new deals with other automakers but has spoken with outside parties interested in working with the Dodge and Jeep maker. ...more

October 14, 2008

The showroom and parking lot of Wesley Chapel Nissan are quiet places these days. ...more

October 5, 2008

If credit remains locked up and auto sales continue to slump, the federal government's $25 billion loan package for the auto industry could be a huge help in keeping Detroit's downtrodden automakers afloat, lawmakers and industry analysts say. ...more

September 30, 2008

Automakers gained $25 billion in taxpayer-subsidized loans and oil companies won elimination of a long-standing ban on drilling off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts as the Senate passed a spending bill Saturday. ...more

September 28, 2008

General Motors Corp.'s treasurer said Wednesday that the automaker is planning to put its Strasbourg, France, manufacturing operation and its Hummer truck brand up for sale and may announce more asset sales later this year. ...more

September 25, 2008

Oil production has begun falling at all of the major Western oil companies, and they are finding it harder than ever to find new prospects even though they are awash in profits and eager to expand. ...more

August 31, 2008

With gas prices still near record highs, the economy in a slump and continued trouble in the credit markets, just about everybody expects August vehicle sales to be down significantly from a year ago. ...more

August 30, 2008