January 4, 2013 | AP It's not quite boom times for the U.S. auto industry. But it's getting there.
Sales of new cars and trucks are likely to reach 14.5 million for 2012. And if they increase to more than 15 million this year, as many expect, the industry will be close to its recent high of 17 million in 2007 - just before the Great Recession took hold.
Cheap loans, a host of new cars and greater confidence in the economy are drawing buyers into showrooms. Plus, Americans who hung on to aging cars during the recession are ready to trade them in.
Volkswagen saw a 35-percent jump in sales in 2012, one of the biggest increases in the industry. Chrysler's sales jumped 21 percent.
Both General Motors and Ford gained sales in 2011 when the earthquake hurt their Japanese competitors. But the Japanese snatched those sales back in 2012, and GM and Ford lagged behind the industry. GM saw a 4 percent sales increase for the year. Ford's sales were up 5 percent.
Japanese companies, who struggled after the earthquake and tsunami, got their U.S. supplies back to normal in the first few months of 2012 and never looked back. Toyota's U.S. sales rose 28 percent. Honda's sales rose 24 percent.
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Wednesday Mosquito killer and repellent in demand May 22, 2013 | WGVU The recent mosquito explosion has created a run on mosquito killer and repellent. With outdoor graduation parties, weddings and the Memorial Day weekend ahead, you may want to consider some mosquito protection. ListenDownload Lawmaker proposes changes to Michigan fireworks law Lansing MI May 22, 2013 | WGVU State lawmakers are working against the clock to modify Michigan’s year-old fireworks law allowing consumers to buy previously illegal pyrotechnics. The changes include giving local governments more control on when people can shoot off these powerful explosives. WGVU’s David Moore reports ListenDownload Cousin tesifies in court that Jahleel Hoskins choked girlfriend May 22, 2013 | WGVU The cousin of an accused murderer testified in court today Jahleel Hoskins admitted choking to death his girlfriend, Latrice Maze. WGVU’s Caroline MacGregor reports. ListenDownload Man accused of lawmaker threats avoids trial Flint MI May 22, 2013 | AP A Flint man who authorities say threatened to kill three lawmakers from Michigan has been ruled incompetent to stand trial. Financially troubled district recalls more workers Buena Vista Twp MI May 22, 2013 | AP The financially troubled Buena Vista Schools district is recalling more employees who were laid off when the district shut down for about two weeks. Holland, Michigan site of AMC show's premiere Holland MI May 22, 2013 | AP An AMC talent show reality series will premiere Thursday with an episode set in Holland, Mich. After complaints, Grand Rapids copter patrols are grounded Grand Rapids MI May 22, 2013 | AP State police say they're halting helicopter patrols over Grand Rapids after noise complaints.
Proposal to block insurance coverage for abortions Lansing MI May 22, 2013 | AP Michigan's election board was expected to consider a petition form for a proposal that would prohibit Michigan health insurance plans for covering elective abortions unless individuals or businesses buy a supplemental policy. Performance pay for teachers moves forward in state House May 22, 2013 | MPRN A state House panel has approved a plan to tie teachers’ pay to student performance. But as Jake Neher tells us, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say they’re worried the bill would strip away local control.
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Jake Neher has more.
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Monday BBB: Medic alert scam targets Seniors Grand Rapids MI May 20, 2013 | WGVU Senior citizens are the targets of a widespread scam involving medical alert devices. As WGVU’s David Moore reports, this is one of the latest ways of getting access to sensitive personal information. ListenDownload Kayakers find body in Thornapple River May 20, 2013 | WGVU Officials say kayakers have found a man's body in the Thornapple River. Step Forward MI program invokes faith leaders to help at risk homeowners May 20, 2013 | WGVU Mayor George Heartwell was joined by Republican State Senator Mark C. Jansen and Democratic State Rep. Winnie Brinks Monday to announce a faith-based initiative to help at-risk homeowners avoid foreclosure. WGVU’s Caroline MacGregor reports. ListenDownload Snyder officials to meet with Michigan residents May 20, 2013 | WGVU Officials from Republican Gov. Rick Snyder's administration are planning to travel across the state this week to take suggestions and answer questions from Michigan residents. Michigan cancer patients to back Medicaid expansion Lansing MI May 20, 2013 | AP Cancer patients and survivors in Michigan are expected to call on lawmakers to expand Medicaid coverage for about 400,000 uninsured Michigan residents Michigan works to get some inmates higher education Lansing MI May 20, 2013 | AP The Michigan Department of Corrections has several efforts to teach community college courses and vocational training in-house to a small number of inmates near parole. Suspended judge faces tenure commission hearing Ann Arbor MI May 20, 2013 | AP A judge who a state agency says had an affair with a woman who had a child-support case pending in his court faces a hearing. Officials to kick of Michigan seat belt campaign Detroit MI May 20, 2013 | AP Law enforcement officials across Michigan will be enforcing federally funded safety belt enforcement zones. AAA Mich.: Gas prices rise 10 cents over past week Dearborn MI May 20, 2013 | AP AAA Michigan says gasoline prices have risen about 10 cents during the past week to a statewide average of about $3.88 per gallon. Police get high-priority tips in search for woman May 20, 2013 | AP Police looking for a 25-year-old woman who disappeared from her job at a West Michigan gas station last month say they're investigating high-priority tips received over the weekend. Effort aims to keep Mich. kids out of foster care May 20, 2013 | AP The Michigan Department of Human Services plans a pilot project in three counties designed to keep children out of foster care and cut costs. Advocates for the poor: Restore Earned Income Tax Credit with tax windfall May 20, 2013 | MPRN The debate continues in Lansing over how the state should spend almost half-a-(b) billion dollars in unexpected revenue this year.
As Jake Neher tells us, some advocacy groups say lawmakers should use it to restore tax credits for the working poor.
ListenDownload Salary commission will recommend no changes to governor’s paycheck May 20, 2013 | MPRN A state salary commission is expected to recommend no pay raises for the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators when it meets tomorrow . But, as we hear from Rick Pluta, there could be a dust-up over judges’ salaries.
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