http://www.post-gazette.com/businessnews/ All Business, Auto News en-us Copyright 2010, post-gazette.com. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:16:59 -0500 15 http://www.post-gazette.com/includes/2007design/images/150x30pg_now_logo.gif http://www.post-gazette.com/ 144 39 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10072/1042644-185.stm?cmpid=business.xml If you're considering one of many hybrid models but think that there are no deals to be had on green vehicles, now would be the time to think again—and potentially head out shopping in the near future. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10072/1042645-185.stm?cmpid=business.xml Artworks of cars aren't altogether unheard of. There's a big business in vanity portraits of classic cars, for example, commissioned by wealthy owners. But most car paintings are done the old-fashioned way: with paint brushes. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10072/1042646-185.stm?cmpid=business.xml Gas prices keep creeping upward, but don't expect any relief anytime soon. Don't expect $4 either. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10072/1042647-185.stm?cmpid=business.xml The 5.0 is back, and Ford didn't take the opportunity lightly. The 2011 Ford Mustang GT will pack a 412-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8 that for all practical purposes is an all-new engine. A very stoutly built, race-ready one at that. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10072/1042648-185.stm?cmpid=business.xml The Ford Mustang is one of a handful of cars rightfully called icons. Since its first spin on a car-show turntable at the World's Fair in 1964, it's been the auto industry's standard measure of overnight success. And for at least some of its wild youth, it was the cautionary tale of what happens when a celebrity hits the skids. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10072/1042649-185.stm?cmpid=business.xml TheCarConnection.com brings you this comprehensive Bottom Line review, including firsthand driving impressions, then supplements it with an adjacent Full Review that draws from a range of reviews and road tests from other expert sources.LikesVery distinctive styling inside and outPerky and economical powertrainOverall refinementSpace for four tall adultsBargain base price Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10072/1042629-96.stm?cmpid=business.xml AUSTIN, Tex. -- The only thing more challenging than deciphering the names of all the social-minded Web sites battling for attention at the South by Southwest technology conference here -- Brizzly, Vicarious.ly, Stalqer, Quora and so forth -- would be the chore of signing up for each one individually. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10072/1042630-96.stm?cmpid=business.xml Netflix's $1 million contest for the best method to improve its movie recommendations was such a research and business hit that, when the winners were declared last September, the company immediately announced plans for another one. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10072/1042638-185.stm?cmpid=business.xml THE images on the Flickr slide show serve up a comforting slice of mid-20th-century Americana: the local banker's slinky '56 Lincoln Premiere reflects the summer sun outside the hardware store on Main Street. A spit-shined Divco truck delivers fresh milk from the Borden dairy. On the town's outskirts, where rents are low and hot-rodders use the county road as a dragstrip, a custom '55 Ford gets a set of loud pipes at a one-bay speed shop. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10072/1042639-185.stm?cmpid=business.xml ONCE upon a time -- say, around 2004 -- the 340-horsepower S4 was Audi's 8-cylinder answer to the mighty BMW M3. It seemed pretty crazy at the time, a little car like an A4 running around with a V-8 under the hood. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10072/1042640-185.stm?cmpid=business.xml BURBANK, Calif. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10072/1042446-28.stm?cmpid=business.xml Also in today's headlines: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10072/1042450-389.stm?cmpid=business.xml In California's Napa Valley, producer of the most expensive U.S. wines, 2010 may be a vintage year for foreclosures as the industry is squeezed by falling land values and a consumer shift to cheaper brands. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10072/1042540-147.stm?cmpid=business.xml Delta Air Lines' nonstop Pittsburgh-to-Paris flight isn't hitting its revenue targets, likely leaving state taxpayers and a local economic development agency on the hook to make up the difference. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10071/1042339-318.stm?cmpid=business.xml by Natalie Hill New Business/New Offices Yoga Flow opened its third location on Walnut Street in Pittsburgh's Shadyside neighborhood. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:07:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10071/1042312-455.stm?cmpid=business.xml Delta Air Lines nonstop Pittsburgh to Paris flight is not meeting its revenue targets, likely triggering subsidies from the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and state taxpayers this year Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:41:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10071/1042145-28.stm?cmpid=business.xml The Louisiana Municipal Police Employees Retirement System wants a federal judge in Pittsburgh to stop FirstEnergy's proposed $8.5 billion takeover of Greensburg-based Allegheny Energy. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10071/1042146-28.stm?cmpid=business.xml Also in today's headlines: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10071/1042147-28.stm?cmpid=business.xml Mexico's Carlos Slim beat Bill Gates and Warren Buffett for the top spot on Forbes magazine's annual list of billionaires, becoming the first person from outside the United States to lead the rankings in 16 years. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10071/1042148-113.stm?cmpid=business.xml On a day that found civic leaders aggressively preparing for floods that could rival the worst in the region's history, organizers of United Nations World Environment Day unveiled the theme of an event that will include six weeks of activities stretching from Earth Day in April through June 5: "Water Matters." Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10071/1042149-53.stm?cmpid=business.xml The city's Urban Redevelopment Authority board on Thursday advanced a proposed partnership with a local developer to transform 80 acres along the Allegheny riverfront from the Strip District to Lawrenceville. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10071/1042200-67.stm?cmpid=business.xml Think a wrinkled bracket and a college sweatshirt are all you need to get the full March Madness experience? Pretty soon, you'll also need a bag of popcorn and a pair of goofy glasses. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1042061-28.stm?cmpid=business.xml WASHINGTON - Americans regained more of their shrunken wealth last quarter, mainly because the healing economy boosted stock portfolios. But the gain was less than in the previous two quarters. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:10:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1042053-28.stm?cmpid=business.xml BEIJING - China's inflation rose in February amid galloping growth and demand for scarce labor, increasing pressure on Beijing to ease off its stimulus while keeping a recovery going in the world's third-largest economy. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:08:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1042052-68.stm?cmpid=business.xml WASHINGTON - The foreclosure crisis isn't over, but the pace of growth may finally be slowing down. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:36:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1042048-100.stm?cmpid=business.xml CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia Supreme Court has rejected requests by a bankrupt coal company and its president to reconsider a decision stripping them of a $50 million jury verdict against Massey Energy Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:51:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1042038-185.stm?cmpid=business.xml WASHINGTON - Toyota's massive recalls are prompting Congress to reconsider whether the nation's auto safety agency has lived up to its mission of protecting motorists. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:22:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1042039-407.stm?cmpid=business.xml WASHINGTON - The U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly shrank in January, reflecting a big drop in imports of oil and foreign cars. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:22:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1042034-100.stm?cmpid=business.xml The Louisiana Municipal Police Employees Retirement System wants a federal judge in Pittsburgh to stop FirstEnergy's proposed $4.7 billion takeover of a western Pennsylvania electric company Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:33:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1042033-100.stm?cmpid=business.xml HARRISBURG -- Bill George is retiring as president of Pennsylvania's AFL-CIO after 20 years as one of the state's most visible organized labor leaders Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:26:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1042031-100.stm?cmpid=business.xml EQT Corp. has priced a new public offering of its common stock at $44 a share. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:18:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1041733-54.stm?cmpid=business.xml At a time when the real estate market is soft, developer James Rumbaugh plans to turn about 200 acres in Pine into a development of 118 custom-built homes. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:49:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1042005-96.stm?cmpid=business.xml Blame "Minority Report." Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1042006-96.stm?cmpid=business.xml They are the most wired vehicles on the road, with dashboard computers, sophisticated radios, navigation systems and cellphones. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1042007-96.stm?cmpid=business.xml If you're a recent convert to smartphones, you're probably still discovering all the amazing things that your new BlackBerry, Android phone or iPhone can do. But one thing you most likely found out right away: the more you do, the shorter your phone's battery lasts. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1042008-96.stm?cmpid=business.xml One curse of the digital age is the need to manage multiple continuing conversations -- be they via Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, instant messages or text-messaging on your cellphone. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1041801-96.stm?cmpid=business.xml Video game review Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1041862-28.stm?cmpid=business.xml Finally, American Eagle Outfitters Inc. did what Wall Street wanted. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1041863-28.stm?cmpid=business.xml Sweeping credit card reforms that kicked in Feb. 22 promised to snuff out the card industry's most abusive practices, but experts say it's no time for consumers to let their guard down. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1041869-28.stm?cmpid=business.xml RealtyTrac Inc. said today that the number of U.S. households facing foreclosure in February grew 6 percent from the year-ago level, the smallest annual increase in four years. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1041871-28.stm?cmpid=business.xml In a move that could bring an end to the $40 cup of coffee, Bank of America is doing away with overdraft fees on purchases made with debit cards, a decision that could cost the bank tens of Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1041872-28.stm?cmpid=business.xml SAN FRANCISCO -- Last year, Palm thought it had all the pieces for a turnaround in the market it pioneered: A new CEO known for making the iPod a household name, a sleek new smart phone called the Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1041905-28.stm?cmpid=business.xml At first blush, the Pittsburgh Flea sounds like something you'd want to avoid. But Janis Surman is hoping a lot of people will get the itch. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10069/1041588-100.stm?cmpid=business.xml The retailer Wednesday morning reported profits of $59.3 million, or 28 cents per share, in the three months ended Jan. 30, compared to $32.7 million, or 16 cents, in the previous year. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:19:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10069/1041411-67.stm?cmpid=business.xml Public radio stations don't scramble for advertising revenues like their commercial counterparts, but they still compete for donors, ratings, public and grant support. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:09:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10069/1041397-96.stm?cmpid=business.xml Need to find a hotel in Starkville, Miss.? Find one with confidence at TripAdvisor.com, or any number of online websites. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10069/1041412-28.stm?cmpid=business.xml Five million dollars. That's how much money seven arts groups have saved by sharing the costs of marketing, advertising, ticketing, theater programs and collectively purchasing everything from Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10069/1041413-28.stm?cmpid=business.xml The real work of preserving WDUQ-FM as an independent public radio station is going on behind closed doors, as the group trying to preserve WDUQ and keep its programming intact begins a long, hard fundraising and public awareness task. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10069/1041427-53.stm?cmpid=business.xml Seniors at The Residence on Fifth assisted-living facility in Oakland were notified Monday that the facility would close on May 8, with a sale of the property to Carnegie Mellon University pending this spring. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10069/1041428-28.stm?cmpid=business.xml Three weeks after Saxonburg-based optical instruments maker II-VI had its unsolicited $169.4 million takeover bid for Zygo Corp. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10069/1041429-28.stm?cmpid=business.xml The Martin + Osa clothing chain has run out of time to keep looking for that elusive formula for winning over grown-up customers. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10069/1041431-28.stm?cmpid=business.xml LifeLock Inc. agreed to pay $11 million to the Federal Trade Commission and $1 million to 35 state attorneys general, including in Pennsylvania, to settle charges that the company used false Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10069/1041434-185.stm?cmpid=business.xml Lincoln, America's "other" storied luxury brand, which was almost dead five years ago, has gained new life with new models, new commercials and new customers. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10069/1041437-28.stm?cmpid=business.xml A late blast of cold, snowy weather around the country may have had commuters grumbling but it was refreshing for Dick's Sporting Goods Inc., which Tuesday reported a 10.7 percent increase in fourth-quarter sales. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10069/1041489-84.stm?cmpid=business.xml EL CAJON, Calif. -- James Sikes bought his Toyota Prius in 2008, and 53,000 miles later, the car was driving fine. But Monday afternoon, when he accelerated to pass another vehicle on Interstate 8 east of San Diego, the car kept going. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10069/1041521-455.stm?cmpid=business.xml When Castriota Chevrolet in Dormont found out it wasn't one of 2,000 General Motors dealerships slated to close last year, the outfit printed signs and bought billboards proclaiming, "GM is here to stay and so is Castriota Chevrolet." One went up next to a shuttered GM dealership. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500