Business Briefs
Star-Bulletin staff
and wire services
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NATION
Toyota outsells GM worldwide
DETROIT »
General Motors Corp., pummeled by falling U.S. sales and high gas prices, lost the global sales lead to
Toyota Motor Corp. in the first half of this year, but the churning market makes it difficult to predict which automaker will end the year on top. Toyota sold 4,817,941 vehicles globally during the first six months of the year, company spokesman Hideaki Homma said yesterday, beating GM by 277,532 vehicles. Toyota said its global sales rose 2 percent from the same period the year before, while GM's sales fell 3 percent. It's the second time Toyota has beaten GM in sales in the first half of the year.
Chrysler to cut 1,000 jobs
DETROIT »
Chrysler LLC said yesterday it will cut 1,000 salaried jobs worldwide by Sept. 30 as it tries to return to profitability amid a severe downturn in U.S. sales. The automaker said it hopes most of the cuts will be accomplished through early retirements, attrition and voluntary separation programs, but said involuntary layoffs will be considered if the company fails to meet its targets.
Chrysler's U.S. sales fell 22 percent in the first six months of this year as customers shunned its trucks and sport utility vehicles in favor of smaller, more fuel-efficient cars.
Northwest loses $377 million
MINNEAPOLIS » Northwest Airlines, which already plans to reduce flying from now through the end of the year, could shrink more and keep raising fares if fuel prices don't come down, Chief Executive Doug Steenland said yesterday after announcing that the company lost $377 million in the second quarter. The loss at Eagan-based
Northwest Airlines Corp. was mostly on a non-cash accounting charge of $547 million. Northwest said it would have earned $170 million for the most recent quarter if not for the accounting charge. It also benefited from a $250 million fuel-hedging gain.
HAWAII
COURTESY KOYO USA CORP.
MaHaLo Hawaii Deep Sea water is now serving Tropic Chillers seven days a week at its MaHaLo Showroom, located in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza. The Chillers are available in sweet maple and mint melon flavors.
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Outrigger gives food gift cards
Travelers staying at
Outrigger's Condominium Collection are being offered complimentary
Foodland gift cards worth up to $150 for each five-night stay at any of its Maui properties.
In addition, guests can receive their fifth night free at the Outrigger Royal Kahana, Outrigger Aina Nalu, Outrigger Maui Eldorado and Outrigger Napili Shores, or a seventh night free at Outrigger Palms at Wailea.
The offer is available until Dec. 21, and includes a complimentary eco-friendly tote bag for carrying grocery purchases.
Pacific Resource starts campaign
In an effort to combat illegal activity -- and undocumented workers -- in the construction industry,
Pacific Resource Partnership yesterday launched a new Web site called www.playfairinhawaii.com.
Private investigator Matt Levi has stepped forward as the public advocate for the campaign.
Pacific Resource Partnership Executive Director Kyle Chock said it has received numerous complaints relating to several developers and contractors who violate Hawaii's labor laws, as well as industry standards or safety codes.
While the majority of those in the industry play by the rules, Play Fair seeks to expose illegal practices and to hold the violators accountable.
BUSINESS PULSE