Business Review

Detroit Free Press: Saline's MMI succeeding as niche manufacturer after move from Plymouth

The Detroit Free Press caught up with MMI Engineered Solutions, which announced in August that it would move from Plymouth to about half of the 80,000-square-foot facility formerly used by Thyssen-Krupp in Saline.

Associated Press: Dow closes below 10,000 for first time in 3 months

The Dow Jones industrial average closed below 10,000 for the first time in three months Monday on nagging concerns about debt loads in Europe.

Shares of big banks pulled the market lower, extending a slump that has led to four straight weekly losses.

TODAY'S BUSINESS NEWS LINKS: Toyota to add 2010 Prius to recalls, Consumer's Energy to lay off 80

Here's a collection of the Metro Detroit, Michigan and national business news stories today:

Metro Detroit:
• Detroit Free Press: General Motors to send out repair parts for 2009-10 Pontiac Vibes this week
• Detroit Free Press: 8 ways to sell your house in tough times

Toyota's troubles could remake the auto industry

Getting to the top of your game or industry is never easy. It takes vision, dedication, competitive drive, talent and some luck. However, it doesn't take long for a champion to get knocked off the podium.

Toyota, it seems, is having its own Tiger Woods moment. Tiger's reputation was permanently tarnished when his perpetual infidelities were revealed.

Now, Toyota's quality indiscretions are coming to light -- and the public is beginning to question whether the automaker's reputation for quality was ever deserved.

With Video: Rick Snyder, in Super Bowl ad, asks voters to embrace 'one tough nerd'

Ann Arbor venture capitalist Rick Snyder hopes voters will embrace “one tough nerd” for Michigan’s governorship.

With Video: Mary Sue Coleman 'very optimistic' about Michigan's economic future

University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman said Friday that she believes that Michigan is filled with economic opportunity.

Signs point to growing stability in Ann Arbor area housing market

The Ann Arbor area joined the rest of the nation in watching home sales free-fall in recent years, and now it’s sharing in the signs of hope for recovery.

Local sales data for 2009 show some reason for optimism: Unit sales stayed flat over 2008, and a year-end rush helped power those totals.

Column: Paula Gardner

Ability to adapt to market changes pays off for Ann Arbor area's top Realtors

Optimism, hard work and expertise honed over years in a specific market pay off in any career.

But for the Ann Arbor area’s top 10 Realtors, the payback totaled a combined $223 million in sales of local listings in 2009.

Over the last week, I talked to nine of the top 10 Realtors in a county with 820 licensed members in the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors.

Q&A: HandyLab's Jeff Williams transitions to Ann Arbor's Accuri Cytometers

Vibrant entrepreneurial economies are populated with startup executives who hop from one local company to another, rather than leaving the region after their first venture in search of fertile ground elsewhere.

That's why Ann Arbor startup veteran Jeff Williams' decision to stay here after leaving two successful firms is proving to be evidence of the region’s entrepreneurial growth.

Washtenaw County chamber directors say no new mergers are planned

Business leaders who’d like to see more mergers among Washtenaw County’s chambers of commerce aren’t likely to get their wish anytime soon.

The Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti chambers announced in December they would merge, forming the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber. But other Washtenaw County chambers say they are nowhere near pursuing a similar path.

'Winter Warriors' patrons brave cold to dine outside at downtown Ann Arbor restaurants

Cold weather plus cheap beer equaled smiles in downtown Ann Arbor Saturday during the first "Winter Warriors" promotion.

Several local restaurants offered discounted drinks and food to those brave enough to sit outside - and despite the temperatures in the 20s, the sunshine and novelty drew crowds.

Michigan Daily: University of Michigan celebrates opening of research corridor's Lansing headquarters

The University of Michigan joined its partners in officially opening the University Research Corridor's office in Lansing on Friday.

U-M President Mary Sue Coleman was joined by Lou Anna K. Simon, president of Michigan State University, and Jay Noren, president of Wayne State University, at the event.

Associated Press: Office furniture exhibit from Michigan's Herman Miller now at Henry Ford Museum

A traveling exhibit that's about office furniture as art is opening at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.

"Good Design: Stories from Herman Miller" opens Saturday and runs through April 25. The exhibit showcases the development and evolution of many of the Zeeland-based furniture maker's significant designs of the past 80 years.

Among those designs: The office cubicle, which was born in Ann Arbor.

Daily business news links: U.S. unemployment drops to 9.7% in January

Here is a roundup of the Metro Detroit, Michigan and national business news stories for February 5: