BUSINESS BRIEFS
GDP static in '05 but could rise
Advertiser Staff and News Services
WASHINGTON — The economy was lethargic in the final quarter of 2005, but fresher readings suggest a rebound since then.
Gross domestic product grew at an annual rate of just 1.7 percent in the October-to-December quarter, the Commerce Department reported yesterday. It was the most sluggish showing in three years but a tad better than the 1.6 percent estimated a month ago.
Gross domestic product measures the value of all goods and services produced within the United States.
GM EXPANDING IN MEXICO
DETROIT — Even as General Motors Corp. closes plants in the United States, the automaker plans to break ground on a new car-assembly plant in Mexico, where sales are strengthening and GM is the market-share leader.
The GM plant, in the central Mexican state of San Luis Potosi, will employ between 1,800 and 2,300 workers, GM said yesterday. GM will invest $600 million in the plant. The Mexican government has contributed incentives to help fund the construction.
GOOGLE STICKS ADS IN ITS MAPS
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Google Inc. started displaying ads yesterday within its local maps as the online search leader tries to find more ways to make money from the free services it has been introducing. The new ads will show up as part of balloons that float over the map itself.
The new ads will appear only if a search request mentions a product, service or specific business name.
