Chrysler

Chrysler says it will add 1,100 jobs at an Ohio assembly complex as part of a $1.7 billion investment to build a new Jeep sport utility vehicle. The automaker said Wednesday that includes $500 million to expand its Toledo assembly plant and add a body shop. State and local officials signed off on incentives for the project.

Almost nothing loses its value faster after being bought than a car, and 24/7 Wall St. has found the 10 worst performers from a resale standpoint. But the reason most people would expect a new vehicle to drop in value -- poor reliability -- is rarely why they actually depreciated so much.

In this economy, many Americans feel grateful to have jobs in the first place. The nation's high unemployment rate makes recent video of some of Chrysler's unionized workers drinking and smoking pot on the job all the more galling. It's time for unions to stop protecting slacker employees.

The automaker's profit is a milestone in Chrysler's long road back to recovery after its 2009 bankruptcy. Several trends contributed to the healthy quarter: sales rose 18% worldwide as the economy improved and buyers responded to a fresh lineup of new cars and trucks.

The major players in the auto industry have had it rough in the past few years, first with the massive sales declines caused by the recession, and more recently, with the disaster in Japan. But the next challenge they face is already looming on the horizon: A slowdown in Chinese car sales.

Chrysler's IPO may be delayed, according to CEO Sergio Marchionne. He claims the decision will be based on the cash needs of the company and payments to the UAW healthcare trust. But is it really a sign of larger problems in the industry?

When Ford awarded CEO Alan Mulally more than $50 million in compensation for 2010's record profit it raised eyebrows around Detroit. Now, the UAW is using that big payday as a rallying point for members as it starts negotiations to regain some of what autoworkers gave up in concessions during the downturn.