Detroit Goes From Gloom to Economic Bright Spot.
Upon further investigation, this has little to do with the city of Detroit. It is all about the automotive industry headquartered near Detroit... GM, Chrysler, and Ford.
Ford made more money in the first six months of this year than in the previous five years combined. G.M. is profitable and preparing for one of the biggest public stock offerings in American history. Even Chrysler, the automaker thought least likely to survive the recession, is hiring new workers.
Many of the excesses of the past — overproduction, bloated vehicle lineups, expensive rebates — are gone. All three carmakers have shed workers, plants and brands. And a new breed of top management — the three chief executives are outsiders to Detroit, as is the newly named G.M. chief executive — says it is determined to keep the Big Three lean, agile and focused on building better cars that earn a profit. [full story]Meanwhile, the city of Detroit continues its good old self-destructive ways.
Detroit Police officials say they are investigating allegations the department covered up an alleged hit-and-run crash involving Lt. Monique Patterson in 2008 that resulted in a $40,000 settlement.
Eren Stephens, a spokeswoman for the Detroit Police Department, said she cannot comment any further because televised reports said that Willie Harper, 87, of Detroit alleged a cover-up. Official police reports of the accident conflict with Harper's own recollection, according to police.
"Because of possible litigation and allegations, we have no comment," Stephens said.
Patterson, who is the girlfriend of former Police Chief Warren Evans, is embroiled in a developing text-message scandal involving the Interim Police Chief Ralph Godbee.