U.S. Machine Tool Sales Rose in July
American Machinist
Sales of U.S. machine tools and components rose 9.2 percent in July, to $149.51 million, according to the monthly manufacturing technology report compiled by AMTDA, the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association, and AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology. While the rise over June consumption is significant, and the third consecutive month for an increase, the total represents a -55.3 percent decrease from the July 2008 total. The 2009 year-to-date total for manufacturing technology sales is $910.42 million, -68.3 percent versus 2008. More

Can Roger Penske Turn Struggling Saturn Around?
MLive.com
In what is seen as a huge business gamble, a successful industry veteran has just a short time to turn around a brand that caused its parent company to lose billions of dollars for almost three decades. Saturn never made a profit for General Motors during its 24-year run, costing the automaker about $20 billion over the years.More

Chinese Steel Price Drop Eases
Reuters
Chinese spot steel prices eased 0.8 percent in their fifth consecutive weekly fall, but the pace of their decline slowed, as mills started reducing production amid rising inventories and falling prices. Chinese steel output jumped 22 percent on the year to a record 52.3 million tons in August, marking a fifth monthly rise, and production in the first 10 days of September reached 16.66 million tons, suggesting output growth would stay robust this month.More

Industrial Production Jumps in August
Briefing.com
Industrial production jumped 0.8 percent in August after the consensus expected a slightly softer increase of 0.6 percent. As expected, the manufacturing sector continued to rebound as it increased production 0.6 percent after rising 1.4 percent in July.More

Opel Deal By No Means Done
The Detroit Free Press
If you thought the deal to sell a controlling interest in General Motors' European operations to a Russian-Canadian consortium was done, think again. GM's fate could hinge on the outcome, because its European operations are responsible for developing the compact and midsize vehicles GM needs to survive.More

Philly Fed: Manufacturing Sector Shows Signs of Growth
Reliable Plant Magazine
The Philadelphia region's manufacturing sector is showing signs of growth, according to firms polled for this month's Business Outlook Survey released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Indexes for general activity, new orders, and shipments all registered positive readings for the second consecutive month.More

Tariff Talk Spills Into Steel Sector
The Street
Brewing speculation about a possible U.S.-China trade war appeared to move into the steel sector. On his blog on RealMoney Silver, Doug Kass wrote, "Listen for talk of the Chinese imposing steel tariffs." The heightening of concerns over a potential trade war follows President Obama's statement that the U.S. government would impose as much as a 35 percent tariff on Chinese tire imports. More

White House Rolls Out Details of Auto Fuel Economy, Emissions Standard
Greenwire via The New York Times
The Obama administration has released details of its national suite of auto standards that would mandate increased fuel economy and impose the first-ever greenhouse gas standard on the nation's cars and trucks. The proposals are a joint effort by U.S. EPA and the Transportation Department and would go into effect with model year 2012. More

Wisconson Wind Energy Bill Looks to Level Playing Field
WQOW-TV
State lawmakers approved a bill that calls for the state Public Service Commission to set restrictions on wind farms that produce less than 100 megawatts. Prior to the bill municipals created their own rules. More