Japan trudges into power-save mode as summer looms YOKOSUKA (Japan), July 3 (Reuters) – In the muggy, unlit shed next to a Nissan car factory near Tokyo, four men in polo shirts are spending their Saturday staring at computer screens, monitoring how much power the firm’s plants and offices across eastern Japan are using. Read [Continue]

US companies ordered more factory goods in May WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. businesses ordered more airplanes, autos, and oil drilling equipment in May, and the jump in factory orders after a sluggish spring suggests supply disruptions stemming from the Japan crisis are fading. Read more on KING5 Seattle [Continue]

Some Handles Hide; Others Make a Grand Entrance Automakers have been designing door handles to appear almost invisible on some of their cars, including the McLaren MP4-12C, Nissan Juke and CTS-V. Read more on New York Times [Continue]

Federal environmental official sees Houston’s green side Houston is often criticized on environmental issues. But Nancy Sutley, who chairs the White House Council on Environmental Quality, said she found lots of interest in sustainability during a visit here last week. Read more on Houston Chronicle [Continue]

Top 20 models, June ’11 Top 20 models, June ’11 Vehicles June ’11 volume change from ’10 1. Ford F-Series 49,618 6.7% 2. Chevrolet Silverado 32,579 5.1% 3. Chevrolet Cruze 24,896 NA 4. Chevrolet Malibu 23,737 14.6% 5. Ford Escape 22,274 43.3% 6. Ford Focus 21,385 41.2% 7. Toyota Camry 21,375 -24.8% 8. Dodge Ram [Continue]