Religious group lobbies American automakers

A group of religious leaders came to Detroit on Wednesday with a proposition for U.S. automakers: Start producing vehicles that are kinder to God’s creation, and we will urge the faithful to buy them.

The delegation, which included representatives from a variety of Jewish and Christian organizations, met with executives and top officials at Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp. and the United Auto Workers.

The ad, to begin airing in limited markets next month, says too many vehicles are polluting.

Aviation

Boeing, Cessna expect more layoffs in 2003

Boeing Co. expects to eliminate 5,000 more jobs next year in addition to the nearly 30,000 cuts the aerospace company has made since the 2001 terrorist attacks, the company said Wednesday. It was not disclosed how many jobs may be lost at Boeing’s Wichita facility.

Cessna Aircraft Co. told its Wichita employees more layoffs are coming sometime during the first three months of 2003. The memo sent Tuesday to employees from Cessna chairman Russ Meyer said the exact number of jobs and the date of layoffs have not been determined.

Media

Government targets ads

The government is urging television, newspapers and magazines to stop carrying deceptive advertising with promises like “eat all you want and lose weight” or “lose weight while you sleep.”

Howard Beales, director of the Federal Trade Commission’s consumer protection bureau, said Wednesday he believed publishers and cable TV executives wanted to cooperate, but if they don’t, regulators could consider legal action.