SAFETY

(Corrects paragraph 9 and subhead reference to Toyota progress to strong from some)

The Obama administration believes Toyota Motor Corp is paying closer attention to safety concerns, but Washington continues to investigate the carmaker and will not rule out a new fine, the top U.S. transport official said on Monday.

U.S. Transport Secretary Ray LaHood said he was encouraged by the steps Toyota Motor Corp has put in place to improve vehicle safety, but stressed he will be convinced only when its cars actually become safer.

The top U.S. auto safety regulator welcomed on Thursday proposals in Congress to sharply boost government powers for forcing vehicle recalls.

Chrysler is offering free financing on most 2010 model-year vehicles or up to $4,000 in cash rebates for the month of May as it tries to boost U.S. sales amid heavy discounting by rivals.

Toyota Motor Corp is extending heavy discounts to boost U.S. auto sales for a third month, U.S. Toyota executives said on Monday, as the automaker tries to recover from a series of damaging safety recalls.

Auto sales rose about 20 percent in April from recession-stunted results a year earlier, reflecting a still-gradual recovery in the economy.

Auto sales rose about 20 percent in April from recession-stunted results a year earlier, reflecting a still-gradual recovery in the economy.

U.S. auto sales rose in April from recession-stunted results a year earlier, supported in part by incentives, led by Ford Motor Co and Hyundai Motor Co .

General Motors Co posted a 6.4 percent increase in U.S. auto sales for April from a year earlier, lagging an expected rise of about 20 percent in the overall industry which has been helped by incentives.

The huge oil spillage in the Gulf of Mexico could cost British energy giant BP over 3 billion pounds ($4.6 billion) in containment and clean-up expenses, according to the Mail on Sunday.

U.S. auto regulators would be required to establish minimum standards to prevent unintended acceleration and carmakers would pay substantially higher fines for withholding safety information from the government, according to draft legislation being circulated.

A House of Representatives committee sought more information from Toyota Motor Corp on Friday about the automaker's review of electronic throttles.

Toyota Motor Corp has agreed to pay a record $16.4 million fine to U.S. safety regulators to settle a complaint that the company delayed a recall over defective accelerator pedals, but denied violating U.S. regulations.

The federal judge handling scores of lawsuits against Toyota Motor Corp over cars that raced out of control has set the first court hearing on the combined litigation for next month.

U.S. regulators will run safety tests on a new Lexus SUV and take action if the Toyota Motor Corp vehicle does not meet government standards, the top U.S. auto safety official said on Thursday.

The world's top memory chipmaker, Samsung Electronics, said it will launch independent reviews in response to reports that toxic materials used in chip making may have caused cancer in some of its employees.

Influential nonprofit magazine Consumer Reports on Tuesday urged car shoppers not to buy the 2010 Lexus GX 460, calling the Toyota Motor Corp sport utility vehicle a safety risk to roll over.

Consumer Reports on Tuesday urged consumers to avoid purchasing a Lexus GX 460, saying the sport utility vehicle from Toyota Motor Corp was a safety risk because of the performance of its stability control system.

Euro zone finance ministers will hold talks on Sunday to detail how a safety net for Greece would work, European officials said on Saturday, as Greece's prime minister indicated Athens may use the mechanism if necessary.

Euro zone finance ministers will hold talks on Sunday to detail how a safety net for Greece would work, European officials said on Saturday, as Greece's prime minister indicated Athens may use the mechanism if necessary.