Last week, the hopes that the economy was not really that bad were supported by some of the economic data (such as auto sales) turning out better than expected.

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The auto industry, another key sector, has also been turning in results that have been mixed at best.

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Three years ago, Kughn reached a turning point when he almost died of an auto immune disorder that afflicted his lungs.

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As FAW, Nanjing Automobile Works, and Second Auto Works (now known as Dongfeng) were busy turning out trucks, not many cars were being manufactured in the country.

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Ford is turning paint fumes--the scourge of any auto manufacturing plant--into clean electricity.

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And those gas guzzling light trucks and SUVs, consumers are turning away from those, and as a result the U.S. auto industry is suffering.

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The report discusses the jobs created in the sector, the turnaround of the companies that are now turning a profit, and how entire communities have been revitalized by a strengthened auto industry.

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