Nestle more likely
to ally with Hershey

Nestle SA, the world's second-largest chocolate maker with a large prepared foods division based in Solon in Northeast Ohio, is more likely to ally with Hershey Co. than buy a stake in Hershey, because a purchase would cost more than the company aims to spend, Sanford C. Bernstein said.

''We do not believe in the speculation that Nestle will acquire Hershey,'' Andrew Wood, an analyst at Bernstein in New York, wrote in a research note. That came after the (London) Daily Telegraph's report that Hershey has been working on a possible sale of a holding to Switzerland-based Nestle.

Candy maker Mars Inc.'s planned purchase of Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. will put more pressure on confectioners to merge or form alliances, Wood said. Nestle, the maker of KitKat chocolate bars, might benefit from forming a joint venture with Hershey similar to the alliance with General Mills Inc., under which the Swiss company makes Cheerios and other cereals outside North America, he said.
Chrysler developing electric car for 2010

Chrysler LLC said it will put an electric car on sale in North America in 2010, revealing that despite missing out on the buzz surrounding the Chevrolet Volt, it is neck and neck with General Motors Corp. in the race to put a mass-produced electric vehicle on America's roads.

The company showed reporters three electric prototypes: a Dodge sports car, a Jeep and a Chrysler minivan. But Chrysler's product-development chief, Frank Klegon, said the automaker hasn't decided which one it will roll out first.

The Dodge sports car is completely electric, but the Jeep Wrangler and Chrysler minivan models will have a recharging system similar to the Volt, which GM has said will go on sale in November 2010. The Volt plugs into a standard wall outlet and can go 40 miles on battery power alone, but then a small gasoline engine kicks in to recharge the batteries, allowing the car to travel hundreds more miles.

Chrysler is still working with several partners on the battery technology for its vehicles, Klegon said.

Bebe Suite to host free health fair

Bebe Suite, a new area youth bedroom-furniture retailer that specializes in nursery design, will host a free health fair for new and expectant mothers.

Healthy Mommy, Happy Baby will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 9 at 55 Ghent Road in Fairlawn. Local experts will be giving presentations on topics such as nutrition, fitness and training, infant massage, and safety. Space is limited; sign up at 330-865-5660.
Ford can deliver
small cars profitably

Ford will be able to build a new line of small cars profitably, as the company shifts from a dependence on light trucks, the company's chief of product development said.

''We need to deliver profitable small cars in North America,'' Derrick Kuzak told reporters.

Sales of light trucks, which account for 63 percent of Ford's 2008 deliveries, are down 19 percent amid record gasoline prices.
Attorney Chicatelli
to hold open house

Attorney Joy Chicatelli will hold an open house at her new law office at 679 W. Market St. in Akron from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday. The office is in the restored 1890 home of the former Graves Lumber family.