U.S. automaker General Motors Corp. said it would offer zero percent financing for several models through Jan.

By John Nolan Staff Writer MORAINE -- Union leaders at General Motors Corp.'s Moraine Assembly plant said Thursday they hope to persuade GM to offer money incentives to allow eligible plant employees to retire early, to reduce the 340 layoffs that the company plans to impose in 2008.

Side-crash safety ratings for six SUVs tested by the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety vary greatly, with side air bags improving safety marks. The performance of some of these models in the side test was surprising, Institute Senior Vice President David Zuby said Thursday.

Some sport utility vehicles don't provide the protection in a side crash that one might expect from such large vehicles, according to tests released Thursday by the insurance industry.