GM, Ford sales off in March
General Motors and Ford Motor reported lower U.S. sales in March despite hopes for a recovery after a tough winter. GM said March sales fell 1.3 percent from a year ago and are now down 3.8 percent for the year. Ford reported a 5 percent decline in U.S. sales for the month. DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group reported a 3.6 percent increase for the month and a 7 percent sales increase for the year. Toyota Motor said sales were up 10.3 percent in March and 8.6 percent for the year, and Nissan's sale jumped 12.5 percent in March. Honda Motor reported a 6.8 percent increase in March, but its sales for the year are flat. Hyundai Motor said sales were up 7 percent in March.

Landlord sues Piccolo owner
The landlord of Piccolo Piccolo, the Italian restaurant formerly located at 7 Wood St., has sued the restaurant's owner. The suit, filed by Seven Wood Street LP, contends that 20th Century Brokers Inc. was in default of its lease when the restaurant closed in January, and asks for about $171,000 in accelerated rents and other fees.

IGate misses deadline again
IGate Corp. said yesterday that it missed its extended deadline to file its annual report with the Securities and Exchange Commission in order to complete a review of its internal controls. The company had originally extended its filing deadline until Thursday but said it needed additional time to review accounts receivable balances and internal controls over financial reporting as required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. IGate said it overstated receivables by about $800,000 in 2004. The firm last reported annual revenue of $288 million for 2003.

Also in business ...
Mylan Laboratories said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved its generic version of Accuretic, the Pfizer drug that is used to treat high blood pressure ... U.S. Steel said it would shut a blast furnace at its Gary, Ind., Works from Aug. 1 to Oct. 30 to boost the furnace's capacity by almost 31 percent ... Alcoa said it acquired full ownership of the AFL automotive business in Detroit, while Fujikura gained ownership of the AFL telecommunications business in Nashville, Tenn. The two companies previously had ownership of the two businesses through the Alcoa Fujikura Limited joint venture ... MCI Inc. invited Qwest to reopen merger talks, three days after the long-distance company agreed to a sweetened $7.5 billion buyout from Verizon and a day after Qwest raised its bid to nearly $9 billion.