8--Detroit review: Motor City's engine idled

It's been a bumpy ride at best for the Detroit economy during the first half of 2001. Heading into the new year, the Big 3 automotive companies announced spending cutbacks on new projects, forcing major automotive suppliers to temporarily close plants and thereby dealing a blow to the state's manufacturing sector. Still, while acknowledging caution all round, most real estate professionals in the trenches in metro Detroit aren't pushing any panic buttons just yet. The lessons of the last real hit a decade ago have been learned too well, they say. And less sizzle than some glamour cities in the boom times will also mean less fizzle in tougher ones.