BRIEFLY

* Workers at Volkswagen’s plant in Mexico lowered their wage demands in a bid to end a strike that has paralyzed production of the company’s New Beetle, Jetta and Golf models. The union, which represents about 12,700 workers, is now asking for a wage boost of 20% to 25%, down from the 35% originally demanded. Mexico’s Labor Ministry is helping broker the ongoing contract talks. The workers went on strike Friday morning after turning down the company’s offer of a 9.2% wage increase. The company later boosted its offer to 12%, plus an additional 3% increase in perks.