Butler man chosen for Lockheed co-opButler native Tyler Protivnak will participate in his second co-op at Lockheed Martin, an American-based technology company in Gaithersburg, Md.Protivnak, a computer engineering student at the University of Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering, was the first student from the university to be chosen for a co-op with Lockheed Martin.He spent his summer completing the first co-op. He spends his time in the division of the company that is working on the Advanced Technologies and Oceanic Project.He is the son of Larry and Marlene Protivnak of Butler.

VW, China carmaker discuss electric dealFRANKFURT, Germany — German automaker Volkswagen said Wednesday it is in talks about forming a joint venture to develop electric vehicles with China’s Anhui Jianghuai Automobile, or JAC.The move is part of Volkswagen’s new push into electric vehicles after its reputation was damaged by a scandal over diesel vehicles rigged to cheat on emissions testing. Volkswagen aims to come up with 30 new models over the next 10 years.Electric vehicles so far are not a major part of the global car market. But companies are working on them in hopes that battery range will improve, and to meet tougher emissions standards.

Growth slowing for U.S. services firmsWASHINGTON — U.S. services companies grew last month at the slowest pace in more than six years, a survey finds.The Institute for Supply Management said Tuesday that its services index fell to 51.4 last month from 55.5 in July. The August reading was the lowest since February 2010. Still, anything above 50 signals growth, and services firms have now expanded for 79 straight months.New orders and hiring grew more slowly in August. Export orders fell. Eleven services industries reported growth in August; seven, including retailing, contracted.