NEW YORK — Honda Motor Co. overtook Toyota Motor Corp. as the top company that auto parts suppliers prefer to do business with, according to an annual survey released today. Toyota has been the No. 1 automaker among parts suppliers since 2002, but its ratings have fallen steadily over the past two years, according to a study by Planning Perspectives Inc., a Birmingham, Mich.-based firm that surveys manufacturing and service industries.

GM'S OPEL UNIT HANGS IN BALANCE

BERLIN — Germany's economy minister said in an interview published yesterday that the bids for troubled General Motors Corp.'s Opel unit have shortcomings and bankruptcy remains an option unless they are improved.

Italy's Fiat SpA, an alliance of Canadian auto parts maker Magna International Inc. and Russia's Sberbank, and U.S. firm Ripplewood Holdings LLC filed bids last week.

60% OF GAMBLERS BOOMERS, SENIORS

LAS VEGAS — Slot machine maker WMS Industries Inc. says older people still gamble the most at casinos, but young players and minorities are the future of the industry. WMS and marketing and research firm Ypartnership surveyed 2,000 people who had visited a casino at least once in the past year, finding that baby boomers and seniors make up more than 60 percent of all active gamblers, while minorities make up less than 10 percent.