BMW recalls SUVs

BMW is recalling about 30,000 of its 2007-10 X5 sport utility vehicles with V-8 engines because they could lose power brake assist, according to a report the automaker filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In 2010, BMW recalled about 200,000 vehicles for the same problem.

In the report posted on the safety agency’s website, BMW said the brake booster could fail and, while the brakes would still function, the power assist could be lost.

Tiffany sues Costco

Tiffany & Co. has sued Costco, claiming the wholesale club operator has been selling engagement rings wrongly labeled “Tiffany” rings.

Tiffany alleges trademark infringement, counterfeiting, unfair competition, injury to business reputation, false advertising and deceptive business practices. The company says the rings are not in fact Tiffany rings, nor are they in any way properly associated with Tiffany.

The retailer said a customer alerted Tiffany in November to the sale of what was promoted on in-store signs as “Tiffany” diamond engagement rings at a Costco store in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Tiffany immediately launched an investigation and said it learned that Costco has been selling different types of rings for many years identified as “Tiffany” rings, without the company’s knowledge. The jewelry retailer said Costco led its customers to believe they were buying authentic Tiffany products at significant discounts.

Confidence grows

Consumer confidence in the U.S. rose in February to a three-month high.

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary index of consumer sentiment climbed to 76.3 this month from 73.8 in January.