RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:
And for today's Last Word In Business, let's take a moment to remember one of the nation's most colorful car salesmen. Cal Worthington built an empire from West Coast car dealerships, and became a TV fixture thanks to his ads, which began running in the 1970s.
(SOUNDBITE OF TV AD)
(MUSIC)
UNIDENTIFIED ANNOUNCER: Here's Cal Worthington and his dog, Spot.
UNIDENTIFIED SINGER: If you need a better car, go see Cal. For the best deal by far, go see Cal...
STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
Worthington always appeared in a Western suit and a white cowboy hat. But instead of a dog, the commercials featured some exotic animal, like a tiger or an elephant playing the dog, Spot. And then there was the jingle we're hearing now.
MONTAGNE: Cal Worthington died Sunday, at the age of 92. That people recall him now is the best possible tribute to the work of a commercial pitchman; people remembered his brief ads long after they went off the screen.
And that's the business news from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.
INSKEEP: And I'm Steve Inskeep.
(SOUNDBITE OF TV AD)
UNIDENTIFIED SINGER: (Singing) For the lowest money down, go ... Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.