Carolinas' economy unlikely to recover as fast as nation.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ It used to be that the manufacturing-rich Carolinas were among the first states out of recessions. But not this time. At least not for a few more quarters.

Historically, as the economic outlook brightened, consumers unleashed pent-up demand for cars, homes and furnishings. Textile and furniture plants from Spartanburg to High Point responded by calling back workers and adding shifts.

This recession, already judged to be the shortest and most shallow since World War II, continues to break the mold.

Home sales, home building and car sales were on a record pace for much of last year and remain strong. That means there is little repressed demand to catapult the Carolinas economy to the forefront of the recovery.

"That is what is so unusual about this business cycle," said Mark Vitner, an economist with Wachovia Corp. "This time, because housing has already been strong, it's hard to see (manufacturing) getting much of a boost."

On Wednesday, a cautiously upbeat Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said there are mounting signs of an end to the recession. He said Americans should anticipate a subdued recovery.

His remarks followed a raft of good economic news released this week. That started in Charlotte with reports by two companies _ Lowe's Cos. and Sonic Automotive Inc. _ that their net earnings rose 55 percent and 72 percent respectively. On Wednesday, the government reported January factory orders for big-ticket items such as industrial machinery and washing machines rose a larger-than-expected 2.6 percent.