WASHINGTON—U.S. manufacturing output in November surpassed its pre-recession peak, as automotive production kicked into a higher gear. The Federal Reserve said that factory production rose 1.1 percent last month, up from a 0.4 percent improvement in October. Manufacturing output has risen 4.8 percent over the past 12 months. It’s now above the previous high set just before the downturn began in December 2007. MORE