TERRE HAUTE, IN—ThyssenKrupp Presta is spending $22 million to expand its assembly plant here. The manufacturer of automotive steering systems expects to add 120 jobs by 2013.

DETROIT—For the first time in more than 20 years, U.S. automakers are questioning a pillar of manufacturing: The practice of just-in-time manufacturing.

BOWLING GREEN, KY—A man, who was once paralyzed, got to live out a dream when he spent the day working at the Corvette assembly line here.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA—Toyota has opened a new technical center here that will specialize in R&D for in-vehicle infotainment systems.

CHATTANOOGA, TN—When Volkswagen was planning its new assembly plant here, it was determined not to repeat the mistakes it made 20 years ago at its first U.S. assembly plant.

LANSING, MI—GM will launch a second shift at its Lansing Grand River assembly plant late this summer. The new shift coincides with the introduction of the Cadillac ATS, a new compact luxury car.

GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, MI—Magna E-Car Systems, a partnership between Magna International and the Stronach Group, has opened a new assembly plant here to make components for hybrid and electric vehicles.

DETROIT—The world’s largest automakers are scrambling to find alternatives to a resin that’s critical for making brake- and fuel-system components. A March 31 explosion at chemical maker Evonik Industries halved the global supply of an ingredient used to make the resin, called PA-12.

ARLINGTON, TX—GM has begun constructing a new $200 million stamping facility at its assembly plant here.