DEARBORN, MI —Ford announced it would invest a total of $1.45 billion in two Southeast Michigan plants and create 3,000 union production jobs.

CHATTANOOGA, TN—Volkswagen of America has started construction on its $800 million electric vehicle production facility here that will include battery pack assembly.

Integrators love a good challenge, and automotive OEMs and suppliers never disappoint. Not only do these two groups expect integrators to meet increasingly high production goals and come in or under budget. They also rely on integrators for creative solutions to all types of automation problems.

TOKYO—Nissan is planning to build a new assembly plant in North America to make cars for its luxury vehicle division Infiniti. The $2 billion facility will have a capacity of 100,000 vehicles per year and is expected to begin production in 2017.

In the past, the highlight of the show for me (and many others) has always been the concept cars. But, I was disappointed by the lack of innovation on display.

AUBURN, AL—Rausch & Pausch GmbH (RAPA), a German manufacturer of solenoid valves, control blocks and other auto parts, plans to build a new assembly plant here.

DETROIT—Automakers just reported their strongest monthly sales in five years. Will the trend continue in 2013?

CARROLLTON, GA—Decostar Industries, a division of Magna Exteriors and Interiors, is investing $26 million to expand its plant here.

OSHAWA, ON—GM plans to add a third shift to its assembly plant here, where it will produce the Chevrolet Impala.