WILLIAMSTOWN, WV—Hino Motors has boosted production from 20 trucks per day to 35 trucks per day at its assembly plant here.

SMYRNA, TN—Total employment at Nissan’s assembly plant here could be pushing 6,000 workers—nearly double its current level—by early next year, as the automaker boosts production of the Leaf and Pathfinder vehicles.

LOUISVILLE, KY—Teamsters Local 89 is threatening to picket Ford’s Louisville assembly plant as it prepares to begin production of the Escape next month. The union fears Ford is going to hire only nonunion drivers at lower wages to prepare the vehicles for shipment to car dealers.

TOLEDO, OH—An employee wounded in a 2005 shooting at a Jeep assembly plant here has filed a lawsuit against the plant’s security company and the gunman’s estate.

DETROIT—Just two years after it was rescued and reconstituted through bankruptcy and a government bailout, GM has posted the biggest profit in its history.

TUSCALOOSA, AL—Auto parts maker ZF is investing $14.6 million to expand its assembly plant here, creating 85 new jobs.

 

PRINCETON, IN—Toyota plans to invest $400 million and create 400 jobs at its assembly plant here to build the Highlander SUV hybrid, ending all production of that model in Japan.

FAIRFIELD, CT—GE has received a $1.36 million federal grant to improve the efficiency of electric cars.

CHATTANOOGA, TN—Volkswagen’s assembly plant here has become the first automotive manufacturing facility to earn LEED Platinum certification.