LAFAYETTE, IN—Subaru is spending $230 million to boost capacity at its assembly plant here by approximately 30 percent.

DETROIT—The automotive industry ranked third in the United States in patent filings in 2012. Only the telecommunications and computer industries generated more patents last year.

KANSAS CITY, MO—Ford will add more than 2,000 jobs at its assembly plant here to meet surging demand for the Ford F-150 and planned production of the new Ford Transit van.

PARIS, IL—North American Lighting Inc., which makes automotive lighting, plans invest $50 million to expand its assembly plant here and create 300 jobs.

GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, MI—Magna E-Car Systems’ creation of a new assembly plant here helped Michigan add 14,600 manufacturing jobs in 2012, according to Manufacturers’ News Inc.

VANCE, AL—Mercedes-Benz has begun accepting applications for about 1,000 new jobs it plans to add at its assembly plant here.

KANSAS CITY, MO—Adrian Steel, a manufacturer of equipment for commercial vans and trucks, is investing $4.7 million to build a new assembly plant here. The facility is expected to create 39 new jobs.

CHATTANOOGA, TN—Volkswagen’s assembly plant here has upped production to 610 sedans per day.