TANGIER, Morocco—The Renault-Nissan Alliance is hoping to beat the crowds in the nascent African automotive market by building the largest assembly plant on the continent. The Renault-Nissan Alliance is spending $1.23 billion to build a new factory here that will be able to produce 400,000 vehicles a year and will employ 6,000 people by 2015.

With the election over and the economy picking up steam, manufacturers are poised to reinvest in their assembly plants.

In Greek mythology, Ariana was the daughter of King Minos. She fell in love with Theseus and helped him to escape the monster Minotaur, but was later abandoned by Theseus. Eventually she married the god Dionysus.

Sudden downtime of an automotive assembly line can be costly.

MURRAY, KY—German automotive supplier Iwis is planning to open a $12.5 million assembly plant here, creating 75 jobs.

WEST POINT, GA—Kia Motors will invest $1.6 billion on new machinery, tools and other technology at its assembly plant here over the next 16 years.

OAKVILLE, ON—Ford Canada is adding a third shift at its assembly plant here, creating 300 jobs that will be first offered to laid off employees.

DETROIT—GE has agreed to buy 2,000 Ford C-MAX plug-in hybrid vehicles, as part of the conglomerate’s plan to convert half its global fleet to alternative fuel vehicles.

BOWLING GREEN, KY—GM will hire 170 workers for temporary jobs at its Corvette assembly plant here. The jobs will last anywhere from four to 18 months.

BELVIDERE, IL—A federal appeals court awarded a Jewish pipe-fitter at Chrysler’s assembly plant here $4 million after it concluded the automaker did nothing to stop discrimination and harassment against the worker.