The General Motors’ Orion Assembly Plant sits in the shadow of a large landfill. But, the 4-million-square foot factory, which is home to the Chevrolet Sonic and the Buick Verano, uses that to its advantage. The plant derives a significant portion of its power from landfill gas.

CHATTANOOGA, TN—Volkswagen is set to commence production of the new midsize SUV at its assembly plant here. The company plans to invest around $900 million in the production of seven-passenger SUV, a move which will create 2,000 jobs.

AUBURN HILLS, MI—Automotive supplier Hirotec America will build a new $26 million assembly plant here, add 140 jobs.

BUFFALO, WV—Human resource company Manpower is seeking to fill jobs at Toyota’s assembly plant here.

WASHINGTON—With six months left in 2014, automakers have already recalled more vehicles in the United States than in any other year on record.

PUNE, India—Volkswagen plans to reduce energy consumption at its assembly plant here by 436 megawatt hours per year by equipping the assembly line with high-volume, low-speed fans. The carmaker also aims to reduce water usage at the facility by 1,636 cubic meters annually.

JACKSON, MI—More than 2,000 bats could have a new home at Consumers Energy hydro power plants thanks to collaboration between the utility, General Motors and a Boy Scout from Clarkston, MI. Using scrap Chevrolet Volt battery covers donated by GM, 16-year-old Matthew Netherland and some helpers built 30 bat boxes in a few months.

DETROIT—Brisk sales of pickups and SUVs are causing the Detroit Three automakers to eliminate or shorten their traditional two-week summer shutdown at many U.S. plants.

MEXICO CITY—Mexico is poised to overtake Brazil as the top Latin American automobile producer for the first time in more than a decade, as surging exports to the United States spur factory openings and record output.

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa—GM has suspended production at its assembly plant here due to strikes at component suppliers.