ANN ARBOR, MI—Toyota plans to invest more than $28 million to expand operations at its two powertrain assembly plants here.

SALZGITTER, Germany—Volkswagen uses a lightweight six-axis robot to install glow plugs at its engine assembly plant here. The robot works directly with people on the line, without any guards.

U.S. manufacturers that source low-cost components offshore often face several challenges. Among the most common are language barriers, lack of timely responses, long lead times and problems with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Another problem is receiving a perfect prototype initially—followed by subsequent shipments of poor-quality parts.

Last month, my nephew began his first year in college. He hopes someday to get a job in the automotive industry, and I wish him the best of luck.

CHATTANOOGA, TN—VW could be closing in on an agreement with the UAW on the formation of an employee works council at the carmaker’s assembly plant here.

WASHINGTON—U.S. factories expanded last month at the fastest pace since June 2011. The Institute for Supply Management said Tuesday that its manufacturing index rose to 55.7 in August from 55.4 in July. That topped the index’s 12-month average of 52.

CLARKSVILLE, TN—Japanese auto parts maker Akebono Brake is planning to invest $100.6 million over the next two years to boost output at its assembly plant here.

BUFFALO, WV—Toyota will invest $102 million to boost production at its three transmission assembly plants in the United States. Some $90 million will be spent at the automaker’s West Virginia plant.

DEARBORN, MI—Ford Motor Co. has donated $120,000 to the SME Education Foundation to help produce the next generation of engineers in Michigan.

HOFU, Japan—Mazda has built a super-efficient assembly line here that rolls off vehicles at a stunning rate of one every 54 seconds.