"Watch where you step so you avoid the poisonous snakes!” is not something that’s typically heard when touring an automotive assembly plant. But, Volkswagen AG’s two-year-old Chattanooga, TN, facility is out of the ordinary when it comes to being environmentally friendly.

MARYSVILLE, OH—Honda Motor Co. will invest $215 million in engine assembly plant in Anna, OH, and its vehicle assembly plant in Marysville, OH. These new investments bring to nearly $2.7 billion the amount Honda has invested in its North American operations in the last three years.

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC—Auto parts supplier Weber Automotive will build $51 million assembly plant here. The facility is expected to employ 84 people over the next four years.

SPRING HILL, TN—GM will boost investment in its assembly plant here by $167 million for the production of two future vehicles.

LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany—BASF plans to spend millions of euros to develop new thermoplastic and thermoset composites for lightweight vehicles. The company predicts OEMs can reduce vehicle weight by up to 220 pounds by using short-fiber-reinforced plastics in seats, oil pans, cross beams, air intake manifolds, engine mounts and structural inserts.

SHORTER, AL—Halla Visteon Climate Control Corp. has completed the expansion of its assembly plant here.

TRAVERSE CITY, MI—Americans are keeping their cars and trucks longer than ever. The average age of cars and trucks on U.S. roads hit a record of 11.4 years in January.

HOLLAND, MI—LG Chem’s battery assembly plant here has completed preproduction testing and begun shipping batteries for the Chevrolet Volt.

FULTON, KY—Kayser Automotive Systems will spend $17.5 million to build an assembly plant here. Expected to employ 121 people, the facility will produce parts for engines and fuel tanks.

INDIANAPOLIS—Indiana has become the second-biggest state in terms of automotive gross domestic product, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.