SINDELFINGEN, Germany—Daimler is equipping its assembly plant here with the Ubisense real-time location system. Daimler is using the RFID system to track the progress of each vehicle as it is assembled. The system is also being used to track and configure DC electric fastening tools at the plant.

BOWLING GREEN, KY—For the first time, the GM’s Corvette assembly plant will also produce some of the high-performance engines for the sports car.

SHELBY, NC—KSM Castings NC Inc. will invest more than $45 million in its first U.S. manufacturing facility here, creating 189 jobs over five years.

Fixed automation systems and conventional blind robots have a role in automated assembly, but it’s limited.

The latest Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard requires automotive OEMs to meet an average fleet gas mileage of 54.5 mpg by 2025.

The automobile industry’s use of lasers to build cars increases every year.

The role of manufacturing in the global economy is evolving. What will the future hold?

THREE RIVERS, MI—American Axle & Manufacturing is investing more than $100 million in its assembly plant here, creating more than 500 new jobs.

DEARBORN, MI—Profit-sharing checks of approximately $8,300 will be sent to Ford Motor Co. hourly workers around the nation March 14. The checks are in response to the $8 billion in profit Ford’s North American operations earned last year.