Whether it's a car or a computer, a toy or a toaster, almost every assembled product has at least a few threaded fasteners. Indeed, 62 percent of ASSEMBLY's readers use threaded fasteners of one form or another to assemble their products.

DETROIT—Fiat Chrysler Automobiles won final approvals May 21 for a new Jeep assembly plant here, as well as work at four other industrial sites in the region.

ROANOKE, IN—General Motors Co. is investing $24 million to upgrade its Fort Wayne Assembly plant here to increase production of the all-new Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups, especially crew cab models.

PARIS—Fiat Chrysler proposed on Monday to merge with France’s Renault to create the world’s third-biggest automaker (worth $40 billion) and combine forces in the race to make electric and autonomous vehicles.

DEARBORN, MI—Ford Motor Co. said Monday that it is laying off about 7,000 managers and other salaried employees, about 10 percent of its white-collar workforce across the globe, as part of a restructuring plan designed to save the number two automaker $600 million annually.

HUNTSVILLE, AL—A pair of Japanese automotive parts manufacturers have announced plans to build new factories in northern Alabama to supply the Mazda Toyota joint-venture assembly plant under construction here. Together, the facilities are expected to employ 780 people.