WASHINGTON—Nine automotive assembly plants are among 70 US manufacturing facilities that have achieved Energy Star certification from the Environmental Protection Agency for their superior energy performance in 2014. Together, these 70 factories cut their energy bills by $725 million and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 8 million metric tons.

WINFIELD, KS—GE will produce its new Passport 20 jet engine at the company’s assembly plant here. The engine will power business jets produced by Bombardier.

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC—The Federal Aviation Administration has approved a production certificate for Boeing’s assembly plant here to deliver 787-9 aircraft to customers. The FAA initially issued a production certificate in July 2012 for the 787-8.

COLUMBIA, SC—South Carolina is a finalist for Volvo’s first North American assembly plant. North Carolina and Kentucky also are pursuing the Swedish carmaker’s plant.

MEMPHIS, TN—ABB will invest $30 million to build a new assembly plant for low-voltage products. The investment will initially create more than 200 jobs, with an additional 100 jobs expected to be added over the next five years.

SAN CARLOS, CA—Tesla Motors Inc. has almost doubled its staff in the past year, from 5,859 personnel in 2013 to 10,161 in 2014.

DETROIT—Employee counts for the Detroit 3 are finally nearing what they had been before the Great Recession.

LEBANON, OH—Auto parts supplier Advics Manufacturing Ohio Inc. plans to invest $100 million to expand its assembly plant here and add new equipment. The company, which makes brake components, expects to add approximately 100 new jobs during the next two years.

SHUNDE, China—Chinese appliance manufacturer Midea Group employs robots for most assembly jobs, leaving only the final checks and testing to humans.

MOBILE, AL—Airbus is looking for the next round of technicians for its assembly plant under construction here. The jobs are of varying skill levels.