SUMTER, SC—Apex Tool Group, a manufacturer of power and hand tools, is expanding the workforce at its assembly plant here by 150 to 200 jobs by the end of 2015.

BEIJING—China has imposed fine of $202 million on 12 Japanese car parts makers for allegedly price-fixing. The ruling came after Chinese regulators raided several foreign companies, including Mitsubishi Electric, Sumitomo Electric, Audi, BMW, Daimler and General Motors.

PRINCETON, IN—Toyota plans to invest $100 million to expand its assembly plant here, creating up to 300 new jobs by 2016.

LEBANON, OH—The lockout of 174 workers at automotive supplier Hayashi Telempu’s assembly plant here will enter its 11th week on Monday.

WOLFSBURG, Germany—Volkswagen has developed a new, automated process for mass-producing finished thermoplastic exterior car body parts. The technology combines injection molding, physical foaming, and two-component polyurethane injection molding in one complex tool.

PHILADELPHIA—The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia reported healthy gains in manufacturing activity for the region in August. The bank’s index of general business activity increased from 23.9 in July to 28 in August, the fastest growth since March 2011.

GUANGZHOU, China—Robots are playing a greater role in Chinese industry as manufacturers there feel the pressure of a severe worker shortage and soaring labor costs.

FAIRFIELD, CT—Scientists at GE are experimenting with a technology, called Direct Write, that uses special “inks” to print miniature sensors directly inside jet engines, gas turbines and other hot, harsh and hard-to-reach places.

MIDDLEBURY, IN—Recreational vehicle manufacturer Jayco Corp. is planning to add 206,000 square feet to its assembly plant here and add up to 50 jobs by the end of next year.

MILWAUKEE—Automotive supplier Johnson Controls Inc. and apparel maker Adidas have launched a research project to study the viability of using robots to sew shoes, athletic wear, and the upholstery for vehicle seats.