SMYRNA, TN—A good, old-fashioned price war may be just what’s needed to give a jolt to the electric vehicle market in North America. Nissan, Ford and GM have each lowered the price of their electric vehicles by thousands of dollars, spurring increases in production.
WASHINGTON—Panasonic Corp. agreed to plead guilty to price-fixing allegations involving automotive parts sold to Toyota, Honda, Mazda and Nissan, the U.S. Justice Department said Thursday. Panasonic will pay a $45.8 million criminal fine.
DETROIT—Detroit on Thursday became the largest city in U.S. history to file for bankruptcy, as the state-appointed emergency manager filed for Chapter 9 protection.
WINCHESTER, KY—J&T Munitions has begun construction of a $3.6 million expansion project at its assembly plant here. The company also plans to add 15 full-time jobs.
ATKINS, VA—In the depths of the recession, TRW’s assembly plant employed just 20 people. Today, the facility employs 350 people and plans to ship 1.4 million steering units this year.
WELLSVILLE, NY—Lufkin Industries, which makes pumps, turbines and compressors, opened a new $5.5 million assembly plant here, creating more than 80 jobs.
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA—Prufrex Innovative Power Products GmbH will spend $7.33 million to build a new assembly plant here, creating 60 jobs. The company will supply ignition components for U.S. customers, including BMZ Batteries and Stihl Inc.
STERLING HEIGHTS, MI—Chrysler’s Sterling Heights assembly plant is a facility “with nine lives.” Targeted for closure during the automaker’s government-backed bankruptcy in 2009, the facility is actually growing. When a new paint shop goes online early next year, the plant will become the most high-tech shop in Chrysler’s portfolio.
HIGH POINT, NC—Furniture Brands International has completed the American Home Furnishings Alliance’s environmental management system at all of its domestic facilities, including plants, warehouses and offices. Under the system, facilities must improve management of resources and raw materials, reduce energy and water consumption, and reduce waste disposal and associated costs.