GALLATIN, TN-Energy Automation Systems Inc., which manufactures energy-saving technologies for businesses, has started construction on a $1.5 million, 20,000 square-foot assembly plant here. MORE

AUBURN HILLS, MI-Electric powertrain manufacturer Alte LLC is speeding up its plans to hire more than 300 people by the end of 2011. MORE

The plant was recently profiled in ASSEMBLY magazine. Read that piece here.

VANCE, AL-Mercedes-Benz will hire more than 400 temporary production employees for its automotive assembly plant here. MORE

LONDON-Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd. plans to expand the $245,000 Ghost model line that went on sale last year as BMW’s ultra-luxury nameplate aims to double sales in 2010. MORE

TOKYO-Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology has developed a new humanoid robot. The 5-foot-tall, 86-pound bipedal robot was developed to help take over manufacturing duties from a rapidly aging Japanese workforce. MORE

KANSAS CITY-Ford CEO Alan Mulally told a crowd of business and government leaders Thursday that he’s committed to Missouri but doesn’t have any news about a new product line for the Claycomo assembly plant near Kansas City. MORE

HARRISBURG, PA-Allied Technology, a manufacturer of equipment for the oil and gas industry, will establish its first assembly plant here, creating more than 100 jobs. MORE

PORTSMOUTH TOWNSHIP, MI-Automotive supplier Renosol Corp. will add approximately 125 jobs over the next five years. The company makes composite leaf springs for vans and light, medium and heavy duty trucks and trailers. MORE

BENTON HARBOR, MI-Whirlpool Corp. has hired Gray Construction to build its new assembly plant in Cleveland, TN. MORE

CHAMBERSBURG, PA-Vacon Inc.’s new assembly plant here has been awarded LEED gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The plant assembles variable-speed AC drives. MORE