NEW YORK-Tesla Motors Inc. is close to selecting a location for its new electric car assembly plant and a final decision could come in a matter of days. MORE

LOUISVILLE-General Electric Co. is using advanced lean manufacturing techniques to produce the first completely new product line to be manufactured at its Appliance Park complex in more than 50 years. The water heater, in addition to dishwashers and washing machines, will be assembled using GE’s new Lean Production Preparation Process (3P). MORE

DETROIT-Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. have both improved their relationships with suppliers, according to the latest study conducted by Planning Perspectives. Ford placed third, after Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp., while GM ranks as the most improved automaker. MORE

SPARTANBURG, SC-Would you pay $99 to tour an automobile assembly plant? BMW plans to take the factory tour experience to a whole new level at its state-of-the-art U.S. facility. The upscale tour includes a behind-the-scenes guided walk through the plant. MORE

WATERTOWN, MA-A123 Systems Inc. is currently building two new lithium-ion battery assembly plants in Michigan. Even though the company has faced numerous obstacles, it’s betting that America's superior technological capabilities will not only help close cost gaps, but also force foreign rivals to keep chasing American innovations. MORE

HONOLULU-A South Korea-based company has committed to build a $200 million assembly plant on Oahu that would turn out two-seat electric cars and other vehicles and employ as many as 400 people. MORE

ST. CHARLES, IL-Omron Automotive Electrics Inc. is shutting down an assembly plant near Toronto and moving production-mostly switches for power seats and windows for Ford and General Motors cars-to its plant here. The move will add close to 250 jobs by yearend. MORE

SOUTHFIELD, MI-The Automotive Industry Action Group and the Original Equipment Suppliers Association have collaborated with Chrysler, Ford, GM and Toyota to refine the warranty management process. MORE

TROY, MI-Planning to launch a new product? You need to read the new book: The NEW Launch Plan: 152 Tips, Tactics and Trends from the Most Memorable New Products. Written by Joan Schneider and Julie Hall, the book builds on eight years of knowledge and data compiled from the Most Memorable New Product Launch Survey. It examines successful launch strategies and tactics used by top consumer product companies. MORE

EVANSVILLE, IN-Evana Automation recently delivered 10 automated kitting lines, each containing 10 to 12 workstations, to a major automotive manufacturer. The kitting lines are used to organize transmission components into boxes for installation into three transmission models. MORE