TOKYO-The once-unstoppable Japanese juggernaut is now grappling with problems more commonly associated with Detroit's ailing Big Three-large inventories of unsold trucks and under-used factories. MORE

SHENZHEN, China-Despite increasing costs and regulations, China remains head and shoulders above all other countries when it comes to making complete bicycles, frames, and other parts and accessories. MORE

AUBURN HILLS, MI-Uni-Solar, a subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, has won the contract to provide solar panels for the General Motors plant in Zaragoza, Spain. MORE

CHATTANOOGA, TN-Despite speculation that Volkswagen is favoring a site in Alabama for its proposed new assembly plant, sites in Tennessee and Michigan are still in the running. MORE

DETROIT-General Motors Corp. is installing enough solar panels on the roof of its Zaragoza assembly plant in Spain to create 15.1 million kilowatt hours per year. MORE

TOULOUSE, FRANCE-Airbus’ answer to the Boeing Dreamliner is already experiencing problems reminiscent of the troubles plaguing its A380 jumbo jet. MORE

BEIJING-Sales may be plummeting back home, but Ford and GM are selling more cars than ever in China. MORE

TOKYO-Honda’s ability to switch over its North American assembly lines in as little as 10 days is allowing it to quickly respond to the current demand for fuel-efficient vehicles. MORE

DETROIT-A new wave of plant closings, layoffs and buyouts in the auto industry just as the general election campaign is beginning to heat up underscores the economy as a crucial issue in Michigan, Ohio and other hard-hit industrial states. MORE

POCA, W.Va.-Carbonoks, a manufacturer of mine safety products, will soon ramp up assembly of a new coal mine rescue chamber.

Pending government approval of the device, Carbonoks will begin assembling the Safe Haven rescue chamber at a facility in Poca, providing up to 90 jobs.

A Safe Haven unit travels with miners into the underground mine to provide a shelter in case of an emergency. It moves throughout the mine on skids or on a shuttle car. Up to 16 miners can retreat to the chamber and await rescue. The chamber is made of a unique material that can withstand high heat temperatures, is explosive resistant and is airtight. MORE