FUZHOU, China-Daimler AG has begun construction of a plant in southeast China to build Mercedes 40,000 vans annually. MORE

FRANKFURT, Germany-BMW is considering a second manufacturing plant in China with an eye toward significantly increasing production in the region. MORE

NEW YORK-The UAW says approximately 4,000 workers at Navistar International Corp. have gone on strike, protesting unfair labor practices. The workers have been without a contract since Oct. 1. MORE

CHICAGO-Despite delays with its Dreamliner program, sales remain strong and Boeing Co. is hiring engineers and machinists to boost production capacity across its product line. MORE

TOKYO-Central Motor Co., a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Co., plans to build a new assembly plant in Japan with an annual production capacity of 120,000 vehicles. MORE

TAIPEI, China-China has announced plans to remove the legal restrictions that prevent companies making mobile phones in the country without permission. MORE

AUBURN HILLS, MI-Rank and file opposition to the recently negotiated UAW-Chrysler contract is growing, throwing the future of the tentative agreement in doubt. MORE

BEIJING-Chinese carmaker Geely Automobile Holdings is looking for partners around the globe as part of an aggressive growth strategy. MORE

BANGKOK, Thailand-Despite a slowdown in domestic demand, Thailand's automobile industry remains strong, in part because of the $4 billion in parts it exported to the United States in the first half of 2007. MORE

SHANGHAI-China’s reputation as the world’s toy workshop has taken a beating of late, prompting some other manufacturers to contemplate reentering the market. MORE