SPRING HILL, TN—GM will boost investment in its assembly plant here by $167 million for the production of two future vehicles.

LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany—BASF plans to spend millions of euros to develop new thermoplastic and thermoset composites for lightweight vehicles. The company predicts OEMs can reduce vehicle weight by up to 220 pounds by using short-fiber-reinforced plastics in seats, oil pans, cross beams, air intake manifolds, engine mounts and structural inserts.

SHORTER, AL—Halla Visteon Climate Control Corp. has completed the expansion of its assembly plant here.

TRAVERSE CITY, MI—Americans are keeping their cars and trucks longer than ever. The average age of cars and trucks on U.S. roads hit a record of 11.4 years in January.

HOLLAND, MI—LG Chem’s battery assembly plant here has completed preproduction testing and begun shipping batteries for the Chevrolet Volt.

FULTON, KY—Kayser Automotive Systems will spend $17.5 million to build an assembly plant here. Expected to employ 121 people, the facility will produce parts for engines and fuel tanks.

WASHINGTON—New orders for manufactured goods increased $7.6 billion (1.5 percent) to $496.7 billion for June, according to Commerce Department. It marks the fourth increase over a five-month period, and it’s the highest level of new orders recorded since data was first collected in 1992.

INDIANAPOLIS—Indiana has become the second-biggest state in terms of automotive gross domestic product, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

SARASOTA, FL—Sun Hydraulics Corp., a manufacturer of hydraulic components, has opened a new assembly plant here.