DETROIT—GM is hiring 200 people at its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant ahead of starting production of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu later this summer.

TORONTO—Two of Canada’s most prominent unions—the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union—are holding merger talks in what could become the biggest consolidation in Canadian labor history.

HOUSTON—USON has signed a joint-venture agreement with Innovative Products and Equipment. The new company will offer automated leak testing systems.

STANFORD, CA—Stanford University researchers have successfully created contact hole patterns for a wide variety of 22-nanometer logic and memory devices using a next-generation directed self-assembly process.

HUNTSVILLE, AL—Toyota plans to invest $80 million to expand its engine assembly plant here. The automaker will also add 125 jobs.

FLETCHER, NC—Business is so good for Legacy Paddlesports, the kayak manufacturer is hiring twice as many workers as originally anticipated for its new assembly plant here.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL—One person was killed Tuesday morning, and 10 others were injured, in an explosion at an auto parts assembly plant here.

WENTZVILLE, MO— GM began construction yesterday on a $380 million expansion of its assembly plant here.

ANN ARBOR, MI—A free hour-long webinar will cover ergonomic design considerations for an aging workforce. The webinar will air live on May 23 at noon Central.

GREENVILLE, SC—REFUsol Inc., a manufacturer of the solar inverters, has opened a new assembly plant here. The $1.5 million facility employs 80.