MALTA, NY-After years of haggling and setbacks, officials finally broke ground Friday on a $4.2 billion plant that will manufacture advanced microprocessors. The plant, which will manufacture chips for California-based Advanced Micro Devices and other chip design firms, will generate 1,400 new manufacturing jobs. MORE
BELVIDERE, IL-The 3.7-million-square-foot Chrysler auto assembly plant here resumes production today after a nearly two-month break. About 1,700 workers who underwent three days of training earlier this month are expected to return. MORE
DRESDEN, Germany-Daimler and Evonik are planning production of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles at a new factory here by early 2011. The two companies have formed a joint venture called German Accumotive for the research, production and marketing of batteries for E-Vehicles. MORE
STUTTGART, Germany-Volkswagen AG said Thursday it will pursue an eventual merger with Porsche SE under VW’s leadership, vowing the luxury sports car maker will retain its independence. MORE
DEARBORN, MI-Helped by a lightened debt load, Ford Motor Co. posted a surprise second-quarter profit of $2.3 billion Thursday, following the worst loss in company history a year earlier. The net profit ends a string of four straight quarterly losses for the nation’s second-largest automaker, which has gained U.S. market share at the expense of crosstown rivals Chrysler and GM. MORE
FLETCHER, NC-Continental Teves Inc. will expand its facility here, adding 338 new jobs over the next five years. The brake systems and component assembler will invest $30.1 million in the plant. MORE
JONESBORO, AR-Wind turbine manufacturer Nordex USA will begin construction here this week on its first U.S. manufacturing plant. Construction will take place in two phases, beginning with the nacelle assembly plant and followed by a rotor blade manufacturing facility at the same location. MORE
NEWPORT NEWS, VA-AREVA Newport News LLC and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding will join forces to build a new 330,000-square-foot manufacturing facility here to assemble heavy components for new nuclear plants. The $360 million investment will create more than 500 jobs. MORE
SEOUL, South Korea-At least eight people were injured Tuesday in a clash between South Korean police and workers laid off at Ssanyong Motor Co.’s assembly plant. MORE