BERLIN—Volkswagen has for the first time edged past Toyota as the world’s No. 1 automaker during the first half of 2015. VW sold 5.04 million units from January to June, while Toyota’s count during the same period was 5.02 million.
AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico—Five years after announcing their strategic collaboration, Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance are expanding its scope with the start of a manufacturing joint venture here. The automakers will invest $1 billion in the assembly plant, which produce compact cars for the Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti brands.
DETROIT—Chinese auto supplier YFS Automotive Systems Inc. will invest $26.9 million to build a new assembly plant here. The facility is expected to create 160 jobs.
TOKYO—Mitsubishi Motors Corp. will shut its only North American assembly plant, in Normal, IL, by November if it can’t find a buyer for the factory, and will soon start shipping tooling back to Japan.
AUBURN, AL—German auto parts maker Schmidt Maschinenbau GmbH is building its first U.S. assembly here. The $17 million factory is expected to begin production next year.
DETROIT—Ford Motor Co. will build the new Lincoln Continental sedan at its Flat Rock assembly plant here. The 28-year-old factory currently builds the Ford Mustang and the Ford Fusion.
DETROIT—With stable auto production and flat factory employment predicted through 2018, the UAW is expected to press for higher wages in contract talks with the Detroit Three. Jobs and future product commitments will be secondary considerations.
CHATTANOOGA, TN—Automotive supplier Yanfeng Automotive Interiors will invest $55 million to build a new assembly plant here. The factory is expected to employ 325.