Automotive Assembly

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CHATTANOOGA, TN—Volkswagen plans to add a midsized SUV to its U.S. vehicle lineup and will likely build the vehicle at its assembly plant here.

SHANNON, MS—German auto parts maker Grammer AG will move its American headquarters from Wisconsin to a new assembly plant here, creating up to 650 jobs. The company makes automotive interiors and commercial vehicle seats.

TOKYO—Honda Motor Co. last year exported more cars out of the United States than it imported into the country, claiming a first among major Japanese automakers.

BERLIN—German automobile manufacturer Opel will invest $5.4 billion to develop new vehicles and engines over the next four years.

STOCKHOLM—Volvo plans to invest $11 billion to establish new plants and develop new products with a focus on new lineup of advanced power trains.

BANGKOK—Police are investigating after Karl Slym, managing director of Tata Motors, fell to his death from a hotel room here.

EVANSVILLE, IN—Systems integrator Evana Automation recently integrated eight robots into a new powder coating line for a leading commercial wheel manufacturer. Evana provided bases, guarding and end-of-arm tools for the robots, along with programming and control panels to communicate with the finishing line.

GEORGETOWN, KY—Construction has begun on a new assembly line here for the first U.S.-produced Lexus. Toyota is investing $360 million in the line, which is expected to create 750 new jobs.

KANSAS CITY, MO—Ford began welcoming nearly 1,000 new employees at its assembly plant here to prepare for the launch of the all-new Ford Transit van, which goes on sale in the United States this summer. The company will hire an additional 175 employees over the next three months.

SOUTH BEND, IN—Defense contractor AM General will begin recalling approximately 200 employees for its assembly plant here in early February to meet a big order for Humvees.