Automotive Assembly

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DETROIT—For automakers, one of the biggest headaches posed by infotainment systems is instant obsolescence. With its three- to five-year product cycles, the auto industry simply can’t keep up with the short product cycles of smart phone makers. New applications produced for smart phones often aren’t compatible with the dated software and hardware found in autos.

NEW HAVEN, MO—Henniges Automotive is investing $5 million in its assembly plant here, adding 200 jobs.

SMYRNA, TN—Nissan is looking to fill 50 job openings for maintenance technicians at its automotive and battery assembly plants here.

SEOUL, South Korea—South Korean scientists have developed a new material for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that could reduce charging time for electric vehicles.

DETROIT—A supplier for Ford opened a new assembly plant here that will employ more than 500.

OXNARD, CA—Volkswagen has opened a new $27 million product development and emissions test laboratory here.

MONTEREY, CA—Japanese luxury carmaker Infiniti is entertaining the possibility of assembling a new small car in Mexico.

DEARBORN, MI—Ford is planning to invest $135 million in a research center to develop batteries and other components for hybrid-electric vehicles.

BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, PA—A 29-year-old man was electrocuted Saturday while trying to steal scrap metal from an auto parts assembly plant here.

LAGRANGE, GA—Automotive supplier Sewon Group is investing $10 million to expand its assembly plant here, adding 150 jobs.