WENTZVILLE, MO—General Motors is converting 100 temporary workers at its truck assembly plant here to permanent jobs as the automaker ramps up production at the facility.

DETROIT—Ford Motor Co. of Canada has been selected as the lead company with which the Unifor labor union will bargain as they negotiate with Detroit’s three automakers on new contracts.

HUNTSVILLE, AL—Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM), a joint venture between carmakers Mazda and Toyota, have significantly increased their previously announced investment to build a new assembly plant here.

MARYVILLE, MO—The Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing plant here is adding three additional assembly lines starting this fall.

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN—A manufacturing program at Purdue University recently announced nearly $18 million in federal funding to expand its work with Indiana businesses.

DALTON, GA—German auto parts manufacturer GEDIA Automotive Group will invest $85 million to build a new assembly plant here, creating 200 jobs. The facility will produce parts for electric vehicles.

TUSCALOOSA, AL—Mercedes-Benz is testing a new digital production system at its assembly plant here. If successful, the automaker plans to implement the system at its factories worldwide.