A gentle nudge is often a more effective way to bring out the best in a worker than a firm push. Two common scenarios where this approach applies are just-hired workers and veteran ones that need to learn a new task.

DETROIT—Visteon Corp. has unveiled a wireless battery management system to monitor battery packs continuously.

YOKOHAMA, Japan—Nissan Motor Co. recently produced its 500,000th LEAF, the world’s first mass-market 100 percent electric car.

PLANO, TX—Toyota Motor North America has launched a virtual education program that enables e-learning students to consider pursuing a career in manufacturing.

LOVELAND, OH—Electric vehicle maker Workhorse has secured $200 million in financing to add jobs, speed up production and expand its product offerings.

DEARBORN, MI—Ford has begun construction of the new Rouge Electric Vehicle Center here, where it will build the all-electric F-150 by mid-2022.

DETROIT—General Motors plans to invest $71 million in two Ohio manufacturing facilities, including $39 million at its Toledo transmission plant and $32 million at its Defiance casting plant. Work will begin immediately at the two locations. These investments will enable GM to retain 240 U.S. manufacturing jobs.