WOLFSBURG, Germany-Volkswagen and Toshiba Corp. have signed a letter of intent to combine efforts in designing batteries and other systems for electric cars. MORE
LAGRANGE, GA-More than 1,000 people showed up here to apply for 600 jobs at a plant that will supply the new Kia automotive assembly plant in West Point, GA. The Sewon America plant plans to fill 300 of those $10-an-hour positions this year. MORE
NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV-General Electric Co. has opened a new plant here to manufacture axles and wheel assemblies for locomotives. The plant features two assembly lines-one for axle and wheel combinations, and another for electric drive motors. The plant will create 80 new jobs. MORE
RIO DE JANEIRO-Thousands of workers in Brazil took to the streets to defend their salaries against cutbacks and project their jobs against the threat of layoffs. MORE
DETROIT-General Motors Corp. has been holding talks with China's SAIC Motor Corp. about selling part of its stake in their current joint venture to raise cash. MORE
AUSTIN, TX-BAE Systems has opened a new 33,000-square-foot manufacturing facility here to assemble armor kits for military vehicles. The plant employs some 675 people and produces at least 1,000 kits a year. MORE
A year ago, Solectric Inc. was little more than a concept. Today, the start-up is being courted by a handful of states hoping to land the 100,000-square foot assembly plant the company wants to build. The plant will make thin-film solar modules and create 220 jobs. MORE
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia-Nissan Motor Co. still plans to open a new $200 million assembly plant in St. Petersburg this May, despite the global financial crisis. MORE