NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP, MI—Automotive supplier ZF Friedrichshafen plans to spend more than $71 million to expand its technical center here and add 571 jobs. The project is intended to boost research and development on transmission, steering, axle and chassis components.

WASHINGTON—In 2012, manufacturers consumed 24 percent of all the energy used in the United States. No sector of the economy has more to gain from using energy resources more efficiently, but progress on energy efficiency faces a bevy of obstacles, according to a new report from the Department of Energy.

ORION, MI—GM will pump in $245 million into its assembly plant here to launch new vehicles, creating 300 employment opportunities.

CLEVELAND, NC—Daimler Trucks North America has verified that three confirmed cases of the MRSA “superbug” have been documented at its assembly plant here. Precautionary measures have been taken at the facility, including complete sanitation of work areas and bathrooms. MRSA is short for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

MOBILE, AL—The first major components for A320 airliners have arrived at Airbus’ new assembly plant here. Ulrich Weber, vice president of the factory, says airplane production will begin in July after the wings, stabilizers and fuselages move through testing stations.

GREENWOOD, MS—Milwaukee Tool will lease a building adjacent to its existing assembly plant here to expand its manufacturing operations. The project represents an investment of $16.8 million and creation of 126 jobs.

CONOVER, NC—Small screws—sizes smaller than #4 or 3 millimeter—are increasingly finding their way into assemblies. This Q&A with Design Tool Inc. talks about the challenges of dealing with these fasteners in automatic screwdriving applications.

ST. CLAIR SHORES, MI—Fisher Dynamics, a manufacturer of automotive seating systems and mechanisms, has turned to Google Glass to run parts of its floor more efficiently.

ANN ARBOR, MI—Toyota Motor Corp. has begun construction of a $126 million expansion of its Technical Center here. The expansion includes a new prototype facility for vehicle development, additions to the power train development facility, and a supply center.

TITUSVILLE, FL—Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer SA will build an airplane seat assembly plant here. The facility is expected to employ 150 people.