The door latch on a vehicle doesn't do much. It doesn't power the vehicle. It doesn't aid in handling or braking. But, of course, it's vital to the safety and security of the vehicle's occupants. And, no company has been making latches better over the years than Kiekert AG.

DETROIT—Flex-N-Gate Corp. plans to build a 500,000-square-foot assembly plant here to supply Ford Motor Co.

CLARKSTON, MI—Magneti Marelli has opened a new exhaust system manufacturing plant here that will assemble products for Fiat Chrysler vehicles.

NEW BOSTON, MI—Brose North America’s new 380,000-square-foot factory here will produce door modules, latch modules and seat structures.

DADEVILLE, AL—KwangSung Corp., a supplier of door panels and sun visors to Hyundai and Kia, is building a new 100,000-square-foot facility here.

EVANSVILLE, IN—Systems integrator Evana Automation recently received a contract from a Tier 1 automotive supplier to provide a multicell assembly system to simplify the process of manufacturing steering gear subassemblies.

KANSAS CITY, MO—Adrian Steel, a manufacturer of equipment for commercial vans and trucks, is investing $4.7 million to build a new assembly plant here. The facility is expected to create 39 new jobs.

AUBURN, AL—Rausch & Pausch GmbH (RAPA), a German manufacturer of solenoid valves, control blocks and other auto parts, plans to build a new assembly plant here.

SAGINAW, MI—Nexteer Automotive, a tier one automotive supplier, is investing $70 million in its assembly plant here and will add 325 new jobs.

WASHINGTON—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has introduced a proposal to mandate that all light passenger vehicles be equipped with event data recorders beginning Sept. 1, 2014.