DETROIT—Members of the United Auto Workers union have overwhelmingly approved picking their leaders by direct ballot elections, rejecting a system that many blamed for a bribery and embezzlement scandal in the union’s top ranks.

In February 2020, U.S. manufacturers employed nearly 12.8 million people. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic. In an instant, the country lost 1 million manufacturing jobs as governments and businesses scrambled to figure out how best to stop the spread of the disease.

CADILLAC, MI—BorgWarner Thermal Systems Inc., a manufacturer of thermal technology for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles, is expanding its assembly plant here. The $11.2 million project is expected to create 30 jobs.

LISLE, IL—U.S. truck maker Navistar International Corp. said Dec. 1 that the omicron variant of the coronavirus would likely slow the recovery in the global supply chain.

DETROIT—General Motors will build a new factory in North America as part of an upcoming joint venture with a South Korean chemical manufacturer.

LIBERTY, NC—Toyota Motor North America has chosen a 1,825-acre site here as the location for its new $1.29 billion automotive battery assembly plant.

WINDSOR, ON—A 33-year-old man who was employed by a vendor at the Stellantis assembly plant here is facing multiple charges in connection with an explosion at the plant earlier this month.

AUBURN HILLS, MI—Allison Transmission has completed installation of a new assembly line here to build axles for electric vehicles. This purpose-built production line integrates automated assembly features and will manufacture Allison’s eGen Power series of fully integrated electric axles.

HUNTSVILLE, AL—On Monday, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing unveiled the all-new Mazda CX-50, which will be built at the company’s manufacturing facility here starting in January 2022.