Fishers-based quality-control firm plans to add 250 workers
Stratosphere Quality, which inspects parts and helps manufacturers eliminate defects, said that it will invest $3.7 million to expand its headquarters at 2024 Exit Five Parkway.
Auto Industry
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Inspection firm grows with changing auto industry
Steve Cage started a quality-control business focused on the automotive industry near the peak of the Great Recession. In 2009, the company made $8 million in revenue. In 2016, revenue hit $122 million.
Subaru targets Sun Belt states, awaits Trump import-tax decision
Subaru might launch another expansion at its Indiana plant, but it’s waiting to see President Donald Trump’s strategy to keep factory jobs in America. In the meantime, it is hoping to boost sales in the one area of the country where it struggles.
Subaru’s ‘spiritual’ message spurs U.S. sales as rivals use discounts
With almost all carmakers heaping on the discounts to keep the U.S. auto market at a plateau, Subaru just notched its 63rd straight monthly sales gain, with minimal incentives to get customers in the door.
Korean car parts maker targets Indy for U.S. HQ, 180 hires
Daechang Seat Co. is seeking tax breaks from the city for its plans to invest $16.8 million in a production facility and establish a base of operations in America.
Study: Technology trouble dents car, truck reliability rankings
In its annual rankings of most reliable auto brands, J.D. Power said the audio-communication-entertainment-navigation category caused the most problems in the survey, accounting for 22 percent of complaints.
Honda starts making CR-Vs at Indiana plant after $52M project
The Greensburg factory marked the start of production of the small sport-utilty vehicle Wednesday. Officials announced plans last year to spend $52 million on preparing the factory for CR-V production.
Japanese firm buying Indy-based logistics company for $260M
Toyota Industries Corp. is getting into the logistics business, and it’s buying Indianapolis-based Bastian Solutions LLC to get a jumpstart in the sector.
House panel exempts Tesla from state ban on direct auto sales
The author of the bill, Rep. Ed Soliday, said he believed the amended measure would make people on both sides of the bill “equally happy and equally unhappy.”
Toyota to add 400 jobs, sink $600M into Indiana SUV factory
The factory will be able to build 40,000 more Highlanders per year when the expansion is finished in the fall of 2019.
UPDATE: GM to add or keep 7,000 jobs, make $1B factory investment
General Motors plans to invest $1 billion in U.S. factories and add thousands of white-collar jobs, measures that have been in the works for years but announced Tuesday after criticism from President-elect Donald Trump.
Obama’s EPA moves to preserve gas-mileage requirements
Friday’s action keeps in place pollution-reduction targets for the years 2022-2025. That means the fleet of new cars will have to average 51.4 miles per gallon by 2025, up more than 18 mpg from the 33.2 mpg requirement in 2015, the most recent year available.
U.S. government accuses Fiat Chrysler of cheating on emissions
The Environmental Protection Agency issued a “notice of violation” to the company that covers about 104,000 vehicles, including the 2014 through 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram pickups.
Indiana lawmakers propose bills to change RV sales tax law
Two proposed bills in the Indiana Legislature aim to exempt out-of-state buyers of recreational vehicles from having to pay state sales tax, even if their states don't have a reciprocal agreement in place.
Cummins unveils downtown Indy office complex, recruiting tool
The Columbus-based engine maker says having an expanded presence in Indianapolis through its $30 million-plus global distribution headquarters should help the company recruit talent that prefers urban life.
U.S. automobile sales expected to rise for sixth straight year
Demand may be slowing, but U.S. consumers still bought a whole lot of cars and trucks in 2016.
Ford gives Trump ‘vote of confidence’ after Mexican plant decision
Ford is canceling plans to build a new $1.6 billion factory in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and will instead invest some of that money in a U.S. factory that will build new electric and autonomous vehicles.
RV industry makes comeback in Elkhart County
The industry has since shown resiliency. The county had an unemployment rate of 3.3 percent this year, and potential customers have more disposable income.
Output jumps as Subaru of Indiana hustles to meet demand
The Japan-based automaker is in the midst of a U.S. sales boom—and the company’s Lafayette auto plant is racing to keep up.
Allison Transmission CEO to retire in 2018
The Allison board plans to consider internal and external candidates to replace Lawrence Dewey, 60, who has served as Allison’s top executive since 2007.