AUBURN HILLS -- The Brose Group , manufacturer of components and systems for vehicle bodies and interiors, will consolidate several door and latch module production programs to its newest plant in Warren. Production at outlying plants will be moved closer to Brose's North American engineering headquarters and its customers. The location in Chicago will be most affected by the changes.

Ford Motor Co. will keep its Geelong engine plant in Australia open, reversing an earlier proposal to shut the factory. The decision will save 400 jobs at Ford and 900 among suppliers, Australian Industry Minister Kim Carr said today. The plant will undergo a $13 million upgrade so engines meet stricter so-called Euro IV emissions standards, the minister said. Australia is giving its automotive industry $3.8 billion in assistance through to 2020

TOKYO -- Toyota Motor Corp . said Wednesday it will cut production at New United Motor Manufacturing Inc . in Fremont, Calif. -- its joint venture with General Motors Corp. -- where it will eliminate a shift producing the Tacoma pickup truck. Production cuts by Toyota throughout North America announced Tuesday included plants in Canada, Kentucky and Indiana. The cuts are the latest effort by the company to deal with shrinking demand in the United States.

MILAN, Italy -- Fiat Group SpA CEO Sergio Marchionne warned Wednesday that a bailout of the Big Three carmakers would distort competition across the ailing auto industry. Marchionne appealed for a fair playing field for the auto industry.

TOKYO -- Mazda spent 17.8 billion yen ($184 million) to buy back 6.8 percent of its own shares from Ford Motor Co., the Japanese automaker said Wednesday. Several other companies bought smaller stakes. The move came a day after Ford said it's slashing its stake in Mazda from an earlier 33.4 percent to 13.8 percent.