Two states abandoned by American automobile companies are celebrating new investments by Asian automakers. Toyota of Japan and Kia from South Korea both announced new ventures that together would create 3,500 jobs. The moves come just a few months after G.M. and the Ford Motor Company said they planned to eliminate a total of 30,000 jobs over the next few years and close nearly two dozen plants.
See "2 Asian Automakers Plan Ventures in 2 States Left by U.S. Carmakers", Micheline Maynard and Jeremy W. Peters, The New York Times, March 13, 2006