INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Hiring at auto plants and parts suppliers across Indiana has pushed total employment in the auto industry back over 100,000 in the state after falling below 79,000 last year.
The Indianapolis Business Journal reports that Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show that Indiana's auto industry employment reached 100,400 in August.
Carol Rodgers of Indiana University's Indiana Business Research Center says it appears that companies are hiring more permanent workers, although she doubted auto sector employment in the state would reach the 2004 levels of 140,000.
Subaru has increased production at its Lafayette factory and is converting 100 temporary workers to permanent jobs. Subaru of Indiana executive Tom Easterday says the factory uses 28 suppliers in the state and that many of them are working overtime to keep up with demand.
