Superior to Construct Wheel Plant in Tennessee

Superior Industries International Inc. said it plans to build an aluminum-wheel manufacturing plant in Johnson City, Tenn., that would begin operating early next year.

Superior, based in Van Nuys, is the leading maker of wheels for the Big Three U.S. auto makers. The company said the proposed new plant would cost $40 million and have the capacity to produce 1.5 million wheels a year. About 500 people would be employed at full capacity, it said.

Johnson City was chosen as the site “for its proximity to automotive assembly plants and for the positive reaction” from the community to having the plant built there, Superior said.