Mounting health-care costs represent a potential sticking point in this year's contract talks between United Auto Workers and U.S. automakers.

Union leaders are taking advantage of a tightening labor market and favorable political environment.

Ford Motor Co., boosted by record profits in North America, is likely to hire more than the 12,000 new workers that it promised in its 2011 contract with the United Auto Workers, according to its top American executive.

Ford Motor Co. will revive its Ohio factory by investing $168 million to move pickup production there from Mexico early in 2015.