The potential shortage of a key component used to make fuel lines and brake lines could force automakers in the U.S. and around the world to close car and truck plants as they run short of parts.

Auto industry executives have scheduled an unprecedented meeting today in suburban Detroit to talk about the problem. Officials from as many as 10 automakers and dozens of parts supply companies are set to attend.

A March 31 explosion at Evonik Industries in western Germany killed two workers and damaged a factory that makes CDT. That chemical is a key component in a nylon resin called PA12, which is used to make a specialized plastic. The plastic is used in auto fuel lines and brake lines. It is also a component in solar cells, pipelines, sporting goods and household items.

Automakers aren’t pushing the panic button yet, but they are concerned.

General Motors Co., which has a truck plant in Allen County, said Monday that some of its parts suppliers are affected, and GM has set up a global team to allocate existing parts and find alternative materials. Spokeswoman Kelly Cusinato said it’s too soon to predict the effect of the shortage.

Franklin Electric slates groundbreaking Friday

Franklin Electric Co. officials Monday announced plans to break ground on a multimillion-dollar headquarters and engineering center in Allen County at 11 a.m. Friday.

The Bluffton-based manufacturer designs and makes submersible motors and pumping systems used to move water and automotive fuel. Customers include homeowners, municipalities, and companies in commercial, agricultural and industrial industries.

Franklin Electric’s new headquarters will be at 9255 Coverdale Road, near Fort Wayne International Airport. The company has estimated the project cost at $32 million to $36 million.

Company officials in August announced they’d chosen Allen County for the project. Texas, Ohio and Michigan each tried to lure the company, which employs about 225 and plans to create an estimated 35 new jobs over the next five years.

Google fined $25,000 over Street View probe

The Federal Communications Commission has fined Google $25,000, saying the online search leader impeded an investigation into how it collected data while taking photos for its “Street View” mapping feature.

The FCC said in a report from Friday that Google Inc. “deliberately impeded and delayed” the investigation for months. The agency said that the online search leader did this by not responding to requests for information and documents.

Anheuser-Busch buys major stake in brewer

Anheuser-Busch InBev says it is paying $1.24 billion for a majority stake in Dominican brewer Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana as it pushes deeper into the Caribbean.

AB InBev said Monday it is paying $1 billion to Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana’s parent company Grupo Leon Jimenes for a 41.8 percent stake in a holding company that will own 83.5 percent of Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana.

The holding company will also include AB InBev’s Dominican subsidiary AmBev Dominicana.