All articles by aladmin – Page 11
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ArticleNissan UK production stays strong
UK – The vehicle-maker made 507,430 units at its Sunderland factory in 2016, its 30th year in the country. The total included record volumes for the Leaf electric vehicle (EV) and the second-generation Qashqai, with the original now made on both lines for the first time.“Since the birth of our ...
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ArticleVDL Nedcar to make BMW X1
The Netherlands – The factory at Born will share production with BMW Regensburg, Germany, from August 2017. The X1 will be the fourth BMW Group model to roll off the VDL Nedcar lines and will be delivered to global markets.BMW said that strong worldwide demand for the X1 required extra ...
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ArticlePSA agrees JV deals with CK Birla
India – The collaboration will involve the production of vehicles and powertrains in Tamil Nadu by 2020. An initial investment of 700 crores ($107.3m) will be used to develop manufacturing capacity for 100,000 vehicles per year and will be followed by incremental increases to support longer-term ramp-up.The agreement between the ...
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ArticleToyota invests $600m at Princeton
US – The plant in Indiana will be modernised with new equipment and advanced technologies to make it more competitive and meet growing demand for the Highlander midsize SUV. Capacity will be increased by 40,000 units per year.The expansion at Princeton, including 400 new jobs, is part of a localisation ...
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ArticleAudi develops new finishing technique
Germany – The patented process uses a special powder to alter the sheen on a vehicle body, so that matt lettering and graphics can be created. This method will enable Audi to offer personalised side-blade designs for all R8 customers.“With this process, we modify the brilliance of the paintwork and ...
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ArticleYuan to become Volvo's SVP, Asia-Pacific
China – As senior vice-president (SVP) for Volvo Cars in the Asia-Pacific region, Xiaolin Yuan will replace Lars Danielson, who will retire from the company. In his new role, he will be supported by Geert Bruyneel, currently vice-president, Purchasing and Manufacturing, APAC, who will now become deputy SVP, Asia Pacific.Yuan ...
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ArticleGM invests $1bn in American operations
US – The money will go towards new vehicle, advanced technology and component projects. The manufacturer emphasised that this is additional to the $2.9 billion announced in 2016 and more than $21 billion invested since 2009.“As the US manufacturing base increases its competitiveness, we are able to further increase our ...
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ArticleAudi and FAW agree growth plan
China – The two companies have defined 21 key strategic areas with associated targets over the next ten years. This will include the expansion of Audi’s model line-up through local production at FAW VW; a dedicated business for mobility and digital services; and increased collaboration in financial services.The expanded local ...
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ArticleGestamp to open aluminium plant, Nitra
Slovakia – The €133m ($140.8m) facility will supply carmakers including Jaguar Land Rover, which is building a factory in the country. More than 80% of the output will be aluminium-based.The plant will cover 42,400 sq.m and start production in 2018, focusing on products which reduce vehicle weight while maintaining safety. ...
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ArticleRenault starts making new Micra
France – Nissan’s Alliance partner has been making the fifth-generation model for the past few days at its factory in Flins. This marks the return of Micra production to Europe after a break of seven years and also the first time that a Nissan passenger car has been manufactured by ...
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ArticleFCA makes senior appointments
US – Daphne Zheng now becomes chief operating officer (COO) in China; Paul Alcala is COO in Asia Pacific excluding China; and Davide Mele is deputy COO Latin America. The appointments are with immediate effect.Zheng has served Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) for more than eight years, most recently as managing ...
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ArticleSkoda Kvasiny reaches 2m vehicles
Czech Republic – The milestone car was a Kodiaq, the brand’s first large SUV. For the launch of this model, the factory recruited an extra 2,600 personnel by the end of 2016 and is still progressing with a modernisation and expansion programme.Skoda has invested 7 billion crowns ($269.4m) at Kvasiny ...
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ArticleHonda hits 100m-unit milestone
Japan – The company reached this cumulative total after starting automotive production in 1963 with the T360 mini-truck and the S500 sports car. Honda built its first dedicated plant one year later and now has 34 such facilities on five continents.Honda’s original automotive factory, at Sayama City in Saitama Prefecture, ...
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Toyota announces reshuffle in America
US – Effective from January 3, 2017, the appointments are part of a move toward regional autonomy and self-reliance, incorporating the ‘One Toyota’ strategy. The location of business affiliates and senior personnel at a single site is aimed at improving decision-making, sharing best practices and maximising human resources.New presidents with ...
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ArticleVW unveils CKD plant near Nairobi
Kenya – The first vehicle off the production line was a Polo Vivo, a bestseller in Sub-Saharan Africa. The factory at Thika, which is a joint project with DT Dobie, will be able to produce up to 1,000 cars per year in its initial phase. Its annual capacity may be ...
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ArticleGKN to expand in North Carolina
US – The driveline supplier announced an expenditure of $179m over the next five years to grow its manufacturing facilities in Alamance, Catawba, Lee and Person. The investment will support increasing demand for its all-wheel-drive (AWD) and eDrive products among North American vehicle-makers.Phil Swash, CEO of GKN Driveline, described the ...
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Flannery to lead Hyundai in America
US – As interim president and CEO, W. Gerald Flannery will take over the responsibilities of Dave Zuchowski, who will be leaving the company. Hyundai Motor America said the appointment continued a reorganisation that began late this year.Flannery joined Hyundai in 1987, having previously worked as senior attorney at Ford, ...
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WebinarKUKA podcasts: A robotic future
Over the course of three podcasts Kuka’s Corporate Innovation manager, Dominik Boesl discusses the precedents, current trends and future innovations that have and will continue to shape the future of robotics. Dominik explains why today we are seen as a generation of “robotic-immigrants” ...
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Mazda Hofu starts making CX-3
Japan – Plant No.1 in Yamaguchi began manufacturing the subcompact crossover yesterday, becoming the third plant to do so after Ujina Plant No.1 in Hiroshima and AutoAlliance (Thailand). Mazda said the move would strengthen its supply system for the growing SUV segment.The OEM is transferring some production from Ujina, which ...
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Webinar
KUKA podcast: A robotic future, episode 2
Over the course of three podcasts Kuka’s Corporate Innovation manager, Dominik Boesl discusses the precedents, current trends and future innovations that have and will continue to shape the future of robotics.Dominik explains why today we are seen as a generation of “robotic-immigrants” but how our grandchildren will grow up as ...