Asia – Page 14
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The secret behind the shine
ABB Robotics is helping Audi achieve high levels of quality and consistency in its sealing and coating operationWith automated painting processes at Audi’s plant in Changchun, China, clean and shining Audi A4Ls are rolling out one by one. This paintshop includes under-body coating, interior seam sealing, cosmetic sealing and three ...
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AGVs set in motion
As Industry 4.0 kicks into even higher gear, AGV technology is helping to make it a smoother and more responsive upshiftEarlier this year, we discussed how automated guided vehicles, AGVs, are becoming fixtures of the automotive industry and how enterprise approaches and deployments were beginning to gain traction. A year ...
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Smart rotation
SKF looks to digitalise its business model and manufacturing operations. AMS spoke to Luc Graux, director of manufacturing and process development, to find more about the impact of IoTWhat effect is the move to an I4.0 based operation having on SKF’s production?We are certainly trying to apply the same I4.0 ...
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Al-Futtaim to assemble Renault vehicles
Pakistan – The two companies have signed definitive agreements for the exclusive assembly and distribution of Renault models in the country. The new subsidiary Al-Futtaim Automotive Pakistan will start building a factory in Karachi in Q1 2018.“Groupe Renault is delighted to extend its international footprint by entering Pakistan, a fast-growing ...
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New stamping ground
Gestamp chairman and CEO Francisco Riberas tells AMS about the growth in outsourcing of press shop operationsSpanish metal parts supplier Gestamp has grown to the point it is now the go-to company for European makers wanting to outsource body-in-white and chassis parts, particularly stronger hot-stamped steel parts.It has leveraged this ...
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Motor reflex
Brose’s Bernd Kaufer tells AMS how engineering instincts helps him to run the company’s Würzburg plantAt 7:00am each working morning, Bernd Kaufer begins his day by consulting his smartphone. As general manager of Brose’s Würzburg plant, his first task is to check on the status of operations there. Thanks to ...
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The stage to engage
The continually restructuring tier supply environment is witnessing record M&A activity amid rapid technological changeTier one suppliers currently face a bewildering mix of challenges, some long-term and some short-term in impact. This has always been the case, but the pace of change and the scale of adjustment required now are ...
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The stage to engage
The continually restructuring tier supply environment is witnessing record M&A activity amid rapid technological change Tier one suppliers currently face a bewildering mix of challenges, some long-term and some short-term in impact. This has always been the case, but the pace of change and the scale of adjustment required now ...
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Southern powerhouse
South Africa's automotive industry has emerged onto the world stage after increased investment from the likes of BMW, Mercedes and VW. Moreover, the country has now attracted the attentions of a Chinese OEM The automotive industry has played a central role in the economic and industrial strategies of successive South ...
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Honda breaks ground at motorbike plant
Bangladesh – The joint venture Bangladesh Honda Private Limited (BHL) is building a factory on 101,171 sq.m of land at Abdul Monem Economic Zone in Munshiganj District, Dhaka Division. The investment for land purchase and construction amounts to 2.3 billion taka ($30m). “We believe the Bangladesh motorcycle market is very ...
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Danowski to become PPG’s automotive VP
US – Moving from his current role as vice-president, operations, automotive coatings, Gary Danowski will become VP of the division.Tim Knavish, currently senior vice-president, automotive coatings, will replace Shelley Bausch as SVP, industrial coatings; Bausch has decided to leave the company. Knavish will also take responsibility for PPG’s packaging coatings ...
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Nissan hits 150m-unit milestone
Japan – The total has been reached 84 years after the company was founded; it took 73 years to make the first 100m but only 11 years to turn out the next 50m, following the increased expansion of the OEM’s production network beyond Japan. The majority of its vehicles are ...
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Autonomy drive
Suzuki has stayed independent of big joint ventures despite becoming increasingly dependent on markets outside JapanIn an industry where mergers and collaborations between major players are increasingly common, Suzuki remains something of an outlier. It has largely eschewed wide-ranging, large-scale alliances with other vehicle companies, especially since its joint venture ...
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Colonised by China
The underdeveloped but populous countries of South-East Asia could be rich pickings for Chinese OEMs Malaysia's domestic makers Japan dominates Indonesia Philippine production boom Thailand and Vietnam open up Mixed success for motorcycles Suppliers find opportunitiesThe Chinese are now mounting their most serious attack yet on the domination of Japanese ...
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Troubled times
New global politics and difficulties at home threaten the production and export hubs of Japan and Korea Nissan reforming Mitsubishi Production is laboured in Korea Motorcycle decline slowing Suppliers finding new partnersThreats from the US to tear up free-trade agreements and impose tariffs on imported vehicles is causing fear in ...
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Getting the green light
Under government pressure, domestic and international OEMs in China are switching to new-energy vehicles US vehicle manufacturers Premium European brands European high-volume makers Japanese and Korean OEMs Motorcycle producers SuppliersThe origins of Chinese vehicle manufacturing are rooted in technology transfers from European, US and Japanese OEMs through joint ventures in ...
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First and foremost
Audi’s links with FAW stretch back more than 25 years to the origins of large-scale car production in China. AMS visited the JV's Changchun plant, Jilin, which has recently added new body and assembly facilitiesAs one of the first large-scale joint ventures established within China’s automotive industry, the partnership between ...
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OUT NOW: Asia-Pacific special edition
Given the political upheavals of the past year or so, these are uncertain times for global industry and trade. This includes the vast Asia-Pacific region which is home to some of the biggest players in the automotive industry, such as top producer Toyota (routinely number one or two worldwide in ...
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Interview: Bill Russo, Ford
AMS met Ford’s vice-president for manufacturing in Asia-Pacific at its Shanghai headquarters to discuss the challenges the OEM is tackling in the region, especially through its JMC and Changan JVs in ChinaBill Russo has been in China full time for a little over 18 months but in the automotive and ...
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Ford announces leadership appointments
US/China – David Filipe will take the role of vice-president, Powertrain Engineering, while Jason Luo will become president and CEO of Ford China, responsible for all business in Greater China, including Lincoln, Changan Ford, commercial vehicle investment in Jiangling Motors, imports and operations in Taiwan. The appointments will be effective ...