All Closures and consolidation articles – Page 2
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ArticleItaly’s OEMs and suppliers stay resolute through national coronavirus measures
FCA, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo Brembo and Pirelli – the famous names of the Italian automotive industry are battling on through the Covid-19 crisis
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ArticleEurope presents a brave face over production halts in China and Italy
While Europe-based vehicle makers appear resilient in the face of assembly line disruption caused by the coronavirus shutdowns, a number of factors coming into play that could see production affected over the coming weeks
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ArticleThe coronavirus impact on vehicle production reaches beyond China shutdowns
Such is the nature of the global automotive supply chain, it is inevitable that the knock-on effects of idle assembly lines in China soon reach Japan, Korea and beyond
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ArticleCoronavirus crisis prompts OEMs in China to extend shutdowns
Continued disruption to the automotive supply chain caused by the coronavirus outbreak in China is leading many carmakers to extend plant closures by two weeks beyond the average ten days allocated for closure over the Chinese New Year holiday
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ArticleCoronavirus hits automotive supply chain in China and beyond
The outbreak of the coronavirus respiratory disease in China has led to carmakers extending the closure of their plants beyond the Chinese new year and into the second week of February
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ArticleStumbling blocks on the Korea path
Outside of the Hyundai-Kia story, Korea’s other automotive players continue to struggle and in global production terms the country is slipping down the rankings. Ian Henry reports
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VoiceMeasured view
Robots equipped with 3D smart sensors from LMI Technologies are aiming to take production processes to a new level
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ArticleFCA–PSA fusion: first of the electric shock waves?
The merger attempt by FCA and PSA will be complicated but makes economic and operational sense, including for manufacturing efficiency. Whether or not it goes ahead, more consolidation is likely as the automotive industry gears up for electrification
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NewsDyson scraps plans to build electric vehicles
In a statement posted on the company’s website, founder James Dyson said that ”the Dyson Board has taken the very difficult decision to propose the closure of our automotive project.” The company had failed to make the project “commercially viable”, the statement explained, and attempts to find a buyer had ...
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VoiceWeight out, strength in
A strategic alliance between Henkel and RLE International is exploring the lightweighting innovations available when combining expertise in structural foam technology and engineering design. David Caro and Tobias Wigand describe the findings
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ArticleGreater expectations: brighter days will return for the automotive industry
Although automotive OEMs will face years of stagnant vehicle sales, a stronger recovery thereafter will bring growth back up to long run averages and herald a return to stronger profits. By then, however, the industry is likely to have undergone further consolidation.
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ArticleStaying on track
FCA’s restructuring has proved successful and the Jeep brand continues to prosper with new models on the way, but there are still challenges to overcome. Ian Henry reports
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ArticleCanada feels the chill
Trading challenges and dwindling investment is putting Canada’s automotive manufacturers under pressure.
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ArticleMade in Wales
Nick Gibbs reports on the opening of Aston Martin’s SUV plant in South Wales, all set to build the new DBX
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ArticleHitting the reset button
Given the scale and scope of its current restructuring programme, a very different Ford will eventually emerge. Ian Henry looks into the changes being made With one part or another of its shrinking global empire subject to significant change in terms of organisation or product focus, Ford ...
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ArticleHonda closure deals blow to UK
Honda has announced plans to close its Swindon plant at the end of the current model’s production lifecycle in 2021. The statement, which was published on the company’s website, refers to the changing nature of the global auto industry and Honda’s “commitment to electrified cars” as the main reasons behind ...
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ArticleAsia’s other powerhouse
Already a dynamic and rapidly growing manufacturing hub, South-East Asia’s automotive industry is finding further opportunity in the growth of battery and hybrid vehicle production Two nations dominate South-East Asia vehicle production, namely Thailand (approximately 2m units per annum (upa)) and Indonesia (c1.1m upa). There is one mid-sized producer ...
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ArticleClean and tidy
Coherent-ROFIN’s Frank Gäbler describes how the CleanWeld process can garner greater results in fibre laser welding While automotive manufacturers have successfully employed fibre lasers in metal welding for over a decade, efforts still continue to improve their utility and extend the results they deliver in terms of part ...
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ArticleSchaeffler to shut two UK plants
UK - Global automotive supplier Schaeffler has announced the closure of two plants. The first is located in Llanelli, Wales, and houses the production of mechanical tappets and bearings for car makers. The other is in Plymouth, England, where spindle bearings and machine parts for the company’s industrial division are ...
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ArticleFord Bridgend makes petrol engines
UK - The OEM has started production of its new three-cylinder 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engines at the Bridgend plant in South Wales. This follows on from an investment of £100m (US$128m) in the facility. “I’m personally very proud to see production start of this all-new engine, here in Bridgend,” commented ...