All Closures and consolidation articles – Page 2
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Article
Carmakers forced to extend shutdowns because of microchip shortage
Ford and GM have been forced to extend assembly plant closures because of a shortage in the supply of semiconductors, a problem that continues to disrupt vehicle production globally.
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News
Ford Europe invests $1 billion in Cologne for EV production
After JLR, Ford has also announced that all its vehicles for sale in Europe will be pure-electric by 2030. It is investing $1 billion in its Cologne (Köln) plant to make that a reality. This move will be supported by the sharing of the VW Group’s MEB electric vehicle platform.
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Ford cuts its losses in Brazil with closure of all production in 2021
Ford will shut all three of its production facilities in Brazil this year and import vehicles from other markets in South America, including neighbouring Argentina and Uruguay, to meet demand in the country.
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Renault assembly network future under review as management announce cost-saving programme
Renault has launched a business transformation plan which includes a 18% cut in production capacity
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Watch: Livestream Hour Episode 6 – Aftermarket and Service Parts: Keeping the wheels moving
In this episode of the Livestream Hour, we discuss the pandemic’s potential impact on aftersales supply and the aftermarket, including the long-term effects on supply chains and what this means for managing inventory. With special guests from Toyota North America, LKQ Europe and CLEPA. Hosted by editor-in-chief Christopher Ludwig.
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Coronavirus pandemic could force consolidation amongst automotive suppliers
The Covid-19 pandemic will exact a heavy toll on automotive manufacturers and suppliers, who will face mounting financial losses and growing debt. Some may not survive, at least in their current form or without further government bailouts. Such financial fallout, and the need for companies to reduce costs and consolidate investments, could prompt more consolidation at all levels of the automotive industry in the coming years.
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Dziczek: After the pandemic, restoring component supply and customer demand will form the next hurdles
In the second of Ultima Media’s new Livestream webinars, editor-in-chief Christopher Ludwig was joined by Kristin Dziczek, vice-president of the US Center for Automotive Research (CAR), to talk about a range of issues facing the global automotive manufacturing and supply chain, and what it means for the US market…
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Coronavirus live blog: OEMs set resumption timelines and health protection regimes
As OEMs manage temporary plant shutdowns across their manufacturing networks, follow our updates on the latest idling and resumption of production … UPDATE 20 May JLR Assembly workers give their reaction as Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull plant reopens under new social distancing measuresFollowing a two-month shutdown prompted by the ...
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Italy’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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Europe 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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The 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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Coronavirus 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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Coronavirus 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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Stumbling 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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Voice
Measured view
Robots equipped with 3D smart sensors from LMI Technologies are aiming to take production processes to a new level
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FCA–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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News
Dyson 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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Voice
Weight 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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Article
Greater 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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Staying 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