Latest News & Features – Page 111
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ArticleVW and GAZ extend production deal
Russia – The manufacturing agreement to produce Volkswagen and Skoda cars at Gorky Automobile Plant, originally signed in 2011, will now run to 2025. Moreover, the two companies defined the model versions to be produced, set out plans to adapt GAZ’s production capacities for the launch of new models for ...
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ArticleSeat launches 4.0 training programme
Spain – The OEM says that personnel will interact with some of the tools and technology that will become common in production processes in the near future and are already being introduced, including virtual reality, collaborative robots, 3D printing and augmented reality. Of 2,000 employees registered for training, 1,200 have ...
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ArticleFord and Deutsche Post to make e-van
Germany – Based on the chassis of the Ford Transit, the vehicle will be fitted with an electric drivetrain and a body tailored to Deutsche Post and DHL Paket specifications. The start of production is scheduled for July 2017.“E-Mobility and innovative traffic solutions for urban areas are key focuses for ...
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ArticleBharatBenz reaches 50,000 units
India – The milestone came fewer than five years after the introduction of the brand, which Daimler claims “has never been achieved by another market entrant in India before”. The country has traditionally been dominated by domestic truck brands.BharatBenz was introduced to the market in September 2012 to cater to ...
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ArticleMercedes Kassel makes new Actros axle
Germany – The “intelligent” axle, featuring actively controlled oil regulation, offers fuel and weight savings, according to Daimler. The component is being made on a highly automated assembly line which was installed over the past few months.“The second generation of the Integrated Powertrain from Daimler Trucks – consisting of engine, ...
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ArticleLohscheller replaces Neumann at Opel
Germany – Stepping up from his role as CFO, which he has held since September 2012, Michael Lohscheller becomes CEO with immediate effect. Karl-Thomas Neumann is no longer speaker of the management board but will remain as a member of the board until the sale of the company to PSA ...
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ArticleTravel blog: Getting hands on in Japan
Are traffic lights in public toilets strictly necessary? I would suggest they are a little redundant when the possession of at least one functioning eye can alert you to an available cubicle just as easily. Japan, however, is a nation so fussy about functionality that it takes automation to extremes, ...
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ArticlePSA and Changan strengthen JV for DS
China – The vehicle-makers have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to expand the partnership which began six years ago with the aim of establishing PSA’s premium brand in the country. Supported by an equally shared investment of 3.6 RMB ($556.2m), Changan Automobile and PSA (CAPSA) plan to launch one new ...
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ArticleEVs: The end of the beginning?
For some years, mainstream vehicle companies have largely toyed with producing electric vehicles (EVs); Ford, with its now-ended Focus Electric, and Volkswagen, with its Golf Electric, tested the market using existing vehicles fitted with first-generation electric powertrains. Nissan and Renault co-developed a purpose-built urban runaround (the Leaf and the Zoe), ...
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ArticleSeat surpasses environmental targets
Spain – The vehicle-maker stated that by the end of last year it had seen an improvement of 33.6% across five key indicators of environmental performance – energy and water consumption, waste, volatile organic compounds and CO2 – and therefore reached its target of 25% by 2018 two years early. ...
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WebinarArcelorMittal webinar: Efficient Lightweighting with new press hardnable steels
ArcelorMittal – A new generation of high-strength, press hardenable steel (PHS) grades are coming to the automotive market. As well bringing significant weight savings in vehicle structures, particularly on crash applications, the new PHS grades enable OEMs to create parts with more complex geometries. In this webinar, we explore ...
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ArticleGKN to expand at Bruneck for eDrive
Italy – The company said it will increase the existing floor space by more than 60% to create an 18,000 sq.m, dedicated production area. Constant velocity joint manufacture will be relocated to other sites in Europe and 70-80 employees refocused on eDrive, while the Off Highway business will move to ...
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ArticleHonda UK's new head of motorcycles
UK – Neil Fletcher will take up his position in July after a handover period with the current incumbent, Nick Campolucci. The latter is moving to McLaren Automotive.Fletcher is returning to Honda after a five-year break, during which he set up his own business. He previously served the company for ...
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ArticleDual-purpose laser
In laser technology, the distinction between diode and fibre methods is clear – but automotive manufacturers are likely to need both types on their production linesLasers are now a commonplace tool on factory floors and are universal in volume car manufacturing environments. They fall into two categories – diode and ...
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ArticleFCA hails first Indian Jeep compass
India – The milestone vehicle rolled off the assembly line at the Ranjangaon factory near Pune, a joint venture between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Fiat India Automobiles Private Limited (FIAPL). The Jeep Compass is expected to enter full production in July, serving both local and global demand.“The establishment of ...
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ArticleHonda ELP starts making Acura MDX
US – The factory in Ohio has become the second production location for the luxury SUV, after Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln. In the autumn, East Liberty Auto Plant (ELP) will take exclusive responsibility for the model as the Alabama factory increases production of the Honda Pilot SUV.Honda invested ...
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ArticleSkoda presses ahead
Not content with installing the first PXL technology in the VW Group, Skoda has now opened a second servo-mechanical line which is capable of producing large aluminum components. AMS went to see it in actionMladá – or “Young” – Boleslav seems an ironic name for a city where even the ...
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ArticleFord hopes new top team can Hackett
US – Replacing Mark Fields, who is retiring after 28 years with the company, Jim Hackett will become president and CEO, reporting to executive chairman Bill Ford. The OEM also named Jim Farley, Joe Hinrichs and Marcy Klevorn in new leadership roles under Hackett.Hackett held senior positions outside the automotive ...
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ArticleVolvo to assemble cars near Bangalore
India – The vehicle-maker said it will focus on models based on its SPA architecture, starting production this year with the XC90 premium SUV. Volvo added that further models will be announced at a later stage.“Starting vehicle assembly in India is an important step for Volvo Cars as we aim ...
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ArticleConstellium to double Bosch supplies
Czech Republic – The two companies have signed a multi-year contract under which Constellium will provide additional anti-lock braking system (ABS) profiles from its Decin plant, which has supported Robert Bosch since 2009. The parts will be delivered to several Bosch plants worldwide.“Thanks to aluminium’s high strength-to-weight ratio, and our ...