Latest News & Features – Page 136
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ArticleNAA companies invested £22m in 2015
UK – The investments in the north of the UK, equivalent to $40m, were made by small- and medium-sized enterprises, including niche vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. In addition, at least 341 jobs were created last year, according to the Northern Automotive Alliance (NAA), which supports the growth of such companies ...
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ArticleVoith prepares to open wheel/tyre plant
UK – The facility in Coventry will be inaugurated in September, replacing a 30-year-old operation nearby. The new factory is intended to supply premium brands such as Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) as well as high-volume manufacturers such Vauxhall.“Our new plant covering 150,000sq.ft is over 50% bigger, and the investment in ...
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ArticleFord makes major leadership changes
US – The appointments in the OEM’s China, India, Global Strategy and Finance teams are aimed at enhancing the reporting of its Chinese operations and expanding its business model “to be both an auto and mobility company”, according to a statement released today.“As our growth plans in China have developed, ...
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ArticleSteel’s in motion
By producing stronger and more versatile materials, steel-makers are helping OEMs to do more with lessThe steel industry is innovating at a furious pace – and it needs to. Its long-standing dominance in the automotive industry is coming under threat from a variety of lightweight alternatives. In response to increasingly ...
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WebinarArcelorMittal Webinar: How to use iCARe® electrical steels for top performance in electrified powertrains
Since its launch in 2012, ArcelorMittal’s iCARe® electrical steels for automotive traction have assisted OEMs to achieve significant powertrain performance enhancements in both electric and hybrid vehicles.This webinar will examine how the updated range iCARe® steels can help realise performance targets for traction motors, whether in breakaway torque, power, power ...
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ArticleCPT appoints Hayter to commercial role
UK – In the newly created position of chief commercial officer, Dennis Hayter will be responsible for commercial activities and customer relationships at Controlled Power Technologies (CPT), both at its Coventry operation in the UK and at subsidiaries in Germany and the US. He will be based at the company’s ...
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ArticleSika expands adhesives capacity at Grandview
US – The company has commissioned mixing equipment and associated bulk packaging capabilities at its plant in Missouri, enabling the local production of SikaPower products which are used in vehicle assembly. The move is in line with Sika’s ‘Global Reach with Local Presence’ strategy.“The expanded capability enables further supply of ...
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ArticleNissan adds solar farm at Sunderland
UK – Made of up 19,000 photovoltaic panels, the new 4.75MW array is now fully operational. The solar farm has been installed alongside ten wind turbines which already generate 6.6MW of power, bringing the total output of renewable energy to 11.35MW – equating to 7% of the plant’s electricity requirements, ...
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ArticleMazda3 reaches 5m milestone
Japan – The cumulative total was reached in April, 12 years and ten months after the production launch of the first generation – a new record for the OEM. Known as the Axela in Japan, the model is Mazda's second to reach the 5m mark, after the Familia.The Mazda3 is ...
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ArticleHonda production rises overseas
Japan – The OEM reported record output in April, with 352,161 units made outside Japan and a worldwide total of 403,742, representing an increase of 7.7% and 6.5% respectively compared with the same month last year. However, production within Japan dropped by 0.7% to 51,581, the first decrease since December ...
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Article
Cast learners
Academic research into casting is helping OEMs and suppliers bridge a knowledge gap Almost every piece of metal used in the manufacture of an automobile will have gone through a casting process at some point previously – whether to shape through a technique such as sand-casting or simply as a ...
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ArticleAirbag anxieties
Inflated market growth and faulty technology mean both problems and opportunities for airbag productionThe airbag sector is unfortunately probably best known at present for its recall problems, especially those involving the Japanese supplier Takata. While Takata has been by far the worst offender in delivering faulty airbags, or more particularly ...
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ArticleJapan shifts toward consolidation
Toyota will complete its takeover of Daihatsu later this year and already effectively controls Subaru. Since 2015, it has also had a wide-ranging technical alliance with Mazda, although without any capital involvement on either side.Full control of Subaru and Mazda by the largest Japanese car company may well transpire before ...
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ArticleFCA Jefferson North makes 6m vehicles
US – The milestone unit at the Detroit, Michigan, assembly plant was a 75th edition 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee, powered by a 3.6-litre Pentastar V-6 engine. The vehicle was due for delivery to a local customer.“Reaching this milestone is a reflection of this plant’s commitment to supporting the continued growth ...
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ArticleNew cutting fluid technology
Hysol SL 35 XBB and Alusol SL 51 XBB provide tangible benefits without the associated compromises, claims Castrol. The company says this new cutting fluid technology maintains constant pH levels (9-9.5) and stable conditions for longer than standard cutting fluids and that this reduces the need to add treatment additives ...
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ArticleCast learners
Academic research into casting is helping vehicle-makers and their suppliers to bridge a knowledge gap Almost every piece of metal used in the manufacture of a vehicle will have gone through a casting process at some point previously, whether shaping via a technique such as sand-casting or simply as a ...
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ArticleCompact industrial cleaner
With its EcoCCompact, Dürr Ecoclean says it has optimised the successful model from the previous Compact 80C/P series. Operating under a full vacuum and equipped with two flood tanks as standard (a third flood tank can be retrofitted), the company claims this machine can clean and conserve parts with modified ...
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ArticleHonda PMC makes first new Acura NSX
US – The initial series production vehicle rolled off the line at the recently opened Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) at Marysville, Ohio, which is the exclusive location for the model. VIN 001 featured interwoven wheels, carbon-ceramic brake rotors, leather and Alcantera interior trim, plus carbon-fibre upgrades such as the engine ...
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ArticleMagna’s new aluminium casting facility
UK – The company says it will establish a “world-class” operation in Telford to support Jaguar Land Rover, starting construction this autumn. The facility is expected to cover around 225,000 sq.ft, employ 295 people at full capacity and begin production in 2018.“We are excited to work closely with Jaguar Land ...
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ArticleToyota Indiana’s 20 years of production
US – The plant in Princeton has built 4.45m vehicles since its establishment, expanding its line-up from the Tundra to include the Sienna minivan, Sequoia full-size SUV, Highlander and Highlander Hybrid midsize SUV. Toyota has invested a total of $4.3 billion in the operation.Toyota Indiana has undergone three expansions and ...