Latest News & Features – Page 147
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ArticleRaphael is new Genesis GM in America
US – Effective March 1, Erwin Raphael will serve as general manager for the brand, responsible for the strategic direction and management of operations in the US, including sales and marketing. He will report to Dave Zuchowski, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America.Raphael will form a team to introduce ...
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ArticleLighting the way
OEMs and tier suppliers are developing new vehicle lighting systems such as OLEDs and laser lightsFront and rear lights are generally manufactured in the same regions as the cars onto which they are fitted. There is limited international shipment of completed light assemblies, although there is a notable concentration of ...
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ArticlePowertrain simulation model
Federal-Mogul Powertrain claims to have developed a simplified transient dynamic simulation model of valve closing action in order to predict dynamic loading on engine valves.During the closing event, one side of the valve usually contacts the valve seat first, which can introduce heavy loading of the valve stem. This dynamic ...
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ArticleCO2 industrial cleaning process
BOC says its CRYOCLEAN snow+ systemcombines dry ice blasting (using CO2 dry ice crystals) with sand blasting to provide a flexible industrial cleaning method for a wide range of industry sectors including automotive, plastic manufacturing and steel. The company claims it can also be used in the additive manufacturing sector, ...
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ArticlePipe bending machine control system
Schwarze-Robitec says its NxG 2.0 high-performance control system makes it possible to create a network of bending machines within a company. In addition to a new operating concept, the company says further development of the NxG has made it possible to record and evaluate process data.Integrated sensors provide information about ...
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ArticleMazda Ujina starts CX-9 manufacture
Japan – The three-row, mid-size crossover is now being made at Ujina Plant No.1 at Hiroshima, with the first units destined for the US and Canada. Mazda says the CX-9 has been tailored for the North American market, which it expects to account for 80% of the forecast global sales ...
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ArticleRenault makes senior appointments
France – Stefan Mueller, executive vice-president (EVP) and chairman of Europe Region, will become EVP, chief performance officer (CPO); Jean-Christophe Kugler, senior vice-president and chairman of Eurasia Region will replace Mueller as EVP and chairman of Europe, also joining the executive committee; Denis Le Vot, SVP, Sales and Marketing for ...
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ArticleElix to set up new compounding line
Spain – The company says its facility at Tarragona will incorporate state-of-the-art technologies for thermoplastics compounding, focusing on acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and ABS blends. The investment will support Elix Polymers’ strategic objective to become a leading producer of high-quality, pre-coloured ABS resin and tailor-made materials for automotive and other ...
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ArticleMitsubishi to grow at Santa Rosa
Philippines – The company is joining the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) established by the government to attract investment, stimulate demand and introduce regulations which will revitalise the national automotive industry, to the extent that it develops into a regional hub. As a result, Mitsubishi will expand its local production ...
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Article
Coogan's Subaru sustainability role
US – Reporting to the manager of environmental partnerships, Denise Coogan will be responsible for leading the OEM’s external environmental and sustainability marketing programmes. She will occupy the role of manager of environmental partnerships.Subaru of America says that Coogan’s first task will be to provide expertise for its initiative to ...
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ArticleFord debuts production smartphone app
Spain – Accessed through a device worn on the wrist, the Android app helps line workers to make faster and more accurate quality checks. Ford says that at its Valencia plant the new technology has reduced human error by 7% and the length of vehicle checks by seven seconds.The Bluetooth-enabled ...
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ArticleAutomotive Council bemoans skill shortage
UK – According to a new report, devised by the SMMT Industry Forum on behalf of the Automotive Industrial Partnership, up to 5,000 jobs could be vacant nationwide because of a skills shortage in the sector. The knock-on effects are that employers are being forced to fill the gap by ...
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ArticleOpen design cleaning baskets
Metallform says it produces workpiece holders and baskets for bulk parts from stainless steel rounds. These baskets have no enclosed surfaces, corners and edges, which the company says offers greater cleaning access to the loaded parts. Also the open design ensures removed contaminant is flushed from the basket quickly and ...
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ArticleLaser triangulation sensors
Micro-Epsilon UK has launched two new ranges of laser triangulation sensors; the optoNCDT 1320 and the optoNCDT 1420 laser displacement sensors.The company says the optoNCDT 1320 is an entry-level version for high precision measurement of displacement, distance and position. The controller is integrated in the sensor housing, which the company ...
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ArticleArcelorMittal divests Gestamp stake
Spain – The 35% has been sold to the majority shareholder, the Riberas family, for a total cash consideration of €875m ($979.5m). The transaction is unconditional, with payment due within six months; ArcelorMittal will also receive €10m as a 2015 dividend.ArcelorMittal will continue its supply arrangement with Gestamp through its ...
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ArticleThree Honda plants renew EPA certification
US – Two of the OEM’s factories in Ohio achieved Energy Star status for the tenth consecutive year, while Honda Manufacturing of Indiana received the designation for the fourth time in a row. The US Environmental Protection Agency programme rewards those facilities nationwide which perform in the top 25% for ...
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ArticleFord Europe speeds up transformation plan
Germany – After returning to profit last year, the OEM is targeting a higher profit and pre-tax operating margin in 2016, and 6-8% in the longer term. Key measures will be the refocusing of product strategy, the identification of new revenue streams, the reduction of costs and an increase in ...
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ArticleSteel shortage halts Toyota production
Japan – An explosion on January 8 at the Aichi Steel factory in Chita has disrupted supply to the extent that the vehicle-maker is suspending production on its Japanese assembly lines from February 8 to February 13. Operations are set to restart on February 15, and overseas plants are currently ...
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ArticleBMW makes America appointments
US – Monika Reimel will become regional vice-president for the Central Region, effective March 1, while Shaun Bugbee will assume the role of regional vice-president for the East Region from April 1. Reimel and Bugbee will lead all aspects of BMW’s business in their respective areas, including the regional staff, ...
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ArticleLee takes top job at Kumho
South Korea – With immediate effect, Han-Seob Lee has been appointed CEO of the tyre manufacturer, replacing Chang-Kyu Kim. Most recently, Lee was chief sales officer, based in South Korea but responsible for global activities.Lee spent much of his early career with Kumho in Europe, starting as operations manager in ...