Latest News & Features – Page 198
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ArticleCar production in UK dipped during May
UK – Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that output during the month fell by 9.8% in comparison with the same period last year, to 116,655 units. Production for export dropped by 10% to 94,767 units, while domestic output decreased by 8.8% to 21,889 units.Mike ...
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ArticleMercedes Tuscaloosa starts C-Class production
US – The plant in Alabama has become the third location in the global production network, after Bremen in Germany and East London in South Africa; a fourth location in Beijing, China, will be added shortly. At Tuscaloosa, the C-Class joins an existing production programme of SUV models: the M, ...
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WebinarWebinar: Vehicle lightweighting
Improved vehicle performance is required to meet increasing fuel efficiency regulation requirements. The use of plastics within vehicles continues to increase, due to the benefits of design styling, weight reduction and manufacturing efficiencies. Plastics represent upwards of 50% of a typical vehicles volume, but only accounts for approximately 10% of ...
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ArticleExpanding interiors in China
Increased vehicle production in China has led suppliers to stengthen their presence there too, with the enouragement of the OEMsThe rapid growth of Chinese production by global vehicle manufacturers has been one of the most notable trends in the automotive industry in recent years; for example, Volkswagen has opened plants ...
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Mack to upgrade Macungie assembly plant
US – The $26m investment at the Pennsylvania facility will involve a significant realignment of subassembly and material handling in order to more efficiently support the main lines, plus the implementation of new processes and equipment to improve the post-production inspection and testing of completed vehicles.As part of the upgrade, ...
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ArticleJoining aluminium
As aluminium becomes increasingly used by carmakers, Mark Simms looks at the mechanical methods required to join this material Ever increasing pressures to reduce fuel consumption and vehicle emissions have seen a raft of technical innovations introduced to the automotive industry, but ultimately it is weight that has the single ...
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ArticleHalewood to make Discovery Sport
UK – The additional work will require an extra 250 personnel at the plant, boosting its workforce to 4,750. Halewood has received an investment of £200m to support the introduction of the new Land Rover model, which will go on sale in 2015.The facility has been upgraded with a £45m ...
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ArticleErodes Berbetz, Mercedes-Benz Brazil
Previously Volvo’s purchasing director in South America, Erodes Berbetz talks about his new role as head of procurement for Mercedes-Benz Brazil and Daimler Latin America, following his appointment in April this year Joanne Perry (JP): What lessons can you apply to your current role from your previous experience with Volvo, ...
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ArticleInterview with Erodes Berbetz, Mercedes-Benz Brazil
Previously Volvo’s purchasing director in South America, Erodes Berbetz talks about his new role as head of procurement for Mercedes-Benz Brazil and Daimler Latin America, following his appointment in April this year Joanne Perry (JP): What lessons can you apply to your current role from your previous experience with Volvo, ...
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ArticleIndustrial inspiration
IMTS 2014, taking place on September 8-13 in Chicago, is expected to draw a mix of big-hitting exhibitors and newcomers from across manufacturing Attracting close to 2,000 exhibitors and 100,000-plus visitors, the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) is well-established as North America’s premier manufacturing technology event. With a linked Conference ...
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Volvo Trucks unveils automated transmission, dual clutch
Sweden – Claiming an industry first, the OEM says its product uses power-shift gear changes to enable torque to be maintained without any disruption in power delivery or loss of speed. I-Shift Dual Clutch can therefore deliver more comfortable and efficient progress on the road.I-Shift Dual Clutch is based on ...
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PPG to expand São Paulo facility
Brazil – An investment of $40m will add 65,000 sq.m for resin production at the company’s coatings manufacturing facility in Sumare. The resin will be used to produce electrocoat offerings for automotive OEMs and other industrial coatings customers in the region.Cynthia Niekamp, PPG senior vice-president, automotive coatings, commented: “The expansion ...
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ArticleTurning in the right direction
When it comes to selecting a new machining centre, there are pros and cons to spindle orientationNot so long ago, there was a clear distinction in the choice between vertical and horizontal machining centres; vertical generally favoured precision while horizontal favoured production. However, over the course of the past 20 ...
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ArticleSupersized machining
In the competitive automotive arena, there is no margin for error when it comes to large part machiningSmall, high-volume parts for automotive applications will typically run on the same machine, using the same programme, for as long as required. If a modification or a new, similar part is needed, the ...
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ArticleGiti to build South Carolina plant
US – The $560m tyre manufacturing and distribution centre will cover 1.8m sq.ft and have an initial production capacity of 5m units per year. Products will cater to passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) in both original equipment and replacement markets.The new development will be the first greenfield project ...
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ArticleArcelorMittal JV opens steel plant in Hunan
China – Valin ArcelorMittal Automotive Steel (VAMA), the joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Hunan Iron & Steel, will produce high-strength automotive steels for the Chinese market from its location in the economic zone of Loudi, Hunan Province.The greenfield project, involving an investment of 5.2 billion yuan ($832m), was approved by ...
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Article
VW makes changes to the board
Germany – Currently speaker for the brand board of management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Eckhard Scholz has been appointed chairman of the board for the CV division. Joachim Rothenpieler has been named board member for Technical Development.Scholz joined the VW Group in 1991, and held various management positions in Technical ...
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ArticleChrysler boosts board of directors
US – The appointees include Hermann Waldemer, who was most recently CFO at Philip Morris International and replaces Douglas Steenland, who leaves the board at the expiration of his tenure.The other new board members are: Reid Bigland, who is head of US Sales for Chrysler as well as leading Chrysler ...
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ArticleJLR launches Special Operations division
UK – The new business will focus on designing and engineering high-specification vehicles, bespoke commissions, heritage products and branded goods. Led by managing director John Edwards, these activities will be housed within a state-of-the-art technical centre and a new heritage vehicle workshop in the West Midlands. Situated near to the ...
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ArticleKia’s Soul takes wing for Europe
Korea – The first units of the electric vehicle (EV) rolled off the production line at the OEM’s Gwangju plant, destined for the European countries where they will go on sale in the second half of the year.Thomas Oh, EVP and COO at Kia Motors, commented: “Although it is Kia’s ...