Latest News & Features – Page 127
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ArticleLands of opportunity
The strong growth in production seen in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia means eastern Europe is still a big attraction for OEMsIn the late 1990s and early 2000s, Eastern Europe up to the Russian border received substantial investment from European, Japanese and Korean vehicle companies seeking low ...
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ArticleWorkforce of the future
Brian Fortney, global business lead, Workforce and Training Services, at Rockwell Automation tells AMS how automotive companies can prepare for a digitally connected era – and the arrival of the millennial generationJoanne Perry (JP): Can you explain what OEMs normally ask Rockwell to do as a training provider?Brian Fortney (BF): ...
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ArticleKia’s ten years of production in Europe
Slovakia – The OEM celebrated the anniversary today at its only plant on the continent, Žilina, where 2.5m vehicles and 3.8m engines have been made since 2006. The factory has received investment of more than €1.7 billion ($1.8m).The initial outlay of €700m to build the plant was followed by further ...
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ArticlePlant Oxford reaches 3m Minis
UK – The milestone vehicle was a John Cooper Works Clubman, the first all-wheel drive (AWD) ALL4 model. Around 1,000 Minis are now built at the factory per day – up from 300 in 2001, when production began.Since 2000, BMW Group has invested £1.75 billion ($2.2 billion) at Oxford, Swindon ...
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ArticleVW Truck & Bus to modernise Resende
Brazil – The upgrade in Rio de Janeiro will take place as part of a 420m ($446.8m) investment by the commercial vehicle maker over the next five years, which will also include the renewal of its product portfolio and the development of connectivity services. It is the largest investment in ...
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ArticleMazda starts new CX-5 production
Japan – The crossover SUV is now being made at Ujina Plant No.2 near the company’s headquarters in Hiroshima. The CX-5 will go on sale in Japan in February before being rolled out to global markets.The original CX-5 entered production in November 2011, debuting Mazda’s SkyActiv technology and Kodo design; ...
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ArticleGKN to supply eAxle for BMW X1
China – The electric axle (eAxle) will be fitted to a plug-in hybrid version of the SUV for the Chinese market. The product belongs to the same family of eAxles used in the plug-in hybrid BMW 2 Series Active Tourer 225xe.“Automakers’ evolving powertrain strategies require suppliers with a focus on ...
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ArticleVW and SOVAC agree production JV
Algeria – According to the deal signed today, SOVAC will make the Volkswagen Golf, Seat Ibiza, Skoda Octavia and the Caddy van from early 2017. A new assembly hall will be constructed on a 150-hectare site in Relizane, and after a phased ramp up will produce over 100 vehicles per ...
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Article
Layer upon layer
Researchers at Ford Dearborn are keen to see additive manufacturing move on from its prototyping origins and into the mainstream volume production processIn itself, there is nothing new about the automotive industry’s use of the set of techniques generally known as additive manufacturing or 3D printing, in which objects are ...
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Korea: A question of cost
The country’s automotive industry is once again fighting its recurring battle with the unions as it struggles to balance workers’ wage demands with the need to cap costs in an expensive country to build carsUnions have forced a series of stoppages this year at Korea’s biggest carmaker, Hyundai Motor, to ...
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ArticleLayer upon layer
Researchers at Ford Dearborn are keen to see additive manufacturing move on from its prototyping origins and into the mainstream volume production processIn itself, there is nothing new about the automotive industry’s use of the set of techniques generally known as additive manufacturing or 3D printing, in which objects are ...
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ArticleWhat might Trump have in store for OEMs?
During the recent presidential campaign, Donald Trump was severely critical of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which allows Mexican-made vehicles to be imported tariff-free to the US. At various times, he threatened to rip it up, or at least renegotiate it to give US workers “a better deal”. ...
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ArticleRicardo hits engine production record
UK – The company made 2,000 units in the six months to the end of October – more than in any full year previously. The increased volume was enabled by the expansion of Ricardo’s plant at Shoreham, which was inaugurated this year.Mark Barge, managing director of Ricardo Performance Products, said ...
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ArticleKorea: A question of cost
The country’s automotive industry is once again fighting its recurring battle with the unions as it struggles to balance workers’ wage demands with the need to cap costs in an expensive country to build carsUnions have forced a series of stoppages this year at Korea’s biggest carmaker, Hyundai Motor, to ...
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Cube expands to support overseas clients
UK – The manufacturer of press tools and components for the automotive and aerospace industries has created eight new jobs at its facility in Rowley Regis, including roles for toolmakers and machinists. The move follows the development of stronger trade relations with non-UK customers.“Two-thirds of our revenue in the last ...
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ArticleBBAC reaches 1m-unit milestone
China – The one-millionth vehicle to roll off the line at Beijing Benz Automotive Co. (BBAC) was an E-Class, the first Mercedes-Benz model to be made locally. The third-generation E-Class entered production at BBAC in June this year.Xu Heyi, chairman of BAIC Group and its BAIC Motor subsidiary, said the ...
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New multi-sensor CMMs
The Optiv Performance 663 and 664 Dual Z are the latest multi-sensor coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) from Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence.The multi-sensor concept of the Optiv Performance line enables a variety of sensor configurations for tactile and contactless measuring and scanning tasks in a single system, says the company. Different workpiece ...
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ArticleVW to produce new e-Golf at Dresden
Germany – The OEM will spend €20m ($21.2m) on converting its Transparent Factory back into a manufacturing location, which will be known as the Center of Future Mobility. Production will begin with single-shift operation in April 2017.“With a unique combination that allows visitors to experience the production of an electric ...
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ArticleValmet grows team to make GLC
Finland – The company will recruit 1,000 extra staff at its Uusikaupunki plant ahead of series production of the Mercedes-Benz SUV from early 2017. Valmet Automotive says that, as well as car builders, it will hire 100 white-collar workers in production, production support and engineering services.Valmet currently has 1,550 staff ...
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ArticleFord recognised for water conservation
US – The vehicle-maker was one of 24 companies awarded an ‘A’ grade by the not-for-profit organisation CDP for its water management efforts, out of 600 candidates. CDP has today released its report, ‘Thirsty business: Why water is vital to climate action’.Ford’s Global Water Management Initiative set out to reduce ...