Latest News & Features – Page 210
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Honda opens Sumaré R&D centre
Brazil – Honda Automóveis do Brasil (HAB) is investing 100m reis ($43m) in Sumaré (SP), saying it is “confident in the potential of the local automotive market”. The aim is to develop models which are specific to the Brazilian market as well as to increase the local component and technology ...
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ArticleNissan hits new production highs in January
Japan – The vehicle-maker’s global output increased by 6.5% year-on-year to 429,580 units in January, a record for the month. In Japan, the increase of 13.7% to a total of 80,360 units was driven by demand for the new Nissan Serena, X-Trail and Skyline plus the Infiniti Q50.Outside Japan, production ...
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ArticleHonda sets monthly manufacturing records
Japan – Worldwide production increased year-on-year for the sixth consecutive month, setting a record high for January, while production in the company’s home nation showed a year-on-year increase for the fifth consecutive month.Production in Asia experienced an increase for the 15th consecutive month, hitting a record high in January. China ...
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ArticleHDM starts 2015 Honda Fit production
Mexico – Honda de Mexico (HDM) has opened a new plant in Celaya to make the vehicle and help to meet demand from North America for fuel-efficient subcompact models.The new $800m plant has been designed exclusively for the production of subcompact vehicles and features a number of advanced manufacturing technologies ...
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ArticleArcelorMittal buys ThyssenKrupp Steel USA
US – The acquisition was announced by the company in a 50:50 partnership with Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation (NSSMC) following regulatory approval. The agreed price was $1.6bn plus working capital and net debt adjustment. The steel processing plant in Calvert, Alabama, has a capacity of 5.3m tons and ...
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ArticleMazda3 hits 4m milestone
Japan – The cumulative total was achieved just over one decade after production of the first generation began, faster than any other Mazda model.The Mazda3, which is known in Japan as Mazda Axela, is made at Hofu Plant (Japan), Changan Mazda Automobile Plant (China), Auto Alliance (Thailand) and Mazda de ...
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ArticleEditor's note: Winds of change
Big changes are underway – highlighted by the formation of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. I discussed collaborations and partnerships in my last note, and commented that there were still many questions surrounding this tie-up. Glenn Brooks’ article highlights the current level of platform/production line sharing but it’s safe to assume that ...
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ArticleHonda makes senior changes in North America
US – Takuji Yamada will become president of Honda North America (HNA), chief operating officer of North American Regional Operations and president and CEO of American Honda Motor (AHM).Tetsuo Iwamura will take up the newly created role of corporate brand officer for Honda Motor Company (HMC) as well as becoming ...
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Honda starts production at Tapukara
India – An Amaze was the first vehicle to roll off the line at the plant in Rajasthan, the second site of Honda Cars India (HCIL). The annual capacity of HCIL now stands at 240,000 vehicles.HCIL started Phase One operations in 2008 with a press shop and powertrain unit. The ...
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ArticleHonda’s new leader in Europe
UK – Toshiaki Mikoshiba will become managing operating officer, Honda Motor Company, chief operating officer for Regional Operations (Europe Region) and president, Honda Motor Europe. After holding these responsibilities for three years, Manabu Nishimae will relocate to Japan as managing operating officer, Honda Motor Company.Honda Motor Europe’s three senior vice-presidents, ...
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ArticleFisker sold to Wanxiang
US – After almost two years of bidding, Fisker Automotive has formally announced its acquisition by Wanxiang American. The latter will pay $149.2m to secure the group, which declared bankruptcy in November last year. Fisker’s attorneys expressed satisfaction that the final price resulted in a sum six times higher than ...
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ArticleRenschler goes to VW Commercial Vehicles
Germany – The former board member for Manufacturing and Procurement at Mercedes-Benz Cars has been appointed to the board of management at Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft with responsibility for Commercial Vehicles.Renschler will take over from Leif Östling, who retires next year but will continue to contribute in a supervisory capacity.VW’s new board ...
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ArticleVW looks to buy Scania
Sweden – Volkswagen has invested in the Swedish commercial vehicle manufacturer since 2000 and already holds a majority share in its voting rights and capital, but now seeks to bring it fully under the VW Group umbrella.Leif Östling, VW’s member of the board of management for Commercial Vehicles, said the ...
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Ulbrich joins VW Cars board for Production and Logistics
Germany – Thomas Ulbrich has worked for the OEM since 1989, holding a series of positions before he was made technical executive vice-president at Shanghai-Volkswagen Automotive in 2010, where he looked after production and logistics at five locations.Ulbrich replaces Hubert Waltl, who becomes board of management member for Production at ...
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ArticleTaking the next step
The theme for this year’s Hannover Messe will be: 'Integrated Industry – Next Steps'. The show will run from April 7-11For automotive OEMs, Tier and equipment suppliers, the demands for greater efficiency and flexibility are increasing. Key to meeting these demands are higher levels of integration in the manufacturing process. ...
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ArticleCovering coating innovations
Exhibitors for automotive visitorsAerogen will showcase the latest flame treatment equipment for improving the surface adhesion qualities of plastics prior to coating or bonding, such as polypropylene car bumper mouldings (UK, GU34 2YU)CMA will promote painting robots that offer advanced technology which combines human skills and automation; self-learning programming enables ...
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ArticleA surge in suppliers
The massive growth of the South East Asian auto industry has been accompanied by a similar expansion in the region’s components businessA combination of shrewd government taxation policies and the need to keep a tight lid on costs has resulted in very high levels of local content in the vehicles ...
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ArticleNissan partners with Bhutan for EVs
Bhutan – The OEM has entered into an agreement with the government to support a nationwide transition to an electric vehicle (EV) fleet, in line with Bhutan’s aim to become a zero emissions country. Nissan will supply LEAF vehicles for use by the government and as taxis, plus demonstration units ...
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Engine production in UK declines
UK – The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) figures show that 209,291 units were made in January, representing a 6.1% drop from the same period last year. Output for the home market fell by 17.4% to 71,016 units, while export volumes held steady at 135,275 units.The SMMT linked ...
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CV output drops in UK by 14.6%
UK – According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 6,681 units were produced in January 2014. Mike Hawes, CEO of the SMMT, said the new Euro-6 emissions legislation which came into effect in the same month was “a contributor” to a decrease in heavy commercial vehicle (CV) ...