All North America articles – Page 23
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ArticleGM upgrades Fort Wayne plant
General Motors is spending a significant amount to increase production of two new pick-ups
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ArticleGKN opens 3D printing customer centre
US - GKN Powder Metallurgy has opened its new headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The 38,260sq.ft facility also includes an additive manufacturing customer centre. ”We are excited to start a new journey in Auburn Hills with a space that is dedicated to our team, our community and the advanced technology ...
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ArticleUS plants – stick or twist?
Several carmakers have recently outlined plans to alter their production activities in the US. Some announcements have been positive, with large investments being made to build new facilities as well as upgrade existing ones. Others have detailed plant closures. Here we provide an overview of the latest news regarding those ...
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ArticleTariffs: controversy reigns with Trump and Brexit adding to confusion
In President Trump somewhat simplistic analysis, trade wars fought through the medium of tariffs are easy to win. Angered, apparently, by seeing too many Mercedes and BMWs on Fifth Avenue, Trump has threatened to invoke section 232 of the 1962 US Trade Expansion Act, raising tariffs from ...
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ArticleEaton and Cummins venture forth
To face an ever-widening array challenges, automotive manufacturing has seen numerous instances of partnerships, alliances, mergers and acquisitions entered into as a means to stay healthy Back in 2017, power management company Eaton and engine manufacturer Cummins formed a joint venture for automated transmissions for heavy-duty and medium-duty commercial vehicles. ...
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ArticleAugmented assistance
Visit any car manufacturing plant in the world and the majority of production equipment will be similar. The real differences between factories are the human workers and the way in which technology is used to optimise their environment
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ArticleHonda closure deals blow to UK
Honda has announced plans to close its Swindon plant at the end of the current model’s production lifecycle in 2021. The statement, which was published on the company’s website, refers to the changing nature of the global auto industry and Honda’s “commitment to electrified cars” as the main reasons behind ...
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ArticleVolkswagen selects EV production base
US - Volkswagen has announced that it will use its plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee as a base for electric vehicle manufacturing in North America. It currently makes the Atlas SUV and Passat sedan at the factory. “The US is one of the most important locations for us and producing electric ...
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ArticleNew chapter, different story?
International expansion continues but, as Ian Henry reports, Audi’s long-term role within the VW Group is now under scrutiny Audi is expanding globally, notably in China, as it seeks to escape from its recent controversial past. Having been complicit in the diesel scandal affecting Volkswagen Group, it has been hit ...
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ArticleThree Audi models enter production
Algeria - Assembly of the Audi A3 Sportback, A3 Sedan and Q2 has started in Relizane. The plant is operated by Sovac Production S.P.A - a joint venture between the German OEM and the Algerian car dealer Sovac."This entry into the Group’s multi-brand factory is a logical step into the ...
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ArticleSeven plant closures at GM
In a bid to operate more efficiently and to cater for consumer demand, General Motors has announced plans to close seven different plants across the world. Five of these are in North America, while the location of the two remaining plants set to close is yet to be released.Capacity utilisation ...
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ArticleBuilding on framework
The Freightliner Custom Chassis plant in Gaffney, South Carolina, houses a diverse assembly mix, and has recently taken on a new project Gaffney is a small town sitting off the beaten track. It was previously described as ‘the peach capital’ of South Carolina, with the local economy dependant on orchards ...
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ArticlePiecing it all together
Ian Henry identifies six themes from the moves, mergers and makeovers underway in the global automotive tier supply sector Six themes characterise the automotive supply sector at present, namely: ongoing M&A, the financial challenges faced by the supply base, restructuring and realignment of product portfolios, investment in new facilities, the ...
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ArticleWhite light
Michael Nash visits Constellium’s new plant in White, Georgia, from where it supplies BMW with aluminium crash management systemsThe rise of electrification is having a huge impact on vehicle manufacturers and their product portfolios, with many promising to launch a wide variety of new battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid ...
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ArticleHyundai/Kia test wearables
South Korea - The companies have recently demonstrated the use of the Hyundai chairless exoskeleton (H-CEX), and now plans on testing the Hyundai vest exoskeleton (H-VEX) technology. These could then be used at plants across North America before the end of 2018."The field of robotics has the potential to usher ...
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ArticleFord names VP of manufacturing
US - John Savona has been appointed vice president of North American manufacturing. He is now responsible for the company's entire production footprint across the country, which consists of over 30 plants."John has nearly 30 years of experience in Ford manufacturing, having held leadership positions in many of our manufacturing ...
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ArticleExpanding and restructuring
As the move to electrified and autonomous vehicles accelerates, Toyota is expanding in both technology areas and restructuring its operations. Ian Henry reports Toyota is making a number of key organisational changes to simplify and rationalise its operations in response to the fast-changing automotive market. As of the end of ...
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ArticleSprinter production starts in US
US - Mercedes-Benz Vans has started making the Sprinter in North Charleston, South Carolina. This follows on from an investment of US$500m in the facility, which was announced back in March 2015."The USA is already the second largest market for our Sprinter today," commented Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. ...
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ArticleVW to build two new plants
Ghana - The OEM has signed memorandums of understanding with the governments of Ghana and Nigeria, revealing plans to build a plant in each country. VW thinks it could turn Nigeria into an "automotive hub," where it already operates a small facility with an output of around 5,000 vehicles a ...
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ArticleEberspaecher and Yuchai build plant
China - The two companies have announced the formation of a joint venture (JV) to produce and sell exhaust emission control systems for commercial vehicles. These will be made at a new plant in Yulin, which is located in southern China."As the market leader for commercial vehicle emission control technologies ...