China – Volkswagen (VW) and the FAW-Volkswagen JV have opened a new vehicle production plant in Foshan, in the south of the country, following a two-year construction period. Initial capacity at the plant – VW’s 104th location worldwide – will be 300,000 units per annum and there are plans to double capacity in the medium term.
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Canada – Ford’s Oakville assembly plant is to be upgraded with the help of Ontario and the Canadian government. Following a $70.9m grant, the facility will be enhanced with global manufacturing processes to improve effi ciency and allow rapid switching between models; several new models are set to be introduced. The upgrade has commenced and is expected to be completed by autumn 2014.
Algeria – Construction has begun at Renault’s Qued- Tielat plant, southwest of Oran, a project sponsored by the Algerian Ministry for Industrial Development and for the Promotion of Investment. Production of the New Symbol is scheduled for November 2014. Qued-Tielat will initially produce 25,000 vehicles per year for the local market.
China – Henkel has inaugurated an adhesives factory in Shanghai which it says is the world’s largest. Dragon Plant covers 150,000 sq. m and will be able to produce 428,000 metric tons of adhesives per annum for the automotive and consumer goods sectors. Henkel has invested €50m in the site.
Portugal – BorgWarner is building a new manufacturing plant in Viana do Castelo, about 50km from its rented premises in Valenca. Construction began in August and is due for completion in 2014. The facility covers 15,000 sq. m, with space for expansion. BorgWarner plans to gradually transfer production to the site by 2015.