North America News
GM hedges bets on pick-ups
GM has made two recent investments in order to boost production of its best-selling pick-up trucks in the US
GM upgrades Fort Wayne plant
General Motors is spending a significant amount to increase production of two new pick-ups
GKN 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.
US 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.
Tariffs: 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 their current 2.5% ...
Eaton 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
Honda 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 ...
Volkswagen 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.
New chapter, different story?
International expansion continues but, as Ian Henry reports, Audi’s long-term role within the VW Group is now under scrutiny
Three 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.
Seven 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.
Building on framework
The Freightliner Custom Chassis plant in Gaffney, South Carolina, houses a diverse assembly mix, and has recently taken on a new project
Piecing it all together
Ian Henry identifies six themes from the moves, mergers and makeovers underway in the global automotive tier supply sector
White light
Michael Nash visits Constellium’s new plant in White, Georgia, from where it supplies BMW with aluminium crash management systems
Hyundai/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.
Ford 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.
Expanding 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
Sprinter 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.
VW 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 ...
