South America News
Global trade disputes could dim electric vehicle production potential in key markets
Trade uncertainties such as those between the US and China, or the UK and the EU, could put the brakes on growth in the electric vehicle and battery supply chain for some OEMs and countries, despite bullish forecasts for alternative powertrains
Powertrain forecast to 2030: Navigating the road to electrification
Download this report for forecasts of eight different powertrains across major regions, including hybridisation, electrification and internal combustion engines, which reveals changes that will have huge implications for the future of automotive manufacturing. The latest insight by the business intelligence unit of Automotive from Ultima Media
Greater expectations: brighter days will return for the automotive industry
Although automotive OEMs will face years of stagnant vehicle sales, a stronger recovery thereafter will bring growth back up to long run averages and herald a return to stronger profits. By then, however, the industry is likely to have undergone further consolidation.
Toyota to invest in Sorocaba plant
Brazil - The Toyota plant near Sao Paulo will soon make a new model alongside the Etios and Yaris
Nafta aftermath
A new trade deal era will reconfigure Mexico’s automotive industry relations with the US, Nick Gibbs reports
Ford's future
The UK press was rather excited recently when one of the Sunday papers claimed that the Ford Mondeo would be axed. Given that this model is not, and has never been, made in the UK, such concern was perhaps surprising. This was part of a wide-ranging story that Ford was ...
Pacific standard
Responding to the boom in SUV and crossover markets, the OEMs of Japan and Korea continue to invest in manufacturing operations across their long-established North American networks. Ian Henry reports
The man who saved Fiat and Chrysler
Sergio Marchionne was a remarkable man. He dominated the auto industry’s headlines and news agenda and his passing robs the industry of one of its few star names
Nissan boosts Navara production
Argentina - The pick-up is now being built at the Renault plant in Santa Isabel, Cordoba. Nissan has cited rising global demand for the model as justification for the move.
A slow return to growth
Vehicle-makers in South America are seeing signs of recovery, boosted by growing exports, reports Nick Gibbs
Mercedes-Benz do Brazil gets new line
Brazil - A building has been constructed at the company’s plant in Sao Bernardo do Campo to house a new production line for light- and heavy-duty trucks. The project lasted for three years and cost a total of €125m (US$153.83m).
VW pours €22.8bn into production network
Germany – The OEM said the funds will be used to implement its Transform 2025+ strategy, focusing on “the further development of modular production, the continuation of the model offensive and further orientation towards e-mobility”. The investment, equivalent to $27 billion, will be spread over five years to 2022.
VW invests €560m at Pacheco for new SUV
Argentina – The OEM said the plant would undergo “modernisation measures” costing the equivalent of $660m to optimise the production process, enhancing quality and sustainability while enabling it to make the new SUV by 2020. The introduction of the model, based on Volkswagen’s Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform, will create ...
Engle to lead new GM region
US – The company announced that it will combine its International and South America regions after the retirement of Stefan Jacoby, executive vice-president and president of GM International, at the end of this year. Barry Engle, currently in charge of South America, will assume the leadership of both regions on ...
JLR appoints Marchand to Americas role
US – As vice-president Government and Industry Relations, Chris Marchand will direct the company’s interactions with governments and industry associations across North, Central and South America. He will take up the role on November 7.
Autonomy drive
Suzuki has stayed independent of big joint ventures despite becoming increasingly dependent on markets outside Japan
Managing complexity
AMS spoke to Leah Bruce, Ford’s manufacturing business manager, diesel specialist, to find out more about the OEM’s plans for diesel engine production
Zero Downtime
GM has ambitious plans to implement a zero down time approach using cloud based computing to connect all of its production robots worldwide
Joining forces
Complex parts, precision fits, no margin for error; it’s no wonder automation is such a vital ingredient of successful powertrain assembly lines
