Volkswagen – Page 12
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E-mobility and the role of steel
With electrification shaping ideas in future vehicle structure design, ArcelorMittal explains why advanced steel grades remain the materials of choice While sales of battery electric vehicles (BEV) are still far behind conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, BEV technology and sales continue to improve at a rapid pace. Globally, BEV ...
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ArticleVW Wolfsburg to make 1m cars a year
Germany - The company has stated that it will boost output at the plant by some 185,000 units, allowing it to produce one million cars a year. Wolfsburg is already the largest plant in the VW network, currently covering an area of around 70m sq.ft."We are planning to increase productivity ...
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ArticleTransatlantic ventures
Volvo is the latest European marque to take up a North American manufacturing base. As Ian Henry reports, it joins Germany’s giants in exploring the benefits while coping with the complexities…Steeled for battle in SpartanburgBMW has been very critical of the decision by President Trump to apply tariffs on steel ...
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ArticleHome truths
Once the battles over tariffs settle down, North America”s own brands can focus on the rapid and significant changes the domestic market is demanding. Ian Henry reportsWith the uncertainty mounting regarding the future of NAFTA and the distinct possibility that President Trump will raise tariffs on EU car imports from ...
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ArticleNAFTA: the saga so far...
Seven rounds of talks have taken place since NAFTA renegotiation began last year but the trio of nations are no closer to agreeing a deal. Nick Gibbs reportsPresident Trump’s policies on trade relations continue to cause upheaval within the automotive industry. In the US, one of the biggest headaches is ...
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ArticleSkoda produces 1m SUVs
Czech Republic - The OEM has announced that it has made 1m SUVs, suggesting that the milestone reflects its continued success in the segment which began with the launch of the Skoda Yeti back in 2009."It is a great achievement to have produced 1,000,000 SUVs," said Michael Oeljeklaus, Skoda board ...
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ArticleFrom prototype to production
The use of additive manufacturing technologies has now moved passed their initial application area of just ‘rapid prototyping’ While now seeing use in limited production roles, additive techniques are still being put to use in new and innovative ways as product development tools. One example is the Plastics 3D Printing ...
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ArticleCentre of operations
Investment in new plants and expansion of existing facilities shows central Europe to be at the heart of vehicle manufacturers’ regional strategiesAt first glance, vehicle production in central Europe – essentially the former communist bloc countries west of the Russian border – appears to centre on Volkswagen with its Skoda ...
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ArticleTata ramps up production at Sanand
India - The OEM has announced plans to boost capacity at the plant, which is located an hour West of Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat. It is currently running at 100% capacity and produces three models - Tiago, Tigor and Nano - as well as several engines.As well as ...
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ArticleVW announces two appointments
Germany - Ralf Brandstätter has been named COO of the Volkswagen brand. He will lead its operating business while also remaining the company's board member for procurement."Ralf Brandstätter has outstanding commercial and technical expertise. In the newly-created function of COO he will make a decisive contribution to taking the Volkswagen ...
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ArticleSEAT starts assembling Arona and Leon
Algeria - The Spanish OEM has started building the two models in the city of Relizane, Algeria, at a plant owned by the Volkswagen Group and Sovac. It already assembles the Ibiza here, but as SEAT vice president for marketing and sales Wayne Griffiths explained, localising Arona and Leon assembly ...
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ArticleVW's Wolfsburg plant wins award
Germany - The facility has won the Automotive Lean Production Award for the first time. The award was presented by Automobil Produktion and Agamus Consult, and according to Volkswagen, it represents the significant changes that have been implemented at Wolfsburg over the past few years."The team has genuinely earned this ...
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ArticleVW’s Navarra plant to build T-Cross
Spain – The news that the Spanish VW plant, which has produced the Polo since 1984, will build a second model for the first time in its history, was announced by Dr. Andreas Tostmann, head of Volkswagen Production & Logistics. The new T-Cross compact SUV will share its matrix with ...
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ArticleVW starts assembly in Kigali
Rwanda - The OEM has unveiled plans to expand its activities in Africa. As well as launching an app-based car- and ride-sharing scheme, it has started assembling the latest generations of its Polo and Passat models at a facility in Kigali - Rwanda's capital city."Rwanda has great potential," noted Thomas ...
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ArticleVW to double Foshan plant output
China - The OEM has said that it will double the capacity of its Foshan plant from 300,000 units a year to 600,000. This will allow it to take advantage the world's largest electrified vehicle market."Through this mega-factory at the South China base of FAW-Volkswagen, we are fulfilling our promise ...
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ArticleVW invests in solid state batteries
Germany - The OEM has started a new joint venture with QuantumScape - a start-up based in San José, California, that holds around 200 patents and patent applications for solid state battery technology. VW has promised to invest US$100m in the Stanford spin-off, and the two companies will now work ...
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ArticleOEMs face tough choices over Iran
When Iran reached agreement with the global community in 2015 regarding denuclearisation, resulting in the lifting of sanctions in early 2016, almost immediately Renault and PSA announced their return to the country. Prior to Iran being ostracised, both companies had been active there via joint venture (JV) manufacturing operations, mostly ...
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ArticleVW to suspend lines for WLTP update
VW Group CEO Herbert DiessGermany - Volkswagen must plan for temporary production closures at the main plant in Wolfsburg to allow a changeover to new laboratory test cycles on fuel consumption and emissions from passenger cars.The Group CEO Herbert Diess announced the expected disruption at a works meeting, and ...
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ArticleBuilding the boost
The manufacturing process of turbochargers requires high precision and extensive testing. Michael Nash provides insightThe trend of vehicle electrification is picking up pace as more car manufacturers launch new hybridised and pure electric models. Some have even promised that all their models will soon feature some level of electrification, be ...
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ArticleFAW-VW to open three new plants
China - The new plants, which are being built in Qingdao, Tianjin and Foshan, will be operated as part of the joint venture between FAW Group and Volkswagen Group. They will house the production of SUVs and electrified models, with the company suggesting that both segments will grow significantly over ...