All articles by aladmin – Page 19
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ArticleSkoda and VW hail 25-year anniversary
Czech Republic – The start of the partnership in April 1991 set Skoda on course for its transformation from a regional maker to an internationally recognised brand. Currently, the OEM is expanding its manufacturing operations in the Republic.“What began as a one-series producer with annual sales of 170,000 in the ...
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ArticleLoth to head up VW Wolfsburg
Germany – Replacing Jens Herrmann, who is retiring, Stefan Loth will become plant manager and head of vehicle production at Volkswagen’s key plant, effective from June 1. Loth will move from his current role as general manager of the FAW-VW plant in Chengdu, China.In 2006, Loth joined VW Passenger Cars ...
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ArticleYi takes top Infiniti roles
China – As president of Dongfeng Infiniti Motor and managing director of Infiniti China, Lu Yi will lead the Infiniti business in the country. With immediate effect, he takes over from Gaby-Louise Wuest, global chief operating officer at Infiniti, who has looked after the brand’s operation in China for the ...
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Ford’s new plant at San Luis Potosí
Mexico – The vehicle-maker is investing $1.6 billion to build a small-car factory in the central state, as part of its ‘One Ford’ global product and manufacturing plan. The production line-up has yet to be confirmed but the first vehicles are set to roll off the line in 2018.Ford will ...
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ArticleFord to make new Everest in Pretoria
South Africa – The OEM is investing 2.5 billion rand ($163.9m) to expand operations at its Silverton plant to manufacture the new model from the third quarter of 2016, and to increase output of the Ford Ranger launched in September 2015. Ranger production has been running at maximum capacity, says ...
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ArticleBoyer moves to VP role at Nexteer
France – As vice-president, chief operating officer, for Europe and South America, Hervé Boyer will lead the company’s growth efforts in the two regions. He will also be a member of Nexteer’s global strategic council.Based at the Nexteer Europe and South America division office in Paris, in his new role ...
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Techrules plans European production
China – The Beijing-based automotive R&D company is currently identifying potential manufacturing locations for its supercar and will draw up a shortlist in the next months, ahead of a final decision towards the end of the year.A small Techrules team is considering sites which are or soon will be vacant, ...
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ArticleDaimler boosts transmissions at Sebes
Romania – The OEM’s subsidiary, Star Assembly, has started making the 9G-TRONIC, nine-speed automatic transmission. Daimler is investing over €300m ($341m) in the capacity expansion, adding 1,000 personnel to the existing workforce.The 9G-TRONIC was initially available in the E350 Blue Tec and the GLE coupe was the first model to ...
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ArticleMayer heads up Audi Ingolstadt
Germany – Taking over earlier this month, Albert Mayer is now plant director, responsible for all production and site-specific issues such as logistics, environmental protection and security. He has served Audi since 1979.Mayer first worked as a clerk in the assembly and paintshop inspection department at Audi Ingolstadt. In April ...
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ArticleSpindler given the keys to Audi Toolmaking
Germany – Since the start of the month, Jörg Spindler has headed up the Toolmaking division at the brand. In total, he is responsible for this function at Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm, Germany; Győr, Hungary; Audi Tooling Barcelona (ATB) at Martorell, Spain; and Audi Tooling China (ATC) in Beijing.Spindler began his ...
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ArticleBreme takes top production role at Audi
Germany – As head of Production and Plant Planning, he is now responsible for all manufacturing planning for vehicle projects across the brand, plus the implementation of plant structures at Audi sites worldwide. His appointment became effective this month.Breme started with Audi as a planner for Substructure / Structure Planning ...
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ArticleDaimler makes factory appointments
France/Germany – Serge Siebert replaces Joachim Betker as site manager of the smart plant in Hambach, with immediate effect. Betker is moving to Mercedes-Benz Bremen to become head of assembly for the Roadster SLC and SL.Siebert helped to pioneer the smart plant, known as ‘smartville’ for its innovative and lean ...
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Voith constructs Coventry plant
UK – The new facility in Torrington Avenue will replace a 30-year-old operation in the same area and is aimed at meeting the needs of carmakers including Jaguar Land Rover and Vauxhall. A 90-metre assembly line has now been installed and is undergoing extensive commissioning.The first phase of the development ...
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ArticleMercedes-Benz Bremen gains new models
Germany – The factory will make the GLC coupe, and later this year the C-Class cabriolet, bringing its model line-up to ten vehicles. The move, which is part of a transformation plan announced in May 2015, will also see 200 temporary workers added to the permanent staff.“We are gaining further ...
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ArticleSkoda strengthens Chinese operations
China – Volkswagen, SAIC Motor Corporation and Skoda Auto have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand the brand’s model range and invest in new automotive technologies. Subject to government approval, Skoda will acquire a stake in the joint venture SAIC Volkswagen.The development of Skoda’s model range in China will ...
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ArticleSkoda makes 1m third-gen Octavias
Czech Republic – The milestone vehicle, an Octavia Scout, was produced at the OEM’s main factory at Mladá Boleslav. The third generation was introduced in 2013; since the original launch in 1996, Skoda has made a total of 5m Octavias.The third-generation Octavia range includes the hatchback and estate in front-wheel ...
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ArticleKia reaches 2m milestone in America
US – The OEM’s plant at West Point, Georgia, turned out a 2016 Sorento SXL as its two-millionth unit, slightly over six years after the start of mass production. Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) now makes over 40% of all Kia vehicles sold in the US.“Assembling 2m vehicles in less ...
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ArticleGM wins fifth EPA Energy Star award
US – The company was recognised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its leadership in improving energy efficiency. Last year, GM reduced its energy consumption per vehicle by 5.6% at its US factories.“GM reinvested $7.4 billion to develop safer and more fuel-efficient vehicles with reduced emissions last year,” said ...
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ArticleNissan releases February production data
Japan – The OEM’s global output rose by 8.3% year-on-year to 414,239 units, the first increase in two months. This was driven by production outside Japan, which increased for the tenth consecutive month, this time by 11.2%, to 330,404 units.Production in Japan declined by 1.6% year-on-year to 83,835, the third ...
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ArticleNissan shakes up North America management
US – The vehicle-maker announced a series of appointments across the US, Mexico and Canada as it enters the final year of its ‘Power 88’ mid-term business plan. The new postings are effective from April 1.“Today, we're announcing changes to our North American leadership team that will ensure our region's ...