All articles by aladmin – Page 77
-
Article- 共同分享制造业未来
AMS调查组建菲亚特克莱斯勒汽车公司（Fiat Chrysler Automobiles，FCA）对两个以前独立的原始设备制造商（OEM）全球生产布局的意义菲亚特（Fiat）和克莱斯勒（Chrysler）早在1月正式喜结连理之前便已计划在适当国家共同分享生产未来。意大利和中国制造的吉普（Jeeps）、墨西哥制造的菲亚特以及采用菲亚特体系架构的克莱斯勒汽车均已存在或即将面市。克莱斯勒以前的所有者和合作伙伴给它留下了各种汽车架构，其中一些（如奔驰W164（Mercedes-Benz W164））受益于获利丰厚的车型（如美国制造的吉普大切诺基（Jeep Grand Cherokee））。然而，也有一些确实不是世界上最先进的，却依然充分发挥作用，如陈旧的三菱（Mitsubishi）PS/PA平台，目前作为墨西哥制造的道奇酷威（Dodge Journey）和菲亚特弗里蒙特（Fiat Fremont）的基础。采用PS/PA的另一款车型道奇锋哲（Dodge Avenger）将很快停产，而其以前的姐妹车型克莱斯勒200（Chrysler 200）轿车刚刚被一款同名车型所取代。这是在密歇根州的斯特林高地装配厂（Sterling Heights Assembly Plant，SHAP）制造的，是采用菲亚特CUSW架构的首批克莱斯勒车型中的一款。CUSW是一套适应性很强的模块，正如其名称所示，主要用于C级车，不仅用于200及其近亲菲亚特菲翔（Viaggio）这样的轿车，还用于中国广汽菲亚特长沙工厂同一生产线下线的菲亚特致悦（Ottimo）形式的掀背车，以及一款即将面市的旅行车。新款前轮驱动/全轮驱动的吉普切诺基（Jeep Cherokee）是另一款CUSW车型，但是，与克莱斯勒200不同，在俄亥俄州的Toledo North制造。中国版本吉普自由光有望与相关菲亚特平台CUSW一起在长沙投入生产。在意大利的重大工厂投资FCA将于4月公布其将来合并活动的更多详情，但是，可能已经看出应停产或将其替代品纳入现有项目的平台和汽车。阿尔法罗密欧（Alfa Romeo）就是一个明显例子，由于它目前的车型范围小，而菲亚特仍然指出将来产量将远远超过2013年不足100,000辆的水平。这将表明在几家意大利工厂以及创建新的后轮和全轮驱动架构方面进行重大投资。显然，阿尔法品牌太小，不足以使用一个新平台，因此，接下来在加拿大布兰普敦制造的大型克莱斯勒和道奇轿车和轿跑车应分享这个RWD/AWD矩阵。卡西诺是一个明显需要新产品和重大投资的生产地点。这家位于意大利中部的工厂目前制造寿命周期即将结束的三款汽车。最迟可能会在2014年或2015年下半年淘汰蓝旗亚三角洲（Lancia Delta）和菲亚特布拉沃（Fiat Bravo），也可能在明年削减同样滞销的阿尔法朱丽叶（Alfa Giulietta）。等待着卡西诺的命运是什么？一种情况是更换欧洲的菲亚特布拉沃位置（项目317）。这很可能取决于中国的新款致悦五门和即将推出的致悦SW（级）。靠近菲亚特都灵基地的米拉菲奥里（Mirafiori）不久将开始制造大型新款SUV（运动型多用途汽车）玛莎拉蒂莱万特（Maserati Levante）。这是一款特别有趣的新车型，基于吉普大切诺基，但据说做了大量改变。根据塞尔吉奥·马尔基翁（Sergio Marchionne）的信息，可能会选用法拉利（Ferrari）V8发动机。目前欧洲市场的大切诺基采用的输出更高的VM Motori 3.0升V6发动机也很有特色。阿尔法罗密欧品牌的大型SUV则从2016年或2017年与莱万特一起投入生产。菲亚特的另外一家意大利工厂梅尔菲在其将来产出方面不存在类似问题。在此，目前的主要支出用于准备引进两款新车型，均应于2014年晚些时候开始下线。已经在梅尔菲为生产B-SUV项目代码中合作开发的菲亚特500X及其吉普姐妹车型投资了10亿欧元。将首先生产吉普Scamp（也可能叫Laredo），从今年第四季度开始生产500X。通过三班倒工作，每天最多为欧洲和北美生产1,600辆汽车。菲亚特和吉普生产的日产（Nissan）Juke和福特翼搏（EcoSport）的竞争产品将采用由SCCS开发的架构SUSW。简而言之，这就是目前的菲亚特朋多（Punto）和欧宝（Opel）/沃克斯豪尔可赛（Vauxhall Corsa）的平台。菲亚特的工程师们首先为500L及其派生车型（在塞尔维亚的前扎斯塔娃工厂的同一条生产线上制造的紧凑型MPV（多用途汽车））开发了SUSW。2013年，克拉古耶瓦茨制造了近15万辆汽车。鉴于福特选择以其自己的方式动作欧洲的下一代Ka车型（印度似乎最有可能成为制造地点），菲亚特将不再于蒂黑以合约方式制造这款A级车型以及相关的500车型。波兰工厂也将于2018年目前汽车的寿命周期结束时按规定失去熊猫（Panda）车型，将在意大利制造下一代车型。据报道，蒂黑已经赢得制造下一代Cinquecento车型的合同。这款车计划于2015年推出，又是一款三门掀背车，但它应该包含项目316，即一款五门车型，将有效介入那时已停产的朋多（目前在梅尔菲制造）。据信，500XX，也许500SW将代替朋多车型名称。美洲的平台集成有所提高较大的500L车型从塞尔维亚出口到北美，在美国运作得很好。因此，也可能在美国制造这款车型吗？很有可能。菲亚特可能已经停止在意大利制造Idea车型，但是，巴西仍然制造这款小型MPV并应持续到2015年。到那时500L车型会在贝廷取代这款车型似乎合乎逻辑，菲亚特着手将这个巨大的联合企业转变为生产更加现代的汽车和架构的逾期过程。 克莱斯勒可能不会是巴西的主要参与者，但是，与菲亚特的帮助下，吉普品牌可能至少开始在这个仍然增长的市场中站稳了脚跟。众所周知，一款车型将替代目前的指南者（Compass）和自由客（Patriot）SUV。C-SUV项目最初的意思是在都灵的米拉菲奥里制造吉普和阿尔法罗密欧四驱车型，但是，菲亚特随后改变了主意，指责美元/欧元汇率不稳定。现在，两款车型都在美国或墨西哥制造，也很有可能制造一款吉普皮卡车。C-SUV项目汽车都将采用CUSW。在它的基础上制造多组关键车型的一个主要优点是具有扩大或缩小CUSW规模的能力。今年原本预期替换目前的道奇酷威和菲亚特弗里蒙特跨界车MPV，但是，计划改变了，他们现在应该使用CUSW，于2016年进入生产。与目前车型相比，似乎不太可能在墨西哥的托卢卡制造它们，供应商也报告制造地点是密歇根州的SHAP（项目代码：JD和JG）。菲亚特在巴西戈亚纳即将组建的全新工厂极有可能为当地市场制造C-SUV吉普的变型（项目代码：546）、未来菲亚特SUV（XSU）和菲亚特皮卡车（226）。其中第一款预计于2015年12月在戈亚纳下线。新工厂也可能从2016年起制造吉普和菲亚特500X B-SUV车型。同时，去年菲亚特印度公司一位高管指出，“2015年前”将在印度制造一款小型SUV和一款小型吉普SUV。这些车型将面向国内以及国外市场。在印度，菲亚特通过一家与塔塔汽车公司（Tata Motors）组建的合资公司进行运作，虽然它不与竞争对手共享平台，也使那里的情况变得复杂。虽然在全球范围内有很多共享架构、工厂、动力系统和研发业务的计划，将这一切演化成为一个新机构将意味着FCA经理今后几年的长期努力。在意大利、美国、巴西等地工厂的大量投资按规定随着菲亚特-莱斯勒整合进展而继续进行。
-
Article
Brose expands in Africa’s East London
South Africa – Together with long-term partner Gulmini Family Trust, the provider of systems for vehicle doors, liftgates, seat structures and electric drives has opened a new production facility in the Industrial Development Zone (IDZ).The joint venture RG Brose will deliver just-in-sequence C-Class door systems plus lightweight seat structures for ...
-
ArticleBASF supplies paint for BMW i3
Germany – The chemical company is providing basecoats in four colours for the i3 production line at BMW Leipzig, which started manufacturing in September last year.The electric vehicle (EV) consists of a carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) body-in-white (BIW) on which coated plastic add-on parts are mounted, creating new challenges for coating ...
-
ArticleJLR to build XJ in Pune
India – The company’s flagship model will become the third to be manufactured at the facility, following the introduction of the Land Rover Freelander 2 in 2011 and the Jaguar XF in 2013.The move was confirmed at the 12th Delhi Auto Expo Motor Show.www.jaguarlandrover.com
-
ArticleThe potential of 3D printing
Steve Erickson, vice-president, Sales and Engineering, First American Plastic, discusses the likely benefits of the technology for automotive OEMs and their customers3D printing used to be purely the stuff of science fiction – something that was centuries in the future, if plausible at all. But now, this fantasy is becoming ...
-
ArticleKUL opens fuel systems plant in Coventry
UK – The 7,500 sq. m facility is the company’s second new site in the area and is intended to handle demand for increasing volumes of its products. Around 45 of the existing 300-strong workforce in Canley will move to the new leased premises.Kautex Unipart (KUL), the joint venture between ...
-
ArticleDMAX invests $60m in Ohio diesel engine plant
US – The investment will go towards making design changes which meet future emissions requirements and will result in the GM-Isuzu joint venture retaining 500 personnel.Christine Sitek, GM North America Manufacturing manager, said the decision “demonstrates GM’s commitment to continuously invest in technologies that reduce the impact of our vehicles ...
-
ArticleAll systems GO for Datsun in Chennai
India – The first Datsun GO has now rolled off Line 2 at the Renault Nissan Alliance plant (RNAIPL) in Oragadam, ahead of the start of sales in March.Oragadam, is the first plant worldwide to commence production of the new generation of Datsun models and will be supplied by more ...
-
ArticleMitsubishi plans changes at the top
Japan – Osamu Masuko, who is currently president, will become chairman of the board and CEO; the incumbent chairman, Takashi Nishioka, will retire. Managing director Tetsuro Aikawa will become president and COO.The appointments have been approved by Mitsubishi Motors’ board of directors but are subject to approval at the ordinary ...
-
ArticleMercedes-Benz starts C-Class production in Bremen
Germany – The model will now be made at four sites on four continents: East London (South Africa), Beijing (China) and Tuscaloosa (US) in addition to Bremen. Production will be ramped up at all locations over the next six months. Bremen has overall control of global C-Class production, including tooling ...
-
ArticleGM makes senior appointments at Chevrolet, Buick-GMC
US – Brian Sweeney, currently US vice-president, Buick-GMC Sales and Service, will become US vice-president., Chevrolet. He will be responsible for Chevrolet sales, service and marketing in the US from the beginning of March. Don Johnson will retire from the position of US vice-president, Chevrolet Sales and Service, after a ...
-
ArticleMagna and Chongquing Trim form JV
China – The 50:50 partnership between Magna Exteriors and Chongquing Guangneng Rongneng Trim, called Magna Guangneng Automotive Trim System (Hangzhou), will supply the Chinese automotive market through a greenfield facility that will assemble and sequence front-end modules (FEMs). Joe Pittel, global president at Magna Exteriors, Interiors and Seating, said his ...
-
ArticleBosch in €160m multi-site Indian expansion
India – The technology and services supplier will enhance existing manufacturing sites plus research and development facilities. Bosch has recently expanded its manufacturing facility for automotive components in Chennai, where it is also constructing a new Bosch and Siemens Hausgeräte plant, and by 2015 a diesel plant will have been ...
-
ArticleToyota, Daihatsu to export compact cars in SE Asia
Indonesia – A model based on Toyota’s Agya will be shipped from Indonesia to the Philippines, with the initial export volume expected to be around 500 units per month. Sales are due to begin by the end of the month. The cars will be produced by Daihatsu’s Indonesian subsidiary, PT ...
-
Article
Renault-Nissan Alliance to accelerate synergies
The Netherlands – In order to hit a €4.3 billion ($6.0 billion) synergy target by 2016, the partnership will focus on achieving closer integration in four key areas: R&D, Manufacturing and Logistics, Purchasing and HR. In Manufacturing and Logistics, projects will be aimed at improving plant performance through “more rigorous” ...
-
ArticleBMW hands new manufacturing contract to Magna
Austria – A fresh production programme will follow the end of the existing schedule for the current MINI Countryman and Paceman models which are assembled by Magna Steyr in Graz.Magna Steyr has been a strategic vehicle assembly partner of BMW since receiving its first contract for the BMW X3 in ...
-
ArticleFord to invest $80m in Kentucky trucks
US – Production will be increased by 15% during 2014 in order to satisfy increased demand. An extra 55,000 units will be made per year, including the 5 millionth Ford F-Series Super Duty.The OEM says its investment will involve “significant automation improvements in the body and paintshops”, plus retooling. The ...
-
ArticleFord starts EcoSport production in Rayong
Thailand – Joining the OEM’s facilities in Chennai (India), Chonqing (China) and Camcari (Brazil), the Ford Thailand Manufacturing (FTM) plant becomes the fourth location to produce the model. Thai-built EcoSport urban SUVs will be available for sale and export across the ASEAN region.Matt Bradley, president, Ford ASEAN, described the newly ...
-
ArticleBarnes to lead VW’s sales in America
US – Mark Barnes will take up the role of vice-president, Sales at the start of February. He joins the company from General Motors, where he was vice-president of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales for the International Operations division. Barnes has previously served in a number of senior positions at Volkswagen ...
-
ArticleMaruti Suzuki to expand in Gujurat
India – Following a proposal from Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) to implement the project through a 100% Suzuki subsidiary, Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) will build on land which was acquired in October last year, including 640 acres in Becharaji and 550 acres in Vithalapur. MSIL will enter into a ...