Europe – Page 33
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ArticleUniti announces production plans
UK - The Swedish start-up has revealed its intension to build a "pilot production plant" at Silverstone Park in the UK. It will be used to make the Uniti One - a small pure electric car designed for city driving."The UK’s approach to vehicle production, with its focus on light-weighting ...
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ArticleAlpine scales new heights
One of the most interesting plant revivals in the last 12 months has been Renault’s overhaul of its factory in Dieppe, which now builds the A110 sports car. Nick Gibbs reportsThis is the home of Alpine, the revived sporting brand that Renault may or may not expand to become a ...
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ArticleFord extends GT production
UK - The OEM has said it will re-open the application window for its GT in certain markets in order to make and sell around 1,350 additional units of the supercar. This, says Ford, is the result of high demand."The response to our Ford GT has been unprecedented, with demand ...
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ArticleMagna opens seat facility
Czech Republic - The supplier recently started making seats at its new plant in Chomutov, which is located in north west of the country. It is being used to provide seating in various configurations for a number of BMW models."This is a big win for our employees as well as ...
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ArticleMazda appoints new R&D VP
Japan - Hajime Seikaku has been named the new vice president of Mazda's European Research & Development Centre, which is located in Oberursel, Germany. He was previously working at Mazda's vehicle development division in Japan."Mr. Seikaku brings a wealth of vehicle development expertise and knows the requirements and preferences of ...
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ArticleFord'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 ...
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ArticleA European focus
The third edition of the French automotive forum offered insights into the region’s production footprint and OEM e-mobility strategies. Nick Holt reports The 3rd FEAL Auto forum placed its focus on the Hauts-de-France, seen as a primary region for automotive manufacturing. The event highlighted the strong commitment from both regional ...
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ArticleMaking metal add up
Additively manufactured metal parts present a challenge for high-volume production but at the other end of the scale, engineers are successfully developing the process for specialist, low volume parts. Mike Farish reportsAll over the automotive industry companies are exploring the potential of additive techniques to make parts in polymers and ...
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ArticleWaste not…
Karen McCandless reports on vehicle-maker recycling projects ranging from plastic bottles to electric vehicle batteries As vehicle production numbers continue to increase, up from 11.9m in 2013 to 17m in 2017, so do the automotive industry’s waste management efforts continue to improve. The waste generated per unit produced in the ...
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ArticleJapanese OEMs target China for EVs
An increasing number of car manufacturers based in the US and Europe are turning their sights on China, especially since authorities recently promised to abolish the rule that companies outside the country can own a maximum stake of 50% in joint ventures with Chinese companies. Tesla was among the first ...
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ArticleEberspaecher and Yuchai build plant
China - The two companies have announced the formation of a joint venture (JV) to produce and sell exhaust emission control systems for commercial vehicles. These will be made at a new plant in Yulin, which is located in southern China."As the market leader for commercial vehicle emission control technologies ...
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ArticleFord announces manufacturing lead
US - Bruce Hettle, Ford's group vice president of manufacturing and labor affairs, is due to retire on 1 October, and will be replaced by Gary Johnson. In this role, Johnson will manage the operations of 67 assembly, stamping and powertrain production plants across the world."Under Bruce’s leadership, Ford has ...
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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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ArticleThe Scandinavian settlement
A new plant has been born in an extremely turbulent political environment – Volvo’s first in the US. Michael Nash reportsVolvo Cars has officially opened its first plant in the US. Construction began at Charleston, South Carolina, back in 2015, with president and CEO Håkan Samuelsson highlighting the importance of ...
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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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ArticleRouge alert
It’s been part of Ford real estate for more than a century but, as Gareth Price discovers, the historic Rouge Center houses a truck plant shaped for modern times
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ArticleThe X Factor
As GM Fairfax gears up to build the new Cadillac XT4 alongside the existing Chevy Malibu sedan, Gareth Price travels to Kansas City to speaks to plant manager Bill Kulhanek about the new eraWhat sort of preparations have you had to make for the new process? Have there been any ...
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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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ArticleFord makes 10m Mustangs
US - The milestone was celebrated at the company's Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan, where Ford also makes the Lincoln Continental. It has previously been built in San Jose, California as well as Metuchen, New Jersey.Now in its 54th year of production, the Mustang is the best-selling sports car ...
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ArticleFord makes 10m Mustangs
US - The production milestone was recorded at the company’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan, where it also makes the Lincoln Continental. During the course of its 54-year production history, the model has also been made in San Jose, California, as well as Metuchen, New Jersey. Ford claims that ...