Latest News & Features – Page 135
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ArticleNatural fibre vehicle roof frame
Together with IAC, BASF says it has developed the first roof frame for cars that is entirely made of natural fibre. The Acrodur 950 L binder by BASF ensures the necessary loading capacity and heat resistance of the lightweight component. As an alternative to phenolic resins, it’s claimed the water-based ...
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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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ArticleOver-the-air software
The Arynga software product line has been added to Wind River’s automotive portfolio. The company says Arynga provides over-the-air (OTA) update software for automotive solutions, including both software-over-the-air (SOTA) and firmware-over-the-air (FOTA) update technologies.It’s claimed that with OTA capabilities OEMs can manage software in the car throughout its development lifecycle, ...
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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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ArticleBearing for electric water pumps
Morgan Advanced Materials says it has developed a new type of bearing for electric water pump applications in cars which reduces the number components without compromising overall pump performance and cooling capability.The company says it has produced a bearing solution comprised of its P5600H proprietary carbon graphite material with a ...
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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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Article3D CAD visualisation tool
Kisters claims its 3DViewStation WebViewer is suitable for Web-based mechanical product configuration solutions, requires no client installation and can handle assemblies of 100.000+ parts at speed. The company says if required, it can be integrated in the UI of the leading application.The XML-API allows dynamic un-/loading of parts and assemblies, ...
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ArticleElectric vehicle transmission
Designed for China’s emerging high-volume electric vehicle market, BorgWarner says its eGearDrive transmission features a highly efficient gear train for extended range and quiet performance, and is available in a wide range of ratios for a variety of motor sizes.This transmission will be fitted to Geely’s EC7-EV sedan. The Chinese ...
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Article
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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Article
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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Webinar
SSAB Webinar: The Top 10 considerations when conducting simulations on advanced high-strength steel
In any product development process, accurate simulation can shorten timescales and reduce costs.This is certainly the case with advanced high-strength steel AHSS, but fixing a valid correlation between simulation and hardware testing presents a genuine challenge.To help meet that challenge, this webinar taps into the vast expertise of SSAB specialists ...
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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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Article
Hole benefits
New drilling and boring tools for parts such as master brake cylinders and transmission switchgear housings are having a big impact on efficiencyWhen it comes to engine, powertrain and brake system components, hole-making is a primary process that influences both quality and cost. With this in mind, new drilling and ...
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Interior angles
Despite much merger, acquisition and joint ventures, the automotive interiors market remains fragmented Seats and dashboards/cockpits are the two largest segments of the interiors market, both in terms of component size and value. Historically these components have been supplied by a mixture of in-house and independent suppliers, while in recent ...
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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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ArticleInteriors: An inside look
Despite many mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, the automotive interiors market remains fragmented Seats and dashboards/cockpits are the two largest segments of the interiors market, both in terms of component size and value. Historically, these components have been supplied by a mixture of in-house and independent suppliers, while in recent ...
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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 ...