Latest News & Features – Page 137
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ArticleFord EcoSport allocated to Craiova
Romania – The vehicle-maker is investing up to €200m ($223.4m) to make its small SUV at the plant from autumn 2017. The output will be shipped to all European markets except Russia.“EcoSport sales are up nearly 30% this year, and given the continued outlook for sales growth in the small ...
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ArticleTVR to establish plant in south Wales
UK – The factory in the Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone is being supported by investment from the Welsh authorities and represents a capital expenditure of about £30m ($42.3m) over the next five years. The vehicle-maker is currently selecting the exact location for its plant, which will be unveiled in the ...
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ArticleRussian bear reawakens
News from the Russian automotive industry has been unremittingly bleak in recent times: plants shuttered, shifts cut, production volumes reduced and supply chain problems unresolved. Suddenly, however, there are signs that the Russian automotive bear might just be emerging from its hibernation.Toyota has confirmed a production start date of August ...
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ArticleElectro-galvanised martensitic steel
SSAB claims its new Docol 1500 MZE grade steel is suitable for a range of applications requiring corrosion protection, energy absorption and low weight.The company says this steel is suited for roll forming and offers a minimum tensile strength of 1500N/mm². Its high strength is achieved in the manufacturing process, ...
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ArticleFord uses Repreve fibre in new F-150
US – According to the OEM, using the recycled material will divert more than 5m plastic bottles from landfill this year. The new pick-up truck has joined four other Ford vehicles worldwide to feature Repreve fibre.“By using Repreve in the all-new Ford F-150, we are reconfirming our commitment to using ...
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ArticleMacPherson catapulted into WMG role
UK – Joining Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) after 25 years in various manufacturing industry roles, Archie MacPherson will become CEO of the WMG centre High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult. He will also represent WMG on the Catapult management board.MacPherson has previously worked for IBM, ICL, Lucas Industries and Mettis Group, ...
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ArticleRussian reckoning
Of the several contenders for world’s toughest car market in 2016, Russia surely takes the prizeThe sinking rouble, western sanctions and collapsing oil prices conspired to pummel consumer purchasing power and confidence in Russia over the last year. Sales have declined by a massive 36%. Back in 2012, when sales ...
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ArticleCT scrutiny
In aiming for quality targets, castings supplier Grainger & Worrall regards this technology as a game-changerThe time has long gone when automotive suppliers – certainly those at tier-one level – did nothing but supply parts to order. Now they must also frequently act as partners in component design and ...
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ArticleChlorine free cutting oil
Condat says it has developed a high performance, chlorine free cutting oil in response to pending regulations regarding the use of chlorinated paraffins in metalworking fluids.The company says its Condacut DP 415 formulation uses EP additives with an inactive sulphur-based chemistry and it has been specifically designed for high performance, ...
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ArticleAcura PMC set to make new NSX
US – Series production of the next-generation supercar will begin in late April at the new Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) in Marysville, Ohio. The twin-turbocharged V6 engines will be made at the nearby factory in Anna by a small team of specialists. NSX trial production is already underway.The PMC will ...
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ArticleSwarf management system
Yamazaki Mazak says it will now offer a swarf management system as part of its ‘Performance Package’ of machine peripherals for machining centres in its VCS range of vertical machine tools.The Turbo MH series (supplied by LNS Europe) has a built-in scraper bar attached to the hinge belt that continuously ...
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ArticleCalsonic shares best practices with R-TEK
UK – A team from the interior trim supplier visited Calsonic Kansei in Sunderland, as part of the North-East Automotive Alliance (NEAA) Business Excellence programme. The knowledge gained has led to improved training at R-TEK.The trim supplier underwent a ‘World-Class Quality Performance’ visit to Calsonic, plus follow-up meetings, and subsequently ...
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ArticleBMW releases Sustainable Value Report
Germany – The document provides an update on the OEM’s sustainability strategy, targets and progress in 2015. BMW stated that it is “firmly committed” to the United Nations Global Compact, having implemented its ten principles since 2001.“We have set ourselves concrete sustainability targets we aim to meet by 2020,” said ...
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ArticleITT to open brake plant at Silao
Mexico – The factory in Guanajuato state will begin off-tool and off-process brake pad manufacture in late 2017, with series production scheduled for the first quarter of 2018. ITT says the plant will feature “state-of-the-art” technology in keeping with its global standards, including material science expertise and high product consistency.“Our ...
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ArticleNew GM at Dacia and Renault Romania
Romania – Yves Caracatzanis will replace Nicolas Maure as general manager, when the latter takes up the leadership of AvtoVAZ on April 4. Caracatzanis will report to Denis Le Vot, senior vice-president (SVP) and director of operations for Eurasia.Caracatzanis began his career with Bossard Consultants, then moved to Hewlett Packard ...
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ArticleDaimler Mannheim’s century of training
Germany – The first 30 recruits arrived at the plant in 1916, since when almost 11,000 young people have received vocational training onsite. Daimler says there are currently 380 trainees in nine disciplines and on three dual-study courses.Describing robust vocational training as “the basis for our corporate success”, Marcus Nicolai, ...
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ArticleMaure to lead AvtoVAZ
Russia – Nicolas Maure will take up the role of CEO which will be vacated by Bo Andersson on April 4. Maure is currently managing director of Renault Group in Romania, as well as president and CEO of Automobile Dacia.“AvtoVAZ has modernised its line-up and manufacturing processes, and significantly improved ...
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ArticleThe case for carbon fibre
The composites industry’s flagship event, JEC World, was bigger than ever this year. The number of exhibitors showing off their automotive expertise at this month’s show and conference in Paris was particularly striking. The use of glass-fibre-reinforced composites is established for the production of non-structural internal and external parts for ...
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ArticleAdams to lead Lectra in North America
US – As president of the region, Jason Adams will develop the company’s presence in the US, Canada, Mexico and Central American markets, in automotive and the other industries it serves. He will be based in Atlanta, Georgia, and report to Lectra CEO Daniel Harari.Before joining Lectra, Adams served manufacturing ...
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ArticleToyota RAV4 allocated to St Petersburg
Russia – The model will be produced alongside the Camry from August this year, for sale in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Toyota has invested 7.1 billion roubles ($100.7m) in the plant to expand the production areas, install new equipment and increase automation in the press shop, bodyshop and assembly hall. ...