Latest News & Features – Page 151
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ArticleGM Detroit-Hamtramck moves to two shifts
US – The OEM will add more than 1,200 hourly and salaried personnel at the Michigan plant, bringing the total workforce to around 2,800. The recruitment process is underway and the second shift is due to begin in early 2016.GM said the extra shift is necessary to meet demand for ...
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Webinar
TRUMPF Webinar: Innovative Laser Applications and Production Solutions for Powertrain Components
The use of laser welding of automotive powertrain components is gaining momentum. Its advantages are weight, space and material savings compared to traditional assembly techniques. Due to its low-heat input attribute, laser welding provides nearly distortion-free welding at a high speed compared to other welding technologies. This webinar gave an ...
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ArticleOUT NOW: North America 2015
Much of the talk about the automotive industry today focuses on emerging markets such as India and China, but in fact one of its oldest heartlands – the US – is experiencing a new bout of manufacturing investment after finally pulling clear of the last vestiges of the 2008 recession. ...
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Article
Guangqi Honda unveils car and engine plants
China – The automotive production and sales joint venture of Honda in China will now benefit from a third vehicle plant and an engine manufacturing facility at its existing Zengcheng site. The vehicle plant has a capacity of 120,000 units and began production in September.The third car factory of Guangqi ...
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ArticleFord to mimic nature for adhesives
US – The OEM’s researchers will study the special abilities of the gecko to explore new solutions for interior adhesives which will improve sustainability. Ford said it will partner with Proctor & Gamble (P&G) as both companies look to bio-mimicry “for a host of business solutions”.The gecko is being taken ...
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ArticleThe tide is turning against diesel
The Volkswagen emissions scandal is arguably the biggest and most serious issue the industry has faced for years – in fact, ever. Corporate responsibility? A sham. Sustainability? Ditto. Customer trust? Damaged beyond repair. VW might go bankrupt with all the fines and legal suits that are around the corner.That, at ...
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ArticleEditor's note: Rising higher
At a time of renewed confidence for the automotive industry in North America comes the news that one manufacturer, Volkswagen, has been misleading US regulators over vehicle emissions. While other OEMs have experienced damaging scandals in the recent past, it is difficult to think of anything more likely to repel ...
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ArticleGM to build solar array at Warren
US – The 800KW installation, constructed on 4.25 acres of land in collaboration with DTE Energy, will have 2,800 panels capable of generating around 1m KWh of electricity per year. The array at Warren Transmission Plant will be GM’s largest in Michigan.“By supporting this project and making renewable energy commitments ...
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ArticleMagneti Marelli JV's new AMT plant
India – The factory is near New Delhi, in the same area as the company’s manufacturing facility for powertrain electronic control units, and has the capacity to produce 280,000 robotised gearboxes or automated manual transmissions (AMTs) per year. The new plant covers 7,500 sq.m, including production lines and office space, ...
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ArticleGAC FCA makes first Jeep Cherokee
China – Marking the start of local production at GAC Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (GAC FCA), the first SUV rolled off the assembly line at the Changsha plant. The milestone vehicle featured a 2.4-litre engine and will soon be followed by a 2.0-litre model. Full production is due in November, with ...
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ArticleThermoplastic oil tank for dry sump engines
A thermoplastic oil tank for dry sump engines has been developed by Hummel-Formen, Germany. The reservoir, which weighs around 2.6kg, is made from Ultramid A3WG7, a BASF polyamide 66 with 35% glass fiber reinforcement which is resistant to oil and thermal aging. The tank is claimed to be 59% lighter ...
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ArticleAdded fibre
OEMs are now using composites in wider applications and higher volumes to assist vehicle light weightingEarlier this year, BMW announced that it would make extensive use of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the chassis of the next generation of its 7 Series luxury sedan. The new models will be up ...
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ArticlePorsche reports sustainability progress
Germany – Assessors from TÜV Süd have again certified the OEM’s facilities at Zuffenhausen, Sachsenheim and Weissach according to ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 as well as the European Eco-management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).Zuffenhausen, which has been rated by EMAS since 1996, is currently building a new engine plant at ...
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ArticleFCA Kokomo earns Bronze WCM status
US – The facility in Indiana has become the 11th North American location to be recognised in this way – and the first involved in die casting. Kokomo also joins two transmission plants in Indiana which were given Bronze status last year.Kokomo Casting underwent a two-day audit, during which it ...
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ArticleEnhanced performance for plastics machining
MAPAL claims it has developed a new drill optimised to overcome the challenges of thermoplastics drilling. The Mono-Plastic-Drill is suited for use with PEEK, POM or PA 6, as well as other materials with low thermal conductivity and low melting temperature that make machining difficult.The company says the drill has ...
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ArticleVolvo’s new platform for compact cars
Sweden – The Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), a smaller version of the OEM’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), will be introduced in 2017 and will allow a wide range of powertrains, electrical systems and technologies to be fitted on the same platform, creating significant economies of scale and a more streamlined ...
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ArticleGKN breaks ground at Guanajuato
Mexico – After becoming fully operational in April 2016, the $17.5m, 12,000 sq.m facility at Villagran will produce up to 1m propshafts per year for customers including Audi, BMW, FCA, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Volkswagen. The plant will boast constant velocity joint machining capabilities and a new painting line.“The ...
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ArticleFord Europe celebrates energy savings
UK – The company says it is on track to achieve a 25% reduction in energy use per vehicle produced in comparison with 2011 levels, following £20m of investments to target waste. Ford says its European plants will now be saving 800GWh per year, or a similar amount to the ...
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ArticleVW's platforms to perform?
The OEM has introduced four vehicle platforms to maximise global production efficiency, but not without difficulty. AMS looks at the steps taken so far, the benefits still to come, and asks if the strategy will workIn February 2012, Volkswagen announced the latest incarnation of its platform strategy, encompassing four modular ...
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ArticleVolvo extends electrification strategy
Sweden – The OEM has announced that plug-in hybrids will be introduced across its entire range, in the expectation that electric vehicles will make up 10% of total car sales in the medium term. Volvo will also develop an entirely new range of electrified smaller cars, plus a fully electric ...