Latest News & Features – Page 189
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ArticleVolvo ends domestic XC90 production
Sweden – After 12 years and more than 636,000 units, the OEM today stopped manufacturing a model which it claims “revolutionised the global SUV sector”. The last vehicle made at Torslanda will join the Volvo Museum collection in Gothenburg.The XC90 was launched with a range of five and six-cylinder engines, ...
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ArticleFerguson to lead public policy at GM
US – Reporting directly to Mary Barra, CEO at GM, Robert Ferguson will now be responsible for the OEM’s federal, state and international government relations and public policy worldwide. The appointment is effective immediately.Ferguson returns to the position of senior vice-president, global public policy, after guiding GM’s ignition switch recall ...
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ArticleFord launches $1m engineering scholarship scheme
US – The programme to assist students pursuing degrees in automotive engineering, which is being established in honour of former CEO Alan Mulally, will see the OEM administering ten $10,000 scholarships per year. The programme will run for a decade from spring 2015.“Alan’s engineering background and data-driven decision-making paved the ...
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ArticleLondon Taxi hits 1,000-unit milestone
UK – Since production of the TX4 restarted in September 2013, more than 1,000 vehicles have been made at Coventry-based The London Taxi Company (LTC). The manufacturer of the British capital's famous cabs was rescued from collapse last year by Chinese OEM Geely. Rob Laidler, director of retail at LTC, ...
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ArticleAudi to use polymer suspension springs
UK – The glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) springs, which have been developed in collaboration with an Italian supplier, offer weight-savings of 40% compared with steel and will be implemented on an executive Audi model by the end of the year.The core of the springs consists of long glass fibres twisted ...
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ArticleCaterham makes final Superlight R500
UK – Production ended on July 7, with number 174 destined for a distributer in Peru. The car was launched in 2008 and became one of its maker’s most popular models, attracting a number of celebrity clients. Half the production was exported, with Japan and Italy the largest markets, followed ...
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ArticleVauxhall grows workforce at British plants
UK – The vehicle-maker has confirmed that it will take on 550 new employees at its manufacturing sites at Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, and Luton, London.Around 300 new jobs will be secured at Ellesmere Port. The plant currently operates on two shifts, but more employees are required to cope with increased ...
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ArticleVW expands production capacity in China
China – Volkswagen Group China has announced that it will build two new vehicle plants in the country."China has become our largest and most important market. To satisfy the demands of our customers in the country, we are engaging in a further substantial expansion of our capacities in China together ...
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ArticleGeico wins supplier award
China – The paintshop builder has received the Qoros Supplier Award 2013, following a successful installation at the Qoros Plant in Suzhou. The company says this fully automated plant is one of the most modern in the world, delivering a 33% saving in energy consumption and CO2 emissions, and with ...
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ArticleRolls appoints new regional director in Beijing
China – Leon Li will replace Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer, who is moving to a position at Mini within the BMW Group. Li will assume his new role on September 1.Li joined BMW Group China in 2007, having previously worked for Lexus China, and has led a number of sales regions for ...
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ArticleVoith supports Vauxhall Vivaro production
UK – With the launch of the new van, Voith Industrial Services will manage all incoming material for the engine dress process. Engineers will prepare engine kits as well as assembling the gearbox and ancillary parts, including starter motors, alternators, power take-off, pulleys, fan belts and the full wiring harness.Voith ...
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ArticleControl & monitoring systems
Kistler has extended its maXYmos product family and offers the newly developed maXYmos NC for electromechanical joining modules. The company says its XY monitors enable customers to evaluate production processes allowing faults on the production line to be detected quickly. The maXYmos NC evaluates and documents the XY courses of ...
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ArticleNew measuring technology for manufacturing applications
The Leitz SIRIO Xi measuring system from Hexagon Metrology, features a robust design and can be easily set up or moved, claims the company. It is equipped with a stylus changer (with up to 24 magazine positions) and a new control unit. Hexagon says the SIRIO Xi offers flexibility and ...
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ArticleLaser marking workstations
Electrox says its EMS Workstation range is suitable for use in manufacturing industries such as automotive, metalworking and tooling. The range comprises the entry-level EMS 100, the self-contained EMS 200 with integrated laser and wraparound door, and the large enclosure EMS 300 for more complex applications. The EMS 200 features ...
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ArticleSmart welding torch for one or two wire electrodes
SKS Welding Systems says it has developed this alternative option that replaces systems relying on the change of the torch or a second welding robot. Using this system the company claims automatic wire change takes place in four short steps: cut, retract, feed and cut. SKS says users ...
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ArticlePneumatic parallel grippers
The G100 series of pneumatic parallel grippers features a shielded design to protect all mechanisms and internal linkages from environmental contaminants, claims producer Robohand. The grippers include an extended jaw option to support finger interchangeability with third-party grippers. Twenty different models are available to machine builders, with stroke options from ...
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ArticleTechnical pocket guide
Schaeffler says it has published a new 700-page Technical Pocket Guide, which is available free-of-charge in either printed hard copy format or as an Apple/Android software App. Intended as a technical reference book for mechanical engineers, technicians, apprentices and students, the guide covers a variety of technical subjects including units ...
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ArticleNissan opens second Thai plant
Thailand – The 580,000 sq.m facility, which cost 3.7 billion Thai baht ($114.3m), has a production capacity of 150,000 units per year. The OEM says it will be a “production hub” for the NP300 Navara, with more than half of its output set for export.Fumiaki Matsumoto, Nissan’s executive vice-president with ...
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ArticleBMW sets up in San Luis Potosí
Mexico – Development of the carmaker’s new production site will cost around $1 billion and take until 2019. The plant will have an annual capacity of 150,000 units and a workforce of 1,500 at production launch.“The Americas are among the most important growth markets for the BMW Group,” commented Harald ...
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ArticleDongfeng-PSA JV expands in Chengdu
China – An agreement has been signed with city authorities to build the fourth production facility of Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile (DPCA), the first outside Wuhan. The plant will make Dongfeng Citroen, Dongfeng Peugeot and Fengshen-badged SUVs and MPVs.DPCA’s existing three plants, which are operating on two shifts, have a ...