Latest News & Features – Page 75
-
Article
Pacific standard
Responding to the boom in SUV and crossover markets, the OEMs of Japan and Korea continue to invest in manufacturing operations across their long-established North American networks. Ian Henry reportsCross-border CorollaAfter a period of not investing in North America, Toyota is once again expanding in the region. It is building ...
-
Article
Transatlantic 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 ...
-
Article
Spoilt for choice
Eight different models are made at DTNA’s Cleveland plant, and a high level of customisation means that thousands of options are available to customers. Michael Nash reports
-
Article
Nissan upgrades US assembly plants
US - The OEM has announced that it is spending $170m to support production of the new Altima, which is now entering its sixth generation, at its two plants in Smyrna, Tennessee and Canton, Mississippi. The model is set to go on sale this fall."Nissan's continued investment in our manufacturing ...
-
Article
The 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 ...
-
Article
Home 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 ...
-
Article
Rouge 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
-
Article
A bigger, bolder Belvidere
The transfer of the Jeep Cherokee production from Ohio to Illinois was the first part of FCA’s response to the growing demand for more SUVs. Mike Farish reportsOn 1 June last year production of the FCA Jeep Cherokee began at the company’s plant in Belvidere, Illinois, after transferring from its ...
-
Article
The 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 ...
-
Article
NAFTA: 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 ...
-
Article
Ford 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 ...
-
Article
Ford 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 ...
-
Article
Skoda produces 1m SUVs
Czech Republic - The OEM has announced that it has made 1m SUVs, suggesting that the milestone reflects its continued success in the segment which began with the launch of the Skoda Yeti back in 2009."It is a great achievement to have produced 1,000,000 SUVs," said Michael Oeljeklaus, Skoda board ...
-
Article
Stratasys starts shipping 3D printer
Israel - The Fortus 380mc Carbon Fiber Edition was first previewed at the additive manufacturing event called Rapid 2018, and is now available to purchase for US$70,000. It is dubbed by the company as an "affordably priced additive manufacturing system dedicated for carbon-fiber-filled Nylon 12."The printer has already been used ...
-
Article
Vertical machining centre
Fanuc says the a-DiB5 series is its latest automated vertical machining technology for milling, drilling and tapping applications, incorporating network interface, preventative maintenance and machine learning capabilities. The company says this series includes six re-designed models in small, medium and large sizes, with standard or advanced functionality available. The series ...
-
Article
Combined pressure and temperature sensor
To support automated resin transfer (RTM) and wet moulding composite manufacturing methods Kistler Instruments says it has produced a combined pressure and temperature sensor specifically for these applications.The company explains that characteristic process phases such as evacuation, filling and curing can be identified from the pressure curve allowing process parameters ...
-
Article
‘Snapshot’ sensor for 3d detection
Sick says it has launched a configurable, plug-and-play 3D detection sensor based on its Visionary-T range of industrial 3D imaging cameras. The company says this uses its single-snapshot Time-of–Flight (TOF) technology for a range of detection and collision warning duties.Featuring on-board processing, the company says this system can be configured ...
-
Article
PSA – setting a new pace with Opel
Having bought the perennial loss-making Opel-Vauxhall operations from GM last year, PSA has lost no time in starting with the turnaround required. And the early signs are that it has already had a notable impact, something which may surprise many, myself included. When the acquisition was announced in early 2017, ...
-
Article
From prototype to production
The use of additive manufacturing technologies has now moved passed their initial application area of just ‘rapid prototyping’ While now seeing use in limited production roles, additive techniques are still being put to use in new and innovative ways as product development tools. One example is the Plastics 3D Printing ...
-
Article
Centre of operations
Investment in new plants and expansion of existing facilities shows central Europe to be at the heart of vehicle manufacturers’ regional strategiesAt first glance, vehicle production in central Europe – essentially the former communist bloc countries west of the Russian border – appears to centre on Volkswagen with its Skoda ...