All articles by Steve Garnsey – Page 20
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FeatureContinental raises sensor output at Trutnov
German technology company Continental has expanded its Trutnov plant in the north-east of the Czech Republic to meet increasing demand for nitrogen oxide (NOx) sensors. The sensors are used to measure the NOx content in exhaust emissions and provide data for its effective conversion into harmless substances.Among the features of ...
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FeatureInbound supply chains subject to growing disruption
Interruptions to the smooth flow of parts to assembly plants are becoming more commonplace, according to research from global insurance broker JLT Specialty.Recorded incidents last year – typically factory fires, hurricanes and labour strikes – increased by more than 30% compared with 2016 to reach 1,699 , affecting 5,585 suppliers ...
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FeatureMercedes-Benz starts work on new plant in Hungary
Germany’s Mercedes-Benz Cars has broken ground on a €1 billion ($1.18 billion) ‘full-flex' plant at Kecskemét in Hungary.The full-flex concept – the model for all the OEM’s future car assembly lines – is designed to allow for flexible production of cars with a wide variety of body and drive variants, ...
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FeatureAutomotive in the firing line as Trump extends tariffs
Cars and automotive parts are becoming enmeshed in intensifying global trade wars, with the automotive sector facing increased shipping, supply, manufacturing and cost uncertainty for some time to come.The catalyst has been the US president imposing import tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminium, two key input materials ...
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FeaturePSA to raise European SUV output
Groupe PSA is to increase output of its SUV range across Europe this year “using all its available resources and assets” to meet market demand.The company said the initiative would be supported “by appropriate investments” with an emphasis on inbound logistics to enable each plant to deliver high output.The drive ...
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FeatureBBA expands battery factory in China
Seven months after opening a battery factory in north-east China, BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) has already started enlarging the facility.The expansion by the joint venture between BMW and Brilliance China Automotive Holdings will enable production of more powerful batteries for fifth-generation eDrive technology to be used in the fully-electric BMW ...
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FeatureMahindra trials Pik-Up assembly at Durban plant
Indian vehicle-maker Mahindra & Mahindra has begun trial production of its Pik-Up range at a new assembly plant near Durban, South Africa.The company’s initial annual production target at the plant, which is located at Dube Tradeport special economic zone, next to the King Shaka Airport, is 2,500 units. It hopes ...
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FeatureToyota and Suzuki look at India and export markets
Japanese OEMs Toyota and Suzuki are to consider extending their 15-month-old business partnership to work together on sales, production and technological development, with a focus on India and its export markets.Ideas to be further evaluated include using Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private (TKM) to produce models developed by Suzuki for sale ...
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FeatureFord to make second model in Craiova
Ford is investing up to €200m ($235m) to manufacture a second vehicle at its Craiova assembly plant in Romania, saying the planned expenditure is a sign of the company’s trust in government promises to deliver key upgrades infrastructure and logistics improvements.“Ford has discussed with the government the key infrastructure projects ...
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FeaturePunch and XPT join forces on EV powertrains
Punch Powertrain and start-up XPT have signed a joint venture (JV) agreement to establish a manufacturing plant in Nanjing, China, to supply “hundreds of thousands” of electric powertrains a year.The companies will invest €10m ($11.7m) on the factory to produce state-of-the-art transmissions solely for electric vehicles.“Design and development of current ...
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FeatureDaimler Trucks opens ninth parts centre in North America
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has inaugurated its ninth parts distribution centre (PDC) in Grimes, Iowa, with the aim of providing a faster next-day delivery service for the aftermarket and a stronger focus on the customer.“With the opening of the PDC in Iowa, 80% of dealer order volume in the ...
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FeatureMercedes-Benz to build compact EV in France
Germany’s Mercedes-Benz Cars has chosen the Hambach factory in France as its base for assembly of a compact electric car under its EQ brand, part of a wider expansion of the company’s electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing capabilities.Preparations for the new model will start shortly, with around €500m ($585m) being spent ...
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FeatureYazaki given record fine over cartel conduct
Japanese parts supplier Yazaki has been ordered to pay an increased penalty of A$46m ($34.5m) by Australia’s federal court in respect of cartel conduct in the supply of wire harnesses used in the manufacture of the Toyota Camry.The decision follows an appeal by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC), ...
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FeatureSchnellecke and Core Focus open new eyes to logistics
Logistics provider Schnellecke and recruitment agency Core Focus Personnel have revealed a new work experience pilot for students taking place this month at Schnellecke’s site in McCalla, near Tuscaloosa, Alabama.McCalla-based Core Focus Personnel, which specialises in providing staff and training services to tier one and two suppliers around central Alabama, ...
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FeatureŠkoda develops logistics resource at Kvasiny
Škoda has added an up-to-date logistics base and logistics training centre in the latest round of modernisation at its Kvasiny assembly plant in the Czech Republic.The logistics centre is home to the parts required for construction of pre-series vehicles, while at the training centre workers are being trained in handling ...
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FeatureBMW unveils personal mover
BMW Group has unveiled a tailor-made electric one-person mover designed to help staff cover short distances within large logistics centres and assembly plants.Suitable for carrying small parts and work materials as well as its human cargo, the personal mover (PMC) will save staff from walking up to 12km per shift. ...
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FeatureDaimler takes a systematic approach to human rights
Daimler has announced implementation of its new Human Rights Respect System, in a move designed to ensure a systematic approach to human rights within its supply chain. The German group already has a long-established supplier sustainability standards system in place which states working conditions must respect human rights and explicitly ...
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FeatureFCA to review security after pick-up thefts
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has said it will reassess security measures at a shipping yard in the Detroit suburb of Warren after thieves drove away with eight Ram pick-up trucks in an early morning raid.The theft is reported to have been carried out by a gang who drove up to ...
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FeatureMosolf continues expansion with buyout of German rival
German-based vehicle transporter Mosolf Group is taking over German rival firm Autokontor Bayern to reinforce its position “in an environment where markets are becoming more specialist and consolidating,” said the company’s CEO, Jörg Mosolf.The ownership change means Autokontor Bayern’s main shareholder and joint managing director Bernd Sauter will leave the ...
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FeatureLobby group clashes with VW over ‘car mountain’
A national consumer group in the US has urged Donald Trump not to allow Volkswagen (VW) to “dump its mountainous inventory” of bought-back vehicles on to local market, three years on from a diesel emissions’ testing scandal.“Flooding our streets with heavily discounted or below-cost vehicles could lead to a tremendous ...