European automotive survey and handling company UniCar has begun operating in the US following the extension of contracts with VW Group America and new business from General Motors and rail provider Union Pacific.
The new company, UniCar USA, is supporting GM at the Port of Jacksonville in Florida and the Port of Hueneme in California.
It is also operating in San Diego, Houston, Brunswick and Davisville. From July the company will also be carrying out survey work in Baltimore and Newark.
Talking to Automotive Logistics from next to the GM Tower in Detroit, UniCar’s Managing Director, Eric Imiola, remained committed to the US market and its contracts with GM despite the recent bankruptcy proceedings.
“Of course, the developments will have deep impact in the short to medium term, with factory closures, but the board of UniCar believes strongly that after the restructuring the American market will remain the biggest, which is why we are investing,” he said.
New client export contracts between Europe and the US, and a favourable exchange rate, were contributing factors to opening the new business, added Imiola.
Last month UniCar Group secured a contract with Seat for quality inspection at its Matorell plant near Barcelona, Spain. It will also carry out audit work across the carmaker’s wider European network. Read more here
