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Transportation equipment industry

Automotive Industry Developments: Key Takeaways and Statistics

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Major automotive industry players are investing in advanced manufacturing processes and sustainable practices. In this article, we highlight significant developments from various sources, including new production lines, environmental initiatives, and benchmarking exercises.

Key Takeaways:

  • In Saltillo, Mexico, Grob Werke is integrating the entire machining process for DaimlerChrysler's new V8 engine block and head, including honing, checking, washing, and automation, for the 5.7-litre hemi-V8 truck engines. (Source: Autoindustry, 9 June)
  • McCord Winn Textron, a component supplier, has won ISO 14001 environmental accreditation for two of its plants in the UK, and was also raised to level three of the QS/9000 quality award. (Source: No date specified)
  • American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) has opened a new 11,000-m² plant in Cheektowaga, New York, employing 120 people to machine net-shaped gears for the automotive industry. (Source: No date specified)
  • Rolls-Royce has been offered an alternative site for a new plant in Hampshire, following environmental concerns about the original proposed site. (Source: Peter Hague)
  • The Dow Chemical Company has opened a Solution Elastomer Plant in Schkopau, Germany, using Nippon Zeon's technology to produce elastomer solutions for the automotive industry. (Source: No date specified)
  • UK car production rose by 2.4% in May following the resumption of manufacturing at Rover's Cowley and Longbridge plants, with 150,626 cars produced that month. (Source: No date specified)
  • Federal-Mogul's Greenville, Michigan powertrain facility was chosen by Ford Motor Company to conduct benchmarking work on swift stock clearance and reducing inventory, with an aim to achieve 100% on-time delivery and high quality ratings. (Source: No date specified)

Statistics:

  • 5.7-litre: the engine size for DaimlerChrysler's new V8 truck engine.
  • 11,000-m²: the size of the new AAM plant in Cheektowaga, New York.
  • 120: the number of employees at the new AAM plant in Cheektowaga, New York.
  • 20 acres: the size of the alternative site for the Rolls-Royce plant in Hampshire proposed by Peter Hague.
  • 150,626: the number of cars produced in the UK in May.
  • 100%: the target on-time delivery rate for Ford's benchmarking exercise with Federal-Mogul.
  • 10 years: the duration of Ford's benchmarking exercises with suppliers to improve manufacturing procedures.

Sources:

  • Autoindustry, 9 June
  • No date specified (McCord Winn Textron)
  • No date specified (American Axle & Manufacturing)
  • Peter Hague (Rolls-Royce)
  • No date specified (Dow Chemical Company)
  • No date specified (UK car production)
  • No date specified (Federal-Mogul)

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