Category Archives: manufacturing

Toyota to Export from Turkey the C-HR to Canada and U.S.

The election of the Donald Trump TI model (Tariff Isolationist)* brings an interesting twist to the announcement today that Toyota will export into Canada and the U.S. its new compact C-HR crossover, which debuted last November as a Scion concept in Los Angeles. (Maybe it should have been called the Scion RIP?) Continue reading

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Unifor Autoworkers Ratify Ford Canada Contract

The new agreement achieved the union’s top priority to secure investment, product and jobs at the Windsor operations and it follows the pattern of financial gains achieved with GM and Fiat-Chrysler. Continue reading

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BMW Changes Leadership at Spartanburg SC Plant

Manfred Erlacher, President and CEO of BMW Manufacturing in Spartanburg, SC, for three years, will assume new responsibilities as the Managing Director of BMW Plant Regensburg. Continue reading

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Brembo Celebrates a New Brake Plant in Escobedo, Mexico

A tour of Escobeda by AutoInformed showed a highly automated, clean, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, in a sector that essentially one was a blacksmithing business not all that long ago. Brembo is the 7th largest auto parts maker, and the fourth largest exporter globally. It holds ~15% global market share in rotors for the 80 million vehicles produced. Continue reading

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Toyota Poland to Produce Hybrid Transaxles, New Engines

TMIP is currently manufacturing only diesel engines. However, the European market is moving towards an increased share of gasoline, hybrid and electric vehicles. Continue reading

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India Honda Workers’ Hunger Strike on Week 2

Five fired employees of the Tapukara plant of Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) began a hunger strike on 19 September demanding reinstatement of workers and the “withdrawal of false police charges” filed against them. On 26 September, the eighth … Continue reading

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Constellium, UACJ Open Kentucky Aluminum Auto Sheet Plant

The auto sheet plant is currently in testing phase, with ramp-up planned over the next two years. As of today, the line is essentially committed with orders from leading automotive OEMs in North America Constellium-UACJ said. Continue reading

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NAFTA Strikes Again as Kia Opens Pesquería Mexico Plant

14,000 jobs are going to Mexico by the end of 2017 at the expense of U.S. autoworkers. NAFTA – that giant sucking sound in the words of former presidential candidate Ross Perot – is part of the current U.S. presidential campaign with candidate Donald Trump threatening to put a 37.5% tariff on Mexican auto imports. Continue reading

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U.S. August Sales Forecast Down Year-over-Year

“The summer isn’t delivering explosive sales like we saw last year, but the industry is still on pace to set an annual sales record” Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz, Toyota Execs to Start CAR MBS

Presidents from Mercedes-Benz U.S. and Toyota Motor Manufacturing will discuss their companies’ investments and strategies for bringing luxury vehicle production into U.S. manufacturing facilities, during the opening World Class Manufacturing session at CAR MBS on August 1.

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Milestones: 30 Years of Toyota in Georgetown, Kentucky

Honda, of course, had beat Toyota by beginning what became wildly successful U.S. operations at Marysville, Ohio in 1982. Continue reading

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Honda Posts Worldwide Production Records. North America, Asia and China Strong. Japan’s Economic Woes Continue

Honda manufacturing in regions outside of Japan experienced a year-on-year increase for the 14th consecutive month (since March 2015), setting record high production for the month of April. This includes record high production in North America, Asia and China.

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Milestones: Toyota Indiana 20 Years, 4.45 Million Vehicles Later

In an ironic twist that saw the Detroit Three automakers demanding that offshore makers build here, Toyota Indiana – staffed by non UAW union members – now with 5,000 workers – has built 4.45 million vehicles that are selling, and selling well, in the Detroit Three’s most profitable segments. Continue reading

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Honda Motor Claims First Moving Cell ARC Production Line

There is also a human aspect with ARC Line production, as each worker takes charge of a broader range of production processes, which makes it possible for associates to gain more knowledge and skills. Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz Puts €580m in Kecskemét, Hungary Plant

Kecskemét currently employs 4000 workers. Continue reading

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