Category Archives: manufacturing

New 2013 Ford Escape Enters Production in Louisville Plant

The upgraded plant is in theory capable of making up to six different vehicles at the same time, thus it is Ford’s most flexible U.S. plant. Louisville is also one of 11 Ford facilities in the U.S. that is participating in the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program – in Ford’s case almost $6 billion total – initiated by Congress under the Obama administration, which also put $80 billion into other auto bailouts, including the forced and politically contentious bankruptcies of Chrysler and GM. Continue reading

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New Smart ForTwo EV now in Production in France

Daimler AG started production today of the new Smart ForTwo electric vehicle built at the Smart Hambach, France plant. An investment of €200 million was required to integrate the tiny EV into the production processes of the plant, which also builds gasoline versions. Continue reading

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Honda Recalls 50,000 2012 Civic Models for Bad Driveshafts

American Honda will recall approximately 50,000 model-year 2012 Civic vehicles in the United States to inspect and, if necessary, replace the left driveshaft in its latest quality gaff. The driver’s side driveshaft may not have been properly assembled, potentially allowing it to separate from the outer CV joint (constant velocity) while in operation, Honda said in a statement today. The compact Civic is one of the best selling cars in the U.S. Continue reading

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DOE Gives Delphi $3.7m in Taxpayer Funds for Laser Tooling

Delphi Automotive (NYSE: DLPH) announced today that the company has been awarded a $3.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop an energy-efficient method for micro-machining complex shapes. Using laser technology, the new manufacturing process will enable enhanced production in Delphi’s gasoline direct injection (GDi) fuel injectors. The Obama Administration’s DOE grants are politically contentious in this election year. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV Starts Production in Thailand

In the U.S., the body on frame Trailblazer was discontinued after 2009, and replaced by the unit-body Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. Trailblazer is a traditional American truck although it was developed along with the all-new Chevrolet Colorado pickup by GM do Brasil. Continue reading

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Chrysler Expands Corrosion Recall to 347,000 Liberty Models

Chrysler is expanding its Jeep corrosion recall on Jeep Liberty SUVs because a rear suspension control arm can corrode and fracture in salt-belt states and Canada. The corrosion recall started in March now includes model year 2006 and 2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles, adding 137,176 vehicles to a recall that now includes all 2004-2007 Liberty vehicles. Owners don’t appear concerned. Thus far, only 921 Jeeps have been repaired. Continue reading

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Ford Motor to Sell Former Visteon Lighting Plant in Ohio

After this sale, ACH or Automotive Components Holdings will have only one remaining operation – the climate control business at its Sheldon Road plant in Plymouth Township, Mich. ACH was formed by Ford in 2005 to sell or close 23 former Visteon plants. Continue reading

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Honda Auto Production Sets April Record – Tsunami Now Beat

The Honda comeback from the effects of natural disasters last year – the Japan earthquake and tsunami in March and the later floods in Thailand – included all-time monthly records for April production in North America (137,067), United States (97,497), Asia (102,195), and China (61,330). Continue reading

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BMW Group and Brilliance Open Second Plant in China

BMW has been producing BMW 3 Series and 5 Series models for the Chinese market with Brilliance in Shenyang since 2003. The opening of the second vehicle plant in China will expand the range of locally produced models to include the BMW X1. Production of the long-wheelbase version of the BMW 3 Series will also begin during the coming weeks. Continue reading

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New EPA Grants Go to Clean Up Contaminated Industrial Sites

Since its inception, EPA’s brownfield investments have used more than $18.3 billion in cleanup and redevelopment funding from public and private sources. During an election year, the ‘no jobs’ Obama Administration claims this has resulted in approximately 75,500 jobs. More than 18,000 properties have been assessed, and more than 700 properties have been cleaned up. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Colorado Midsized Pickup to be Made in Wentzville as GM Tries to Forget Bankruptcy, Hummer and Shreveport

General Motors broke ground today on a $380 million plant expansion to its Wentzville Assembly facility to build the newly re-designed Chevrolet Colorado midsize pick-up in 2013. In the sad language oft used when describing the floundering U.S. economy, GM said it is “creating or retaining” about 1,260 jobs hourly and salaried jobs. The new Chevrolet Colorado is based on an all-new midsize truck architecture developed by GM do Brasil within GM’s global product development organization. Continue reading

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Press Vehicle Engine Seizure Spurs Ferrari Recalls of California and Italia

Ferrari customers will have the choice of letting the dealer install a new crankshaft and bearings; sending their engines back to Ferrari North America, or have Ferrari supply a replacement engine. Continue reading

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Toyota to Increase V6 Engine Output in Alabama

In April, Toyota Motor Sales came within a rounding error of surpassing Ford Motor Company as the Number Two selling automotive group in the U.S. Ford Motor’s U.S. sales decreased 5% in April year-over-year to 179,660 vehicles in a market that was up 2.3%, in part because its plants were running flat out. Number Three Toyota Motor Sales reported April sales of 178,044, up 12%. Year-to-date, Toyota Motor trails Ford Motor by 52,000 cars and light trucks, a gap is decreasing each month. Continue reading

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Chrysler Recalls 2012 Ram 1500 Over a Decal

The affected vehicles have a spare tire that does not match the specifications listed on the tire placard. These Ram pickup trucks fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 110, “tire selection and rims.” Continue reading

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Ford Cuts Summer Shutdown in North America as Lack of Capacity is Hurting Sales and Share in Recovering Market

Ford Motor’s U.S. sales decreased 5% in April to 179,660 vehicles in a market that was up 2.3%, in part because its plants were running flat out. Ford is now facing a strong challenge from Number Three Toyota Motor Sales, which reported April sales of 178,044, up 12% y-o-y. Year-to-date, Toyota Motor trails Ford Motor by 52,000 cars and light trucks, a gap that decreases each month. Continue reading

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