Category Archives: manufacturing

BMW Recalls X5 SUVs for a Bad Belt Tensioner

BMW is recalling 2012 model X5 SUVs in North America because the belt tensioner can fail as part of a larger global service action. Diesel engine models have a Czech Republic built tensioner with defective welds that can suddenly fail. If the belt tensioner fails a loss of power steering results, thereby increasing the possibility of a crash. Continue reading

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Quality Drops Drastically as Automakers Introduce New Models

After a four year run of improving quality, the trend has reversed itself as the initial quality of 2011 new vehicle launches has declined considerably in the latest study. Overall initial quality improved to an average of 107 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in 2011 from 109 PP100 in 2010. However, launch models – vehicles that are all-new or have had major redesigns – saw ratings drop by 10% to an average of 122 PP100 in 2011 from 111 PP100 in 2010. Continue reading

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Nissan Says Sales up Profits down for 2011 from Earthquake

Nissan Motor Company today said in a statement that it thinks full-year profits will fall 15% and net income may decline to ¥270 billion (~$3.4 billion) for 12 months ending 31 March 2012. That’s down from ¥319.2 billion compared to the 2010 fiscal year. The financial results were based on foreign exchange rate assumptions of ¥80.:$1 and ¥115:1€. Continue reading

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Mazda Recalls Mazda 3 Models for Bad Windshield Wipers

Mazda is recalling more than 100,000 Mazda 3 and Mazdaspeed 3 cars from the 2008-2009 model years because the windshield wipers can stop working. The ground terminal of the Korean-built Bosch windshield wiper motor may have been bent during assembly. Over time the electrical resistance of the motor circuit may increase so that eventually the windshield wipers would not work. Continue reading

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Toyota North American Production Back to 100% in September

All of the Detroit Three automakers – GM, Ford and Chrysler – clearly outsold the Japanese Big Three – Toyota, Nissan and Honda – in May as a result of the marketplace chaos. The largest Japanese automaker Toyota – also the most dependent on imports to the U.S. – saw decreases of 33% across its brands to 108,387 vehicles compared to a year ago. Continue reading

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Chrysler Recalls More than 11,000 Vehicles for Missing Rivet

It turns out new employees on the second shift reintroduced into the assembly process steering columns that had previously been rejected as defective. The supplier was not specified in the required NHTSA safety defect filing. Continue reading

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Ford Breaks Ground on Second Engine Plant in China

China is now by far the world’s largest auto market, and Chinese industrial policy in effect requires that all profits earned there are reinvested in the country and its local partners. The U.S. remains alone among industrialized nations – with elected or totalitarian governments – without any such job and investment protecting policy. The $500 million (RMB 3.4 billion) investment will be funded entirely by CFMA and will be located in Chongqing’s so called New North Zone. Continue reading

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BMW Group to Invest $811 Million in UK to Make Next Mini

The UK is the BMW Group’s fourth-largest single market in the world for sales, behind Germany, the U.S. and China, with sales in 2010 of 154,750. BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Continue reading

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Japan Auto Production, Exports off More than 60% in April

The economic destruction is mounting. The total value of automobiles exported for April 2011 was $5,913.446 million – $2,696.405 million for vehicles and $3,217.041 million for parts. This is a decrease of $5,523.561 million or 48 % as compared with $11,437.007 million recorded for the same month of the previous year. Continue reading

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Toyota, Nissan and Honda April Auto Production Plummets

Toyota, Nissan and Honda – the Japanese Big Three – become a lot smaller in April as production virtually halted in Japan and was severely hurt globally due to parts shortages caused by the earthquake in March. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Opens New Passat Plant in Tennessee

VW’s ambitious plans promise that one million new generation U.S. built Passat models will be sold during next seven years after cars arrive in dealerships late this summer. The plant also appears to be a logical choice for building a new Audi model. Since 1987, more than 700,000 Passat sedans have been sold in the U.S. The Japanese Big Three sell that many of their similarly sized family cars – Camry, Altima, and Accord – each year. Continue reading

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Honda Recalls New Civic for Fuel Leaks in Latest Quality Gaffe

Toyota of course was ultimately assessed record civil fines by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last year for its failure to promptly recall all of the vehicles affected by deadly unintended acceleration or stuck gas pedal problems. The “Toyota effect” now looms large over the auto industry since no automaker wants to be charged with a safety defect coverup. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Recalls Colorado for Defective Windshield Wipers

Chevrolet is recalling 2011 model Colorado Pickup trucks because the windshield wipers can fail. GMC Canyon pickups are also affected by the recall that is caused by a loose nut in the wiper linkage. Continue reading

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Toyota to Increase North American Production in June

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA) said it will increase production this June to about 70% of normal levels, up from 30% in May as a result of parts shortages caused by the Japan earthquake.

Models returning to 100% production in June are Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Matrix, Sequoia, Sienna and Venza. Continue reading

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CAR on U.S. Economy Impact of GM’s Plant Investments

In an analysis of General Motors’ newly announced plant investments, the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) today said that more than 28,000 jobs will be retained or created, and will contribute almost $2.9 billion to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product. Continue reading

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