Category Archives: manufacturing

Volkswagen Recalls Routan Minivans for Engine Shut Offs

Posted on 10 March 2011 by Ken Zino

It is the same recall that was announced by Chrysler earlier this week because a Mexican-built part from Continental apparently is defective. Chrysler supplies Routan minivans to Volkswagen. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, manufacturing, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Labor Group Blasts Ford for Chinese Sweatshop Abuses

Posted on 3 March 2011 by Ken Zino

The Institute for Global Labor & Human Rights released a new report today that said Ford Motor Company is guilty of worker rights violations at what it terms is a Chinese sweatshop that supplies Ford. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, manufacturing, news analysis, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

BMW, Peugeot Citroën to Invest €100 Million in Hybrid JV

Posted on 2 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Component parts will be used in various BMW and PSA vehicles starting in 2014. Toyota, of course, is the global leader in hybrid technology that was once dismissed by European automakers as not promising. The JV will focus on battery packs, generators, power electronics, chargers, and software for hybrid systems. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, environment, manufacturing, new vehicle, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Construction of Nissan Leaf Electric Vehicle Battery Plant in Tennessee Well Underway

Posted on 26 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Construction is progressing on Nissan’s manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tennessee, which will produce lithium-ion batteries for the Leaf electric vehicle. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, manufacturing, new vehicle, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ultracapacitors to Challenge Batteries in Stop/Start Vehicles?

Posted on 25 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Pike Research that claims worldwide sales of ultracapacitors will grow tenfold from $28 million in 2011 to $284 million by 2016, with cumulative revenue of $901 million during that period. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, environment, manufacturing, new vehicle, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Workers Paid Eight Cents for Each $25 NFL T-shirt!

Posted on 24 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Women at the Ocean Sky “sweatshop” in El Salvador are paid just eight cents for each $25 NFL T-shirt they sew, according a press release just issued by the National Labor Committee.

Their wages amount to just 3/10ths of one percent of the NFL shirt’s retail price, according to the non-profit pressure group with un-posted sources of funding. Continue reading →

Posted in economy, fools 'n frauds, manufacturing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM to Add Back 750 Jobs at Flint Assembly for Pickup Trucks

Posted on 24 January 2011 by Ken Zino

General Motors today announced plans to start a third shift at Flint Assembly, adding back 750 jobs in the plant that makes Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups.
Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, manufacturing, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

General Motors Appoints Mary Barra, a GM Human Resources Executive, to Head Global Product Development

Posted on 20 January 2011 by Ken Zino

General Motors today named Mary Barra, 49, senior vice president, Global Product Development, to lead the design, engineering, program management and quality of vehicles for GM’s 11 brands around the world.

Barra comes to the high visibility position once occupied by formidable car guys, including Tom Stephens and Bob Lutz from her position as vice president, Global Human Resources. Prior to this appointment, Barra had been vice president, Global Human Resources since 2009. Both Lutz and Stephens carried the title of vice chairman, so Barra’s job has been downgraded in the latest GM reorganization. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, manufacturing, new vehicle, people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ford will invest $400 million in its Kansas City Assembly Plant

Posted on 18 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company announced today that it will build a new vehicle at its Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri after Ford Escape production moves to Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, manufacturing, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Driving Impression – Chevrolet Cruze

Posted on 15 November 2010 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet is finally replacing its aging Cobalt with the Cruze sedan, which is already on sale in more than 60 countries in Asia and Europe since 2009. The new Cruze is a design hybrid since its engineering was done at Opel in Germany and Daewoo in Korea. North American versions went into production at Lordstown, Ohio this summer. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, blog, design and styling, engineering, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, new vehicle, news, news analysis, road test | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford to Build a Second Engine Plant in China

Posted on 2 November 2010 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company and its government dictated partners are building new engine plant in China that is due to open in 2013. With the additional capacity of 400,000 units at the new facility, Ford’s joint venture, Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Ltd (CFMA) is more than doubling its existing engine capacity of 350,000, to 750,000 engines annually.

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.    Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment