OEMs – Page 54
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FeatureCredit where credit is due
The coronavirus pandemic meant 2020 was a tough year for everyone in the automotive sector. GM was no exception. While the carmaker’s sales for the calendar year reached 2.5m units, total deliveries were down 12% and retail deliveries down 6% for the year. However, toward the end of 2020 retail sales recovered to pre-pandemic levels. According to the carmaker’s executive vice-president, Steve Carlisle, that was down to the efforts made by GM’s workforce. They kept launches on track and each other safe.
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NewsLEVC opens parts distribution centre in Germany with TVS
The London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) has opened a parts distribution centre in Eisenach, Germany as part of a new five-year deal with TVS Supply Chain Solutions (SCS) to operate a parts distribution network in Europe.
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NewsVW reported to be seeking compensation from suppliers
Volkswagen is reported to be in discussion with two of its top suppliers over possible compensation for losses caused to its output in Germany.
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NewsStellantis announces top logistics and supply chain roles
Following the completion of the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Groupe PSA into the newly formed Stellantis earlier this month, the company has appointed its top executive team, with Michelle Wen taking the lead role for purchasing and supply chain.
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NewsVW ends Golf production in Mexico in favour of Taos SUV
Volkswagen has ended production of the Golf hatchback at its Puebla plant in Mexico. The performance versions of the new Golf will be imported from Germany while American production shifts to SUVs.
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NewsHonda to import Cruise Origin AV to Japan this year
Honda will be importing test versions of the Cruise autonomous, electric vehicle from the US to Japan this year for use in its Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) business there. Meanwhile, Cruise and its owner GM have signed a deal with Microsoft to further commercialise autonomous vehicles through the computing giant’s Azure application.
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NewsIneos finalises supply for Hambach takeover
Ineos Automotive has officially taken over operations of the Daimler plant in Hambach, France, after completing the purchase of the facility in December last year. It will start building the firm’s Grenadier off-roader in 2021, as well as continue to build the Smart EQ Fortwo until the end of its model cycle.
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NewsSemiconductor shortage will hit auto industry well into 2021
An ongoing shortage in semiconductor supply is disrupting production of parts and vehicles around the world. The supply bottleneck, which is caused by a combination of factors, including the impact of Covid-19 on production in the first half of 2020 and on manufacturing investment, is affecting a number of major carmakers and their suppliers.
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NewsBrexit means business as usual, but with more work for Volvo and Gefco
At last week’s Livestream Hour from Ultima Media, panellists from Volvo Cars and Gefco discussed how their daily business had changed with nearly two weeks of Brexit under their belts. Volvo had yet to experience severe disruption but both companies are seeing an increased workload to comply with the eleventh-hour regulations
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NewsVW Group reports success of Asia-Pacific PDC in Malaysia
Volkswagen Group’s 50,000 sq.m regional parts distribution centre (PDC) in the Malaysian port of Tanjung Pelepas is processing aftersales parts for 21 markets in the wider Asia-Pacific region.
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NewsFord cuts its losses in Brazil with closure of all production in 2021
Ford will shut all three of its production facilities in Brazil this year and import vehicles from other markets in South America, including neighbouring Argentina and Uruguay, to meet demand in the country.
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NewsBMW’s purchasing strategy gets more sustainable for EVs
BMW Group is more closely aligning its purchasing activity with goals for greater sustainability as it plans for greater vehicle electrification.
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FeatureA crystal ball for the supply chain
Disruption has become commonplace and there is no longer a ‘situation normal’ for the automotive supply chain, but there are digital tools to help evaluate supply chain risks and costs, as Marcus Williams finds out from recently coupled technology providers Llamasoft and Coupa Software
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NewsVW unveils EV charging robot with potential to support outbound logistics
Volkswagen Group Components has presented a mobile robot that can autonomously charge electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids, offering a potential solution to keep EVs charged during storage in compounds.
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NewsNissan denies cuts in Europe while Alliance continues with synergies
Nissan has refuted reports circulated this week that it is cutting direct distribution and sales of models for eastern regions of Europe and moving them to Alliance partner Renault’s network.
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NewsAI and automation need people and quality data to succeed
Experts from BMW, Ford, Symbio Robotics and Cosmo Tech discussed how artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in automotive production need fast ramp-up times and adoption by employees to succeed. High-quality data and use of simulation are also key.
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NewsFrance and other EU countries close border with UK putting freight flows at risk
A number of countries, including France, have closed their borders with the UK to passengers and accompanied freight following the discovery of a new strain of coronavirus in the UK which is suspected to be more infectious than previous types.
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NewsGefco providing fleet pre-delivery and transport services for LEVC
The London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC), formerly the London Taxi Company, has signed a contract with the UK division of transport and logistics provider Gefco for pre-delivery services and delivery to fleet customers.
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NewsJLR looks for supply chain transparency with Circulor investment
The venture capital and mobility division of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) – InMotion Ventures – has invested an undisclosed sum in blockchain technology provider Circulor.
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NewsHyundai Motor buys controlling stake in Boston Dynamics
Hyundai Motor Group is buying an 80% stake in robotics provider Boston Dynamics, worth $880m to develop and commercialise robotics, with applications ranging from component manufacturing to smart logistics.