http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news.asp SupplierBusiness is a business research company, focused on automotive supply base issues. We publish exclusive coverage of the global automotive supplier community in our weekly Insight or monthly Analysis newsletters, as well as in reports and databases on the global supply base. en-uk Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:00:00 GMT Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news.asp 5 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10500 Novelis, a producer of aluminium rolled products, has secured a contract to supply aluminium sheets for the new Audi A8 luxury sedan. Novelis will be the primary supplier of the sheets. The new contract builds up on the existing relationship between the supplier and the OEM. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10500 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10501 Getrag has announced additional restructuring measures in Germany, in order to adjust production capacity in light of the continuing weakness in the European automotive market. These measures include a plant closure by the end of 2011 and an adjustment in production capacity at another facility, both in Germany. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10501 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10502 Denso Corporation is planning to reduce its employee hiring by 8% to 700 people in financial year Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10502 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10503 MRF Ltd has announced plans to invest INR30bn (US$658.7m, 12 March 2010) to increase the production capacity of its existing plants. The investment will also be used in setting up some greenfield factories. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10503 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10504 Visteon's 7% stockholder hedge funds sent a letter to the company on 8 March 2010, expressing the desire to discuss an alternative reorganisation plan. The letter also mentioned that they have formed an ad hoc committee to discuss Visteon's current performance. The discussions are to be held on 12 March 2010. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10504 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10505 The freefall in the US automotive industry on the heels of slowdown seems to be rebounding now. Tenneco has announced to add up to 200 jobs at its Hartwell, Georgia (US) plant. The supplier is on an expansion mode and has lined up consolidation plans to rationalise its North American operations. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10505 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10506 Valeo is considering selling some assets which do not involve plant closures. The company's CEO Jacques Aschenbroich was reported telling in an interview to a French newspaper Les Echos. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10506 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10491 ContiTech has inaugurated its new state-of-the-art development, production, sales and administrative facility Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10491 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10493 Strike at Denso's Gurgaon, Haryana (India) plant might have a large impact on Maruti Suzuki's target of manufacturing one million cars in 2010. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10493 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10494 Delphi has reported financial results for the year ending 31 December 2009. The results are segregated into two parts. The first part is for Delphi Automotive that was formed when Delphi emerged from Chapter 11, termed as ‘Successor' and covers the period from 19 August 2009 to 31 December 2009. The second part is for Delphi Corporation that existed when the company was under the bankruptcy protection, termed as ‘Predecessor' and covers the period from 01 January 2009 to 06 October 2009. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10494 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10495 Avtec Ltd, an arm of CK Birla Group, has secured a contract from Ford to supply transaxle systems to the new Figo, Ford's new small car. The car would hit the Indian roads this month. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10495 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10496 Tougher emission standards and consumers turning to more fuel-efficient cars propelled Fiat to use diesel engines with variable hydraulic valve control system. With low emission gaining prominence, the new technology named as Multiair, reduces fuel consumption and hence the CO2 emissions level. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10496 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10497 Pirelli & C. SpA reported a 4.3% decline in sales to €4.4bn in the financial year ended 31 December 2009, compared with €4.6bn for the same period a year ago. The company had targeted to post sales of at least €4.3bn in 2009. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10497 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10498 Navistar has launched its new International® TerraStar(TM) Class 4/5 commercial truck at the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Work Truck Show in St. Louis, Missouri (US). On the truck the company formally displayed its new MaxxForce® 7 diesel engine which went into the production at the company's Cifunsa foundry in Saltillo (Mexico) during January 2010. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10498 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10499 Valeo has presented a new strategic plan at an investor day held in Paris (France). The French supplier's strategy focuses on reducing emissions, setting up a strong footing in emerging markets, and achieving its sales and profitability targets. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10499 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10488 Johnson Controls has completed its public offering of US$500m of aggregate senior notes that was announced on 5 March 2010. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10488 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10489 Toyota has announced to lower the price of steel products it sells to suppliers from 1 April 2010. Rising automotive demand, graced by part of the cash-for-clunkers program, has pushed the steel prices higher. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10489 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10490 Bosch has declared a lock out of its plant located in Naganathapura, near Bangalore (India) after the company failed over wage revision discussion with workers. The Naganathapura plant has a headcount of 900 and manufactures starters, generators, spark plugs and alternators for the auto industry. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10490 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10482 Kongsberg Automotive Holding has been awarded a contract worth €65m for the production of automatic Tue, 9 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10482 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10483 Bergstrom, a supplier of climate control systems for commercial vehicles, has acquired the heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) business of Modine Manufacturing in North America. Financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed. Tue, 9 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10483 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10484 Teruyuki Minoura will become the Chairman of Toyota Boshoku in June 2010, replacing the Tue, 9 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10484 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10485 Dana has sold majority of its global Structural Products business to Metalsa, a subsidiary of Grupo Proeza, for US$147m. The divestment is aimed to focus on the light-, medium-, heavy-duty vehicles and off-highway markets. Tue, 9 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10485 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10486 In an attempt to lessen its dependence on auto parts suppliers such as Bosch and Magneti Marelli, GM has developed a diesel engine control unit (ECU). The company claims itself to be the first automaker in the world to make its own diesel-engine ECUs. Tue, 9 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10486 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10487 Fitch Ratings has reaffirmed its debt and credit ratings on Cummins. The agency has maintained its BBB+ ratings on the US-based engine supplier's issuer default rating (IDR), senior unsecured debt rating and senior unsecured credit facility. Tue, 9 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10487 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10477 India's leading tiremaker MRF Limited is expanding its production capacity. The company announced that it has started construction work on a new manufacturing plant in Trichi, Tamil Nadu (India) a month ago. This will be the company's seventh manufacturing plant in India. Mon, 8 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10477 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10478 Toyota's loss from the recent recall of more than 8.5 million vehicles would get offset by higher sales of its premium cars laden with Autoliv's safety products. This has been opined by Autoliv whose 6% of 2009 sales came from Toyota. Autoliv is a supplier to Toyota both in Japan and the US. Mon, 8 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10478 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10479 Grupo Antolin has announced to set up a new plant near St. Peterburg (Russia) by the end of 2010. The production will take place at MLP Utkina Zavod logistics complex within an area of about 10,000m2. Mon, 8 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10479 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10480 The popular Geneva International Motor Show returned for its 80th year in Switzerland this week, and amongst the traditional glitzy array of new models, it's the small cars and hybrids that are making the headlines. Automakers from around the world are exhibiting their new generation of eco-friendly cars; while Nissan revealed its small car model Micra intended for developing markets, Tata introduced its Nano Electric model to European customers. The luxury side of the market has also succumbed to hybrid hype. Mon, 8 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10480 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10481 Round-up of the week's stories as featured in SupplierBusiness Insight, in PDF format. Click the link below to open it, or right-click and choose "Save Target As..." to save it to your hard drive. Mon, 8 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10481 http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10464 Alpine Electronics has collaborated with Nokia and Navteq to introduce a new connected technology called Terminal Mode to car infotainment systems. Fri, 5 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.supplierbusiness.com/news_endpoint.asp?id=10464