Archive for the ‘Auto industry’ Category.

GKN Driveline plans to expand major production facility in China

Beijing - GKN Driveline plans to open a major new production facility in Wuhan, China, next year.

Haixiang Wang, business development director for GKN Group — China, said the company will build a 44,000-square-metre plant scheduled to open during the first half of 2009.

Speaking at recent press briefings in Beijing, Wang said the Shanghai GKN (SDS) facility in Wuhan initially will supply driveshafts for Dongfeng and Dongfeng’s joint-venture programmes with Honda and Citroen. Expected to provide more than 600 jobs, the plant will have an annual production capacity of more than 1,000,000 driveshafts.

The company also showcased technology from its 10 existing Chinese production facilities during the recent Beijing International Auto Show (April 20-28).

The first major European automotive supplier to invest in China, GKN is the country’s leading producer of driveline components. GKN Driveline currently has automotive manufacturing operations in Kangqiao, Zhoupu and Shenjiang in Pudong, Shanghai, as well as plants in Chongqing and Jilin. Continue reading ‘GKN Driveline plans to expand major production facility in China’ »

FTE Automotive receives GM’s 2007 ‘Supplier of the Year’ award

FTE automotive received the General Motors’ 2007 “Supplier of the Year” award for its significant contributions to GM’s global product and performance achievements.

The 16th annual award - themed the “Best of the Best” - was given during ceremonies Saturday, April 26 at the Sawgrass Marriott Hotel in Jacksonville, Fla., to Klaus Gockler, the CEO of the FTE automotive Group.

“GM is proud to honor FTE automotive as a GM Supplier of the Year winner, “ said Bo Andersson , GM group vice president, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. “This award is our way of telling the winners that we appreciate all of their efforts in working together with GM to manufacture world-class vehicles.

“FTE automotive is among the best of the best,” he continued. “They understand that our mutual success can only be achieved by sharing common goals and priorities.” Continue reading ‘FTE Automotive receives GM’s 2007 ‘Supplier of the Year’ award’ »

Audi Canada April sales up 41.2%

TORONTO - Audi Canada today reported that a record-breaking total of 1,128 units were registered for the month of April. This all-time record April sales figure represents a gain of 329 units or a 41.2% increase compared to April 2007 while contributing to year to date growth of 26.8%. The leading models in terms of sales were the A4 and S4 sedans and Avants, the sporty A3 and the Audi Q7 performance SUV. April sales by model line were:

Model Line
Apr-08

A3
212

A4/S4/RS 4
531

A5/S5
30

TT
103

A6/S6
77

A8/S8
17

R8
18

Audi Q7
140

TOTAL
1128

“These results continue to demonstrate the momentum that the Audi brand is gaining in the market,” Diego Ramos, Audi Canada’s Executive Vice President said, ” 2008 started off with a fantastic bang for Audi by winning the Canadian Car of the Year for the Audi R8, followed by successive months of record sales and now hitting our best month in history. I am very proud of the tremendous performance by all the Canadian Audi dealers. They have done a fantastic job explaining the advantages of Audi product to a growing and more loyal than ever customer base.”

Audi’s history in Canada dates to 1971, when the brand was first introduced on the Canadian market. Today, a network of 37 Audi retailers nationwide sell and service a range of premium vehicles that include the Audi A3; the A4 sedan, Avant and Cabriolet models; the S4 sedan, Avant and Cabriolet models; the RS 4 sports sedan; The A5 and S5 Coupes; the A6 sedan and Avant; the Audi Q7 Sport Utility; the Audi A8; the V10-powered S6 and S8 performance sedans; the TT Coupe and Roadster models and new R8 mid-engined sports car.

Courtesy: Audi, Canada

Audi TV - behind scenes at DTM

On Audi tv, the excitement continues shortly after the finish: Every DTM race weekend, Audi’s internet-based television channel brings you exclusive background reports from the race circuit, presents the Audi team drivers in interviews, and questions engine and vehicle developers about their racing tourers’ secrets. A must-see for true DTM fans.

Triple honors at Hockenheim, a one-two victory at Oschersleben, now the hot favorites for Mugello: on the DTM 2008 circuits, the Audi motorsport team is once again demonstrating Audi’s legendary “Vorsprung durch Technik”. Television channels all around the world are reporting on the four-ring drivers’ successes – but no camera team gets in as close as the in-house station Audi tv. The channel, which was established one year ago, sends its well-versed film crew behind the scenes of the DTM circus: Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich and chief developer Wolfgang-Dieter Appel present the technological highlights of the Audi A4 DTM. Ekström, Kristensen, Tomczyk, Scheider and their colleagues give a rundown of the pitfalls of the current track. And sports presenter Wolfgang Rother takes us on a lap of the gruelling circuits from the passenger seat of an Audi A4 DTM racing taxi – accompanied by on-board and in-board cameras, this is footage to quicken the pulse of the viewer at home.

The editors and production crew from Audi tv are out at the circuit every race weekend, delivering exceptional and fascinating pictures with advanced camera technology. Efforts that have brought them an appreciative audience. “Our reports on Audi tv are of very high quality both in terms of content and production,” says Liane Scheinert, Head of Audi tv at AUDI AG. The station attracts some 130,000 viewers per month, who call up individual programs on the arts, sport, lifestyle or automotive technology via the subject-specific on-demand channels or follow the continuous around-the-clock broadcast.

The current motor racing success of the brand with the four rings has boosted interest: The special series on the DTM has been consistently among the five most watched Audi tv programs since broadcasting started in May 2007.

The 3.5-second pit stop: What do you need to carry out the quickest tyre change in motor racing? For those who missed the report from the last race weekend, this and all other features are available on demand 24 hours a day at Audi TV website. From 5 May, Audi TV will be again providing up-to-date coverage every Monday following a DTM weekend.Courtesy: Audi AG, Germany