5th May 2008, 09:58 am
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’ »
5th May 2008, 09:56 am
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’ »
5th May 2008, 07:56 am
German tuner Carlsson has modified the new Mercedes SL500.
The new CK50 package from Carlsson has performance figures which will be able to rival the SL63. Carlsson has given the reworked car a new exterior to match the power and mods which have been done. The interior has also been updated.
The car was boosted from 388hp (285kW) to 436hp (325kW) and 600Nm of torque. The new Carlsson version of the SL500 (Known as the SL550 in North America) will reach 0-100km/h in 5.1 seconds and it will have a top speed of 293km/h.
Carlsson is now busy developing a kit for the v12-powered SL600 which will be expected to push-out more than 700hp (522kW) and 1,100Nm of torque.
The price and auto insurance quotes for the Carlsson CK50 will be announced soon.
Price: No price yet
Auto Insurance: No auto insurance quote given yet
Who is Carlsson?
Carlsson is a German company based in Merzig, some 10 kilometres from the French border. Many Mercedes-Benz drivers want to enhance the performance and looks of their cars, and Carlsson satisfies this demand.
They focus all their energies exclusively in designing enhancements for Mercedes-Benz, offering a range of engine and suspension modifications, aerodynamic body components, and sophisticated alloy wheels.