Autoblog

Subaru investing $400 million for Impreza production in Indiana

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Subaru, Earnings/Financials

As a part of a goal to increase its US sales tally up to 500,000 annual units by the end of the decade, Subaru is investing $400 million in its Lafayette, IN assembly plant in order to start building the Impreza in 2016. According to Automotive News, about half of that investment will be for a new paint plant while another big chunk will be used to extend the assembly line to allow for the increased capacity.

Currently, Subaru's Lafayette plant is responsible for building about 200,000 Legacy, Outback and Tribeca models each year (not including around 100,000 Toyota Camry sedans), but Subaru-specific output will be increased to 300,000 units, requiring an additional 900 new hires as well. Although a previous report suggested the Forester and Impreza would be moving Stateside, this AN article only mentions the hatchback and sedan versions of the Impreza being added to Lafayette - and no mention of the closely related XV Crosstrek.

Subaru investing $400 million for Impreza production in Indiana originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 May 2013 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Acura built just 91 examples of the ILX last month, here's why

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Acura

The short life of the Acura ILX has been vexed by one glaringly odd standard equipment choice, mediocre reviews, getting outsold by its competition as it posted slower-than-projected sales and a pledge by Honda to upgrade its supposedly upgraded offering. Therefore, when Automotive News reports that just 91 of the Civic-based Acura sedans were manufactured last month - after a string of production months in double-digits - it would be easy to press the button for the alarm bells.

But that would be hasty, because it is actually the 2013 Honda Civic that is crimping the production pipeline of the ILX. The vastly higher sales numbers of the Honda meant that all three North American plants that produce it needed to crank up output to satisfy dealer inventory needs, including the Greenburg, Indiana plant that makes both the Civic and the ILX. As the classic guns-vs-butter Economy 101 lesson taught us - in which making more of one necessarily means making less of the other - well, the Civic is the gun.

Honda prepared for this eventuality by cranking out the Acuras while it got ready for Civic production. The ILX has held steady at about 500 units shy of company projections every month, and the current inventory represents about 90 days worth of sales. That makes Greenburg's ostensibly low numbers in line with the realities of the ILX, and the situation probably won't change much as Acura gets ready for the improved 2014 ILX.

Acura built just 91 examples of the ILX last month, here's why originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Carbon Motors pulls out of Indiana plant, future uncertain

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Earnings/Financials, Police/Emergency, Diesel

Three years ago, Carbon Motors chose one corner of a shuttered Visteon plant in Connersville, Indiana as the location to build its diesel-powered E7 dedicated police cruiser. Carbon intended to invest $350 million to start production, providing 1,500 jobs at the same time. That investment, however, relied the US Department of Energy approving a $310-million loan to Carbon through the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, a loan that was ultimately denied.

Without that money, the arrival of the E7 and Connersville's return to manufacturing have apparently been put on hold. According to the Indianapolis Business Journal, Carbon's plant development officer wrote the mayor of the city, Leonard Urban, to tell him that he had resigned, and all traces of Carbon Motors have been removed from the plant, including Carbon Drive that leads to it. Urban said he has no idea what the company's plans are, and Carbon hasn't commented.

Carbon Motors pulls out of Indiana plant, future uncertain originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

eBay Find of the Day: 1977 Jeep J20 time capsule

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Truck, Auctions, Jeep, Off-Road

Is it just us or has eBay really become, of late, a surprising time capsule of older, barely used automobiles? We've had the 2005 Porsche Carrera GT with 83 miles, the 2004 Ferrari Enzo with 175 miles, the 1987 Shelby Lancer with 22 miles, the 1989 Shelby Dakota with 23 miles - none of those four cars ever even registered - and the 1975 Cosworth Vega with 191 miles. You can add to that list a 1977 Jeep J20 - the kind of Jeep that enthusiasts point to when they beg the brand to make another pickup truck.

Listed on eBay by Masterpiece Classic Cars in Whiteland, Indiana, the Brandywine and Alpine White truck has used its 360-cubic-inch V8 paired with a three-speed automatic to go just 3,940 documented miles. Not surprisingly, it's listed in excellent condition and the images appear to bear that out. The three-quarter-ton pickup comes with its original manual and pamphlets, the Quadra-Track four-wheel drive probably just as ready to tackle the terrain as it was 36 years ago. If only it came with some John Denver to play in that AM/FM/8-Track stereo...

At the time of writing it hasn't garnered a single offer or bid, probably due to the above-top-dollar Buy It Now price of $34,900. Still, since this is likely the closest you'll get to a Jeep pickup for some time, we'd recommend admiring it in the gallery of photos above.

eBay Find of the Day: 1977 Jeep J20 time capsule originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Subaru to raise US production from 130,000 units to 300,000 by 2016

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:45:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Subaru, Earnings/Financials

Ask Subaru about the difficult car market and it is likely to ask in response, "What difficult car market?" The little Japanese brand has its XV sitting on top of sales charts in (one small corner of) Europe, the BRZ is still allergic to sitting on dealer lots, the company has raised its financial forecast due to strong US sales and being in the top five of Consumer Reports' reliability ratings is the sprinkles on the cupcake. Just-Auto now reports that Subie is considering increasing US production by 30,000 units as soon as 2014, and another 100,000 units as soon as 2016. That's good news for Subaru's Lafayette, Indiana plant, which builds the Legacy, Outback and Tribeca.

The increase in production has yet to be approved, but the company's been talking about it for a few months now, especially after it wasn't able to build a factory in China. The Chinese government denied Subaru parent company Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) the right to build a factory in the People's Republic since Toyota, an FHI shareholder, already has two plants there. That ended up helping Subaru in the short term since it wasn't affected by the anti-Japanese sentiment over the issue of ownership of some islands in the South China Sea. In addition to the bumped-up production numbers, the president of FHI said he expects Subaru to sell more than 350,000 cars in the US next year; doing so would be an improvement of almost 30 percent over 2011.

Subaru to raise US production from 130,000 units to 300,000 by 2016 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chrysler wants $2.5M security deposit back from Indiana electric utility

George Kennedy — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 14:17:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler

The Detroit News reports that Chrysler has filed a complaint with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission seeking the return of a $2.5 million security deposit charged to the automaker's Kokomo, Indiana facilities by Duke Energy, plus interest. The called Duke's actions "unreasonable and discriminatory"

In 2009, after Chrysler's bankruptcy and corporate overhaul, Duke requested a security deposit because it viewed the freshly-minted Chrysler Group LLC, allied with Fiat, as an entirely new customer.

Chrysler says it had already set up a prepayment system that "mitigated any risk to Duke" and negated the need for any security deposit, but it caved and paid the sum when Duke threatened to cut off power to the four Kokomo facilities.

According to the report, Chrysler has asked for the deposit back, but Duke Energy says it won't return the money until Chrysler makes 12 consecutive payments, maintains a long-term credit rating of "BB" through Standard & Poors, and Duke determines Chrysler's financial status and acceptability of risk.

Chrysler argues that Duke has not established any criteria for that final element, and both parties will meet in Indianapolis on August 15 to start hashing out the situation.

Chrysler wants $2.5M security deposit back from Indiana electric utility originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Jul 2012 14:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2013 Acura ILX production gets underway in Indiana

Jeff Sabatini — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:40:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Acura, Honda, Luxury

Honda has been building the Civic in Greensburg, Indiana, since 2008, but now the company's newest American assembly plant has some variety on its lines. The 2013 Acura ILX joined its mass-market relative at the 2.1 million square-foot facility yesterday.

Honda is building both the standard ILX and the ILX Hybrid at Honda Manufacturing Indiana, which is the only plant slated for assembly of the new compact Acura. Greensburg will continue to build Civic sedans, including the natural-gas-powered Civic GX, both for domestic consumption and export. Since the ILX is based on the Civic, the two cars sharing an assembly line is a natural.

The ILX goes on sale on May 22, at a starting price of $25,900 plus $895 for destination. Scroll down to read the full press release.

Continue reading 2013 Acura ILX production gets underway in Indiana

2013 Acura ILX production gets underway in Indiana originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota to export Highlander from U.S. to Australia, Russia

Chris Shunk — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Toyota

Toyota is struggling with the rising yen, so much so that the automaker has been shifting vehicle production outside of Japan. That's bad news for laborers in Japan, but it works out in favor of the American workforce in Princeton, Indiana.

That's because Toyota has announced that it will hire 400 more workers and spend $400 million to ramp up production of the popular Highlander. Toyota plans to ship off the extra production to buyers in countries like Russia and Australia. The plant expansion and additional jobs will enable the Princeton plant to crank out 50,000 additional Highlander models each year.

Toyota plans to complete the upgrades to the Princeton facility by late 2013. Hit the jump to read over the Toyota press release.

Continue reading Toyota to export Highlander from U.S. to Australia, Russia

Toyota to export Highlander from U.S. to Australia, Russia originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Indiana going Right To Work after VW kiss-off?

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Volkswagen, UAW/Unions

Indiana Democrats fought it for weeks by not showing up for sessions, but eventually the Repblican-led House of Representatives was able to pass a measure to make Indiana a Right-to-Work state. That bill will go to the State Senate where the Republicans have an even larger majority, and observers expect it to be signed into law by governor Mitch Daniels before the Super Bowl takes place in Indianapolis on February 5.

Assuming nothing stops that from happening, Indiana becomes state number 23 among the nation's Right-to-Work faction, but the first in the upper Midwest, known so well for its wide and heavily unionized manufacturing base that it's called The Rust Belt. According to a report in Automotive News, Governor Daniels points to VW's decision to build its plant in Tennessee as the reason for the legislation. In fact, he said Volkswagen wouldn't even return phone calls. "Why would that one company not even talk to us? I think I know."

Indiana's strong union presence didn't stop other manufacturers from setting up plants or maintaining plants there, such as Honda, Subaru and General Motors. But it appears Daniels took the VW snub especially hard and wants to sure that, if the threat of unionization really was the problem in that case, that it is never a problem again.

Indiana going Right To Work after VW kiss-off? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Steps taken to formally preserve giant Indiana Studebaker sign

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

Perhaps the most beautiful thing Studebaker ever did was the Avanti, but certainly the biggest thing it ever did was plant a "Studebaker" sign composed of nearly 5,000 trees. The leafy advertisement resides in what is now a park in St. Joseph County, Indiana, but was Studebaker's proving grounds at the time it was planted.

The sign has managed to survive since 1938 without any funds devoted to its upkeep, but that's about to change. The non-proft Indiana Landmarks has provided a $2,500 grant to the parks department to study the health of the trees and propose ways to improve and care for them. The study should be concluded this month, after which the sign's future should be much brighter. We don't expect any Avantis to make it to the moon when we colonize our satellite, but thanks to Indiana Landmarks at least you'll always be able to see a "Studebaker."

Steps taken to formally preserve giant Indiana Studebaker sign originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Crumbling bridge chosen as symbol of decaying infrastructure

Zach Bowman — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

Indiana governor Mitch Daniels was forced to close the Sherman Minton Bridge over the Ohio River last week. The 50-year-old structure connects Indiana with Kentucky via Interstate 64, and after years of overuse, the bridge has deteriorated significantly.

Inspectors recently discovered a large crack in the main load-bearing element of the bridge, and structural engineers quickly recommended closing the structure to traffic. Before the closure, 75,000 vehicles flowed between Albany, Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky every day. Now those vehicles are being forced onto already over-crowded alternate routes.

The Sherman Minton Bridge has become a symbol of our nation's rapidly-deteriorating infrastructure (see also: I-35 bridge in Minneapolis), and President Barack Obama has used it as an example of exactly how America needs to focus on shoring up its innards. As a result, the president has unveiled the American Jobs Act - legislation designed to put people back to work while giving infrastructure the attention it's been lacking over the past four decades. Here's hoping it works.

Crumbling bridge chosen as symbol of decaying infrastructure originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

RM Auctions buys Kruse's Indiana Auction Park

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 15:37:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions

Kruse auctions' year-long trek to the abyss continues apace. In 2009, Dean V. Kruse's troubles flared up in Indiana due to mounting lawsuits from consignors who were never paid after their cars were sold, as well as banks that hadn't been paid for credit or loans. A $1.3 million judgment against Kruse and a repossession of his private jet followed soon after, and last month Kruse had his Indiana auction license revoked. Although Kruse could have petitioned to get his Indiana Auction Park location license back after two years, the 235-acre parcel has instead been sold to RM Auctions.

In what looks like a seamless handoff, RM will simply take over what Kruse started forty years ago, hosting classic and custom car auctions along with the Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg Festival over Labor Day weekend. The move will keep a good thing going and has hopefully made things better for Kruse himself; perhaps he can now focus on his court issues in Indiana and Arizona. Hat tip to Ric

[Source: Sports Car Market]

RM Auctions buys Kruse's Indiana Auction Park originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 03 Jul 2010 15:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chrysler plans eight-speed automatic production in Indiana [w/video]

Chris Shunk — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Technology, Videos, Chrysler, Dodge

Chrysler eight-speed automatic transmission - click above to watch the video

Chrysler has announced that it will begin fitting an eight-speed transmission to select models for the 2013 model year. The ZF Group-sourced slushbox will be built at Team Pentastar's Kokomo, Indiana transmission plant thanks to a $300 million investment by the parent company. That cash commitment secures the 1,200 jobs currently working at the plant.

Eight-speed transmissions provide considerable fuel economy improvements compared to an automatic with five or six forward speeds. Chrysler isn't divulging which products will receive the new transmission, but Wards speculates that the upcoming eight-speed tranny makes the most sense in Chrysler's rear-drive LX platform vehicles like the 300 and Charger. That makes sense to us considering the fact that Chrysler will need to improve fuel economy considerably to meet stringent new EPA standards of 35 miles per gallon by 2016.

Senior Powertrain VP Paolo Ferraro says that the new transmission "will offer our customers refinement and comfort while achieving greater fuel economy and performance." Chrysler plans to improve its overall fuel economy by 25 percent by 2014. For comparison's sake, the ZF-sourced eight-speed transmission used in the BMW 760i is said to improve the big Bimmer's fuel economy by six percent. Learn more by checking out the official video and press release after the jump.

[Sources: Chrysler, Wards Automotive]

Continue reading Chrysler plans eight-speed automatic production in Indiana [w/video]

Chrysler plans eight-speed automatic production in Indiana [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kruse gets Indiana auction licenses revoked

Zach Bowman — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Government/Legal

The legendary Kruse auction house has hit yet another rough patch. The company that once broke the $1 million bid barrier for a classic car has had its licenses revoked in the State of Indiana. It appears that the revocation is the result of a number of complaints lodged against the house over the past year. Buyers have reported lengthy delays in obtaining the vehicles they had purchased, and some consigners had lodged complaints after not receiving payment after their vehicles were sold. According to Automotive News, Dean Kruse (pictured), the company's president, has said that the poor economy has lead to cash flow woes.

Indiana has indefinitely suspended Dean Kruse's license, though he can petition to get it back in two years. Meanwhile, his company won't be eligible for new licenses for a total of seven years. Kruse International is facing a total of $70,000 in fines, and must now submit quarterly reports from a certified accountant detailing all payments to consigners.

None of this necessarily means that Indiana-based Kruse is getting out of the auction business for good, though. At present, no other state has pulled the company's license... so far.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

Kruse gets Indiana auction licenses revoked originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Toyota bankrolling $500 million into Indiana plant; no comment on NUMMI

Michael Harley — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, GM, Toyota, UAW/Unions

The world's biggest automaker has confirmed that it is investing 44.9 billion yen (or about $467.2 million at current exchange rates) to upgrade its Indiana plant. Toyota Motor Corp. will reportedly spend the next three months retooling in order to build its Sequoia and Highlander SUVs on the same line (last year, the automaker canceled plans to manufacture the Highlander in a new plant slated for Mississippi).

Toyota also has no comment about the recent rumors that it had entered talks with General Motors about buying out General Motors's share in the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) venture after the U.S. automaker announced last week that it was abandoning its 50 percent stake in the partnership. Toyota is currently negotiating with the United Auto Workers to adjust labor rates at the Fremont, California, operation. According to reports, the plant could shut down if those talks go sour.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

REPORT: Toyota bankrolling $500 million into Indiana plant; no comment on NUMMI originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fiat to Chrysler: "We won't walk away"

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:39:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Chrysler, Fiat

In spite of pleas from the White House and the Justice Department, the Supreme Court yesterday put a hold on Chrysler's sale to Fiat. On one side are Indiana pension funds who want to protect their investment. On the other side are Chrysler and Fiat, who want to protect Chrysler's very existence, and the government which wants to protect the economy and jobs. In between all of that is the law.

Chrysler was given until June 15 to arrange its affairs or Fiat had the right to walk away from the deal, which would mean almost certain liquidation for the Pentastar. A Fiat spokesman, however, has come out today and said "Fiat won't walk away from Chrysler."

No reason was given for Fiat's new commitment, but in addition to the fact that Fiat intimately knows how long it takes to get a stumbling business through necessary hurdles, this is probably the company's best near-term chance to get into the U.S. market with a whole lot of helping hands. For the time being, everyone now waits to see what the Supreme Court will do with the case. Thanks for the tip, Dave!

[Source: Yahoo!]

Fiat to Chrysler: "We won't walk away" originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Chrysler's sale to Fiat put on hold temporarily to hear debtor objections

Chris Shunk — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Chrysler

The state of Indiana has a big problem with Chrysler's bankruptcy proceedings. Indiana state treasurer Richard Mourdock explained that "Indiana retirees and Indiana taxpayers have suffered losses because of unprecedented and illegal acts of the federal government." The home of the Indianapolis 500 has $42 million worth of retirement funds invested in the Pentastar; less than 1% of the $6.9 billion in secured debt owed by Chrysler. Indiana's appeal of the Fiat sale officially puts any deal with the Italian automaker on hold until a resolution has been made.

Veteran bankruptcy judge Arthur Gonzalez couldn't disagree with Mr. Mourdock more, saying ""the Court finds that all relevant standards have been established to grant the relief requested." By "relief," Judge Gonzalez is likely talking about Fiat and its ability to take ownership of Chrysler.

Though $42 million doesn't buy a lot these days, the state has the right to fight the bankruptcy. Whether the midwestern state wins its case is another matter all together.The New York Court of Appeals hearing of the state of Indiana's objection to the Chrysler bankruptcy hearing is widely viewed as little more than a formality. Chrysler's bankruptcy has gone very smoothly thus far, and with the backing of plenty of rock-solid legal types in the White House, it is now looking more and more likely that Chrysler will indeed exit bankruptcy in around 60 days.

[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

REPORT: Chrysler's sale to Fiat put on hold temporarily to hear debtor objections originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

First 2010 Subaru Legacy rolls off the line in Indiana

Alex Nunez — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Subaru

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the 2010 Subaru Legacy

The 5th-generation Subaru Legacy has officially begun production, with the first car rolling off the Lafayette, Indiana assembly line late last week to confetti-strewn, ribbon-cutting fanfare. In keeping with Subaru's recent new-model introductions, beginning with the current Impreza and continuing with the new Forester, the 2010 Subaru Legacy wears controversial new bodywork that abandons the elegantly understated lines of the outgoing model in favor of a more stylized (overstyled?) face attached to a car that has grown dimensionally in order to be better-positioned against the likes of the Honda Accord. With production now underway, look for the new Subaru Legacy to start arriving in U.S. showrooms by July. We'll weigh in with our impressions of the car as soon as we can get our hands on one. Thanks to Steve B. for the tip!

Gallery: 2010 Subaru Legacy

[Source: JConline.com]

First 2010 Subaru Legacy rolls off the line in Indiana originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 May 2009 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Honda shuffles production so it can make more Civics

Michael Harley — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:25:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Honda

As domestic automobile manufacturers cut production and lay off workers because they were caught off-guard when consumer buying habits switched to more fuel-efficient vehicles, Honda will effortlessly shuffle its production to meet U.S. demand for small cars. Without cutting any jobs in North America, Honda will move assembly of the Honda Pilot SUV and Honda Ridgeline pickup from Alliston, Ontario, to Lincoln, Alabama. This move will allow the Japanese automaker to increase production of the fuel-efficient Honda Civic in its Canadian plant. Later this year, Honda is expected to add another 2,000 jobs as it begins to build Civics in Indiana, as well. That plant will be Honda's seventh in North America. Honda has sold 34,163 units of the Civic in North America through April of this year, which is 8.2% more Civics sold on average per day than in 2007. For comparison's sake, Toyota has sold 32,435 Corollas, Ford has sold 23,850 Foci and Chevy has sold 18,636 Cobalts so far this year.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Honda shuffles production so it can make more Civics originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 May 2008 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota to start exporting U.S.-built SUVs and minivans

Michael Harley — Tue, 20 May 2008 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing

What's built in the States, stays in the States. At least that is how it used to be with one of the world's largest automaker. (The one exception is the Toyota Avalon sedan -- exported to the Middle East last year.)

Toyota has now announced that it will ramp up U.S. vehicle production in Indiana and begin exporting vehicles to other booming markets around the world. The first to leave our shores will be the Toyota Sequoia, as it heads to buyers in the Middle East later this year. The Toyota Sienna minivan will follow, as it will be shipped to China and other markets as early as 2010. This news should be welcomed by workers and suppliers at the automaker's plants as Toyota recently slowed production at several facilities. This new trend of shifting production towards exporting vehicles may help keep them running at capacity, and keep everyone on their jobs.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

Toyota to start exporting U.S.-built SUVs and minivans originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 May 2008 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments