Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Fiat builds 1 millionth 500, still a ways to go before passing original]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/fiat-builds-1-millionth-500-still-a-ways-to-go-before-passing-o/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/fiat-builds-1-millionth-500-still-a-ways-to-go-before-passing-o/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/fiat-builds-1-millionth-500-still-a-ways-to-go-before-passing-o/#commentsFiled under: , ,



There are now 1.1 million examples of the new Fiat 500 cruising the roads of 83 countries, one million of them made at the Fiat's Tychy plant in Poland, the rest in the Fiat plant in Toluca, Mexico. It's taken 69 months since the car's 2007 launch to reach the milestone, the capstone hatchback being an Abarth 500.

Where does that fit into the historical context? We'll never know, since you can't really compare. But if we played with the numbers, according to Automania, Fiat built 3,893,294 of the original 500 (and variants) from its inception in 1957 to the last model being sent off in 1975. If we average the output over time, and assume an even 18-year production run, the total production divided by 216 months is about 18,025 cars per month, which would make for 1,243,725 cars in 69 months.

On the other hand, the first two generations of the early 500 didn't equate to a million units in eight years, so congratulations Fiat. There's a brief press release below with a few more details on the achievement.

Continue reading Fiat builds 1 millionth 500, still a ways to go before passing original

Fiat builds 1 millionth 500, still a ways to go before passing original originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abarthfiatfiat 500fiat 500 abarthmanufacturingpolandproductiontychyMon, 22 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20546365/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/22/fiat-builds-1-millionth-500-still-a-ways-to-go-before-passing-o/20546365/article-detail.xml 20546365 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/million-fiat-500_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/million-fiat-500.jpg <![CDATA[Holden announces 500 job cuts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/holden-announces-500-job-cuts/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/holden-announces-500-job-cuts/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/holden-announces-500-job-cuts/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Nearly 500 employees of Holden, GM's Australian outpost, will be without jobs as the company adjusts to the high dollar, fierce competition from foreign rivals and lagging Commodore (shown above) and Cruze sales. In 2005, Holden sold 66,794 Commodore models. But that number plummeted to just 30,532 units last calendar year, prompting the automaker to lay off 170 workers just five months ago. With this latest round, about 100 jobs will be cut in its Melbourne product development facility and another 400 will be slashed at its Elizabeth plant, in South Australia, as the company slows production from 400 units to 335 units per day.

The Australian government has invested more than $2.2 billion ($2.29 billion US dollars) of its own funds to help Holden over the years, and there are future subsidies on the line, but many are questioning the investments. When Holden managing director Mike Devereux was asked about the brand's future, he was far from optimistic. "I cannot predict the future... I can't control what central banks do ... I cannot control the value of other currencies that we compete with and I cannot predict what that will do to our business.''

Holden announces 500 job cuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaholdenholden australiaholden commodoreholden cruzeholden layoffmanufacturingTue, 09 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20534291/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/09/holden-announces-500-job-cuts/20534291/article-detail.xml 20534291 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/vf-calaisv-show-car-02-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/vf-calaisv-show-car-02-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota exec sees future where all cars sold in US are built here]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/20/toyota-exec-sees-future-where-all-cars-sold-in-us-are-built-here/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/20/toyota-exec-sees-future-where-all-cars-sold-in-us-are-built-here/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/20/toyota-exec-sees-future-where-all-cars-sold-in-us-are-built-here/#commentsFiled under: ,



A growing number of foreign automakers have been shifting more vehicle production to the US - including recent announcement by Nissan and Honda - but Toyota could be on the verge of taking an unprecedented step by producing all of the cars it sells in the US right here in North America. According to the Detroit Free Press, Bill Fay, VP and GM of Toyota US, hinted at such a possibility, but the wording in the report makes it sound like this is far from a done deal and would not apply to Scion or Lexus models.

Currently, the automaker already builds 70 percent of its US-sold cars in North America including some of its more popular models like the Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Tacoma and RAV4. While most of the Japanese-made Toyotas that are sold in the US are slower-selling models (like Land Cruiser, FJ Cruiser and Yaris), the Prius lineup is the glaring exception, and last we heard, Toyota still has plans to ship Prius production to the US by 2015. This is all a part of Toyota's plan to add 3,500 jobs in North America to go with recent investments totaling $1.6 billion.

Toyota exec sees future where all cars sold in US are built here originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Jan 2013 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill faymanufacturingnorth american auto productiontoyotaus auto productionSun, 20 Jan 2013 16:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20431219/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/20/toyota-exec-sees-future-where-all-cars-sold-in-us-are-built-here/20431219/article-detail.xml 20431219 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/2012-toyota-camry-se-fd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/2012-toyota-camry-se-fd.jpg <![CDATA[China projected to build more cars than Europe in 2013]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/05/china-projected-to-build-more-cars-than-europe-in-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/05/china-projected-to-build-more-cars-than-europe-in-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/05/china-projected-to-build-more-cars-than-europe-in-2013/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chinese car assembly

Financial Times reports China may build more vehicles than Europe next year for the first time in the history of the automotive industry. All told, manufacturers in China are projected to produce 19.6 million light vehicles this year compared to the 18.3 million slated to be built in Europe. The numbers come from figures compiled from five analyst groups by Financial Times, including IHS, LMC Auto and PwC consultancies, as well as UBS and Credit Suisse banks. As the report highlights, Europe's numbers include countries like Turkey and Russia.

Those nations will help push Europe to produce around 20 percent of vehicles manufactured worldwide, down from 35 percent in 2001 and 50 percent in 1970. Meanwhile, China continues to enjoy a production boom, with the country expected to build 10 times the number of vehicles it did in 2000. In 2013, China is projected to account for 23.8 percent of global light vehicle production.

China projected to build more cars than Europe in 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Jan 2013 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinaeuropemanufacturingmanufacturing in chinavehicle manufacturing in chinaSat, 05 Jan 2013 12:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20415800/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/05/china-projected-to-build-more-cars-than-europe-in-2013/20415800/article-detail.xml 20415800 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/chinese-car-assembly_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/chinese-car-assembly.jpg <![CDATA[A look back on BMW, South Carolina and Southern manufacturing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/29/a-look-back-on-bmw-south-carolina-and-southern-manufacturing/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/29/a-look-back-on-bmw-south-carolina-and-southern-manufacturing/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/29/a-look-back-on-bmw-south-carolina-and-southern-manufacturing/#commentsFiled under: ,

BMW Spartanburg manufacturing facility

It has been 20 years since BMW broke ground on its Spartanburg, SC manufacturing facility, and while the automaker doesn't have any plans to mark the moment, economists and industry analysts have taken a closer look at the facility's impact on South Carolina, the South and global manufacturing. As of November, the Spartanburg plant's 7,000 employees cranked out 25,000 vehicles per month, and BMW has poured some $6 billion into the state since the plant opened in 1993. While that figure nearly matches the state's proposed budget for next year, some say there have been drawbacks.

To begin with, South Carolina provided BMW with hundreds of millions of dollars worth of public money and tax breaks with little public oversight, setting a precedent that would repeat itself with other corporations. The Detroit News reports that a Pew Center evaluation found 26 states didn't have a sufficient system for evaluating tax incentive performance. But BMW opened the door for a Southern manufacturing renaissance, with automakers from Mercedes-Benz to Hyundai and Volkswagen opening plants in the Deep South.

While states have raced to offer ever sweeter tax and cash incentives for big manufacturers, officials say BMW is proof the system can pay dividends. You can read the full piece here.

A look back on BMW, South Carolina and Southern manufacturing originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 29 Dec 2012 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwmanufacturingsouthern auto plantsspartanburgspartanburg plantSat, 29 Dec 2012 13:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20411999/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/29/a-look-back-on-bmw-south-carolina-and-southern-manufacturing/20411999/article-detail.xml 20411999 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/spartanburg-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/spartanburg-628.jpg <![CDATA[Ford investing big in Michigan manufacturing, adding up to 2,350 new jobs]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/27/ford-investing-big-in-michigan-manufacturing-adding-up-to-2-350/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/27/ford-investing-big-in-michigan-manufacturing-adding-up-to-2-350/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/27/ford-investing-big-in-michigan-manufacturing-adding-up-to-2-350/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ford plant

Ford has announced it will invest $773 million in its facilities across Southeast Michigan. The funds will go toward new equipment and bolstering manufacturing capacity at six plants. The plan is part of a larger move to invest a total of $6.2 billion in the US by 2015. All told, the latest round of upgrades should help create 2,350 new hourly jobs while allowing Ford to keep a further 3,240 hourly jobs in place. The automaker plans to add 12,000 hourly positions at its facilities across the country by 2015.

The automaker's Michigan and Flat Rock Assembly Plants will receive $59.4 million and $161 million, respectively, with Flat Rock receiving new machinery and equipment necessary to produce the 2013 Ford Fusion. The company's Dearborn Stamping plant will receive the largest investment, with $305 million heading toward plant modernization and new press lines, though the Sterling Axle Plant, Van Dyke and Livonia Transmission facilities will all receive cash for various upgrades. You can take a look at the brief press release below for more information.

Continue reading Ford investing big in Michigan manufacturing, adding up to 2,350 new jobs

Ford investing big in Michigan manufacturing, adding up to 2,350 new jobs originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Dec 2012 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flat rock assemblyfordlivonia transmission plantmanufacturingsterling axle plantvan dyke transmission plantThu, 27 Dec 2012 10:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20411968/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/27/ford-investing-big-in-michigan-manufacturing-adding-up-to-2-350/20411968/article-detail.xml 20411968 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/ford-plant-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/ford-plant-628.jpg <![CDATA[Subaru to raise US production from 130,000 units to 300,000 by 2016]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/27/subaru-to-raise-us-production-from-130-000-units-to-300-000-by-2/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/27/subaru-to-raise-us-production-from-130-000-units-to-300-000-by-2/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/27/subaru-to-raise-us-production-from-130-000-units-to-300-000-by-2/#commentsFiled under: , ,



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]]>fuji heavy industriesindianamanufacturingplantssiasubaruTue, 27 Nov 2012 08:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20386791/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/27/subaru-to-raise-us-production-from-130-000-units-to-300-000-by-2/20386791/article-detail.xml 20386791 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/2014subaruforester_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/2014subaruforester.jpg <![CDATA[Japanese companies to cut car production in China by 50%]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/09/japanese-companies-to-cut-car-production-in-china-by-50/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/09/japanese-companies-to-cut-car-production-in-china-by-50/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/09/japanese-companies-to-cut-car-production-in-china-by-50/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Toyota Emblem

Automotive News reports Japanese manufacturers are set to cut production in China by half. Toyota, Nissan and Honda have seen sales fall off by steep margins in the People's Republic after a territorial dispute between Japan and China resulted in anti-Japanese protests. Sales of Japanese goods have declined amid calls for boycotts all over China. As a result, Nissan is currently planning to halt the night shift at its two Chinese facilities. Toyota and Honda, meanwhile, will reduce production by cutting back work hours and slowing production lines. The news comes courtesy of a report in the Nikkei newspaper, but has not been confirmed by the manufacturers themselves.

There's no indication as to how long the cut in production will last.

As Automotive News points out, Japanese manufacturers were already scaling back production to meet demand before the protests broke out. The Chinese economy is currently in its slowest period of growth in the past three years. Even so, the shift away from Japanese vehicles has seen Hyundai sales jump by 15 percent last month. Likewise, Audi saw it's numbers swell by 20 percent, and BMW enjoyed a boost of 55 percent.

Japanese companies to cut car production in China by 50% originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinahondajapanmanufacturingnissantoyotaTue, 09 Oct 2012 11:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20344341/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/09/japanese-companies-to-cut-car-production-in-china-by-50/20344341/article-detail.xml 20344341 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/toyota-emblem-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/toyota-emblem-628.jpg <![CDATA[Mazda ceases production in U.S. as last sedan rolls off line in Flat Rock]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/26/mazda-ceases-production-in-u-s-as-last-sedan-rolls-off-line-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/26/mazda-ceases-production-in-u-s-as-last-sedan-rolls-off-line-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/26/mazda-ceases-production-in-u-s-as-last-sedan-rolls-off-line-in/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mazda6 US production kickoff, 2008

The photo above was taken July 23, 2008 at the production kickoff for the Mazda6 at the AutoAlliance International plant, jointly owned by Mazda and Ford, in Flat Rock, Michigan. And as of this week, though neither company made a big deal about it, the AutoAlliance facility stopped building the Mazda6, ending Mazda production in the United States.

Although Ford takes total practical control of AutoAlliance International, the two companies will maintain their 50-50 stake in the plant for now while Ford invests $550 million in the facility to gear up for 2013 Fusion production.

The plant has built some well-known nameplates, including the Probe, Cougar and Mustang. The success of the joint venture led to the opening of an AutoAlliance Thailand plant in Rayong, modeled on its Flat Rock forebear. Mazda's manufacturing departure from the U.S. will see 2014 Mazda6 production return to Japan; the automaker's North American production relocates to Salamanca, Mexico in early 2013.

Mazda ceases production in U.S. as last sedan rolls off line in Flat Rock originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoallianceAutoAlliance Internationalfordmanufacturingmazdamazda6plantsSun, 26 Aug 2012 14:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20309174/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/26/mazda-ceases-production-in-u-s-as-last-sedan-rolls-off-line-in/20309174/article-detail.xml 20309174 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/mazda6autoalliance_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/mazda6autoalliance.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Honda Accord production fires up with Earth Dreams power]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/20/2013-honda-accord-production-fires-up-with-earth-dreams-power/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/20/2013-honda-accord-production-fires-up-with-earth-dreams-power/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/20/2013-honda-accord-production-fires-up-with-earth-dreams-power/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2013 Honda Accord - studio shot - gray - front three-quarter view

Production of the "Earth Dreams" powertrains that will slot into the 2013 Honda Accord got underway at the Japanese automaker's Anna Engine and Honda Transmission Mfg. plants last week, and both facilities have begun feeding engines and gearboxes to the Marysville, Ohio, assembly lines where the 2013 Accord has started rolling off the lines. A ceremony marking the start of the new generation's assembly today also served to celebrate Honda's 30 years of production in the States.

As one would expect with car as important to Honda as the ninth-generation Accord, the company has made a huge investment in the North American debut of its new direct-injected, 2.4-liter four-cylinder, a new CVT transmission and a 3.5-liter V6 and its optional six-speed automatic. Honda has spent $220 million on expansions, casting operations and automated lines for its associates, and the plant is now able to make 1.8 million Earth Dreams engines annually.

The new engines are said to be good for a 10-percent improvement in fuel economy compared to current offerings, and the powerplants will eventually migrate to other models in Honda's lineup. Check out the press releases below for more information.

Continue reading 2013 Honda Accord production fires up with Earth Dreams power

2013 Honda Accord production fires up with Earth Dreams power originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 accord2013 honda accordaccordearth dreamshondamanufacturingmarysvillemarysville ohioplantsMon, 20 Aug 2012 16:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20304436/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/20/2013-honda-accord-production-fires-up-with-earth-dreams-power/20304436/article-detail.xml 20304436 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/01-2013-honda-accord-sedan_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/01-2013-honda-accord-sedan.jpg <![CDATA[2014 Mazda6 wagon rolls up on video]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/2014-mazda6-wagon-rolls-up-on-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/2014-mazda6-wagon-rolls-up-on-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/2014-mazda6-wagon-rolls-up-on-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Mazda taped the ceremony commemorating production of the 2014 Mazda6 at its Hofu No. 2 plant in Japan, and now we have it. There are a few dark glimpses of the Euro-spec Mazda6 wagon as a couple of them roll out and do loops for the factory workers, but the cameras don't spend a lot of time on the car. A more well-lit demonstration will likely be seen at the Moscow Motor Show later this month.

The 14-minute video is in Japanese, so once you're finished watching the car you can enjoy the executive speeches, and it ends with a cheer by the workers. Check it out below.

Continue reading 2014 Mazda6 wagon rolls up on video

2014 Mazda6 wagon rolls up on video originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 mazda62014 mazda6 wagonhofujapanmanufacturingmazda6mazda6 wagonplantsvideovideoswagonyoutubeMon, 06 Aug 2012 14:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20293414/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/06/2014-mazda6-wagon-rolls-up-on-video/20293414/article-detail.xml 20293414 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/mazda6wagonfactory_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/mazda6wagonfactory.jpg <![CDATA[Kyushu on the road to becoming Japan's Motor City]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/22/kyushu-on-the-road-to-becoming-japans-motor-city/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/22/kyushu-on-the-road-to-becoming-japans-motor-city/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/22/kyushu-on-the-road-to-becoming-japans-motor-city/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Toyota Corolla-branded dealer in Fukuoka, by Melanie Ko

The strong yen has Japanese carmakers looking to optimize every efficiency in order to keep their cars competitive in export markets. One strategy gaining momentum is to do some island hopping, specifically, moving plants and manufacturing to Kyushu, the southernmost main island in the Japanese archipelago. Car production there as a percentage of total Japanese production has doubled from 2001 to 2011, but more startling are the recent increases: Nissan just moved its Note and Caravan production there, Toyota is boosting production there by 600 percent, and total units made in Kyushu climbed 21 percent from 2010 to 2011.

The three big factors involved are lower personnel costs, lower auto parts costs and increased productivity because of newer, more efficient factories. Companies can save ten percent on personnel in Kyushu versus traditional manufacturing centers like Aichi and Kanagawa, which are on the main island of Honshu and near major cities like Nagoya and Tokyo. Kyushu is also much closer to the South Korean peninsula, and the weakness of the South Korean won means importing lower-priced Korean auto parts is an even more attractive option.

Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun says it could soon be the Detroit of Japan. The prediction could be sped up if intergovernment talks can rework laws on transportation: it's illegal for trucks with South Korean plates to drive on Japanese roads, so trucks hauling parts get shipped to Kyushu ports and their cargo is transferred to Japanese trucks. Japanese and South Korean officials are working to determine how to allow trucks from across the strait to travel unhindered from Korean auto parts factories to Japanese car factories.

Kyushu on the road to becoming Japan's Motor City originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Jul 2012 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japankyushulexusmanufacturingnissanplantssouth koreatoyotaSun, 22 Jul 2012 12:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20279315/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/22/kyushu-on-the-road-to-becoming-japans-motor-city/20279315/article-detail.xml 20279315 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/corollakyushumelanieko_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/corollakyushumelanieko.jpg <![CDATA[Watch a craftsman build a Ural sidecar by hand]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/14/watch-a-craftsman-build-a-ural-sidecar-by-hand/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/14/watch-a-craftsman-build-a-ural-sidecar-by-hand/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/14/watch-a-craftsman-build-a-ural-sidecar-by-hand/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ural Sidecar Video

We're in love with the Ural line. The bare-bones bikes have a rugged, no-fuss appeal, but they're also pricey. There's good reason for that: most of Ural's products are hand-built by master craftsmen. Take the video below as proof. Visitors to the Irbit, Russia facility responsible for constructing the bikes recently got to see just what goes into stitching a sidecar together. There are no robots swinging panels around or making precision welds. Just one guy, some metalworking equipment, and a little patience.

The gentleman in the video manages to assemble the sidecar in just under four minutes. That's a lifetime in manufacturing, but well worth it in our judgement. How many items in your care were assembled by skilled hands? How many will be around in 10 years? How about 30? If our experiences with Ural are any gauge, this robust sidecar is in for the long haul.

Continue reading Watch a craftsman build a Ural sidecar by hand

Watch a craftsman build a Ural sidecar by hand originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 14 Jul 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>manufacturinguralural sidecarural videovideoSat, 14 Jul 2012 10:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20272367/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/14/watch-a-craftsman-build-a-ural-sidecar-by-hand/20272367/article-detail.xml 20272367 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/ural-sidecar-video-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/ural-sidecar-video-628.jpg <![CDATA[Mini investing $387M in manufacturing, looking for even more capacity]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/09/mini-investing-387m-in-manufacturing-looking-for-even-more-cap/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/09/mini-investing-387m-in-manufacturing-looking-for-even-more-cap/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/09/mini-investing-387m-in-manufacturing-looking-for-even-more-cap/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mini Emblem

BMW has announced it will invest around $386.9 million in its United Kingdom operations. The cash will be divvied up amongst its Oxford manufacturing facility, Swindon steel body pressing plant and its Birmingham engine facility, all in order to help Mini keep pace with a new global growth strategy. BMW says the investment will allow Mini to maintain larger production volumes while simultaneously rolling out up to 10 new models in the near future. While that figure likely includes models like the Mini Paceman, BMW is keeping details on any other future models to itself for the time being. The investments are planned to be completed by the end of 2015.

All told, BMW has invested more than $2.7 billion in the company's UK manufacturing network since 2000, though Mini will likely still need even more production capacity to keep up with the brand's planned growth. While the manufacturer wants to contract that volume out to a satellite builder, no final decision on who that partner will be has been made just yet. Check out the full press release below.

Continue reading Mini investing $387M in manufacturing, looking for even more capacity

Mini investing $387M in manufacturing, looking for even more capacity originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>birminghambmwmanufacturingminimini productionoxfordswindonukunited kingdomMon, 09 Jul 2012 17:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20274304/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/09/mini-investing-387m-in-manufacturing-looking-for-even-more-cap/20274304/article-detail.xml 20274304 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/mini-emblem-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/mini-emblem-628.jpg <![CDATA[These are America's 15 busiest auto plants]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/06/these-are-americas-15-busiest-auto-plants/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/06/these-are-americas-15-busiest-auto-plants/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/06/these-are-americas-15-busiest-auto-plants/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ford F-150 assembly line

Still got that fireworks-induced, patriotic buzz going on? This might help keep you seeing red, white and blue a bit longer. Of the 15 most productive auto plants in the States, Automobile Magazine says the top two spots - and more than half the total tally - are occupied by American car companies.

Ford and its Kansas City and Dearborn plants claimed the top two slots for 2011. The Kansas City plant turned out an impressive 460,338 vehicles last year. Most of that (321,322) were 2012 Escape models with the remainder made up of 135,039 F-Series trucks and 3,977 Mazda Tribute models.

In Dearborn, Ford built 343,888 F-Series pickups and 473 Lincoln Mark LT trucks.

For the No. 3 spot, head south to Alabama, where Hyundai cranked out 227,663 Sonata and 114,499 Elantra sedans for a total of 342,162 vehicles.

Just up the road in Smyrna, Tennessee, is Nissan and its first North American plant where 333,392 cars, trucks and SUVs were built in 2011. Besides Nissans, though, the Smyrna workers also built 2,415 Suzuki Equator pickups which are based on the Nissan Frontier.

A little further north in Georgetown, Kentucky lies the largest Toyota plant outside of Japan. The bulk of the plant's 315,889 output was made up of the Camry sedan.

Check out the remaining 10 below.

Continue reading These are America's 15 busiest auto plants

These are America's 15 busiest auto plants originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto manufacturingauto plantauto+plantsautoplantscar plantdearbornfordgm+assembly+plantsgmassemblyplantskansas citymanufacturingtop 15 car plantsFri, 06 Jul 2012 13:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20272246/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/06/these-are-americas-15-busiest-auto-plants/20272246/article-detail.xml 20272246 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/ford-kansas-city-assembly-plantopt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/ford-kansas-city-assembly-plantopt.jpg <![CDATA[Porsche's Leipzig plant celebrates 500,000 units, gets ready for Macan]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/02/porsches-leipzig-plant-celebrates-500-000-units-gets-ready-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/02/porsches-leipzig-plant-celebrates-500-000-units-gets-ready-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/02/porsches-leipzig-plant-celebrates-500-000-units-gets-ready-for/#commentsFiled under: , ,

500,000th Porsche built in Leipzig

Porsche has marked an important milestone at its Leipzig plant: The manufacturing facility has officially cranked out its 500,000th vehicle. Matthias Muller, Porsche president and CEO, gave a specially outfitted Cayenne to the city of Leipzig as a token of the company's appreciation for giving the manufacturer a home in the area. Porsche converted the luxury SUV into a fire department vehicle for the city, complete with an appropriate livery and light bar.

Porsche began manufacturing the Cayenne in Leipzig in 2002, but has steadily increased production capacity over the past ten years. Right now, the facility is producing more vehicles than it ever has, and the German manufacturer is already working to accommodate the new Macan line. The smaller SUV will begin rolling out of the factory doors by the end of 2013.

The automaker says it is investing more than $629.4 million in the Leipzig plant in order to ready the facility for the new model. That includes the addition of an all-new body-assembly line and paint shop as well as hiring 1,000 new employees. Check out the brief press release below.

Continue reading Porsche's Leipzig plant celebrates 500,000 units, gets ready for Macan

Porsche's Leipzig plant celebrates 500,000 units, gets ready for Macan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Jul 2012 08:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cayenneleipzigmanufacturingporscheMon, 02 Jul 2012 08:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20269135/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/02/porsches-leipzig-plant-celebrates-500-000-units-gets-ready-for/20269135/article-detail.xml 20269135 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/01-cayenne-at-leipzig-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/01-cayenne-at-leipzig-628.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota and Nissan to cut Japanese production]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/25/toyota-and-nissan-to-cut-japanese-production/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/25/toyota-and-nissan-to-cut-japanese-production/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/25/toyota-and-nissan-to-cut-japanese-production/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nissan production Oppama Japan

No surprise here. Both Nissan and Toyota have moved to cut production in Japan, according to Reuters.

Nissan has made it clear that it will will drop capacity from the 1.35 million units produced in 2011 to 1.15 million in 2013. In 2012, Nissan expects to produce 1.22 million vehicles in its home country, though production is expected to increase in countries like China, Brazil and Russia to help offset the drop. The report says Nissan has already stopped production on two lines at its Oppama plant, and the manufacturer has plans to stop production of the Tiida in Japan altogether.

The story is much the same with Toyota. The manufacturer has announced that by 2014, it will cut production in Japan by around 10 percent to 3.1 million vehicles. Before the financial crisis, Toyota produced 3.9 million units domestically. But that was when it still made financial sense to build machines in Japan and export them around the world. Japan has seen its currency strengthen against the dollar, making exports less and less financially viable.

Toyota and Nissan to cut Japanese production originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jun 2012 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanmanufacturingnissanproductiontoyotayenMon, 25 Jun 2012 09:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20264049/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/25/toyota-and-nissan-to-cut-japanese-production/20264049/article-detail.xml 20264049 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/nissan-production-japan_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/nissan-production-japan.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy Trailblazer production underway in Thailand]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/11/chevy-trailblazer-production-underway-in-thailand/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/11/chevy-trailblazer-production-underway-in-thailand/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/11/chevy-trailblazer-production-underway-in-thailand/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The handsome-and-not-for-us 2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer has begun driving off the lines in Thailand at the General Motors plant in Rayong. Debuted at the Dubai Auto Show last year, the Trailblazer could be seen to squeeze between the Traverse and Tahoe if it were sold here, combining a brawnier version of the unibody Traverse's looks with the body-on-frame off-road capability of the forthcoming Colorado pickup replacement.

Underhood are one of two turbodiesels, either a 2.5-liter with 150 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, or a 2.8-liter with 180 hp and 346 lb-ft, working through either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic. The seven-seat Trailblazer is earmarked for sale in 50 global markets, but it isn't expected in North American showrooms. Scroll down for a press release on the Job One Trailblazer.

Continue reading Chevy Trailblazer production underway in Thailand

Chevy Trailblazer production underway in Thailand originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jun 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 chevrolet trailblazerchevroletchevrolet trailblazerjob onemanufacturingrayongthailandtrailblazerMon, 11 Jun 2012 11:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20255696/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/11/chevy-trailblazer-production-underway-in-thailand/20255696/article-detail.xml 20255696 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/2013trailblazerthailan_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/2013trailblazerthailan.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota boosting V6 production in Alabama, adding 125 jobs]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/19/toyota-boosting-v6-production-in-alabama-adding-125-jobs/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/19/toyota-boosting-v6-production-in-alabama-adding-125-jobs/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/19/toyota-boosting-v6-production-in-alabama-adding-125-jobs/#commentsFiled under: ,



Toyota's Huntsville, Alabama production facility, which makes the company's four-cylinder, V6 and V8 engines, is getting a couple of big boosts: $80 million and roughly 125 new jobs. When the spending and hiring is complete, the enlarged factory and the plant's 1,150 workers will raise engine-production capacity to more than 700,000 units, with V6 production more than doubled from 146,000 engines per year to 362,000.

Toyota's been spending and hiring all this year, with $645 million invested in growth and 1,100 jobs added to the rolls. "This V6 line addition," said a company EVP, "continues to reflect our growing optimism for an improving North American market." Toyota's press release is posted below.

Continue reading Toyota boosting V6 production in Alabama, adding 125 jobs

Toyota boosting V6 production in Alabama, adding 125 jobs originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 May 2012 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alabamahuntsvillemanufacturingplantstmmaltoyotatoyota v6v6Sat, 19 May 2012 16:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20240546/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/19/toyota-boosting-v6-production-in-alabama-adding-125-jobs/20240546/article-detail.xml 20240546 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyotav6hiring_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyotav6hiring.jpg <![CDATA[Audi to decide on North American plant on Wednesday?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/audi-to-decide-on-north-american-plant-on-wednesday/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/audi-to-decide-on-north-american-plant-on-wednesday/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/audi-to-decide-on-north-american-plant-on-wednesday/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Audi Emblem

Automotive News reports Audi may make a decision on where the automaker plans to build a North American facility as soon as Wednesday of this week. The Volkswagen supervisory board is already scheduled to meet on April 18, and an unnamed source claims the new plant is on the agenda for discussion. Earlier reports indicated the manufacturer plans to build a new plant in Mexico, though Audi has been quick to denounce the notion, saying the board had yet to make a decision one way or the other. Publicly, Audi has made noise about locations in both Mexico and the United States.

Volkswagen investigated the possibility of building Audi vehicles alongside the Volkswagen Passat in Chattanooga, Tennessee, though it's now clear the luxury automaker is hungry for a plant of its own. Either way, the new plant will likely produce vehicles for sale in North America and export to other markets.

Audi to decide on North American plant on Wednesday? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi manufacturing plantaudi plantfactorymanufacturingplantvolkswagenMon, 16 Apr 2012 09:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20216048/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/16/audi-to-decide-on-north-american-plant-on-wednesday/20216048/article-detail.xml 20216048 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/audi-emblem-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/audi-emblem-628.jpg -1 2