North America
Ricardo Completes Expansion of Test Cell Facility
Ricardo Inc. has completed its Chicago Technical Center Test Cell Expansion Project – which represents an investment of $4.8 million and strategically increases the company’s North American heavy-duty engine performance and emission testing and development capabilities.
The heavy-duty emissions test cells, now fully operational, were specifically designed to carry out engine development to comply with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission requirements for 2007 and beyond.
Gentex Shipping Automatic-Dimming Mirrors for Tacoma
Gentex Corporation is shipping interior, auto-dimming mirrors for the 2005 Toyota Tacoma. The vehicles will be sold in the United States and Canada. A base Gentex mirror is standard on the TRD Sport Package on the Long Bed Double Cab models, and is available as an option on other models. Southeast Toyota and Gulf States Toyota distributors also offer an auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink on the Tacoma through their accessory programs.
Asia
Cooper Standard Automotive Expands In China
Cooper Standard Automotive, a global supplier of automotive components, has begun operations in Kunshan, China, for the manufacture and sales of automotive noise, vibration and harshness control systems. The company will soon break ground for an expanded manufacturing, research and development facility in the city.
Cooper Standard Automotive is running current Chinese NVH operations in an existing facility in Kunshan. Construction of an expanded manufacturing facility, that will include research and development operations, will begin soon with completion scheduled for the 4th quarter of 2005. Full manufacturing will start at the end of 2005. This new facility will offer Cooper Standard’s complete product portfolio of engine mounts, body mounts, bushings and other NVH control systems components. In addition to manufacturing, the company intends to establish full product development capability at this location to serve the Chinese automotive market and Asia in general. The facility will be located in the China Kunshan Economic & Technical Development Zone in the eastern part of the Jiangsu Province.
Dana Corp. Increases Stake in Japanese Sealing Venture
Dana Corp. has increased its ownership stake in Nippon Reinz Co. Ltd., a Japanese sealing products producer. Dana now owns 53.7 percent of the venture; it had previously owned 26.3 percent. Mitsubishi Cable Industries, which had owned 73.7 percent of the business, will retain a 46.3 percent share.
Founded in 1967, Nippon Reinz manufactures gaskets, thermal and acoustical protective shields, and wire mesh filters for exhaust and safety system components, such as airbag inflator tubes and exhaust systems. The business has annual sales of approximately $50 million and employs approximately 220 people. The facility is located in Yamato City in the Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan.
Europe
Chrysler Group and Magna Steyr Enter Agreement for Chrysler 300C Production
Chrysler Group and Magna Steyr announced plans to increase their production relationship, forming a manufacturing agreement for the Chrysler 300C Touring and Sedan vehicles for European and rest-of-the-world distribution. Magna Steyr’s Graz, Austria, facility will add the rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles to its Chrysler Group production line-up.
Magna Steyr will assemble the various offerings of the Chrysler 300C Touring and Sedan, including: left- and right-hand drive versions; a high-performance version – the SRT-8; and a dieselpowered model that will launch in late 2005. The vehicles will be assembled in the same facility as the Grand Cherokee and Voyager.
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The Brampton (Ontario) Assembly Plant in Canada is currently the only production location for the Chrysler 300 Sedan and Touring and Dodge Magnum, and soon-to-be-launched Dodge Charger.
AutoFocus
