Elm Analytics - Automotive Supply Chain Risk Digest #37 - October 20 - 26, 2017

CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT

Lisa Drake will replace Birgit Behrendt as head of global powertrain purchasing and global purchasing operations at Ford. Behrendt will take on a new position at Ford of Europe, leading joint ventures, alliances and commercial affairs.

INDUSTRY DIRECTIONS

In the race for autonomous vehicles, will the quick pace of partnerships come at the cost of intellectual property issues?

Retool or get left behind... Chinese manufacturers shift away from the internal combustion engine.

LABOR DISPUTE

The UAW filed a Unfair Labor Practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board against Tesla. Tesla fired 400 employees in October, citing performance reviews.

LITIGATION

BMW, Daimler and VW have been targets of raids in a diesel tech price fixing conspiracy probe by the EU.

FCA filed a complaint with the Federal Maritime Commission this week. Following a US Department of Justice international price-fixing investigation, FCA is seeking damages from conspiring shipping companies.

MERGERS, VENTURES, ACQUISITIONS

Denso and Silicon Valley's Xperi will partner to develop driver status monitoring systems. The systems are being created for Level 3 autonomous vehicles. They will watch the driver to engage them at the right time.

In one of the first deals of its kind, Delphi has acquired Boston based self-driving software startup nuTonomy for $450m. 

Swiss ABB has joined Northvolt's project to build Europe's largest lithium-ion battery factory in Skelleftea, Sweden. By 2020, the large scale battery cell plant will supply electric vehicles manufacturers.

TI Fluid Systems has listed its shares on the London Stock Exchange. The company expects to raise $502m floating 25% of its shares.

Michigan's Chassix is acquiring Benteler Automotive Farsund’s aluminum low-pressure automotive casting business. The foundry in Farsund, Norway, produces lightweight structural castings. Existing products include subframes, swing arms, steering knuckles and rear hubs.

PLANT CLOSING

FCA will close one of the company's Toledo, Ohio transportation facilities. The company has not yet decided who will transport parts and components after the facility closes.

Magna's Roto Form in Toronto, Canada has closed. The facility produced clutch rotors, pulleys, and vibrational isolators.

PLANT EXPANSION

Webasto, has expanded its Mexican plant for convertible roofs in Puebla. Webasto is currently manufacturing textile roofs for the VW, Jeep, Chevrolet and Ford.

Toyota will scale back its investment in its Guanajuato, Mexico plant. Annual production will decrease from 200k to 100k. The plant will build Tacoma trucks instead of producing the Corolla. The Corolla will be built at a new plant being planned with Mazda.

Thyssenkrupp has expanded its Schönebeck site in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. The facility will produce ball screws for electric power steering systems.

PLANT OPENING

Dana opened an axle plant in Toledo, Ohio this week. The facility will supply the Ford Ranger, Jeep Wrangler and Scrambler.

Automotive interior component supplier Draxlmaier has opened a plant in Livermore, California. The 290,000sf facility will employ over 300 and perform injection molding, lamination, sub-assembly, and final assembly of interior components such as door panels and trim parts.

Tesla is opening a new plant in Shanghai. While the Chinese government is allowing Tesla full ownership of the facility, the plant will be located in a free trade zone that will subject them to steep tariffs.

IAC Group has opened a new plant in Opole, Poland for producing automotive interiors. The 290,625sf facility will employ around 550 people.

REGULATION

Boeing's dispute with Bombardier highlights the complexity of the hurdles in NAFTA negotiations.

City governments, local businesses and suppliers are working to keep struggling GM in Korea.

SUPPLY CHAIN

This weeks ECG conference offered a chance to take the pulse of today's European logistics concerns.