Elm Analytics - Automotive Supply Chain Risk Digest #44 - December 8 - 14, 2017

BANKRUPTCY

Former Employees: Faraday Future is on the brink of bankruptcy.

INDUSTRY DIRECTIONS

GM has let go of Alfred Sloan's 1924 thinking. It is no longer trying to be all things to all people. Mary Barra: "We’re looking at where do we have core competencies, how do we win, how do we drive growth and strengthen the overall business?"

Forbes: Productivity vs. Safety are at odds in the US manufacturing resurgence in the South.

LITIGATION

Bridgestone is looking to dismiss a lawsuit against them over allegations that they, along with others, sold rubber anti-vibration parts at inflated prices. They say that the plaintiffs "fail to show they purchased AVRPs made by defendants" and also that they "don't even sell AVRPs to individual consumers". 

Retired UAW VP Joe Ashton resigned from GM's board, after being linked to a investigation into corruption.

MERGERS, VENTURES, ACQUISITIONS

Lear Corporation is acquiring Israel-based GPS technology firm EXO Technologies. Lear CEO Matt Simoncini said that the acquisition will "...significantly improve GPS accuracy and reliability, thereby enhancing vehicle safety and enabling autonomous driving.".

Sweden's NEVS AB (Saab, but not "Saab") and China's DiDi Chuxing have formed a partnership to develop an electric vehicle.

Schaeffler has fully acquired electric motor manufacturer Compact Dynamics by buying the 49% of the company it did not already own. The acquisition will help future-proof the company as its core ball bearings business faces a threat from the rise of EVs. 

Deshler Group acquired Ferndale, Michigan vehicle brake component manufacturer Uni-Bond Brake for $3m.

Toyota and Panasonic are considering a JV to develop EV batteries. The partnership would expand an existing agreement under which Panasonic makes batteries for Toyota's hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles. 

Denso has acquired Holland, Michigan based InfiniteKey. The acquisition will help them develop smartphone-as-a-key technology.

PLANT OPENING

A new, 500 acre driverless car proving ground opened in Ypsilanti, Michigan this week. The American Center for Mobility includes a 2.5-mile highway loop, a 700-foot curved tunnel, two double overpasses, intersections and roundabouts.

Headlamp manufacturer Varroc Lighting systems is building a new plant in Tanger Automotive City, Morocco. The announcement comes on the heels of news that Varroc will also be opening new facilities in Poland and Brazil. 

BASF has opened a new automotive coatings plant in Bangpoo, Thailand. It is their first plant in Thailand. 

REGULATION

The ongoing debate over liability in driverless car crashes is playing out in California.

CAFE standards were debated in Washington, DC this week.

Government subsidies continue to skyrocket EV and Hybrid sales in China.

SUPPLY CHAIN

Nissan is recalling nearly 320,000 vehicles in Japan over issues with defective coating in an electronic power unit that could cause a fire. So far, there have been eight reports of fires caused by the defect.