Elm Analytics - Automotive Supply Chain Risk Digest #67 - May 18 - 24, 2018
BANKRUPTCY
As of May 22, GST Autoleather has exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy. New CEO Randy Johnson will lead the company in this time of transition.
CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT
Raj Nair, the former president of Ford North America who was ousted earlier this year, has re-emerged as the new President and COO of Canadian supplier Multimatic. In that post, he will oversee the production of the next Ford GT supercar.
INDUSTRY DIRECTIONS
Two long form reads:
MERGERS, VENTURES, ACQUISITIONS
Following a negative response from shareholders, Hyundai has scrapped plans to spin off its Mobis parts division.
Germany's Grammer AG is buying Ohio's Toledo Molding & Die for $271m. The acquisition will double Grammer's presence in North America.
While not its first choice of partners, Apple has signed a deal with Volkswagen. VW will produce self-driving versions of VW's T6 Transporter Van with Apple's technology. The vehicles will serve as Apple employee shuttles.
Foxconn has changed course on plans for its $10b plant in Wisconsin and will now build small to midsized display panels for Apple, automakers and others. Originally, the supplier had planned to build larger display panels for TVs.
Punch Powertrain is forming a joint venture with start-up XPT to produce "hundreds of thousands" of electric powertrains a year in Nanjing, China. The companies will invest $11.7m and start with production of single-speed electric transmissions early next year.
Aisin is increasing its stake in Toyota Autoparts Philippines from 34% to 61%, making it a subsidiary of Aisin. The company will also be renamed Toyota Aisin Philippines, Inc.
PLANT EXPANSION
BMW is investing around $350m into its Leipzig, Germany plant. The main focus of the expansion is to increase production capacity from 250,000 to 350,000 units per year by 2020.
Aluminum processor Novelis is investing $180m into doubling capacity at its plant in Changzhou, China. The expansion is expected to create 160 full time jobs and be operational by 2020.
PLANT OPENING
German semiconductor supplier Infineon Technologies is building a new $1.88b plant in Villach, Austria. The plant is expected to create 400 jobs and start operations in 2021.
Martinrea opened its new technical center in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
Germany's Robert Bosch will open a second plant in Wuhu, China. The plant will produce infotainment and connectivity systems.
Ford moved its autonomous technology and electrification teams into a new facility in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood this week. The automakers' return to Detroit marks the first time in 30 years that all of the Big Three have had a presence in the city.
PRODUCTION INCREASE
After receiving almost 80,000 orders, Volvo is expanding production of its XC40 SUV in Europe and China in order to meet demand. Production will be expanded at plants in Ghent, Belgium and Luqiao, China.
RAW MATERIALS
A supply crunch in cobalt could lead to a big challenge for electric vehicle makers.
REGULATION
Starting July 1, China will cut import tariffs on most autos from 25% to 15%. Duties on auto parts will be cut from around 10% to 6%.
President Trump is creating uncertainty among automakers as he looks to raise tariffs up to as much as 25% on auto imports.