Elm Analytics - Automotive Supply Chain Risk Digest #92 - November 9 - 15, 2018
CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT
FCA has named their North American head of dealer networks, Al Gardner, as the new head of Maserati in North America. He will remain the head of FCA's dealer network in North America.
Renault has appointed former Unilever exec Francois Renard as its new global marketing director. His main task will be to accelerate the digital transition of the automaker's operations.
INDUSTRY DIRECTIONS
Australian-Israeli startup Eleqtriq~Global claims that they have developed a safe, cheap and clean fuel comprised of 60% water. The company says that the fuel provides twice the range of EV and hydrogen technologies at half the price and with zero emissions.
Don't miss: OESA's Q3 2018 Supplier Barometer (pdf)
LITIGATION
A former Tesla employee is being charged with embezzling $9.3m from the company. He allegedly diverted payment from one supplier to another.
MERGERS, VENTURES, ACQUISITIONS
Germany is earmarking $1.2b for a consortium to produce EV car battery cells. The investment is designed to reduce German carmakers' dependence on Asian EV battery suppliers and to protect German jobs.
Johnson Controls is selling its power solutions business to investment firm Brookfield Business Partners for $13.2b. The transaction is expected to close by June of 2019.
Waymo is reportedly planning to launch the world's first commercial robotaxi service next month. The service will start small with dozens or hundreds of riders in the suburbs around Phoenix, Arizona.
Engine part supplier, Dayco, has received offers from bidders Apollo Global Management and Gores Group.
Walmart is teaming up with Ford and Postmates to develop autonomous delivery vehicles. The vehicles will deliver goods ordered from Walmart at the doorsteps of customers.
PLANT CLOSING
Lefere Forge plant closing its doors in Jackson, Michigan after 89 years. The facility produced wheel hubs and gear blanks.
PLANT EXPANSION
Truform Manufacturing will expand its operations in Dickson, Tennessee. The supplier operates a metal stamping and assembly facility.
Hwashin America will expand its Butler County, Alabama operation with new equipment and additional workers. The facility produces body components for nearby Hyundai.
Inteva will expand its Vandalia, Ohio facility. The company will add a new R&D center.
PLANT OPENING
Sweden's Gnotec Group is opening a production facility in Orangeburg County, South Carolina. The factory will produce metal components for the nearby Volvo plant.
Martinrea has opened a commercial and engineering office in Tokyo to support Toyota and Honda.
With Brexit looming, McLaren is opening a new composite-parts plant near Sheffield, England. The plant will produce a carbon-fiber chassis and will reach full production in 2020.
REGULATION
Who should assume the costs of tariffs, the customer or the supplier? The Wall Street Journal investigates how taxes are souring partnerships.
Volkswagen and Daimler will spend up to $3,430 per vehicle in Germany to retrofit them with hardware that will clean up older diesel vehicle emissions. BMW is still refusing to take similar action for their vehicles.
Spain is reportedly planning to propose a ban on gas, diesel and hybrid vehicles starting in 2040, according to government sources. If adopted, Spain would join other European countries planning similar bans such as Britain, France, Scotland, and Denmark.
The Trump administration is holding off on new automobile import tariffs as it waits for results of a report on the national security implications of doing so. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has until February to deliver his findings.
A new draft of Brexit terms from the EU proposes that UK-based automotive suppliers could operate as normal until the end of 2021. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is calling the draft a "positive step".