Elm Analytics - Automotive Supply Chain Risk Digest #100 - January 4 - 10, 2019

CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT

Delphi Technologies has named Richard Dauch as its new CEO, effective immediately. Dauch is leaving his position as President and CEO of Accuride Corporation, where he has been in charge since 2011.

Two top Nissan executives, CPO Jose Munoz and SVP Arun Bajaj, are on leaves of absence in the wake of Carlos Ghosn's arrest.

FCA appointed Carl Smiley to the newly created position of chief purchasing and supply chain officer. Scott Thiele, the North America head of purchasing, has added an expanded role as head of supply chain North America.

Audi has named Hildegard Wortmann head the Sales and Marketing division. Wortmann is a former BWM executive.

VW has hired Alexander Hitzinger away from Apple to head technical development for the commercial vehicles division. 

HUMAN CAPITAL

Ford is planning to cut thousands of jobs in Europe in an attempt to streamline operations and achieve a 6% operating margin there. The automaker said it will seek to exit the multivan segment, stop making transmissions at its plant in Bordeaux, France, review its Russian operations, and more.

Jaguar Land Rover will cut 4,500 jobs in Britain due to a slowdown in sales in China and a slump in demand for its diesel vehicles.

LABOR DISPUTE

Workers at GM's plant in Oshawa, Canada held a sit-down protest this week after the automaker confirmed they will not reconsider plans to close the facility. 

Terry Dittes, a key UAW leader, authored a letter calling on members to not purchase the new Chevrolet Blazer built in a Mexico. The letter also asks GM workers to canvass their facilities to see if GM is using temporary employees. This is linked to a recent UAW / GM breach-of-contract lawsuit related to the Fort Wayne, Indiana assembly plant.

LITIGATION

In his first public appearance since his arrest, ex-Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn told a Tokyo judge "...I am innocent of the accusations against me". He went on to say that he had been "unfairly detained based on meritless and unsubstantiated accusations.".

Toyota is recalling 1.7m vehicles worldwide over more potentially faulty Takata air bag inflators. This latest recall covers vehicles from the 2010 through 2015 model years and includes 1.3m vehicles in the U.S.

FCA will pay $800m to settle civil, environmental and consumer claims related to allegations that one of their V-6 engines was designed to cheat emissions tests. The settlement amount includes $311m in fine, up to $280m to settle owner claims, $100m in extended warranties, and another $90m in other penalties.

Bosch will pay $131m to settle claims from U.S. FCA diesel vehicle owners. The supplier agreed to the settlement to avoid court proceedings and does not accept liability or admit to any allegations.

MERGERS, VENTURES, ACQUISITIONS

GM has announced a collaboration with three EV charging station providers to create a more convenient network of over 31,000 chargers for its EV owners. The automaker will team with EVgo, ChargePoint and Greenlots to integrate their charging networks into its myChevrolet app.

Intel / Mobileye announced new partnerships with Volkswagen and Valeo at CES this week. Both ventures focus on using autonomous technologies in driver-assist systems.

PLANT SHUTDOWN

FCA's Toledo Assembly Complex’s north plant will temporarily shut down this next week. The plant is reported to be retooling for a plug-in hybrid version of the Jeep Wrangler.

REGULATION

The U.S. has lifted 25% tariffs imposed on injection molds imported from China. The announcement means that the tariffs will be suspended for at least one year.

Rolls-Royce says that a hard Brexit could paralyze operations at their plant in southern England if just one component becomes unavailable due to border delays.

The US and China extended trade talks this week to a third day. While details were light and officials optimistic, the self-imposed deadline of 90 days to resolve issues looms.

SUPPLY CHAIN

SupplyChainDigest: How do you measure procurement savings, when Finance and Procurement do not see things eye to eye?