Latest service suppliers/supply chain news and analysis articles 
The automotive manufacturing chain that stretches from raw materials providers to small parts suppliers (Tier 3s and Tier 2s) to the big suppliers (Tier 1s and systems integrators) and OEMs; includes automotive logistics
AUSTRALIA: Irate union slams Ford 'Detroit edict' as costing 6,000 jobs
23 May 2013
Ford's decision to axe production in Australia has provoked fury at one of Australia's largest unions that estimates the cascade effect of shuttering plants will cost up to 6,000 jobs.
US: Denso execs facing prison for price fixing
22 May 2013
Two Japanese executives who worked for Denso Corporation are facing over a year in a US federal prison following their roles in a price fixing scandal.
SWEDEN: Haldex to axe 200 jobs in $129m cost saving programme
22 May 2013
Haldex has started a restructuring programme involving 200 job losses in a bid to save SEK100m (US$129.4m), from 2015.
GERMANY: Federal-Mogul outlines DuroGlide piston ring coating
22 May 2013
Federal-Mogul's powertrain segment says it has developed an application in piston ring coating, known as DuroGlide, for gasoline and heavy-duty diesel engines.
US: Harman delivers NTG5 infotainment system for Mercedes-Benz S Class
21 May 2013
Harman says it has delivered the new NTG5 infotainment system for Mercedes-Benz S-Class vehicles.
US: Visteon unveils HABIT infotainment concept
21 May 2013
Visteon says it has incorporated Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve the driver experience, with the system known as Human Bayesian Intelligence Technology (HABIT)
CHINA: Continental appoints Ralf Cramer as country president
21 May 2013
Continental says it has appointed board member Ralf Cramer as president of the company's organisation in China from 1 August this year.
FRANCE: Unions give Michelin flexible working green light
20 May 2013
Michelin has secured agreement at central union level for three of its French plants to operate flexible working in a bid to address a drop in European demand.
ITALY: Fiat plants working again after supplier dispute
17 May 2013
Fiat says production at three plants in Italy, Spain and Serbia has now resumed after huge disruption caused by a dispute with a key supplier.
Quote unquote from Automotive Supply Chain's Silverstone Congress 2013
17 May 2013
Automotive Supply Chain Magazine recently held its 2013 Congress at the home of British Formula 1 racing at Silverstone. Here's a round-up of some speakers' quotes.
GERMANY: Massive metalworker strikes end as IG Metall secures pay deal
16 May 2013
Huge strikes sweeping the German metalworking sector have ended with the main union provisionally agreeing two sets of pay rises to 2014.
GERMANY: Mahle ups Behr Group holding to 51%
16 May 2013
Mahle has increased its holding in the Behr Group from 36.85% to around 51% with the acquisition of all shares in the BWK holding company (BWK).
ITALY: Fiat warns of further plant shutdowns as supplier disruption bites
15 May 2013
Fiat says further plants are at risk following supply disruption to its Maserati plant in Grugliasco, as well as stoppages at sites in Serbia and Spain.
UK: More OEM-supply chain work needed to target GBP3bn opportunity: Ebm-papst
14 May 2013
Further collaboration is needed between OEMs and component manufacturers in order to realise economies of scale in the automotive industry, says motors and fans supplier, Ebm-papst.
GERMANY: "No practical relevance" sees Schaeffler end Continental investment deal
14 May 2013
Schaeffler claims plans to end the mutual investment agreement with Continental are because the deal "no longer has any practical relevance for either company."
RUSSIA: Flattening market subject to familar Western cycles: Renault-Nissan-Dacia
13 May 2013
Renault-Nissan is forecasting the market for Russia this year to be "relatively flat" as the hitherto booming automotive sector starts to plateau in relative terms.
UK: Jaguar Land Rover highlights quality recruits challenge
13 May 2013
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) says potential recruits in the UK able to deal with its enormous supply challenges are "not readily available," although the automaker was in a more favourable position than component manufacturers.
SWEDEN: NEVS pencils autumn 2013 for Saab 9-3 petrol/diesel restart
13 May 2013
National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS), says it is aiming to restart Saab production this autumn as it continues a recruitment drive for its new venture.
INTERVIEW: Integration of offline and online is the OEM retail challenge – Kia UK
10 May 2013
Paul Philpott, Kia UK President and CEO, believes that the integration of offline and online 'customer journeys' is the key to meeting future customer demands.
UK: Urgent action needed to replace 96,000 engineers: Ebm-papst
10 May 2013
Motors and fans supplier, Ebm-papst, has issued a clarion call for the UK to urgently replace its engineer stock as demographics and competing career options take their toll.
ITALY: Pirelli consolidated Q1 net profit falls 41% to €72.1m
8 May 2013
Pirelli has unveiled first quarter 2013 consolidated net profit of EUR72.1m (US$94.6m), down 41.7% compared to EUR123.6m for the same period last year
US: Delphi Automotive posts first quarter revenue and profit dip
2 May 2013
Delphi Automotive has reported first quarter 2013 revenues of US$4bn, a decrease of 1.7% from the previous year as a result of continued weak business conditions in Europe, partially offset by the acquisition of the Motorised Vehicles Division from FCI Group.
US: Corning to invest in $250m diesel emisions controls increase
2 May 2013
Corning says its board of directors has approved a capital expenditure plan of around US$250m to increase manufacturing capacity of the company's diesel emissions control products.
US: MTS Systems energy recovery systems test solution now available
2 May 2013
MTS Systems Corporation says its MTS ERS Test Solution is now available, designed to help automotive companies introduce and optimise energy recovery systems in hybrid-electric vehicles.
GOODWOOD FoS PREVIEW: Global debuts list [McLaren 12C GT Can-Am Edition added]
29 April 2013
McLaren Cars is the third brand to have announced a vehicle world premiere for the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The event will be held from 11-14 July inclusive.
FRANCE: Valeo Q1 consolidated sales inch up to EUR3.04bn
25 April 2013
Valeo has reported 1.1% growth in consolidated sales on a like-for-like basis for the first quarter of 2013, despite a 9% drop in automotive production in Europe.
GERMANY: ZF Friedrichshafen posts 2012 sales of EUR17.4bn but operating profit falls 19%
24 April 2013
ZF Friedrichshafen has posted full-year 2012 sales of EUR17.4bn (US$22.6bn), although operating profit fell 19% to EUR687m.
INTERVIEW: Purchasing director General Motors Russia: Peter Layer
23 April 2013
Purchasing director General Motors Russia, Peter Layer, recently spoke at the Russian Automotive Forum in Moscow, organised by Adam Smith Conferences, as well as talking to Simon Warburton on the sidelines of the event.
US: Johnson Controls posts fiscal 2013 second quarter net income of US$148m
23 April 2013
Johnson Controls has reported fiscal 2013 second quarter net income of US$148m, which it says is line with expectations.
BELGIUM: Europe, Japan, US, supplier alliance takes shape
23 April 2013
A Memorandum of Understanding formalising co-operation between the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) and the Japan Auto Parts Industries Association (JAPIA) enters into force this month, with the objective to host the regional efforts of the Supplier Alliance, (SUAL).
