Volvo Group is increasing the manufacture of crankshafts for medium-heavy truck engines at Villaverde, Spain, and concentrating Renault truck production at Bourg-en-Bresse in France.
“The relocation is a consequence of the transition to a greater degree of shared technical architecture for trucks within the Volvo Group,” the company said in a statement.
Renault Trucks currently manufactures Kerax trucks and crankshafts for various Renault engines at the facility in Villaverde. Truck production in Villaverde is being relocated to Bourg-en-Bresse, a plant already responsible for most of Renault’s truck production. The transfer is expected to be completed in 2006.
At the same time Volvo will increase its production of crankshafts from 35,000 to 65,000 for the group’s medium-heavy engines at new facilities close to Villaverde. Approximately 450 employees will be affected by the decision and “support measures” will help them with the changes.
