NBHX Trim Mexico, a subsidiary of the mainland China-based supplier NBHX Trim Group, has inaugurated a new production line at its plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico. The company invested over $23 million in its capacity expansion, which positions the Mexican plant as one of the group's most productive globally. NBHX Trim, which operates in the US, Europe and Asia, selected Aguascalientes as a strategic location for a manufacturing hub in North America. As ...

Indian supplier ASK Automotive Ltd. announced that its board of directors approved the establishment of a joint venture with T.D. Holding GMBH (TDH) to manufacture and supply sunroof control cables and helix cables specifically designed for passenger vehicles, Autocar Professional reported June 25. ASK Automotive owns a 49% equity stake in the proposed JV company, while TDH has a controlling stake of 51%. ASK Automotive plans to invest 24.5 million rupe...

US carmaker General Motors (GM) announced that it plans to invest $4 billion over the next two years to boost its domestic production of gasoline-powered and electric vehicles. This investment aims to increase the company's annual domestic vehicle assembly to over 2 million units. GM's announcement follows an earlier plan to invest $888 million in the Tonawanda propulsion plant near Buffalo, New York, to support the development of its next-generation V-8 engine. The new investments will impac...

Porsche has announced plans to establish a research and development center in Shanghai's Jiading district, which will become operational in the second half of 2025, Yicai Global reported April 28. This China R&D Center will concentrate on developing integrated hardware, infotainment and driver assistance systems specifically for the Chinese market. The facility will feature more than 10,000 square meters of office space, specialized workshops and human-machine interface (HMI) laboratories...

Novem Car Interior Design, a Germany-based company known for its design products and interior solutions, plans to invest over $15.5 million to expand its plant located in Querétaro, Mexico. The expansion is expected to create 150 specialized jobs and is aimed at enhancing production capabilities at the Querétaro Industrial Park facility, where Novem produces decorative interior components for vehicles. Novem has established itself in Querétaro to capitalize on serving the North American au...

Adient has completed the expansion of its China Technical Center in Chongqing, mainland China. The upgraded technical center is now equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a sled test lab and a multi-axial sub-assemblage test (MAST) lab, enhancing the company’s engineering design, testing, validation and product development capabilities. According to Adient, the expanded facility offers “a collaborative, flexible and digitally advanced environment” for its engineering ...

On Feb. 14, TMWB Foam Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture between Woodbridge and TM Automotive Seating Systems, inaugurated its new manufacturing facility in Pune, Maharashtra, India. The new facility is expected to enhance the production of seating systems for passenger and commercial vehicles, including buses.  “This is a milestone for our business in the Indian market. It showcases our products and technologies, and we are pleased to launch them in collaboration with our partner,” said Kai...

Autoliv has inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Guangzhou city in Guangdong province, mainland China, the Sweden-based supplier announced on its WeChat account. The new facility, spread over an area of 32,311 square meters, will manufacture seatbelts and airbags. The increased production will help Autoliv meet the growing demand of safety systems, especially from local mainland Chinese automakers. “We will continue to accelerate our pace in the Chinese market, constantly explore way...

Shanghai Daimay Automotive Interior, a supplier based in mainland China, has inaugurated a new manufacturing plant in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, to produce headrests and armrests. The company invested $17.2 million in the new plant, its sixth in Mexico. The investment is expected to create 1,000 direct jobs. In addition to the Ramos Arizpe plant, Daimay is setting up three new manufacturing plants in Parras de la Fuente, Mexico, which are scheduled to become operational by 2027. The mainland Chine...

Inteva Products has announced plans to expand its Chakan manufacturing facility in Pune, Maharashtra, India, with an investment of $3.3 million. This strategic investment aims to boost the plant's production capacity and operational efficiency by 70%, expanding the production space to 85,000 square feet and adding 26,000 square feet of office space. This expansion will allow Inteva to install new production lines for window regulators, latches and window regulator motor assemblies, positionin...

Marquardt has announced the opening of a new production facility in El Fejja, Tunisia, the Germany-based mechatronics specialist said in a press release on Sept. 26. This facility represents a significant advancement in Marquardt's expansion in North Africa, focusing on the manufacturing of innovative control panels for premium vehicle interiors. The company has invested over €50 million in the new building, machinery and equipment at the plant. With this expansion, Marquardt aims to generate ...

The White House has selected Monroe Capital to launch a dedicated fund to help automotive suppliers in the US. The Drive Forward Fund will aim to raise up to $1 billion to invest in small and medium-sized companies that play a pivotal role in fueling growth and innovation in the US automotive industry. The Drive Forward Fund will target suppliers and manufacturers including those offering software as a service (SaaS) and other technological solutions catered to the automotive sector. Beyond i...

Uno Minda has announced plans to invest over 6 billion rupees (about $71.8 million) toward various capacity expansion projects in India and Indonesia, Autocar Professional reported Sept. 19. In Indonesia, Uno Minda’s wholly owned subsidiary, PT Minda Asean Automotive (PTMA), has received additional orders for long tail lamps from original equipment manufacturers. To serve these orders, Uno Minda will invest 2.1 billion rupees to establish a new manufacturing facility, which is expected to beco...

Toyoda Gosei has announced plans to invest ¥2.05 billion ($14.5 million) in a new manufacturing plant in Harohalli, Karnataka, India, to cater to the growing demand for safety systems and interior components in the country. This new plant will operate as a branch of Toyoda Gosei South India Pvt. Ltd., with production expected to commence in 2026. The plant will employ about 580 people by 2027. The plant will produce a range of safety systems, including airbags and steering wheels, as well as...

Novem has expanded its manufacturing plant in Querétaro, Mexico, Mexico Now reported July 22. The Germany-based company, which specializes in decorative trims for automotive interiors, reportedly invested “millions of US dollars” in the capacity expansion that has created 180 new jobs. The plant's expansion was showcased during a facility tour with the Head of the Ministry of Sustainable Development (SEDESU) of Querétaro Marco Antonio Del Prete Tercero, revealing its specialization...

India-based automotive supplier, Samvardhana Motherson International (SAMIL) has earmarked 20 billion Indian rupees ($599 million) as capital expenditure for the current financial year, an increase of 25% over the previous financial year, Autocar Professional reported June 1, citing a senior company official.  Of this total, the company will invest 20 billion rupees in setting up six new greenfield facilities across India, mainland China and Poland. "This is over and above the 12 that we...

Gabriel India, the flagship company of India-based Anand Group, plans to double its sunroof production capacity to 400,000 units by the end of the current fiscal year (March 2025) to meet increased demand from Hyundai, Kia Motors and other potential customers, Autocar Professional reported May 30. The decision to increase production follows the company's recent commencement of sunroof manufacturing at its Chennai plant in Tamil Nadu, India, in December 2023. As of now, the 170,000-square-foot...

Turkey-based Mata Automotive has opened a new plant in Aguascalientes in Mexico, according to a press release dated May 24. The company invested $30 million in the new plant, which will produce components for automakers operating vehicle assembly plants in the country. The investment will create 400 new jobs. “Through this plant, we are not just creating jobs or transferring technology; we are building bridges of mutual understanding and respect that transcend national borders. This is a cl...

Inteva Products has opened its new Querétaro Technical Center (QTC) in Mexico on April 23. The center marks a significant milestone in the company's customer-focused vision, as it brings Inteva closer to customers in the region for more face-to-face collaboration opportunities. The QTC currently houses engineering, program management, supply chain, IT, sales, pursuit and validation teams, all focused on developing and launching cutting-edge technologies in the field of Interiors. "The openin...

Germany-based Kirchhoff Automotive has announced plans to expand its operations in Mexico by establishing a new production building in Puebla, Mexico Now reported April 17. The plant will begin operations in 2025 and will generate 300 direct jobs in the area, mainly for welding and painting structural components for customers such as BMW in San Luis Potosí. The expansion is in addition to the $40 million investment in Opción Industrial Park in San José Iturbide, Guanajuato, Mexico.&nb...

Horiba Mira, a leading automotive safety test engineering company, is investing in its Passive Safety Engineering Centre in the West Midlands, UK, to ensure the country's continued contribution to vehicle safety engineering, it said in a press release dated March 26. The investment extends and upgrades the existing crash lab, allowing manufacturers to conduct a full suite of passive safety compliance tests, including European New Car Assessment Program (EuroNCAP) requirements in the UK. This ...

Ficosa, a global leader in advanced vision, safety and efficiency solutions for the automotive industry, is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a new global investment plan worth €600 million over the next five years. The investment will be used to continue developing and integrating emerging technologies into the company's products and processes, as well as drive various sustainability projects aimed at achieving climate neutrality by 2030. Ficosa was founded in 1949 in Barcelona, S...

As reported in a press release on March 14, Continental announced that, in 2023, it has invested over €100 million in its operations in Romania and exceeded 20,300 employees, up from 19,000 employees in 2022. Throughout 2023, Continental made significant investments in new equipment, advanced technology and employee development across all its Romanian locations. These locations include the electronic component factories in Timișoara and Sibiu; the ContiTech factories in Timișoara and...

Volkswagen Group Africa has inaugurated a new airbag deployment center in South Africa, Times Live reported on Feb. 29. The automaker invested 20 million rand (about $1.1 million), and the construction took nearly two years. The facility, at the B Plant in Kariega, South Africa, is set to enhance the plant's airbag-testing capacity to 150% of its previous output. While the existing facility can conduct 48 tests per week, including three dashboards and 45 seats, the new center has the capacity...

In a strategic decision to expand its footprint in Serbia, German supplier Continental is making a fresh investment of €150 million which is likely to create an additional 1,500 jobs in the country. The new investment, announced on Feb. 12 will bolster the company’s production capacity and technology in Serbia. This development comes on the heels of the company's inauguration of a new factory in Novi Sad in 2023, which was built for €140 million, BNNBreaking reported on Feb.12. The stat...

According to a press release by the State of Georgia on Feb. 6, Doowon Climate Control America, Inc., an auto parts manufacturer and supplier, will invest more than $30 million in a new manufacturing facility in Metter, creating 200 new jobs in Candler County located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. “Georgia's growth as a national leader in auto manufacturing continues to pay dividends for communities in all four corners of Georgia,” said Governor Brian Kem...

To increase the production capacity of its US subsidiaries, Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd. plans to invest $59.9 million in TG Missouri Corp. and TG Kentucky LLC to boost growing sales of interior and exterior automotive parts in the key North American market. The company said that in the coming years, automakers are expected to introduce more diverse lineups of vehicle types, including battery-electric vehicles and others. With a view to this evolution in automobiles, Toyoda Gosei will establish a ne...

Toyoda Gosei has increased the production capacity of its subsidiary in Mexico, Toyoda Gosei Irapuato Mexico, SA de CV, to expand the network for automotive products in the North American market, it said in a press release dated Dec. 21. The manufacturing facility has been expanded and new production equipment has been installed to meet the growing demand for large painted products, such as rear spoilers and bumper peripheral parts. The plant upgrade includes the introduction of energy-saving...

The Uno Minda Group has invested an additional 2.50 billion rupees (about $30 million) to set up a new plant near Ahmedabad in Gujarat state, India, The Times of India reported Dec. 14. The greenfield facility will manufacture advanced lighting systems and seating technology for cars. The plant currently employs 350 people and is expected to reach a workforce of 1,500 over time. Uno Minda Group operates eight plants in Gujarat that manufacture various auto components, including alloy whe...

In a press release announcement on Dec. 8, Mitsubishi Electric Corp. announced that its ME Innovation Fund has invested in Hayden AI Technologies Inc., a US-based startup company that provides the traffic violation enforcement services using image analysis technology. This is the sixth investment the fund has made to date. The US has very strict traffic regulations related to school buses to ensure the safety of children. For example, when a school bus is stopped and either displaying a stop ...

Rane Madras will invest $31 million in Aguascalientes, Mexico, to set up operations in the country, according to a report by Mexico Now on Dec. 4. The investment is likely to generate over 300 jobs. The Indian company will set up its first plant in Mexico. Rane Madras will make an initial investment of $5 million, with a final projection set to rise to $31 million. Rane Madras specializes in the manufacture and distribution of steering and suspension systems, as well as other auto parts. The ...

Asahi Kasei has invested in NFW, a US-based startup that produces non-petroleum-based leather alternatives for car interiors, according to a press release dated October 24. NFW has developed a patented leather alternative called Mirum, which is made from natural rubber, natural fibers, plant oils, natural pigments and minerals. The material is more durable than traditional animal-based or synthetic leather products and can replace polyurethane-coated materials without any polyurethane. The st...

Sumitomo Riko, a Japanese automotive manufacturer, has expanded its production plant in El Marqués, Querétaro, Mexico, Mexico Now reported October 6. The company invested $17.8 million and added 200 jobs for the project. The plant manufactures anti-vibration products for the automotive sector. Sumitomo Riko currently has 100 plants in 20 countries. The company's first plant in Mexico was installed in 2012, and now it operates two production centers in Chihuahua, Mexico, and one in Querétar...

Vitesco Technologies, an international developer and manufacturer of cutting-edge drive systems for sustainable mobility, has opened a new qualification and validation laboratory in Timisoara, Romania. The laboratory is part of the company's engineering center and headquarters in Romania and covers an area of about 3,500 square meters in the Vox Technology Park, the company announced in a press release dated September 29. The laboratory is equipped with over 100 test equipment and engineering...

Toyoda Gosei has announced an investment in Pyrenee, a startup that develops safe driving assistance devices, it said in a press release dated September 26. Toyoda Gosei will integrate Pyrenee’s driving assist technology into its safety systems and interior products. The investment is in line with its focus on safety, centered on airbags. The idea is to reduce traffic accidents through an approach of combining passive safety and preventive safety. The amount of the investment was undisclosed. ...

South Korean automotive seating parts supplier DAS Corp. announced plans to set up a $35 million factory in eastern Georgia, US, to supply a new Hyundai Motor Group plant near Savannah, Ga., creating 300 new jobs, an Associated Press report dated September 7 said. The report, quoting Hannah Mullins, the executive director of the Candler County Industrial Authority, said the DAS factory will take up about 200,000 square feet (18,600 square meters) of space and that the starting pay f...

Kuntai Co. is set to invest $30 million to establish its presence in Durango, Mexico, Mexico Now reported August 31. The supplier intends on creating 300 new jobs in the region. Kuntai works on design, development, production and sales of soft interiors for vehicles. It is also a key interior supplier to Tesla. Significance: Kuntai’s business partners include Audi, Volvo, GM, Toyota, Nissan and BMW. Kuntai’s products are used for essential interior items such as floor mats, inne...

Indorama Ventures Mobility will invest $35 million in its plant at the Huejotzingo industrial park in Mexico, according to a report by Mexico Now on August 31. The funding will be used for the construction of a new industrial plant to produce airbags. The announcement was attended by Ralf Koehnen, COO of Indorama Venture; Daniel Quiñones, manager of the Huejotzingo plant; Angélica Alvarado Juárez, the municipal president; and company personnel. Significance: While additio...

Mexico's Nuevo León Governor Samuel García announced on his social media that the auto parts manufacturer Vimercati (owned by India’s Viney Corp.) will invest $200 million in the northern state, Mexico News Daily reported August 4. Vimercati is a tier 1 company, meaning it supplies auto parts directly to major vehicle manufacturers. The company also operates production facilities in Romania and Italy. “They make displays, ambient lighting, exterior parts and more for t...

Yanfeng, a leading global automotive supplier, has announced the expansion of its research and development (R&D) activities of its safety-system business in Slovakia. The expansion of the plant enhances the existing interior-product portfolio and testing capabilities at the plant. With this investment in new equipment and technologies, the company increases its passive-safety component development and testing capabilities outside of China, the company said in a press release dated July 20. ...

ZF Group signed an agreement with the Wuhan Economic Development Zone (WEDZ), in central China’s Hubei province, where ZF will invest in an automotive airbag production and research and development (R&D) center, setting up the ZF Wuhan Automotive Safety Systems (Wuhan) Co. Ltd. with a peak annual output expected to reach 3 billion yuan (about $417 million), the company said in a press release dated July 21. According to ZF, the project covers an area of about 67,000 square meters, with ...

Hitachi Astemo Americas has announced an expansion of its operation in Madison County, Ky., with a $153 million investment creating 167 new, quality Kentucky jobs, according to a press release by the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development on July 11.  The project will see company leaders invest in the current manufacturing operation in Berea, Ky., to support site improvements and renovations, including increased production lines and additional equipment. The expansion of the facility ...

Suminoe Textile is set to invest $19.5 million in Guanajuato, Mexico, Mexico Now reported June 16. According to reports, the investment is set to generate 150 new jobs in the region. The company had previously invested $15.5 million for its plant in Irapuato, Mexico, around 50 km from Guanajuato. It had then created 60 jobs. Significance: Japan-based Suminoe Textile manufactures automotive interior textiles, functional materials and interior-design materials. It has supplied ca...

ZF Group has reached an agreement with the management committee of the Shandong Rizhao Economic and Technological Development Zone for a new project, which will see the auto-parts maker set up an automotive steering wheel project, INF News reported May 29. ZF will initially invest €20 million to start mass production within three months of the signing of the agreement. Once the project enters the final stage, it is expected that the annual output value will exceed 800 million Chinese yuan (...

Lear Corp. has announced plans to open a connection systems plant in Morocco in the third quarter of 2023 that will manufacture injection molded parts and engineered plastics for automakers, suppliers and Lear’s E-Systems and Seating business units, according to a press release dated May 23. “As one of the largest automotive employers in Morocco, Lear is proud to be opening a state-of-the-art facility in a country where we have been doing business since 2003,” said Enrique Orta, Le...

US-based auto-component maker, Fisher Dynamics Corp. (Fisher Dynamics) is planning an expansion of its manufacturing footprint with an estimated investment of $81 million in its production base in Matamoros, Mexico, which will generate over 1,000 jobs, Mexico Now said in a report dated May 9. Fisher Dynamics, led and managed directly by the Fisher family, has been operating in the border municipality for more than 25 years, where it generates employment for 1,380 people. Now, with t...

Marquardt Group (Marquardt) is set to invest approximately $66 million to expand its activities in Tunisia, L'Economiste Maghrebin reported on May 3. The company will begin construction of a second factory at the Neopark El Fejja industrial zone. The first stage of the project involves the construction 32,000-square-meters plant. Construction began in January 2023, with start of production scheduled for 2024. The unit will produce high technical level HMI (human-machine interface) c...

Webasto Group has opened a second production facility in India, it said in a press release on May 5. The plant at Irungattukottai Sipcot, a suburb of the south Indian city of Chennai, has an initial production capacity of 250,000 units per annum, and a production and storage area that extends over 9,500 square meters. There is scope for expansion in the future. “The Indian roof system market is experiencing a period of extremely rapid growth and openable panoramic roofs are in par...

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced that Tier 1 auto supplier AGS Automotive Systems is expanding in Sterling Heights, Mich., according to a press release by MEDC on April 27. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $20 million and create 120 good-paying jobs in advanced auto manufacturing and future mobility. “AGS is driving $20 million of investment and creating 120 good-paying jobs in Southeast Michig...

German auto supplier Hella is planning to expand its design and manufacturing operations for the automotive industry in Jalisco, Mexico, with an investment of $4 million, MEXICONOW reported on April 28. Currently, the company dedicated to the development and manufacture of electronic components and lighting systems has five plants installed in Mexico, one of which is located in the municipality of El Salto. “It is an investment, from the point of view of the automotive and mobility secto...

Autoliv has announced plans to build a new airbag cushion and fabric plant in Vietnam, according to a press release dated April 20. The investment in the new textile facility will cater to the growing demand for airbag production in the Asia market. The new facility will be built in Amata City Ha Long Industrial Park, located in the northern part of Vietnam. “I am excited to open our first Autoliv facility in Vietnam. We continuously look for ways to improve our footprint and reduce our cos...

Continental announced that it has begun the Phase III expansion project at its Changzhou Plant in China, according to a company press release dated April 12. It is the second joint venture in the country with Jiangsu Changshun Group. Continental will buy coating machines, printing presses, mixing equipment, embossing machines, various public and auxiliary equipment, and environmental protection equipment. The expansion is expected to add an annual capacity of 13 million square meters of ...

PHA will invest more than $67 million in a new facility in Chatham County, Ga., an official government press release dated March 6 read. The investment and the subsequent plant will result in the creation of 402 new jobs. The plant will manufacture door modules, tailgate latches and hood latches for OEMs, including Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America. Operations are expected to begin in 2024. Significance: Georgia has seen significant automotive investments poured into the...

French auto-component makers, Faurecia, a company of Group FORVIA, opened a brand-new plant in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico that focuses on new mobility solutions. The 33,500 square-meter facility will employ approximately 1,500 people and manufacture automotive seat structures, instrument panels and center consoles aligned with industry megatrends in sustainability and lightweighting, a company press release dated March 31 said. The manufacturing facility consists of bioclimatic desig...

Seoyon E-HWA will invest about $76 million in a new manufacturing facility in Chatham County, Ga., a press statement from the state governor’s office read on February 1. The manufacturing facility will produce automotive interior parts such as door trims, headlining and tailgate trims, and create 740 new direct and indirect jobs. Production is expected to begin in October 2024. “With our experience in developing and producing parts, it is an honor to be able to supply electric v...

Toyoda Gosei is working on enhancing the production capacity at its Group company in Brazil, to cater to the increasing sales of airbags and other safety systems in South America. Toyoda Gosei will expand the GDBR plant building and install airbag and steering wheel production equipment to raise production capacity, while also seeking to improve productivity by optimizing the layout of the entire manufacturing facility, according to a press release from BusinessWire, dated March 27. Significa...

Covestro announced plans to increase its global production capacity for polycarbonate (PC) specialty films by building new extrusion lines at Map Ta Phut Industrial Park in Rayong, Thailand, according to a company press release dated March 9. The films are used in automotive displays. Covestro will invest higher double-digit million euros for increasing the production capacity with completion expected in 2025. Around 50 new jobs will be created. “We want to drive growth in the polycarbonate...

Tokai Rika Minda India (TRMN), a joint venture (JV) between UNO Minda and Tokai Rika, is setting up a manufacturing facility in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, Financial Express reported on 23 February. The companies recently held a groundbreaking ceremony. The production facility will be spread across 20 acres and will be the second TRMN plant in the country. The construction of the new facility is expected to be completed by the middle of 2025 and will require a capital expenditure o...

Magna has announced that it is investing more than USD470 million to expand its operations across Ontario, Canada, according to a press release on 15 February 2023. The growth includes a new battery enclosures facility in Brampton to support the Ford F-150 Lightning and future OEM programs. Details of the new and expanding facilities include: Brampton: A new 490,000 square-foot leased facility to manufacture battery enclosures for electric vehicles. Operations to begin in second quarter...

Gentex Corporation has announced that it plans to open a satellite production facility that will bring 50 new jobs to the Madison Square neighborhood of Grand Rapids, Michigan, US, according to a press release on 1 February 2023. As it continues to adopt effective solutions to solve the current labor crisis, the firm intends to increase its employee base and give more access to well-paying employment by extending its manufacturing presence. “Rising transportation costs make commuting inc...

Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation has announced that it will construct a new back-end production facility for power semiconductors at its Himeji Operations, Semiconductor, in Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, according to a press release on 18 December 2022. The Construction will start in June 2024, with production scheduled to start in spring 2025. The project will more than double Toshiba’s automotive power semiconductor production capacity at Himeji, against fiscal 20...

Canadian automotive supplier Magna International plans to invest more than USD500 million in expanding its operations across Michigan, the company announced on 25 October 2022. The company said that it plans to expand its existing facility in St. Clair and also open two new plants, in Shelby Township and in Detroit. Notably, Magna’s existing plant in St. Clair is being expanded for ramping up production of battery enclosures. Meanwhile, the new facilities in Shelby Township and De...

Japanese supplier DENSO has inaugurated third expansion at its manufacturing plant in Guanajuato Puerto Interior, Mexico, Mexico Now reported on 26 October. Diego Sinhue Rodríguez Vallejo, The Governor of Guanajuato, said, “Today we can say with pride and satisfaction that Guanajuato is an industrial power, thanks to the cooperative alliances we have built over the years with world-class companies such as DENSO.” Significance: Denso will invest USD9.8 million as part of the expansion ...

Sodecia Automotive has announced that the company will invest USD36 million to expand automotive body components manufacturing plant in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Mexico, Mexico Now reported on 14 October. Enrique Meza, general manager of Sodecia Mexico, said, “Sodecia arrived 14 years ago in Ramos Arizpe and after almost three years has defined to grow its production from 5,600 assemblies per week to 10,000 per week, which represents a production of 110,000 units per year.” Significance:...

BASF has announced via press release that the company broke ground to setup new Polyurethane Application Development Laboratory in Mumbai, India, it said in a press release on 13 October. Krishnamohan Narayan, managing director, BASF India Limited and Head, BASF Group Companies in India, said, “India is one of the fastest growing markets for BASF in the Asia Pacific. The new lab reinforces our commitment to strengthening our product development capabilities and providing fast and advanced t...

Sekisui Voltek has announced that the company will invest USD39 million to expand operations of the cross-linked polyethylene (XPLE) and polypropylene foams manufacturing facility by building a new plant at Coldwater, Michigan, US, it said in a press release on 23 September. Neil Beckhusen, Sekisui Voltek President and CEO, said, “We are happy to share this exciting news with our customers and our community. We know the last few years have been trying with supply chain issues, increases in ...

Toyobo Indorama Advanced Fibers Co., Ltd. (TIAF), a joint venture that Toyobo Co., Ltd. established in November 2020 with Indorama Polyester Industries PCL (IPI), has completed construction of a facility to produce high-performance nylon yarn for automobile airbags, it said in a press release on 12 October. Christopher Kenneally, executive president of the fibers segment at Indorama Ventures, said, “Indorama Ventures and Toyobo have been trusted partners for many years, driven by our ambiti...

The Momentive Performance Materials group (Momentive) has inaugurated a new slabstock and rigid Niax polyurethane (PU) additives facility in Termoli, Italy, it said in a press release on 27 September.    V P Nalian, President & General Manager of Momentive’s Performance Additives Business, said, “Expanding production of our PU additives in Termoli, Italy is a key part of our in-region-for-region strategy to provide a more flexible and reliable supply capability for our Europ...

Indian supplier Samvardhana Motherson has inaugurated a new interior module manufacturing trim facility in Tanger Med Industrial Platform, Morocco, NewsNCR reported on 6 October. V C Sehgal, chairman, Motherson said, “Morocco is a very strategic location for Motherson due its proximity to Europe and the Middle East. This new facility will help us in serving our existing as well as new customers better in these regions. We highly appreciate the continuous support of the Moroccan government a...

Cipia has announced that the company has secured over USD9 million (NIS32.6 million) of funding via Private Investment in Public Equity (PIPE). The funding was led by Alexandre Weinstein (member of the Board, stakeholder in Cipia and founder of Olive Tree Ventures) via a private company in his ownership, alongside Cartridge Holdings Ltd and Professor Eli Talmor, executive chairman of Cipia's Board. Yehuda Holtzman, CEO of Cipia, said "This investment is a powerful vote of confidence in Cipia'...

Marelli has inaugurated a new technical research and development (R&D) center in Bangalore, India, it said in a press release on 27 September. Dinesh Paliwal, executive chairman, Marelli, said, “I am absolutely delighted to celebrate this major new strategic step for Marelli. India is one the most important R&D and innovation hubs in the world, and we are very excited about the deep talent pool here. Marelli is not investing in India for cost arbitrage—those days are long gone—w...

Display maker Tianma Microelectronics has announced that the company added investment in LCD panel production and modules for use in automotive displays, DigiTimes reported on 26 September. Significance: Tianma and China-based firms invested CNY1.1 billion (USD164.12 million) in June 2022 to build a microLED laboratory on a joint venture (JV) basis, with the laboratory to experiment the full microLED production process from the mass transfer of microLED chips to the assembly of microLED modul...

Toray’s subsidiaries Toray Textiles Central Europe s.r.o. (TTCE) and Toray Advanced Materials Korea Inc. (TAK) has announced that the company expanded its Airlite automotive interior sound acoustic insulation business with new facilities in Czech Republic, it said in a press release on 15 September. According to the press release, Airlite is a lightweight polypropylene and polyester melt-blown non-woven sound-absorbing textile. Melt-blowing sprays melted polymers through nozzles to generate...

SK Geocentric Co., a chemical division of the SK Group along with its Saudi Arabia-based partner SABIC have announced plans to expand functional copolymer facility in Ulsan, South Korea, according to a press release published by SABIC on 23 August. Sami Al-Osaimi, VP of PE & Sales, SABIC, and Board Chairman for SSNC said, “We have identified a strong trend towards customized and high-performance polyolefins, especially metallocene polyethylene materials, in several important new technol...

Materials company Covestro has broken ground to build a new dedicated EUR27 million (USD27.37 million) line for the mechanical recycling (MCR) of polycarbonates at its integrated site in Shanghai, China, it said in a press release on 19 August. Sucheta Govil, chief commercial officer, Covestro, said, "The MCR production line is another exciting step we have taken to fulfill our commitment toward a circular economy and achieve our goal to become operational climate neutral by 2035. Recycling p...

Automotive tier-1 supplier of engineered components and systems, Inteva Products has announced that it is setting up a second engineering technical center in Mexico, according to a press release by the company on 26 July. The company did not disclose the total investment amount. The new center is expected to support automotive manufacturers and Inteva’s manufacturing facilities in the region. Marco vom Wege, VP and chief commercial officer, said, “We believe that opening this new facility...

Materials company Woodbridge Automotive Components Co. has announced that it opened a new manufacturing facility for production of molded foam in Tianjin, mainland China, it said in a press release on 27 July. Kai Jacobsen, President, Molded Foam, said, “We are pleased to formally open this world-class manufacturing facility to our Asia-Pacific customers. This site will serve as an important plant for our operations within the region allowing us to keep up with the anticipated market growth...

ROHM has announced that the company has broken ground to expand its Plexiglas molding compounds manufacturing plant in Shanghai, mainland China, it said in a press release on 18 July. Benjamin Ling, Asia President of ROHM, said, “This expansion is our response to the consistently high demand. We will further strengthen communications with our customers and support them closely in the development of their innovative applications.” According to press release, ROHM claims to be the o...

Hubei Toyoda Gosei Zheng Ao Rubber and Plastic Sealing Technology, a Toyoda Gosei company has inaugurated a new weatherstrip manufacturing facility in Hubei province, mainland China, according to a press release published by the Japanese supplier on 15 July. Toru Koyama, Toyoda Gosei President, said, “With the establishment of this new plant we can meet our customers’ needs for production increases in central China. We hope to make a greater contribution to the regional economy through gr...

Materials company Covestro has broken ground on two new production facilities in Shanghai, mainland China to manufacture polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) and elastomers, it said in a press release on 8 July. The new facilities will be located within the Covestro Integrated Site Shanghai. Holly Lei, president of Covestro China, said, "These projects will contribute to the high-quality and sustainable development in China and beyond. They will also add to the scale and strength of our Shanghai s...

German auto parts supplier ZF has announced that it will build a new EUR60 million (USD60.57 million) passive safety components production facility in Shandong province, mainland China, Invest in China reported on 12 July.    Renee Wang, president of ZF China and SVP of ZF Operations Asia Pacific, said, "We will continue to cultivate the Chinese market, enhance innovation and development capability, promote digital manufacturing, stay close to and lead the market and technology tren...

Japanese supplier Toyoda Gosei has announced that the company, through its Toyoda Gosei (China) Investment Co. ltd. (TG China), is investing in Wuhan Binyu Auto. Part Co., Ltd. to further strengthen the supplier’s production capabilities in central China, it said in a press release on 6 July. Significance: Wuhan Binyu is a production company in the Yibin Group (Ningbo Yibin Electronic Technology Corp.) that supplies automotive interior and exterior parts in mainland China’s major aut...

Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai America Technical Center (HATCI) has announced the construction of a new USD51.6 million Safety Test and Investigation Laboratory (STIL) in Michigan, US, the Korean automaker said in a press release on 27 June.    José Muñoz, president and COO, Hyundai Motor Company and president and CEO, Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America and Hyundai Motor America, said, "Safety is the top priority at Hyundai and is embedded throughout the entire organizatio...

Visteon has announced that the company is expanding its local optical bonding manufacturing facility in Chennai, India, Autocar Professional reported on 13 June.   Qais Sharif, vice president, Display Product Line, Visteon, said, “We have been focused on growing our India capabilities not only to address the domestic market, but our India teams are supporting global applications.” According to the report, the expansion of the facility will include the bonding of displays with lens...

Flex has announced that the company is building its new automotive manufacturing plant in Jalisco, Mexico, according to a press release published by the supplier on 14 June. Flex said the new 145,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility will serve as a strategic in-region automotive manufacturing hub dedicated to advanced electronic components. The new facility is expected to support the growing demand for electric and autonomous vehicles. Rodrigo DallOglio, head of Operations for LatAm, ...

Global vehicle interiors company Yanfeng Automotive has announced that it started construction on a new manufacturing plant with an investment of USD17 million in Coahuila, Mexico, Milenio reported on 9 May. Miguel Ángel Riquelme Solís, Governor of Coahuila, said, “The automotive industry continues to strengthen with the arrival of new investments and is the result of the strategic effort that has been made to improve competitiveness; I took the State when I was ranked ninth in competitiv...

Brose will invest MXN404 million (USD20.6 million) investment to expand its operations in Queretaro, Mexico, which will create 110 highly specialized jobs, according to a report published by Mexico Business News on 1 June 2022. This is the first investment announcement made by Governor Mauricio Kuri González Kuri, who is touring Europe with a group of Queretaro businesses and government officials. The governor stated that he is attempting to get another investment from a German com...

LG Innotek has announced that it plans to expand its operations in San Juan del Ro, Queretaro, Mexico, offering a new source of employment, according to a report published by Cluster Industrial on 30 May 2022. LG's Director, Mauricio Sanchez, indicated that the investment for this year will be USD80 million. The initiative will help the region's automotive and manufacturing industries. Significance: LG Innotek Mexico, a factory specializing in the production of antilock braking system...

Global technology company ZF Friedrichshafen has announced the establishment of a new technology centre in Hyderabad, India, according to a report published by The Hindu on 1 June 2022. The complex, which spans 300,000 square feet, is the group's largest software hub. It will be essential to the group's worldwide growth and positioning, as well as in India. In 2017, ZF Friedrichshafen launched its first operation in Hyderabad, which has now grown to over 2,900 employees. The IT center is on t...

Joyson Electronics has announced that the company will build a new technology research and development (R&D) center in Mexico with focus on automotive electronics that include artificial intelligence (AI) design and development, next-generation automotive cockpit and other related products, IMedia reported on 2 June.     Significance: The development underlines Joyson Electronics’ commitment to innovate and develop applications of in-cabin electronics from the evolution o...

Axiom Engineered Systems, an Axiom group company has announced that it opened a new injection molding facility in Capac, Michigan, US, according to a press release published by the company on 31 May. The facility marks the first establishment in US and includes plastic injection manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, and administration. Axiom Group President and CEO Perry Rizzo, said, “Working with the MEDC and local governments has helped to make this Capac, Michigan location possi...

Toyoda Gosei has announced that the company invested in Kyoto-based wireless power startup Space Power Technologies, according to a press release published by the Japanese supplier on 27 May. Space Power Technologies is based on the original research conducted by Dr. Shinohara of Kyoto University. Wireless power technology can transmit electricity to electronic devises at a distance without the use of cables. With higher power, the technology is expected to develop further to a wide ranging i...

Germany-based automotive interior and exterior parts supplier STS Group AG has announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Taixing City to build a new manufacturing plant to further expand its presence in China, according to a press release published by the company on 30 May. Alberto Buniato, CEO of STS Group AG, said, "China is an important core market for us and contributes significantly to the earnings situation of the STS Group. With the new locatio...

BASF has announced via press release on 17 May that it expanded its production capacity for its antioxidant Irganox 1010 at its manufacturing plant in Jurong Island, Singapore. The new addition includes an integrated production line that will double its existing output.   Hermann Althoff, SVP, BASF Performance Chemicals Asia Pacific, said, “By expanding our production capacity, we respond to the increasing demand, and it allows us to support our customers’ growth plans. With the inve...

Faurecia, a Forvia Group company has announced an investment of USD147 million to construct a new shared plant in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, that will have instrument panels, production lines for other interior modules, technologies and processes such as plastic injection, vibration welding, ultrasonic welding, and assembly, based on renewable energy technologies, MexicoNow reported on 19 May.   Robert Grienenberg, vice president of Faurecia Asientos Mexico, said, “The design of automotive se...

Adient has inaugurated a new MAD72 million (USD7.10 million) seating facility to produce automotive seat covers in Morocco, Daily Morocco reported on 12 May.   Adient Automotive Seating Morocco contributes to the Moroccan automotive market, which is expected to reach an integration rate of more than 45% for adoption of local components thereby developing and strengthening supply chain for the region, report added. Mohamed Al Fatine, GM, Adient automotive seating and regional lead in c...

German chemicals company Covestro announced via press release on 22 April that it will be investing a low double-digit million-euro amount to expand the production capacity of multilayer thermoplastic urethane (TPU) Films at the Bomlitz, Lower Saxony site belonging to its wholly owned subsidiary Epurex Films. According to the press release, the new capacity is expected to meet the growing demand for the breathable, water-permeable specialty films from the automotive interiors and construction...

Toyoda Gosei has announced that the company will expand its Seto plant in Japan to cater to the growing demand of interior and exterior products for various types of vehicles including hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEV), according to a press release published by the Japanese supplier on 22 April. Significance: The expansion of Seto facility underlines the growing demand for interior and exterior products portfolio that include innovative front grilles, back doo...

Technology company Continental has inaugurated a new INR2.0 billion (USD26.43 million) greenfield plant in Pune, India, to produce premium surface materials for car interiors, including electric vehicles (EVs), for the domestic and export markets, The Economic Times reported on 7 April. The 149,000-square-foot manufacturing facility has an initial annual capacity of 5 million square meters of surface material, which can be scaled up to 10 million square meters&nb...

Toyoda Gosei has announced that the company will establish a new manufacturing plant in Guangdong province to enhance production of airbags, steering wheels and pop-up hood actuators, according to a press release published by the Japanese supplier on 6 April. The expansion is in line to support the growing automobile market in China. The new facility will integrate sustainable manufacturing practices and production is expected to begin around the summer of 2023. The ‘smart plant’ wil...