Archives for May 22, 2018

Schaeffler reports three divisions for the first time and confirms guidance for the year

May 22, 2018 by Jasmine

Global automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler has announced its quarterly results for the first three months of 2018.

As a result of the organizational realignment initiated last year, this is the first time the company is also reporting on the performance of its three divisions:

automotive original equipment manufacturers (64.2 percent of revenue);
automotive aftermarket (12.5 percent of revenue); and
industrial (23.3 percent of revenue).

Siemens to acquire software framework provider for building automation and IoT

May 22, 2018 by Anna

Siemens is acquiring J2 Innovations (J2), a leading software framework provider for building automation and IoT, headquartered near Los Angeles, California.

The company has been a successful player in the Internet-of-Things (IoT) software business for 10 years, building a strong reputation in the US and internationally with its FIN (Fluid INtegration) Framework technology.

Both parties have agreed not to disclose financial details. The transaction is expected to close by the end of May 2018.

General Motors to build self-driving cars in Michigan, US

May 22, 2018 by Anna

After more than a year of building test vehicles for development of its self-driving technology, General Motors will build production versions of its Cruise AV at its Orion Township assembly plant in Michigan.

Roof modules for GM’s self-driving vehicles will be assembled at its Brownstown plant.

The Cruise AV, which the company plans to commercialize in 2019, is the first production-ready vehicle built from the ground up to operate safely on its own with no driver, steering wheel, pedals or manual controls.

The daily dance of 2,000 robots at Seat’s Martorell facility

May 22, 2018 by Anna

A lot goes into making a SEAT vehicle, including an intricate dance routine. The show starts at five in the morning in the sheet metal workshop in Martorell, when 2,000 robots and 1,700 factory workers begin moving in unison to build a car body in just over one minute. This is how an Industry 4.0 choreography is performed.

Thousands of articulated mechanical arms weave in and out in synch to handle up to 2,300 parts daily. They work in harmony and in continuous movement for 24 hours on end. (See video below.)

Their abilities include welding different body parts, assembling car doors and verifying the geometry of the chassis with precision measuring instruments.

Nissan aims to sell 1 million electrified vehicles a year by 2022

May 22, 2018 by Anna

Nissan is aiming to sell 1 million electrified vehicles – either pure electric models or those with e-POWER powertrains – annually by fiscal year 2022.

The target is part of as part of its Nissan M.O.V.E. to 2022 midterm plan, under which it plans to launch growing numbers of electrified vehicles, expand and evolve autonomous driving systems, and accelerate vehicle connectivity.

The company also intends to develop eight new pure electric vehicles, building on the success of the new Nissan LEAF; launch an electric car offensive in China under different brands; and introduce an electric “kei” mini-vehicle in Japan.