Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

mexico

Visteon opens new technical center in Mexico

by

Visteon, a supplier of digital automotive dashboard electronics, has opened a newly constructed engineering center in Querétaro, Mexico.

Visteon says its Querétaro Technical Center (VTCQ) is home to highly skilled software, hardware and mechanical engineers responsible for developing advanced cockpit electronics products for North America-based vehicle manufacturers.

These products include digital instrument clusters, infotainment and information displays – and new technologies for connected and autonomous driving. [Read more…] about Visteon opens new technical center in Mexico

BMW Group opens plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico

by

The BMW Group has opened a new automotive plant in San Luis Potosi in Mexico.

The company has invested more than one billion US dollars in the new production location. The plant, which already employs 2,500 people, will have a capacity of up to 175,000 units per year once the ramp-up phase is fully completed.

San Luis Potosi will build BMW’s most successful model series: the BMW 3 Series Sedan.

[Read more…] about BMW Group opens plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico

Trump announces tariffs on imports from Mexico

by

After recently increasing the percentage of tariffs and applying them to a broader range of Chinese imports, US President Donald Trump has now imposed new tariffs on imports from Mexico. 

The proposed 5 percent tariff on all Mexican imports is yet to be made official, but Trump’s announcement has already caused concern across a range of sectors.

Trump said today on Twitter: “On June 10th, the United States will impose a 5% Tariff on all goods coming into our Country from Mexico, until such time as illegal migrants coming through Mexico, and into our Country, STOP. The Tariff will gradually increase until the Illegal Immigration problem is remedied, at which time the Tariffs will be removed. Details from the White House to follow.” [Read more…] about Trump announces tariffs on imports from Mexico

Insight Robotics expands in Mexico, Portugal and Spain through strategic distribution partnership

by

Insight Robotics has expanded its operations in Mexico, Portugal and Spain through a number of strategic distribution partnerships.

Insight Robotics is a Hong Kong company which provides technology to safeguard natural resources and infrastructure through automation and early-warning threat detection.

The company’s new partnerships include:

Insight Robotics says the new agreements ensure an increased geographic sales footprint and broader access to maintenance and support resources for better client’s engagement.  [Read more…] about Insight Robotics expands in Mexico, Portugal and Spain through strategic distribution partnership

Hannover Messe: Bosch takes lead with 5G connectivity for industry and invests $100 million in new ‘smart factory’ in Mexico

by

Industrial giant Bosch is taking the lead in 5G connectivity in partnership with Nokia.

The two companies have been demonstrating a number of 5G projects at Hannover Messe, probably among the first of their kind in the industrial sector.

One of the experts working on the project explained that “most of the industry is cabled”, meaning that robots and other machines, whether they are mobile or stationary, tend to be connected via cables, such as Ethernet, for example. [Read more…] about Hannover Messe: Bosch takes lead with 5G connectivity for industry and invests $100 million in new ‘smart factory’ in Mexico

Kuka wins ‘major’ contracts worth $75 million from US automotive manufacturer

by

Kuka Systems has received three major new systems contracts from “a leading manufacturer of premium vehicles in the US”, according to the company.

The projects comprise the engineering and construction of systems to build vehicles body structures in the USA and Mexico, says Kuka.

Kuka estimates the order value to be approximately $75 million, and says it was booked in the third quarter of 2017. Start of production is planned for mid-2019.  [Read more…] about Kuka wins ‘major’ contracts worth $75 million from US automotive manufacturer

Auto companies still moving to Mexico despite Nafta uncertainty

by

Mexico used to be an attractive place to invest in building manufacturing facilities. It still is. 

The country of 120 million people is still part of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which makes importing and exporting to the US easier than it would otherwise be.

And even as US President Donald Trump pushes for a renegotiation of Nafta, manufacturing companies are continuing to choose Mexico as an investment location.  [Read more…] about Auto companies still moving to Mexico despite Nafta uncertainty

US President Donald Trump pressures automakers to increase production in the US

by

By David Shepardson and Roberta Rampton, Reuters

US President Donald Trump pushed the chief executives of General Motors, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler to increase production in the United States and boost American employment.

Trump opened a meeting with GM CEO Mary Barra, Ford CEO Mark Fields and Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne at the White House by saying he wants to see new auto plants built in the United States.

The new Republican president vowed to cut regulations and taxes to make it more attractive for businesses to operate in the United States. He promised frequently during his election campaign to be a job-creating president and stressed that message in his inaugural speech last Friday.  [Read more…] about US President Donald Trump pressures automakers to increase production in the US

Manufacturing: Trump tempts Toyota with tax break if it builds cars in US instead of Mexico

by

toyota mexico
Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto with Toyota North America CEO James Lentz last year during the start of building the facility in Guanajuato

lockAfter apparently pressuring Ford to change its plans to expand its manufacturing operations in Mexico, President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly putting pressure on Toyota to follow suit. 

Ford had intended to build a plant in Mexico, but is now applying the brakes on those plans, according to the Economist.

A couple of days ago, Ford said it would cancel its $1.6 billion project in San Luis Potosí, Mexico and instead invest $700 million in its plant in Michigan, in the US.  [Read more…] about Manufacturing: Trump tempts Toyota with tax break if it builds cars in US instead of Mexico

Audi smart factory ushers in new era of manufacturing

by

Audi has opened what it calls a “smart factory”, in Mexico, the first such plant opened by a leading automaker in that country.

Professor Rupert Stadler, chairman of Audi, says: “The plant in Mexico is a milestone in the history of our company and an important step in our internationalization.

“It is one of the most modern factories on the American continent. With this facility, we have established an important site for the export of our automobiles to customers all over the world.”  [Read more…] about Audi smart factory ushers in new era of manufacturing