Automotive News - January 21, 2008 - (Page 28X)

28X • JANUARY 21, 2008 2 units of Toyota Boshoku America merge in Mexico RAMOS ARIZPE, Mexico — Two seat-making Mexican subsidiaries of supplier Toyota Boshoku America Inc. have merged. Toyota Boshoku Monterrey SA de CV, which makes seat covers for the Toyota Sienna minivan, and Araco de Mexico SA de CV, which makes seats for the Chevrolet HHR wagon and Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUVs, merged under the new name Toyota Boshoku de Mexico SA de CV. The merger was effective Jan. 1. The new company is based here. Toyota Boshoku America, of Erlanger, Ky., makes interior parts and systems, air and oil filters and powertrain systems. made the announcement at the International Consumer Electronics Show here. Delphi makes steering, chassis, electrical, energy and engine management systems, thermal management, interiors, electronic components and in-vehicle entertainment systems. supplies glazing systems. Bayer unit acquires patents PITTSBURGH — Bayer MaterialScience LLC has acquired patent rights from Collins & Aikman Corp. to use thermoplastic polyurethane in automotive instrument panels. Bayer, of Pittsburgh, acquired rights related to thermoplastic polyurethane formulation and size reduction and related technologies. Bayer MaterialScience produces polymers and high-performance plastics. The company is part of the North American operations of Germany’s Bayer AG, which had 2006 North American sales totaling about $10.25 billion at then-current exchange rates. Volvo gets Delphi technologies LAS VEGAS — Delphi Corp. is supplying three 2008 Volvo models with adaptive cruise control, collision warning and automatic braking technologies. Adaptive cruise control uses sensors to help a driver maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. Collision warning alerts drivers to a possible collision, and automatic braking assists drivers in stopping safely. Delphi Corp., of suburban Detroit, AGC Automotive taps Apriso LOS ANGELES — AGC Automotive has selected Apriso Corp. to improve production line operations. Apriso, of suburban Los Angeles, will use software to integrate operations between the plant floor and corporate-level planning at 13 AGC plants and at AGC’s external production centers and warehouses in Europe. AGC Automotive, of Hebron, Ky., JCI to supply batteries to Chinese automakers Alysha Webb alyshawebb@yahoo.com DETROIT — Johnson Controls Inc. plans to supply batteries to two Chinese automakers for alternativepowertrain vehicles, the company said last week at the Detroit auto show. “They want to get to market quickly, and they don’t have” the technology themselves, said Mary Ann Wright, general manager for hybrid systems at Johnson Controls. Johnson Controls will supply nickel-metal hydride batteries to Chery Automobile Co. for a mild hybrid sedan scheduled to go into production in the third quarter of this year, Wright said here at the auto show. “This is their first foray into the hybrid market,” she said. Chery’s new A5 ISG mid-sized sedan should be in Chinese showrooms late this year, Wright said. Chery is China’s largest indepen- KNOWLEDGE DELIVERED IS INTELLIGENCE. The two Chinese automakers ‘want to get Safely Know While You Tow. to market quickly, and they don’t have’ the technology themselves. ENHANCED SAFETY Circuit speciﬁc real-time diagnostics notify the driver when a failure occurs with trailer lighting and battery charge circuits. The design of IntelliTow™ reduces vehicle weight, eliminates parts and simpliﬁes wiring. COMPLEXITY REDUCTION MARY ANN WRIGHT Johnson Controls CONSUMER BENEFITS Provides ease of mind while towing: connectivity for multiple trailers terminal corrosion intermittent failures EXPERTLY ENGINEERED Yazaki is uniquely qualiﬁed to develop IntelliTow because of our expertise in three essential automotive components: electronic power modules, junction boxes and connectors. IntelliTow provides efﬁcient thermal management while meeting all environmental requirements. IntelliTow expands the safety envelope of the vehicle and trailer by providing drivers with real-time knowledge. In a word, intelligence. For detailed product information, visit www.yazaki-na.com/intellitow All Systems Go® Vehicle Power and Data Solutions ® Visit us at www.yazaki-na.com dent domestic automaker in terms of sales. Also, Johnson Controls’ joint venture with Saft Advanced Power Solutions will supply a lithium ion battery to a fleet of demonstration vehicles produced by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. The fleet should be launched early this year, Wright said. The vehicles will be plug-in hybrids capable of using a gasoline or a hydrogen fuel cell transmission, she said. Johnson Controls will handle systems integration for the project through its newly opened tech center in Shanghai, Wright said. SAIC produces its own line of Roewe-brand cars and partners with General Motors and Volkswagen AG to produce cars in China. The demonstration fleet is part of SAIC’s new energy vehicles division. Johnson Controls, of Milwaukee, ranks No. 5 on the Automotive News list of top 100 global suppliers with parts sales to the automakers of $19.50 billion in its 2006 fiscal year. c Ryan Beene contributed to this report http://www.yazaki-na.com http://www.yazaki-na.com/intellitow http://www.yazaki-na.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - January 21, 2008

Campi will move fast to buy global Ford rolls out new F series — but will it stay No. 1? GM will push metro megastores BMW: We may need a 'green' brand Competition claims traditions German summit Toyota: We have enough plants for now Chinese pitch innovation, not just price Mercedes in, Cadillac out as sponsor of Masters golf tournament Auto show walkaround: Chasing the YIPS around Detroit New Acura TSX will get a diesel Toyota: We'll crack 35-mpg CAFE before 2020 Audi predicts 1 million global sales in 2008 Toyota crosses over into tricky segment LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Digital edition is a 'quantum leap' KEITH CRAIN: Here they come, ready or not EDITORIAL: Incentives war isn't the answer to sales downturn LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Toyota over Chevy? Don’t be too sure DIGITAL EDITION: You did your homework Chrysler concepts show brand tweaks Chrysler: 'Hemi is not powertrain of the future' Some of what we heard at the Detroit auto show Corvette has a future — but maybe a lighter, greener one Nissan exec: Cube is coming to America Subaru relies on new Forester Farley: Ford must groom the market Ford still funds Jag, Land Rover product development Ford will probably develop its new rwd cars in the U.S. Volvo considers North American production Good design: Solving problems, making a statement Horbury wants a more aerodynamic F-150 Hyundai upgrades next Sonata's interior M-B could build C class in U.S. VW hints at vehicles for new N.A. plant Customer demand for CTS sedans strains production capabilities at Cadillac GM to test ZR1 carbon fiber weight savings Honda Pilot has more room, power Indiana plant will boost Honda's flexibility Zetsche sees 20% diesel mix for Mercedes-Benz GM hopes to have E-Flex test vehicles ready by June GM to increase Enclave output Cadillac aims high with Provoq Pontiac to launch G8 marketing in March Big-truck sales fall 43.5% in Dec. Personnel Buckle up for a rocky '08, economists warn Canada sales up 2.4% in '07 Gioia: Ford hybrids will be profitable by year end American Honda opens workplace diversity office Dealers From CDs to Sync: Auto industry races to adapt in-car IT trends Microsoft exec sees a car as 'another room in the house' China's Geely plans plant in Mexico Chrysler exec: China exporters need time Murtaugh: Nissan deal won't affect Chrysler-Chery venture Strike by writers makes TV iffy for auto marketers Super Bowl auto advertisers get pre-game jitters Final Say GM bumps buyout total to 46,000 GM considers U.S.-made Astra Good Karma: Mean, green, fighting machine Purves confirms it: The end is near Rehab for designers: A change can do you good Tata's achievement: Redefining 'cheap' Fans remember auto commercials with sports themes Which brand is stronger — Scion or Prius? Engine advances bring cleaner emissions a step closer Suppliers to the 2008 Ford Focus Varable compression ratio makes a comeback Change the engine's stroke Integrate components to boost efficiency Reduce the size of the engine Eliminate the cams and count the savings ZF expects surge in new orders American Axle's rising son may be another Dauch Honda taps Web for workers Trelleborg unit adds tech center Kia restricts hiring at Ga. plant to Web applicants Magna pursues Ogihara Supplier personnel Age of intelligent transportation is getting closer Plastic spoiler saves weight Automotive News' cartoonist looks at 2007 8 will enter European Automotive Hall of Fame Pininfarina lifted family business to new heights Merciless cost cutter Calvet rescued PSA Opel boys turned bicycle venture into automaker Giacosa fathered the Fiat 500 JCI to supply batteries to Chinese automakers Automakers will spend more on digital ads Ford snares star role in return of 'Knight Rider' GM Certified markets online to Hispanics Writers' strike could benefit auto marketers

Automotive News - January 21, 2008

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