Automotive News - March 24, 2008 - (Page 28)

28 • MARCH 24, 2008 Tenneco expands Japanese work, seeks more Hans Greimel hgreimel@crain.com TOKYO — Tenneco Inc. aims for 30 percent of its revenues to come from Japanese automakers, up from 11 percent today, as the emissions and ride control supplier tries to diversify sales. Tenneco booked record revenue of $583 million from Japanese companies last year, up nearly a third from the previous year, CEO Gregg Sherrill said here March 13. The Illinois supplier also won $200 million in new business from the Japanese for 19 projects between 2008 and 2010. Ten projects are in China or India, underlining Tenneco’s push for more business with Japanese automakers expanding into emerging markets. Tenneco is one of several foreign parts suppliers, including TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. and Continental Automotive, that is boosting its local presence for a bigger slice of work with Japan’s car companies. Twenty-nine suppliers have set up shop Japan in the past five years. “The Japanese business that we have represents about 11 percent of Tenneco’s global revenues,” Sherrill said. “Our goal is to achieve the market share the Japanese have. And their market share is probably closer to 30 percent.” Sherrill called it a long-term plan that “won’t happen overnight.” Tenneco’s Gregg Sherrill: Achieving 30 percent of revenues from Japanese carmakers “won’t happen overnight.” Of Tenneco’s new business with Japanese automakers, 82 percent is in emissions control and 16 percent is in small cars. About 20 percent is in emerging markets. Tenneco sells parts to seven Japanese automakers in 14 countries. Toyota Motor Corp. is the company’s fifth-biggest customer worldwide, and Nissan Motor Co. is No. 10. To win more contracts from Japan, Tenneco set up branch offices last year in Nagoya to cater to Toyota and in Hiroshima to work with Mazda Motor Corp. Looking ahead, Tenneco hopes to win work on Toyota’s rapidly expanding hybrid vehicle lineup, especially if production moves overseas. The company is developing lightweight exhaust systems for use with hybrids to offset their heavy batteries. By substituting aluminum for steel or redesigning parts to make them thinner, said technology chief Timothy Jackson, Tenneco can shed up to 40 percent of the current weight. c Bosch buys diagnostic equipment firm in China STUTTGART — Bosch Group, which includes Robert Bosch GmbH, acquired Shenzhen Wei Ning Da Industrial Co. in Shenzhen, China. The purchase took effect on March 11. Shenzhen Wei Ning Da, also known as Weicon, manufactures diagnostic equipment and related software. Bosch expects the transaction to boost sales of diagnostic equipment in China and expand its aftermarket activities. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Bosch Group, of Stuttgart, supplies technology and services for the automotive industry, including electronics, gasoline, diesel and chassis systems. JV will design vehicle platforms DETROIT — INCAT International and Tata AutoComp Systems Ltd. entered a joint venture that will create a single source of product development and manufacturing services for global auto manufacturers. The venture has been contracted to begin development and design of a new vehicle platform for an unnamed Chinese automaker. INCAT, of suburban Detroit, is a Tata Technologies Ltd. company that provides engineering and design services. Tata AutoComp, a subsidiary of India’s Tata Group, is a parts manufacturer. © © © Citation moves headquarters DETROIT — Citation Corp. moved its headquarters from Birmingham, Ala., to its offices in suburban Detroit. The casting and machining supplier says it wanted to move closer to its core customers. Citation makes chassis, transmission, engine, brake, aluminum and cast iron components. © © © NxtGen tests emissions system VANCOUVER, British Columbia — NxtGen Emission Controls Inc. received a $5.5 million grant from EnCana Corp. and Sustainable Development Technology Canada to road-test technology that will reduce diesel emissions from medium- and heavy-duty trucks. The company will retrofit 12 trucks in three fleets across Canada with an emission reduction system. The system is expected to assist manufacturers in complying with emission regulations. NxtGen is a privately held company that supplies retrofit and original-equipment emission control systems to the diesel engine industry. EnCana is a natural gas and integrated oil company. SDTC is a nonprofit corporation that works with public and private sectors to promote new technologies. http://www.rubbernews.com/conferences/2008/automotive http://www.rubbernews.com/conferences/2008/automotive

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - March 24, 2008

Ford lists 6 to succeed Mulally GM pushes luxury superstores Industry straps in for rough ride Bob Irvin is a worthy addition to Hall of Fame Debate at Scion: How to grow Ford moves executives in Asia to new jobs CEO of lanelogic: We're still here Kia's N.Y. duo Chrysler's exec trio: Reports of friction mostly fiction Where others see gloom, Honda chief sees boom in U.S. Fukui: Nickel battery is best bet for hybrid Beijing conference explores key issues in China market Planworks keeps its role as buyer for GM ads Lincoln: MKS will make up for brand's slow start in '08 Deal's no big deal: Styling top reason to buy GM Penske's Smart start: He'd like 15,000 more Dodge's pitch for Challenger: A halo that you can afford Chrysler plans 'We listen' ads You go, Bob With zest, activist Ditlow remains on lemon patrol Autos did the job after 9/11; don't bet on that now Chinese cars? Dealer beware Solar power is the only answer Where will we get power for the Volt? Want higher CAFE? First, do this In N. California, hybrids are hot Detroit 3 can learn from the Marlboro Man The Prius is a phenomenon Wait 3 years, then judge Ford How many Jeeps will India buy? Lithia looks into improper sales reports at dealerships AutoNation's lead shrinks as largest U.S. dealer group Honda ad agency creates unit to build Acura brand Study: Consistent theme in auto ads builds viewer recall Big-truck sales continue slide in Feb. -- off 27.1% MazdaSpeed revs up racing accessory sales Calif. company eyes electric charging stations for Volt, Vue Indictment: Bribe scheme cost GM $83.3 million The greening of Toyota dealerships 6 more finalists in race for PACE recognition Tenneco expands Japanese work, seeks more Bosch buys diagnostic equipment firm in China JV will design vehicle platforms Citation moves headquarters NxtGen tests emissions system VW stake may help Porsche on fuel economy rules Chrysler's Project Genesis wins over Ore. dealer Germany, new EU members send up European sales Saturn will choose store system soon VW thinks modular for flexibility at auto plants Automakers eager as axles turn high-tech Talking drivetrains with American Axle Dollar halts U.S. retail sales of Audi Q7 hybrid Hyundai: Genesis Coupe offers more go for dough Maxima's target: Luxury Euro makes Pontiac adds 3 sporty variants Outsider Elmer Johnson shook up GM Importer Yanase was Hall of Fame member Obituaries Redesigned TSX has many Acura firsts Dealers Certified sales up 7.5% in Feb.; Audi leads the way eBay's new Web site has new look, more features Big pickups and SUVs lead plunge in used-vehicle prices Ex-Reynolds CEO O'Neill joins J.D. Power Auto Hall of Fame will induct 8 Liberatore looks beyond Daimler Molina gets the top job at GMAC F&I pioneer Pat Ryan to retire from Aon Study: Hydrogen research worth the cost Gulf States trial halted As yuan rises, so do prices of Chinese parts Personnel exec Laymon: Ford still seeking outside talent GE gives supplier credit Dana CEO wants Asian growth Tesla launches production Todt steps down as Ferrari CEO Union pursues Toyota effort Chrysler offers spiffs for military Land Rover ads focus on heritage Mark Rechtin Fresh heir: To turn green, must BMW create brand? GM ponders mini-muscle Camaro New Ford ads coming in April With a spiffier image, Lincoln would rock abroad Rival says Nardelli's OK Ford hails its cab, but mpg is an issue

Automotive News - March 24, 2008

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