Mixed picture for Daimler Trucks in 2014

Daimler Trucks will sell almost 500,000 trucks in 2014, despite difficult market conditions.

Eaton and the challenge of vertical integration

In the heady world of North American Class 8 trucks, for the likes of Cummins, Eaton and Meritor, life is a constant battle (in engines, transmissions and axles) against the forces of vertical integration that are steadily being imposed by European-controlled OEMs.

Parts maker with an eye to the future

DPE-Automotive Ltd of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, UK, expects turnover to increase by 30 per cent next year.

Car and truck applications drive CGI forward

In its year-end statement SinterCast has pointed to “the start of production of two undisclosed heavy duty engine programmes”, both of which use compacted graphite iron (CGI) cylinder blocks.

Hyundai eyes BMW's dynamics technology

Both Hyundai and Kia must have done some serious benchmarking exercises of European medium and upper-end passenger cars to be able to determine where the epicentre of ride and handling expertise can be found.

Schaeffler sets sights on 2025

Schaeffler will show its concept car that meets the 2025 CAFE requirements at next month’s Detroit auto show - NAIAS.

Honda goes for 8-speed DCT

First application of an eight-speed double-clutch transmission (DCT) with a torque converter takes place when Honda introduces the Acura ILX production car in North America.

Nissan halts UK sales to Russia

Nissan, after declaring Russia as one its top European area for sales, ahead of the UK, has frozen orders from the region..

Ford: No plans for two-cylinder engines

Ford Motor Company has no plans ‘right now’ for two-cylinder engines, according to Barb Samardzich, chief operations officer of Ford of Europe.

Navistar to end engine production?

The decision by Navistar International Corporation to close its foundry in Brookville Road, Indianapolis raises the whole question of ‘make or buy’.

Turbocharger failures at Daf Trucks

Daf Trucks in the UK appears to have suffered a spate of problems with turbochargers fitted to its 12.9-litre MX commercial vehicle diesel engines.

Blue Diamond is set for a revamp

In the same way that production of castings at 5565 Brookville Road, Indianapolis, Indiana ends in 2015 (see next news story), so too will Ford Motor Company end its Blue Diamond truck-making joint venture with Navistar.

. . . As Troy Clarke shutters Indianapolis foundry

Navistar International’s chief executive officer, Troy Clarke, continues to comb through the beleaguered company’s business in search of any area where he can cut costs. And his latest move brings no Christmas cheer for some employees.

Hyundai extends CGI leadership in Asia

Hyundai Motor Company, the world’s fifth largest auto manufacturer, has begun series production of compacted graphite iron (CGI) cylinder heads for the company’s 12.7-litre heavy duty commercial vehicle engine.

Nissan just loves the Russian market

Nissan sold more cars to Russia than anywhere else in Europe last month, figures have revealed.

Mexican bank to work with automotive sector

The Mexican bank Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior (Bancomext) is to begin offering automotive suppliers credit at preferential rates.

Ford puts new effort into performance

Ford will deliver over 12 new performance vehicles for global enthusiasts through to 2020, as the company announces  its new global Ford performance team.

OEM optimises CGI block machining

Florida State University, University of Michigan and Coherix are collaborating with a major automotive OEM to optimize the machining parameters for the new compacted graphite iron (CGI) engine blocks going into their new trucks.

Nifco has plans for third UK plant

Nifco UK, a north-east UK automotive components manufacturing firm, is planning to expand and double its workforce.

Oerlikon bows torque infill transmission

Oerlikon Graziano’s OGeco torque infill hybrid transmission will be one of the main attractions at the 2014 CTI exhibition in Berlin from 8 to 11 December.

£40 million boost for Bentley

Bentley Motors has launched the latest phase in the biggest site development in the company’s history.

UK set to have a driverless hub by 2017

Milton Keynes in the UK looks to be on a collision course with Gothenburg in Sweden as the first to introduce autonomous vehicles.

UK firm plays key role in Ford’s 2.7-litre EcoBoost

UK prototype development CGI castings foundry Grainger & Worrall (G&W) of Bridgnorth, Shropshire, played a vital role in bringing Ford’s 2.7-litre EcoBoost gasoline engine to market.

Nissan lifts some wraps off UK battery plant

Nissan’s ultra-clean battery plant, which been ‘off limits’ to prying eyes for so long, has opened its doors for the first time.

Mercedes-Benz reaches truck milestone

The Mercedes-Benz plant in Aksaray, 230km south-east from the Turkish capital of Ankara, has built its 200,000th truck.

. . . As Daimler boosts Li-ion battery output

Daimler looks to be taking electric vehicles seriously as it plans to complete a new building in 2015 to manufacture lithium-ion batteries for hybrid vehicles.