€190 million for new Vito production

Daimler has invested €190 million to upgrade its van plant in Vitoria, Spain to produce the next generation Vito.

Following the summer shutdown, production will begin of the next generation Mercedes-Benz Vito at the facility, which has also just seen another model changeover for the new Mercedes-Benz V-Class factory. The new MPV goes on sale in June.

Ricardo pushes out with US Maglev project

Ricardo is participating in a strategic partnership led by Florida EMMI to deliver the first commercial Maglev rail project in North America.

Not only is Ricardo expanding its boundaries in the direction of Maglev, it has just won an order from UTC Aerospace Systems to manufacture complex components used in the flap actuation system of Airbus A320 aircraft.

Piaskowski to head Ford of Europe design

Ford Motor Company has named Joel Piaskowski, a design leader with 24 years of international automotive experience, as its new director, Design, Ford of Europe, from 1 July.

Piaskowski, 45, replaces Martin Smith, 64, who led Ford of Europe's award-winning design group for the past 10 years.

Aston invests £20 million at Gaydon

Work is under way on what is claimed to be “one of the most significant and exciting developments” at Aston Martin.

Aston Martin’s factory and global HQ at Gaydon, Warwickshire for several years, is receiving a £20 million boost as the business prepares to “grow substantially” its manufacturing facilities and workforce.

UK car production rises 7% in 2014

UK car production rose 21.3 per cent in April to 133,437 units, the biggest monthly rise since July 2012.

Year-to-date volumes increased 6.9%, with January-April exports up 8.7%.

PowerStroke diesel for Ford F-650/F-750

Just as rumours circulate that Toyota is about to launch a Cummins-powered Tundra, Ford lets everyone know who really is boss in town; who is the big kid on the block.

Ford, North America’s truck leader, has announced an all-new F-650/F-750 medium-duty truck line-up powered by the 6.7-litre PowerStroke V8 turbo diesel.

HondaJet first flight this summer

Honda Aircraft Company held a press conference today at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland to announce further development of the HondaJet.

"Honda Aircraft Company's most important goals are achieving Federal Aviation Administration Type Certification and delivering the first customer aircraft," said Honda Aircraft Company President and chief executive officer Michimasa Fujino. "Our total effort is focused on reaching these much anticipated milestones in the first quarter of 2015."

Toyota set to be next for Cummins ISV5.0 diesel

Cummins Inc. looks to have found another customer for its ISV5.0 V8 diesel engine that is planned for introduction n Nissan’s Titan pick-up truck.

According to www.newcarannouncements.com, Toyota Motor Corporation is the new customer for the V8 diesel.

Even with Toyota adding another string to its bow, Cummins executives no doubt would like a third customer for its latest engine. Together they would help bolster production of the Columbus Engine Plant where the new generation engine is to be built.

BMW to make Mini in Mexico?

Rumours are circulating that BMW is set to manufacture at least one of its Mini range alongside BMW 3-Series and 1-Series in Mexico.

With Mini production now getting ready to roll at VDL NedCar in Holland, reports are surfacing that parent BMW is looking at further possibilities to expand production of the brand in potentially lower-cost regions close to new and expanding markets.

Jaguar to build six lightweight E-Types

Jaguar is to build six perfect reproductions of the original, race-bred Lightweight E-type created in 1963.

The new cars are the ‘missing’ six vehicles from Jaguar’s Lightweight E-type project that started in February 1963 with the objective of building 18 ‘Special GT E-type Cars’.

Mercedes launches AMTs for Atego range

Mercedes-Benz is to launch its new Atego light- and medium-duty truck series at the IFAT 2014 exhibition in Munich, Germany this month.

For the first time, the company will introduce an automated mechanical transmission (AMT) in lightweight trucks.

Yamanouchi to leave Mazda

Takashi Yamanouchi is leaving Mazda Motor Corporation at the end of June after 47 years.

Yamanouchi is chairman of the board and representative director. The 69-year-old, who also served as Mazda's president and chief executive officer between 2008 and 2013, will be replaced by Seita Kanai, currently vice chairman and representative director. Yamanouchi ends a career at the unconventional carmaker that began 47 years ago.

Fiat adopts CGI cylinder head

FPT Industrial has launched the Cursor 16, the first of the company’s commercial vehicle  engines to adopt a compacted graphite iron (CGI) cylinder head; this high performance material provides high thermal and mechanical resistance.

Suitable for construction, agriculture and power generation applications, among others, the 16-litre engine delivers 18-litre performance in a 13-litre package.

Magna expands further in Mexico for Audi

Magna Powertrain (MPT), part of Magna International, has begun construction of a new facility in Ramos Arizpe expected to cost US$75 million.

The new facility – the ground-breaking ceremony took place on 30 April – is expected to be up and running in 2016 and will supply all-wheel-drive systems for the next generation Audi Q5 that will be built in Mexico.

MaxxForce engine problems?

A recent advertisement in Transport Topics offered some interesting reading.

Attorneys at law, Miller Weisbrod LLP of 11551 Forest Drive, Dallas, Texas raised a number of questions in their advertisement under the headline: MaxxForce engine problems?

Nissan Sunderland to shed 365 “temps”

After adding 2,000 jobs over the past two years, Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK needs to shed 365 “temps” at its Sunderland factory this summer due to a demand dip. 

In January, Nissan introduced 24-hour operations across the entire site at Sunderland for the first time.

All change at Ford UK engine plants

Dave Parker, who has been preparing for production of the next generation, low-CO2 2-litre diesel engine to be produced at Ford’s Dagenham Engine Plant and designed and engineered at Ford's Technical Centre in Dunton, Essex, has retired as plant manager.

 Parker retires after almost 36 years with Ford Motor Company. He joined Ford in 1977 and has worked at Ford’s Dagenham Engine Plant for almost a decade and has overseen a number of changes.