Supply chain

Nissan to Restart Production at Five Japanese Plants After Earthquake

Nissan will resume operations at five domestic plants from 21 March, though output may remain limited and engine production at Iwaki faces further delays.

Ford boosts purchases from minority and smaller suppliers

In 2013, Ford spent $6.5 billion with minority-owned suppliers, surpassing its internal target and highlighting a shift in its global sourcing strategy.

Honda launches world-first rare earth recycling process

Honda has started recycling rare earth metals from used hybrid batteries, aiming to reduce reliance on new mining and secure future supply for its electric and hybrid vehicles.

Bosch to Invest €60m in New Automotive Electronics Plant in Romania

Bosch will spend €60 million on a new factory in Jucu, Romania, producing electronic automotive components and creating around 2,000 jobs in the region.

Supervolcanoes Identified as Potential Lithium Sources for EV Batteries

Stanford research highlights dormant supervolcanoes as promising sites for lithium extraction, offering a possible answer to rising demand from electric vehicle manufacturers.

Jaguar Land Rover hit by £3 million engine theft at Solihull

Criminals stole two truckloads of engines worth around £3 million from Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull plant during a rapid and highly organised raid in early 2017.

Honda Audit Finds Takata Altered Airbag Test Data

Honda's internal investigation suggests Takata engineers selectively edited airbag inflator test results, raising the prospect of further recalls and deepening the crisis for both companies.

Honda develops rare earth-free magnets for hybrid EV motors

Honda and Daido Steel have created a new electric motor magnet that removes heavy rare earth metals, cutting costs and easing supply risks for upcoming hybrid models.

Jaguar Land Rover opens first wholly-owned plant outside UK in Brazil

Jaguar Land Rover has opened a new factory in Itatiaia, Brazil, to build the Range Rover Evoque and Discovery Sport for the local market amid challenging economic conditions.

Samsung SDI to Supply Batteries for Tesla Model 3

Samsung SDI has begun supplying battery cells to Tesla for Model 3 testing, as Tesla seeks additional suppliers to meet production targets for its most affordable electric car.

Toyota to Restart Most Japan Production Lines After Earthquakes

Toyota will resume vehicle production at most of its Japanese plants from 25 April, following earthquake-related supply disruptions that halted output for nearly a week.

Takata Reports Higher Profits Despite Expanding Airbag Crisis

Takata posted a sharp rise in quarterly profits and revenue, even as global recalls over its defective airbag inflators continued to widen and pressure the supplier.

Mexico Pushes for 50% Regional Content in TPP Auto Rules

Mexican officials want half of all vehicle content in the Trans-Pacific Partnership to be sourced from within the bloc, matching stricter North American standards.

West Coast refinery issues push up US average petrol price

Supply problems and special fuel blends in California and neighbouring states have kept US average petrol prices higher, despite falling global crude oil costs.

Honda CEO Hachigo Rules Out Financial Aid for Takata

Takahiro Hachigo, newly appointed as Honda CEO, has dismissed speculation that the company will financially support airbag supplier Takata amid the ongoing recall crisis.

Honda names Takahiro Hachigo as new president amid airbag recall crisis

Takahiro Hachigo, a Honda veteran, steps up as president and CEO as the company faces mounting pressure over Takata airbag-related fatalities and recalls.

Platinum producers eye fuel cell growth as demand for hydrogen vehicles lags

Major platinum miners look to fuel cell vehicles to revive demand, but battery electrics and hybrids still dominate the green car market.

Subaru Accelerates US Production Expansion to Meet Surging Demand

Subaru will boost capacity at its Indiana plant to nearly 400,000 vehicles by early 2017, four years ahead of its original schedule, as US sales continue to break records.

Faurecia and Dongfeng agree €2bn China joint venture

French supplier Faurecia will form a new joint-venture with Dongfeng in Wuhan, targeting €2bn in deliveries to Dongfeng and its partners including Peugeot, Nissan, Honda and Kia.

Dodge Halts Hellcat Orders as Demand Overwhelms Supply

Dodge has temporarily frozen new orders for the Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcat models after demand outstripped production, leaving thousands of buyers waiting.

Japanese Auto Parts Executives Jailed in US Price-Fixing Case

Two senior managers from Mitsuba and T.RAD have received US prison sentences and fines after pleading guilty to price-fixing charges involving Honda supply contracts.

Continental Named as Supplier in Audi’s 850,000-Car Airbag Recall

Continental admitted responsibility for the airbag control units at the centre of Audi’s global recall of 850,000 A4 models, with repair costs expected to run into tens of millions of euros.

Convertible Sales Slump Hits Roof Suppliers as Plants Close

Falling demand for open top cars in Europe and North America has forced major roof system suppliers like Webasto and Valmet to close or scale back production facilities.

Renault-Nissan Looks Beyond In-House Batteries for EV Expansion

Renault-Nissan is reconsidering its battery sourcing strategy, opening the door to external suppliers such as LG Chem as it aims to scale up electric vehicle production.