Automotive Assembly

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CHATTANOOGA, TN—Anti-UAW petitions circulating at Volkswagen’s assembly plant here have captured signatures from approximately 30 percent of the plant’s workers.

FRANKFURT, Germany—Daimler may build a new assembly plant in North America if demand for compact cars picks up, says the head of production and procurement at Mercedes-Benz Cars.

MARION, AR—Hino Manufacturing U.S.A. plans to invest more than $55 million to expand its assembly plant here, adding 200 new jobs. The facility manufactures axles, knuckles and suspension components for Toyota’s Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia trucks.

INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP, MI—Magneti Marelli is set to open a new $6 million assembly plant here to make vehicle exhaust systems.

DETROIT—GM has entered into a new cooperative research and development agreement with the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development & Engineering Center (TARDEC) to develop new hydrogen fuel cell technology.

It’s planning time. It’s time to define the projects, the resources, and the timelines for next year’s work.

This month marks the official celebration of the world’s first moving assembly line. On Oct. 7, 1913, 140 assemblers stationed along a 150-foot chassis line at a Ford Motor Co. plant just north of Detroit stood in place as the work came to them.

Letters matter to welders. A, B and C, for example, are grades that employers use to determine a welder’s current ability, work assignments and pay scale. Letter A is the highest grade, followed by B and C.

WEST POINT, GA—Hyundai Dymos is opening a $35 million assembly plant here to supply parts for the nearby Kia Motors assembly plant. The new facility will create 350 jobs.

SALAMANCA, Mexico—Mazda is planning to invest $120 million to build an engine factory adjacent to its vehicle assembly plant here. The new facility will be able to produce 230,000 engines per year.