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☆ Mexican businesses warmed by glow of 'nearshoring' dawn
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Noe Torres | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MEXICO CITY, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Mexican businesses, particularly those linked to real estate and construction, are counting on investment from so-called "nearshoring" to boost profits and economic growth, especially in industrial zones near the U.S. border. "Many companies are already talking about this - about nearshoring and the economic benefits," said Gerardo Copca, an analyst at consultancy MetAnalisis. One notable project - electric vehicle maker Tesla's plans for a reported $5 billion factory in northern Mexico - has been credited with attracting $1 billion in Chinese investments to nearby industries. Mexican real estate investment trust Fibra Uno (FUNO11.MX) plans to launch a trust allowing investors to cash in on expected growth of industrial assets. Total Mexican construction output jumped almost by 46% in August year-on-year, with northern states performing strongly.

Persons: Gerardo Copca, Nearshoring, Fibra Uno, Andre El, Mann, AMPIP, Lorenzo Berho, El, Berho, Enrique Navarro, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's, Noe Torres, Dave Graham, David Alire Garcia, Christian Plumb, Josie Kao Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Fibra, Banco Regional, U.S, UBS, Cement, GCC, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, U.S, Mexico, Asia, Mexican, Queretaro, Guanajuato, Jalisco, United States, Canada, China, Swiss, Chihuahua, Texas

The logo of Mexico's Central Bank (Banco de Mexico) is seen at its building in downtown Mexico City, Mexico February 28, 2019. Mexico could lure annual foreign direct investment flows of $55 billion to $60 billion if it takes better advantage of nearshoring, up from $36 billion in 2022, she said. That has dampened expectations Mexico could benefit from increased investment in semiconductors in North America. Mexico still faces competition to win investment from both North and Central America, plus Colombia, he said. "I don't think this measure is a game-changer to persuade those who have doubts," said Vejar.

Persons: Daniel Becerril, Gabriel Yorio, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Gabriela Siller, Siller, Yorio, Lopez Obrador, Ramse Gutierrez, Franklin Templeton, Tesla, Carlos Vejar, Valentine Hilaire, Dave Graham, Anthony Esposito, Grant McCool, Sonali Paul Organizations: Mexico's Central Bank, Banco, REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, Banco Base, Central America, Thomson Locations: Banco de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico, MEXICO, Asia, China, North America, Canada, United States, Franklin Templeton Mexico, Nuevo Leon, Mexican, North, Central, Colombia

☆ The world needs cheap electric cars. That spells trouble for Big Auto
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The world needs affordable EVs more than ever as electric cars will play a big role in hcelping countries cut planet-heating pollution. “When legacy [carmakers] talk about catching up to Tesla or catching up to the leading Chinese automakers, it’s difficult. It is by far the world’s biggest EV battery manufacturer and dominant in the supply and processing of many critical components needed to make the batteries. Global automakers have had little choice but to enter into joint ventures with Chinese EV and battery manufacturers. EU lawmakers have voiced concerns that government subsidies allow Chinese EV makers to keep prices artificially low, creating unfair competition for European rivals.

Persons: Henry Ford’s, carmaking, Jeff Kowalsky, ”, Gene Munster, Tesla, — Tesla, —, Patrick Hummel, Krisztian Bocsi, Ford, “ It’s, ” Dan Ives, Bill Pugliano, Daniel Röska, Bernstein, China …, Marco Rubio, “ They’re, Bill Ford, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria Organizations: London CNN —, Ford Motor Company, Toyota, Volkswagen, United, Getty, Deepwater Asset Management, Volkswagen Group, Audi, Porsche, Chrysler, Jeep, Ford, General Motors, International Energy Agency, Honda, Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Kia, Benz, BMW —, Investment, UBS, EV, Atlas Public, VW, Bloomberg, Reuters, Twitter, Stellantis, Wedbush Securities, CNN, United Auto Workers, Refining, Global, Republican, European Union, EU, Jato Dynamics Locations: Europe, United States, Dearborn , Michigan, AFP, China, Japan, South Korea, Asia, US, Germany, ” Munster, Munster, Lansing , Michigan, Michigan, Beijing, America

☆ The UAW strike at Ford, GM, and Stellantis could change the entire automotive industry forever
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Nora Naughton | Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

For the first time in its 88-year history, the UAW is on strike at all three of the Detroit companies at once. "We have a bigger point to make," Wegener said, noting the strike sends a larger message about inequality across the industry. In fact, the United Auto Workers-led strike at the Detroit 3 is shaping up to have an outsized effect on the entire automotive industry. "If the UAW does dig their heels in and does well here, it's highly likely that they will get other auto workers who are not UAW auto workers to be very interested," Ambrose Conroy, CEO of consultancy Seraph, said. Even the branding of the strike, which Fain has called the "Stand Up" strike, is a play on the UAW's highly influential 1937 sit-down strike at GM.

Persons: Tesla, Matt Wegener, –, Wegener, It's, it's, Ambrose Conroy, Seraph, Fain, we've, Jason Miller, Stellantis, Melissa Atkins, Ford, Jim Farley, Miller, Conroy, They've Organizations: UAW, Service, United Auto Workers, Michigan Assembly, Detroit, Ford, GM, Teamsters, United Airlines, Michigan State University, CNBC, Tesla Locations: Detroit, Wall, Silicon, Wells Fargo

☆ Gigacasting 2.0: Tesla Reinvents Carmaking With Quiet Breakthrough
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +8 min

Another said the whole design process for a large metal mold would typically cost about $4 million. To overcome the obstacles, Tesla turned to firms that make test molds out of industrial sand with 3D printers. To cast subframes with hollows as part of one gigacasting, Tesla plans to place solid sand cores printed by the binder jets within the overall mold. But despite that greater flexibility achieved in both the design process and the complexity of the large frames, there was still one more major hurdle to clear. And once Tesla is happy with the prototype mold, it can then invest in a final metal one for mass production.

Persons: Norihiko Shirouzu, Tesla, Elon Musk, Musk, Terry Woychowski, Woychowski, Tesla's, David Clarke Organizations: Caresoft, U.S, GM, Reuters Locations: Norihiko Shirouzu AUSTIN , Texas, Britain, Germany, Japan, United States

☆ Gigacasting 2.0: Tesla reinvents carmaking with quiet breakthrough
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Norihiko Shirouzu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Persons: Elon Musk, Tesla, Musk, Terry Woychowski, Woychowski, Tesla's, David Clarke Organizations: Caresoft, U.S, GM, Reuters, Thomson Locations: AUSTIN, Texas, Britain, Germany, Japan, United States

☆ Lotus launches electric GT model as mass expansion plan rolls on
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Nick Carey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] British sports car maker Lotus unveils its new fully-electric “hypercar” in New York City, U.S., September 7, 2023. Johnstone said with Emeya, Lotus is targeting people "looking for something different in an electrified GT-style sports car." Since its founding in 1948, Lotus typically made 5,000 cars a year, but funded by Geely and Etika, the company has planned a massive expansion. Lotus Technology, which includes Lotus Cars, is also due to go public this year via a merger with special purpose acquisition company L Catterton Asia Acquisition Corp (LCAA.O). Geely also plans to turn the London Electric Vehicle Company, which makes iconic black taxis, into a high-volume, all-electric brand.

Persons: Caitlin Ochs, Mike Johnstone, Johnstone, Emeya, Geely, Nick Carey, Susan Fenton Organizations: Lotus, REUTERS, HK, Automotive, Reuters, Geely, Lotus Technology, Asia, Corp, Volvo, London Electric Vehicle Company, Thomson Locations: British, New York City, U.S, New York, Wuhan, China, Tesla

☆ Geely's EV brand Zeekr jumps on the 'gigapress' bandwagon
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Norihiko Shirouzu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

REUTERS/Aly Song/File PhotoApril 27 (Reuters) - Geely's EV brand Zeekr is the latest to join a growing list of automakers that have turned to the "gigapress" die casting technique pioneered by Tesla to slash the cost of electric cars. "In the future, Zeekr will use giga-casting technology on more models," Jiang said. Metal and plastic die casting has long been used in manufacturing, but its application to large aluminium underbodies in carmaking is relatively new. The front and rear sections are then connected with large under-floor battery packs to form a three-piece EV chassis. 'MEGA-CASTING'Other automakers turning to large die casting include General Motors (GM.N), which is using the technology to help design its Cadillac Celestiq electric saloon.

MG Motor's hybrid eHS model is set to hit Mexico's streets on Friday, alongside two combustion-engine models, the company said. However, hybrid models could be a step forward until there is more EV investment, analysts have said. "For your day-to-day, you'll have the benefits of an electric vehicle," Daniel Nava, vice president of MG Motor in Mexico, told Reuters ahead of the announcement. Nava said the price in Mexico reflects that the model is a plug-in hybrid, which is more costly than other hybrid models, and is comparable to competitors' prices. Nava said MG Motor had been in touch with officials in Nuevo Leon as well as other states as it considered building a plant in the country.

☆ BMW hits earnings target helped by pricing, China consolidation
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, March 9 (Reuters) - BMW's (BMWG.DE) core carmaking business hit its 2022 earnings target, the company said on Thursday, helped by strong pricing and consolidation of its China joint venture. Group revenue rose 28% to 142.6 billion euros ($150.66 billion) versus a Refinitiv SmartEstimate of 141.6 billion. Its autos business reported an 8.6% margin on earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of 10.6 billion euros and cash flow of 11.1 billion euros. Almost half of the latter came from a cash contribution from Chinese joint venture BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA). BMW said last February it would pay 3.7 billion euros to take majority control of BBA after securing the necessary licence from Beijing, increasing its stake to 75% from 50%.

☆ Lucid Motors is helping oil-rich Saudi Arabia go electric in its ambitious plan to become a carmaking powerhouse
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Zahra Tayeb | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Tesla rival Lucid Motors is helping Saudi Arabia to go electric in its carmaking push, per the FT. The oil-rich kingdom plans to invest billions into becoming a hub for EV manufacturers such as Lucid. The move is part of Saudi Arabia's plan to become less reliant on oil income, its main revenue source. US-based Lucid has signed up to build 150,000 cars a year in Saudi Arabia by 2025, the Financial Times reported at the weekend. Its state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco posted a 39% jump in profit in November, thanks to that price surge.

☆ Gigapresses - the giant die casts reshaping car manufacturing
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Giulio Piovaccari | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

GIGAPRESS 9,000Metal and plastic die casting has been largely used in manufacturing, but its application to large aluminium underbodies in carmaking is relatively new. The global aluminium die casting market was worth almost $73 billion last year and is projected to top $126 billion by 2032, according to an AlixPartners analysis based on Apollo Reports data. Ralf Bechmann of manufacturing consultant EFESO said the benefits of die casting would push it "to be applied to an increasing number of new models of BEV vehicles, also by other manufacturers". Yet not all automakers are convinced, and EFESO's Bechmann cautioned that large module die casting required product design to be "super solid". After initially considering die casting for its upcoming Trinity model, Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) has backtracked, while BMW (BMWG.DE) has never expressed an interest.

☆ From boom to bottom and now big change: Renault and Nissan reshape alliance
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

It gave Nissan a 15% stake in Renault, on a par with the French state, but no voting rights. The alliance was thrown into turmoil following Ghosn's arrest on financial misconduct charges in late 2018 and his subsequent ouster as alliance chairman. 2002 Nissan announces its "Nissan 180" three-year plan, targeting an increase of 1 million vehicles in global sales by 2005. 2017 Both Nissan and Renault post record operating profits, though Nissan still falls short on some targets. Alliance Chairman Senard rules out any merger of the carmaking partners, saying they don't need to combine to be efficient.

Steel producers are estimated to produce 7-9% of all harmful emissions, according to the World Steel Association. Boston Metal makes parts for cells in which electricity splits iron ore, creating liquid iron and no byproducts or emissions apart from oxygen. "What is the point of having an electric car running on a battery and carrying dirty steel?" ArcelorMittal's investment marks a shift in steel companies' willingness to invest in the technology since Boston Metal first went out looking for funding in 2018, Carneiro said. Now all the steelmaking companies are very interested in following what we are doing because they need a solution."

☆ From boom to bottom and now big change: Renault and Nissan look to reshape alliance
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

☆ More than half of German companies report labour shortages
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The proportion of companies facing difficulties hiring was at its highest ever level, the DIHK found in its survey of 22,000 companies, with 53% reporting shortages. The labour market's resilience did not mean companies were doing well, he added. Staff shortages, high energy prices and the shift towards climate neutrality were a "dangerous mix" that could lead firms to move production abroad. The survey found that 67% of electrical equipment manufacturers were unable to fill vacancies and 67% of mechanical engineering companies. In carmaking, 65% of companies reported labour shortages.

☆ Explainer: Why the U.S.-Mexico energy spat is a tough nut to crack
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Isabel Woodford | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Under USMCA, if the controversy is not resolved during consultations, a dispute panel can be called to adjudicate. Lopez Obrador has put on a bullish front, saying Mexico has broken no laws and that "nothing is going to happen." Resolution appears to hinge on whether energy nationalists inside the Mexican administration, who have taken their cues from Lopez Obrador, are prepared to compromise. Lopez Obrador has made energy policy a cornerstone of his presidency, making it hard for him to back down. Still, the spat has hit investor confidence in Mexico, and Lopez Obrador is seeking U.S. help to finance solar power output in northern Mexico and attract investment in greener manufacturing, particularly in carmaking, a key industry.

[1/5] People take pictures of an an electric-powered Microlino 2.0 car of Swiss manufacturer Microlino AG in Zurich, Switzerland November 21, 2022. Oliver and Merlin Ouboter have launched a new version of the micro car, modelled on BMW's (BMWG.DE) Isetta bubble car, this time with four wheels, not three. "Because it's smaller than a conventional car it consumes less material to make it, and it has a smaller battery which means it uses less electricity," his brother Merlin added. "So the ecological footprint is about a third of a conventional electric car." Microlino is the latest example of that," said Daniel Geissmann at the Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne.

☆ Stellantis invests in Turin as part of switch to electric
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Giulio Piovaccari | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Massimo Pinca/File PhotoTURIN, Italy, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Stellantis (STLA.MI)signalled its commitment to the historic carmaking city of Turin on Tuesday with an investment to boost its role in electric vehicle production and as a centre for the recycling of cars and their parts. The Franco-Italian group signed an agreement with its partner Punch Powertrain to increase production of electrified dual-clutch transmissions (eDCT) for hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles at its Mirafiori plant in Turin, the carmaker said on Tuesday. Chief Executive Carlos Tavares said the company was investing upwards of 10 million euros in the gearbox upgrade, without giving a precise figure. Turin is the historic home of Fiat which merged with France's PSA last year to form Stellantis. At full production, the Mirafiori and Metz facilities together will supply all relevant Stellantis manufacturing sites in Europe.

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