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The One Ford plan brought in by former CEO Alan Mulally helped the automaker weather through some very tough times. A key part of this plan was cutting back on the number of architectures used around the world - from 30 to nine. But Ford is planning to go further with reducing them. Last week, Ford's head of product development and purchasing, Hau Thai-Tang revealed the company will be reducing the number of platforms to just five. "This is not saying One Ford was wrong. This is building on the strategy of One Ford and evolving from it," said Thai-Tang at the 2018 J.P. Morgan Auto Conference in New York. The move to five platforms will help save costs: According to Thai-Tang, 70 percent of a vehicle's value can be managed through modular platforms. It will also improve the efficiency of Ford's suppliers. The five platforms are as followed: RWD/AWD Body-on-Frame FWD/AWD Unibody RWD/AWD Unibody Commercial Van Unibody Electric Vehicle Unibody Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) -
The One Ford plan brought in by former CEO Alan Mulally helped the automaker weather through some very tough times. A key part of this plan was cutting back on the number of architectures used around the world - from 30 to nine. But Ford is planning to go further with reducing them. Last week, Ford's head of product development and purchasing, Hau Thai-Tang revealed the company will be reducing the number of platforms to just five. "This is not saying One Ford was wrong. This is building on the strategy of One Ford and evolving from it," said Thai-Tang at the 2018 J.P. Morgan Auto Conference in New York. The move to five platforms will help save costs: According to Thai-Tang, 70 percent of a vehicle's value can be managed through modular platforms. It will also improve the efficiency of Ford's suppliers. The five platforms are as followed: RWD/AWD Body-on-Frame FWD/AWD Unibody RWD/AWD Unibody Commercial Van Unibody Electric Vehicle Unibody Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article
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General Motors is rethinking its approach in the automotive marketplace. A number of conflicting issues (auto sales growth are slowing, stricter standards for emissions and safety; autonomous vehicles, changes in how vehicles are owned, and trying to return more cash to stockholders) have the company making some drastic changes in an effort to cut captial spending. Speaking with Reuters, a number of GM executives said they are undertaking the most extensive overhaul of its vehicle development process in many years. The end goal is to design their global lineup with a few building blocks and spreading the costs of engineering and research over many more vehicles. Also, GM plans on doubling the life of their platforms. GM President Dan Ammann said the basic platform of their vehicles "could last a dozen years or more." This move will begin with the next-generation Chevrolet Cruze. GM plans on changing the exterior styling more often and updating electronics with updates from the internet. But this new strategy brings a lot of risks. First, GM will be increasing its capital spending from $7 billion in 2014 to $9 billion in 2019. This is so GM can prepare for this change in strategy with investments in various facilities. There is also the danger of the platforms being outdated or products that aren't appealing customers in different global markets. “The advantage could be short-lived,” said Jeff Schuster, senior vice president at LMC Automotive. Source: Reuters -
General Motors is rethinking its approach in the automotive marketplace. A number of conflicting issues (auto sales growth are slowing, stricter standards for emissions and safety; autonomous vehicles, changes in how vehicles are owned, and trying to return more cash to stockholders) have the company making some drastic changes in an effort to cut captial spending. Speaking with Reuters, a number of GM executives said they are undertaking the most extensive overhaul of its vehicle development process in many years. The end goal is to design their global lineup with a few building blocks and spreading the costs of engineering and research over many more vehicles. Also, GM plans on doubling the life of their platforms. GM President Dan Ammann said the basic platform of their vehicles "could last a dozen years or more." This move will begin with the next-generation Chevrolet Cruze. GM plans on changing the exterior styling more often and updating electronics with updates from the internet. But this new strategy brings a lot of risks. First, GM will be increasing its capital spending from $7 billion in 2014 to $9 billion in 2019. This is so GM can prepare for this change in strategy with investments in various facilities. There is also the danger of the platforms being outdated or products that aren't appealing customers in different global markets. “The advantage could be short-lived,” said Jeff Schuster, senior vice president at LMC Automotive. Source: Reuters View full article -
Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann told reporters at a briefing that he confident the automaker will return to profit by 2016, and become the number two in the European passenger car market by 2022. A bit ambitious to say in the least. How does Opel plan on doing this? Well the automaker has been working on hard on cutting losses by improving the utilisation of plants, increasing sales revenue, closing one of their plants, and cutting costs on product and structural items. "I have a lot of confidence about achieving our interim goal," Neumann said about the profit goal. As for becoming the number two automaker in the European marketplace, Opel plans on launching 27 new models and 17 new engines between 2014 and 2018. Opel also plans on getting closer to General Motors by utilizing more technologies from the company and strengthening its relationship with Buick. Source: Reuters William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. -
Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann told reporters at a briefing that he confident the automaker will return to profit by 2016, and become the number two in the European passenger car market by 2022. A bit ambitious to say in the least. How does Opel plan on doing this? Well the automaker has been working on hard on cutting losses by improving the utilisation of plants, increasing sales revenue, closing one of their plants, and cutting costs on product and structural items. "I have a lot of confidence about achieving our interim goal," Neumann said about the profit goal. As for becoming the number two automaker in the European marketplace, Opel plans on launching 27 new models and 17 new engines between 2014 and 2018. Opel also plans on getting closer to General Motors by utilizing more technologies from the company and strengthening its relationship with Buick. Source: Reuters William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 20, 2012 Here’s a question for you: How many platforms do Jaguar and Land Rover have? The answer is seven. Yes, seven platforms. They go as followed, Jaguar XF Jaguar XJ Jaguar XK/F-Type Land Rover Defender Land Rover Freelander (LR2)/Range Rover Evoque Land Rover Discovery (LR4)/Range Rover Sport Range Rover So in a not surprising move, Jaguar and Land Rover is looking at cutting down their platforms from seven down to two to three as a way to save money. Autocar reports that Jaguar-Land Rover is looking towards Volkswagen MQB platform as a case study to how do something like this. “It won’t happen overnight. (Something like) VW’s MQB platform will take seven years to roll out across the models it will underpin,” said Jaguar’s global brand director, Adrian Hallmark. Source: Autocar William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. -
William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 20, 2012 Here’s a question for you: How many platforms do Jaguar and Land Rover have? The answer is seven. Yes, seven platforms. They go as followed, Jaguar XF Jaguar XJ Jaguar XK/F-Type Land Rover Defender Land Rover Freelander (LR2)/Range Rover Evoque Land Rover Discovery (LR4)/Range Rover Sport Range Rover So in a not surprising move, Jaguar and Land Rover is looking at cutting down their platforms from seven down to two to three as a way to save money. Autocar reports that Jaguar-Land Rover is looking towards Volkswagen MQB platform as a case study to how do something like this. “It won’t happen overnight. (Something like) VW’s MQB platform will take seven years to roll out across the models it will underpin,” said Jaguar’s global brand director, Adrian Hallmark. Source: Autocar William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 21, 2012 Volkswagen's MQB modular platform strategy is has gained attention from VW's competitors. We reported yesterday that Jaguar-Land Rover is looking to MQB as a guide to cut down their platforms. Now another automaker looks to be taking some cues from VW. Inside Line is reporting that Ford is developing a new three-prong platform family. The platform family will underpin the next-generation Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, and other models in this group. The platform family is similar in idea to VW's MQB except for one key thing. A source Ford explains that while MQB can used from small to large vehicles, small vehicles have a weight disadvantage due to platform having to support larger vehicles. Ford's plan is to provide the same scale as MQB, but allow more variation on the weight, strength, and substances of the platform to suit the needs of any model. The first vehicle to feature this is the next-generation Ford Fiesta, due out sometime within the next three years. Source: Inside Line William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Related Stories: Jaguar, Land Rover Looking To Slash A Number Of Platforms -
William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 21, 2012 Volkswagen's MQB modular platform strategy is has gained attention from VW's competitors. We reported yesterday that Jaguar-Land Rover is looking to MQB as a guide to cut down their platforms. Now another automaker looks to be taking some cues from VW. Inside Line is reporting that Ford is developing a new three-prong platform family. The platform family will underpin the next-generation Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, and other models in this group. The platform family is similar in idea to VW's MQB except for one key thing. A source Ford explains that while MQB can used from small to large vehicles, small vehicles have a weight disadvantage due to platform having to support larger vehicles. Ford's plan is to provide the same scale as MQB, but allow more variation on the weight, strength, and substances of the platform to suit the needs of any model. The first vehicle to feature this is the next-generation Ford Fiesta, due out sometime within the next three years. Source: Inside Line William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Related Stories: Jaguar, Land Rover Looking To Slash A Number Of Platforms View full article
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GM and PSA Announce Four New Co-Developed Platforms
William Maley posted an article in General Motors
William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 25, 2012 In a not surprising announcement yesterday, General Motors and PSA Peugeot-Citroen said they will be co-developing four new platforms that are part of the Global Strategic Alliance between the two. The platforms will primarily be for Opel/Vauxhall, Peugeot, and Citroën. Those four platforms are, A new low-emissions city car Midsize car (sedan, hatchback, and wagon) Small Multi-Purpose vehicle Joint program for compact MPV for Opel/Vauxhall and a compact CUV for Peugeot GM and PSA say the launch of the first models of this joint venture will happen in 2016. The two also announced the Global Strategic Alliance will establish a new joint purchasing operation, to help lower costs. This is currently on hold while two wait on antitrust regulatory approval. GM says the alliance could save about $2 billion in five years for the companies. Source: GM William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 PSA Peugeot Citroën and General Motors Confirm Key Steps in Global Strategic Alliance Four common vehicle platform development projects Next steps in joint purchasing organization Synergy target of $2 billion annually confirmed DETROIT/ PARIS/ RUSSELSHEIM – PSA Peugeot Citroen and General Motors today confirmed important steps toward the execution of their Global Strategic Alliance. Consistent with terms of the Master Agreement signed Feb. 29, the Alliance partners have selected four vehicle projects and confirmed the next steps in joint purchasing organization. Four Common Vehicle Platform Development Projects The four common vehicle projects selected to move to the next step encompass the following segment entries for both groups: A joint program for a compact-class Multi-Purpose Van for Opel/Vauxhall and a compact-class Crossover Utility Vehicle for the Peugeot brand. A joint Multi-Purpose Vehicle program for the small car segment for Opel/Vauxhall and the Citroen brand. An upgraded low CO2 small car segment platform to feed Opel/Vauxhall’s and PSA’s next generation of cars in Europe and other regions. A joint program for mid-size cars for Opel/Vauxhall and the Peugeot and Citroen brands. The Alliance aims to launch the first vehicles on these common programs by the end of 2016. All four projects will be developed combining the best platform architectures and technologies from the Alliance partners. Next Steps in Joint Purchasing Organization The Alliance partners also confirmed the next steps in their joint purchasing organization. This collaborative effort will draw on the combined purchasing reach of both companies to realize purchasing synergies benefitting both companies. The joint purchasing organization will be subject to customary antitrust approvals. Synergies Confirmed Based on the above programs and the joint purchasing organization, both companies confirm the previously stated synergy target of $2 billion annually achievable within five years. With the common vehicle development projects and next steps in purchasing organization now confirmed, the teams will work to finalize the associated definitive agreements in addition to exploring other cooperation opportunities. -
William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 25, 2012 In a not surprising announcement yesterday, General Motors and PSA Peugeot-Citroen said they will be co-developing four new platforms that are part of the Global Strategic Alliance between the two. The platforms will primarily be for Opel/Vauxhall, Peugeot, and Citroën. Those four platforms are, A new low-emissions city car Midsize car (sedan, hatchback, and wagon) Small Multi-Purpose vehicle Joint program for compact MPV for Opel/Vauxhall and a compact CUV for Peugeot GM and PSA say the launch of the first models of this joint venture will happen in 2016. The two also announced the Global Strategic Alliance will establish a new joint purchasing operation, to help lower costs. This is currently on hold while two wait on antitrust regulatory approval. GM says the alliance could save about $2 billion in five years for the companies. Source: GM William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 PSA Peugeot Citroën and General Motors Confirm Key Steps in Global Strategic Alliance Four common vehicle platform development projects Next steps in joint purchasing organization Synergy target of $2 billion annually confirmed DETROIT/ PARIS/ RUSSELSHEIM – PSA Peugeot Citroen and General Motors today confirmed important steps toward the execution of their Global Strategic Alliance. Consistent with terms of the Master Agreement signed Feb. 29, the Alliance partners have selected four vehicle projects and confirmed the next steps in joint purchasing organization. Four Common Vehicle Platform Development Projects The four common vehicle projects selected to move to the next step encompass the following segment entries for both groups: A joint program for a compact-class Multi-Purpose Van for Opel/Vauxhall and a compact-class Crossover Utility Vehicle for the Peugeot brand. A joint Multi-Purpose Vehicle program for the small car segment for Opel/Vauxhall and the Citroen brand. An upgraded low CO2 small car segment platform to feed Opel/Vauxhall’s and PSA’s next generation of cars in Europe and other regions. A joint program for mid-size cars for Opel/Vauxhall and the Peugeot and Citroen brands. The Alliance aims to launch the first vehicles on these common programs by the end of 2016. All four projects will be developed combining the best platform architectures and technologies from the Alliance partners. Next Steps in Joint Purchasing Organization The Alliance partners also confirmed the next steps in their joint purchasing organization. This collaborative effort will draw on the combined purchasing reach of both companies to realize purchasing synergies benefitting both companies. The joint purchasing organization will be subject to customary antitrust approvals. Synergies Confirmed Based on the above programs and the joint purchasing organization, both companies confirm the previously stated synergy target of $2 billion annually achievable within five years. With the common vehicle development projects and next steps in purchasing organization now confirmed, the teams will work to finalize the associated definitive agreements in addition to exploring other cooperation opportunities. View full article
