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Robot sales drop in 2009, but report says worst is over
ANN ARBOR, MICH. (Feb. 8, 4:45 p.m. ET) -- Last year was a dismal one for industrial machinery, and robots shared in the pain -- but the worst appears to be over, according to the Robotic Industries Association. RIA reported that a total of 9,451 robots were ordered by North American manufacturing companies in 2009, down 25 percent from 2008. Dollar sales fell 36 percent, to close out 2009 at $569.2 million, the trade group said. February 8, 2010
Audi's Super Bowl commercials blast single-use plastic products
MIAMI (Feb. 7, 10:30 p.m. ET) -- Single-use plastic products makers took fire from an unusual source during this year's Super Bowl game -- commercials from German carmaker Audi AG for a "clean diesel" vehicle. The "Green Police" ads took aim at plastic grocery bags, PET water bottles and polystyrene cups -- all with the aim of promoting environmental attributes of the Audi A3 TDI. February 7, 2010
Lear expects growth in electric vehicles
SOUTHFIELD, MICH. (Feb. 5, 10:50 a.m. ET) -- Auto supplier Lear Corp. emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November, and now it has finished the 2009 fiscal year with a slight profit from its core operations. Bob Rossiter, chairman, CEO and president, said he is optimistic for small growth in 2010, both in Lear’s traditional seating and in the growing market for its electronics business in the hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all electric vehicle market. February 5, 2010
Core Molding follows some Navistar work to Mexico
COLUMBUS, OHIO (Feb. 3, 3:15 p.m. ET) -- Composite specialist Core Molding Technologies Inc. will spend $4 million to transfer some work from Columbus to Matamoros, Mexico, to keep up with shifting production from one of its customers. February 3, 2010
Massive Toyota recall centers on plastic friction device
DETROIT (Updated Feb. 4, 3:30 p.m. ET) -- While the massive recall of Toyota Motor Corp. vehicles for faulty accelerator pedals is focusing on a plastic friction device within the pedal assembly which the company says can “stick” under certain conditions, transportation and safety officials are widening their investigation into car electronics. February 3, 2010
IAC buys acoustics and flooring supplier
DEARBORN, MICH. (Feb. 2, 4 p.m. ET) -- International Automotive Components Group North America is adding more acoustics and flooring business to its auto interiors product line with the acquisition of Stankiewicz International Corp. of Spartanburg, S.C. February 2, 2010
Auto suppliers finding escape from bankruptcy
DETROIT (Feb. 1, 2:50 p.m. ET) -- After a wave of supplier bankruptcies last year, workout specialists expect a surge of financing to support companies looking to emerge from creditor protection this year. February 2, 2010
Auto parts suppliers seek federal help
WASHINGTON (Feb. 2, 2:45 p.m. ET) -- The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association is renewing its call to Congress and the Obama administration to approve measures to help save nearly 686,000 motor vehicle parts manufacturing jobs in the United States. February 2, 2010
Toyota recalls focus attention on part supplier CTS
DETROIT (Updated Jan. 29, 1:15 p.m. ET) -- As Toyota Motor Corp.’s quality crisis appears to spiral out of control, attention was focused last week on an Indiana company that supplies accelerator pedal assemblies. It is not clear if plastics played a role in the failure of the devices. Toyota’s repair directions do not specify whether metal or plastic parts are at issue. January 29, 2010
Ford's new compact to feature soft-touch interiors
DETROIT (Jan. 28, 12:05 p.m. ET) -- Ford Motor Co. says its upcoming Focus compact-car redesign represents a new era for the company and its global car strategy. That strategy takes in everything from manufacturing and purchasing to new interior materials. Hard plastic trim, standard in most inexpensive cars in the past, will give way to soft-touch instrument panels and a higher-end look on door trim when the new Focus begins production late this year. January 28, 2010
Acquisitions help PolyOne and Radici advance in key markets
AKRON, OHIO (Jan. 27, 12:05 p.m. ET) -- Officials with PolyOne Corp. and Radici Group are excited about the potential of compounding deals just wrapped up by each firm. Avon Lake, Ohio-based PolyOne bought New England Urethane Inc. in late December in a deal valued at $12 million. Radici, meanwhile, wrapped up its its $5.7 million acquisition of compounder/recycler Michael Day Enterprises Inc. January 27, 2010
BMW goes commercial with DirectSkinning
HORB, GERMANY (Jan. 27, 12 p.m. ET) -- German automotive components maker Fischer Automotive Systems GmbH says its DirectSkinning multi-component PU processing technology is now in commercial production. The company is turning out decorative dashboard trim parts for the BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo. January 27, 2010
GM invests $246 million more on electric cars
DETROIT (Jan. 26, 11 a.m. ET) -- General Motors Corp. will bump up its investment in the electric car infrastructure, investing $246 million to develop and manufacture its own electric motors. January 26, 2010
Mexico auto supplier sales plummet in 2009
MEXICO CITY (Jan. 25, 12:40 p.m. ET) -- Automotive industry suppliers in Mexico, many of whom are heavily reliant on plastic, saw their sales drop 29 percent in 2009, but could see them rebound this year. January 25, 2010
Whitacre named GM's permanent CEO
DETROIT (Jan. 25, 12:15 p.m. ET) -- General Motors Co. Chairman Ed Whitacre will assume the role of CEO on a permanent basis, the company said today. Whitacre has been interim CEO since Dec. 1, when he replaced the ousted Fritz Henderson. GM directors made the offer to Whitacre in a special meeting last week. January 25, 2010

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