Tag: Contract Manufacturer

Pininfarina-designed VinFast saloon and SUV from Vietnam revealed

View photos VinFast SUV By Pininfarina More Both vehicles will have a public debut next month at the Paris Motor Show. At this point we’d love to tell you more about the vehicles, but that information will presumably be forthcoming. There aren’t even names to reference thus far, aside from the VinFast Saloon and SUV. We… Continue reading Pininfarina-designed VinFast saloon and SUV from Vietnam revealed

Vietnam’s first automaker is quickly getting ready to debut a sedan and a SUV

Vinfast SUV

It was once one of the most dangerous waterways in the world, heavily mined and bombed during the final stages of the Vietnam War, but today, Haiphong Harbor has become the heart of the country's economic boom.

And, if things go according to plan, it will soon become home to the world's newest automobile company, with nearly half of the 827-acre factory complex Haiphong-based VinFast is now building based on land reclaimed from the sea.

Set to unveil two new models at the Paris Motor Show early next month, VinFast is the brainchild of Pham Nhat Vuong, a Vietnam native who, over the past quarter century, parlayed $40,000 in loans into an empire worth an estimated $10 billion. His Vingroup now operates a network of shopping malls, apartment complexes, spas, resorts, hospitals and schools across the country. VinFast marks its first entry into manufacturing. Its biggest test to date will come as the world gets its first glimpse of its products next month. Then, less than a year from now, Vietnamese consumers may get the chance to own one.

Initial plans call for the new carmaker to focus on the Vietnamese market. With the country's GDP growing by an estimated 6 to 7 percent annually, automotive sales are expected to soar over the coming years. Even so, VinFast's massive new production center would have enough capacity to nearly double the size of the domestic market, and company officials are looking at opportunities to export, primarily to Southeast Asia.

Jim DeLuca, the start-up's CEO, just smiles when the question is posed about whether the company's ambitions extend even further. DeLuca is a veteran Asia hand, having spent a decade working for General Motors in Korea and China before retiring in 2016. He received an unexpected call from Vingroup the following year, which drove him “out of a comfortable retirement.”

Paul Eisenstein | CNBC
Vinfast offices

There are plenty of successful car companies in Asia, Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai immediately coming to mind, with scores of Chinese wannabes aiming to take advantage of the growth of that huge market. But the struggles of Indonesia's Proton show just difficult it can be to start up from scratch.

A visit to VinFast's manufacturing complex revealed key elements of the strategy the company hopes will allow it to emerge almost overnight as a major automotive player. That starts with putting a premium on the latter half of VinFast's name. The company is moving at breakneck speed.

Even as monsoon-level rains threatened to wash the Haiphong complex back into the sea, workers were racing to complete construction in time to launch retail production of VinFast's first products: two passenger cars and a line of electric scooters, by the second quarter of 2019, barely two years after preliminary work on the site got underway.

That's all the more amazing when one considers that even for well-established automakers, it typically takes four to six years to go from concept to production of an all-new vehicle. DeLuca boasted, “We're doing in 24 months what most OEMs need up to 60 months to do.”

Key to pulling that off, VinFast has lined up a strong list of partners, including ABB, Bosch, Magna Steyr and Siemens. It also convinced BMW to license the underlying architecture, or platform, for those first two models. But Dave Lyon, another former GM exec who is heading VinFast's design operations, insisted the company's cars “won't be clones” of the BMW 5-Series sedan and X5 SUV.

The Vietnamese company convinced several European design houses, including Italdesign and Pininfarina, to come up with unique styling for those midsize models and, in a highly unusual move, it asked the Vietnamese public to vote on the designs they liked best. At that point, a traditional car company would have sculpted clay models, beginning a process that, just from the design side, could've taken several years. Instead, VinFast and Pininfarina, which won the styling shoot-out, worked almost entirely in the digital realm, cutting the development time by more than half.

With Vuong's blessings, DeLuca has put together a dream team of automotive veterans from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Asia, challenging them to find ways to break with traditional industry practices to save time and reduce costs — even while putting an emphasis on quality.

“Being best doesn't always mean it has to be the most expensive,” stressed Shaun Calvert, VinFast's vice president of manufacturing.

The real test will come in the months ahead. The stamping, paint, engine and paint plants were all empty shells during a late August tour of the VinFast complex. The first tools were just going in at the engine plant that will produce a licensed version of a BMW 2.0-liter inline-four set to power those first two models. But the Vietnamese automaker plans to have everything in place by the end of the year for the first pilot vehicles to start rolling down the line. Production of models that can be sold will launch during the second quarter.

And the VinFast team is already working on two more products that it is scheduling for production by autumn 2019: a microcar and an electric vehicle.

The decision to debut with the more expensive models, explained DeLuca, was meant to create a “halo” around the VinFast brand, showing what it is capable of doing, but the smaller models to follow have, by far, the greater volume potential.

Source: VinFast

While Vietnam's economy is growing fast, the average income is still little more than $2,000 annually, according to VinFast data. The typical consumer is stretching just to buy one of the scooters that are ubiquitous in urban centers like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Income is significantly higher in major cities, said Thuy Le, chairwoman of VinFast and vice chairwoman of the Vingroup. The difference is significant enough that she is confident about the planned production capacity for the automaker, 250,000 vehicles annually. In fact, that's at a modest 38 units an hour, slow by global standards and when pressed, VinFast officials acknowledged they could ramp up to something closer to industry norm, around 60 an hour.

The question is whether they will find market demand. Vietnam's population is growing fast and, at 93 million, is larger than Korea's. But its car market is still relatively tiny, around 300,000 vehicles a year, noted Mike Dunne, an independent industry analyst who has spent more than three decades in Asia.

There is little doubt the market will grow, Dunne told CNBC, though he doesn't see that happening fast enough to absorb VinFast's full production. It is possible the company could take some share from established competitors, especially market-dominant Toyota and Hyundai, Dunne added, but he doesn't see those importers ceding volume without a fight.

“So, if I were Vinfast, I would be looking at both domestic and export markets,” he added, especially in Southeast Asia.

That is clearly on the agenda, according to DeLuca. If VinFast can prove itself out, he acknowledged, the company could look at even more challenging opportunities, such as Europe and, perhaps, even the U.S. — though given the U.S.'s past history with Vietnam, expanding in the market could be a challenge, Dunne said.

“Certainly, the ambition is there,” said Dunne.

Mahindra Unveils the Marazzo — Globally Engineered with a Bold Design

Mahindra Unveils the Marazzo — Globally Engineered with a Bold Design

Attractive launch price starting at Rs 9.99 lacs (ex-showroom) across India

SYNOPSIS:

Born of an engineering collaboration between Mahindra Automotive North America (MANA), Detroit and Mahindra Research Valley (MRV) Chennai, the Marazzo has been engineered for excellence to ensure smooth ride, agile handling, quietest cabin, fastest cooling and luxurious space
The shark-inspired Marazzo's head-turning design, an outcome of a collaboration between Pininfarina, Italy and Mahindra Design Studio in Mumbai, is streamlined and aerodynamic. Its grille carries the aggressive appearance of shark-like teeth and tail lamps of the shark's tail
Marazzo's patented 'Body-on-Frame-Front-Wheel-Drive' architecture offers the twin benefits of agile, 'car-like' handling and the durability and toughness of a body-on-frame configuration
Marazzo ensures a smooth ride as a result of its 'twist beam' rear suspension that offers the highest suspension travel (of 245mm) in the segment
Marazzo offers best-in-class shoulder room in the 15t and 2nd row to seat up to 8 people comfortably. It is an easy ingress and egress in the Marazzo, as one can get in and out of the vehicle without the help of a footboard, owing to its low step-in height
It comes with the industry-first 'Surround Cool Technology' which gives you the choice between Direct and Diffused mode as well as the fastest cooling in its segment
The Marazzo's new 4-cylinder engine produces 90.2kW (121 BHP) power and 300 Nm torque with the highest power density and torque density in the segment
With the Marazzo's aerodynamic design and new, modern, low-NVH engine, passengers enjoy the quietest cabin in its class
Marazzo offers a unique package of first-in-class disc brakes on all 4 wheels, dual front Airbags, first-in-class Emergency Call, ABS and ISOFIX child seat mounts as standard across all variants. It meets the safety regulations of October 2020
Marazzo sports premium dual tone interiors with contour-mapped plush leatherette seats, 18 cm Colour Touch Screen Infotainment with Haptic and Capsense Technology, a Piano Black dashboard, first-in-class sun shades for the 2nd row and much more
Available in 7 & 8 seater configurations with a captain seat option in the 2nd row of the 7 seater
Available in 4 variants – M2, M4, M6, M8 – and 6 colours — Mariner Maroon, Poseidon Purple, Aqua Marine, Iceberg White, Oceanic Black and Shimmering Silver

Nashik, September 3, 2018: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), India's premium SUV manufacturer, today launched the much awaited Marazzo. The Marazzo has been engineered for excellence and comes with a smooth ride, agile handling, quiet cabin, fastest cooling and luxurious interior space. The Marazzo will be available at Mahindra dealerships pan India starting today, at an attractive launch price of Rs.9.99 lacs (ex-showroom) for the M2 variant.

Anand Mahindra, Executive Chairman, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. said, “The launch of Marazzo is a defining moment in the automotive journey of Mahindra not only within India but globally as well. Being the first joint product development effort between Mahindra Automotive North America (MANA) & Mahindra Research Valley (MRV), the Marazzo aptly represents our 'Rise' philosophy in action. Our development teams have used alternative thinking and challenged the limits to deliver a vehicle that is poised to be nothing less than a game changer for us. We are entering a new orbit and hope to deliver yet another iconic offering.”

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd said, “The Marazzo embodies Mahindra's new, increasingly global approach to product development, having been engineered in Detroit for excellence, designed by our in-house team in collaboration with Pininfarina, Italy, with the entire package coming together at MRV, our state of the art R&D centre near Chennai. Marazzo also represents a bold new direction for our automotive products, one that offers our customers an unmatched quality and a truly refined user experience.”

Rajan Wadhera, President — Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., mentioned, “This is a very proud moment for us, as the Marazzo turns a new leaf in Mahindra's evolution in the UV segment. It has always been our endeavour to offer breakthrough products and category creators. With the Marazzo, we will continue our legacy. I am sure that Marazzo, with its excellent proposition of distinctive styling, plush ride, agile handling, luxurious space, refined NVH levels and attractive launch price is poised to emerge a winner”.

About Marazzo:

Shark-Inspired Design: Marazzo's shark-inspired design is evident in its sleek and streamlined silhouette, in the front grille inserts which resemble the teeth of a shark, in the tail lamps that are inspired by a shark's tail and a shark-fin antenna (as an accessory). Marazzo's style-quotient is enhanced with projector headlamps, fog lamps with Daytime Running Lamps, elegant chrome finishes on exteriors, twin-spoke 17″ machined alloy wheels.

Patented Body-on-frame, front-wheel drive architecture: Marazzo has a unique world-first architecture that provides drivers with a nimble “car-like” feel, being lighter than other similar vehicles, and also the toughness of a body-on-frame configuration.

Smooth Ride & Agile Handling: The rear suspension of the Marazzo has a lightweight “twist beam” construction, which provides excellent ride and handling with the highest suspension travel of 245mm in the segment. The Marazzo chassis is anchored by a fully boxed frame and includes forged aluminium front suspension components, which increases the handling responsiveness. Its Front Wheel Drive layout sends power to the front wheels making handling very easy and safe.

The first-in-class Electric Power Steering improves real world fuel economy, steering feel and manoeuvrability. The Marazzo delivers an excellent turning radius of 5.25m to enable the driver to get in and out of the tightest situations.

Luxurious Space to seat up to 8 people: Marazzo's design maximizes cabin space in all 3 rows and seats up to 8 people comfortably without increasing vehicle length making it one of the most compact yet spacious vehicles in the category. Marazzo offers best-in-class 1st & 2nd row shoulder room, and luxurious legroom that allows even a 6 foot tall person to stretch his legs out and relax. This is complemented by a comfortable step-in height of 465mm making it convenient for a woman in a saree or an elderly person without the use of a footboard.

Marazzo will come in 7-seater and 8 seater options with the 7-seater offering captain seats in the 2nd row. The 2nd row (in 8-seater) & 3rd row come with a foldable 60:40 split for 1055 litres of luggage space when completely folded down.

Quietest Cabin in its Class: Marazzo's aerodynamic design ensures that powertrain and road NVH inputs are not amplified inside the vehicle. Marazzo is powered by a 1.5 litre, 4- cylinder D15 Diesel engine designed for low noise, vibration and harshness. This makes for the quietest cabin in its class. Noise measured at the driver's ear is only 43 decibels (driver ear noise at low idle).

Fastest Cooling in its Class: Marazzo offers you the industry-first 'Surround Cool Technology' which, along with Fully Automatic Temperature Control (FATC), cools the cabin faster (36meter/sec airflow) than other vehicles in the segment. The 'Surround Cool' Technology offers passengers the choice between Direct Mode and Diffused Mode.

Premium Interiors:

Premium dual-toned interiors with pearl white, piano black and chrome finishes
Contour-mapped leatherette seats with height-adjuster & lumber support for the driver
Futuristic cluster with purple illumination and a unique aircraft-inspired parking- brake
2nd row LHS seat with one-touch tumble down lever for 3rd row passengers to enter/exit
First-in-Class sunshade for 2nd row passengers

Performance: The Marazzo's refined 1.5 litre 4-cylinder in placed in a transverse (east-west) layout, opening up a lot of space for the cabin. The engine produces 90.2kW (121 BHP) power and 300 Nm torque and is designed for low noise, vibration and harshness. It also offers an attractive ARAI-certified mileage of 17.3kmpl.

Safety for All: Marazzo offers a unique package of the following safety features across ALL variants —

Dual front airbags
INDUSTRY-FIRST Disc Brakes on all 4 wheels
ISOFIX child seat mounts
High-strength steel structure supported by a fully-boxed frame, collapsible steering column, crumple zones, side-impact beams
Impact-sensitive door locks
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

M6 and M8 variants include Rear Parking Camera and Sensors, first-in-class Emergency Call and Cornering Lamps

Technology:

18 cm (7″) Colour Touch Screen Infotainment system: Haptics and Capsense Technology for a better touch and feel, iPod connectivity, picture viewer, USB audio/video, Bluetooth Audio
Turn by Turn Navigation Indicator in Cluster with on-board Navigation
Connectivity suite includes Android Auto, Mahindra BLUE SENSE App with Emergency Call
Voice Activated Controls for music system & Voice Assist Features such as voice recognition for infotainment and SMS read out
Steering-mounted audio and phone controls

Convenience features: Power-foldable ORVMs with Side Turn Indicators and Entry Assist Lamp, Follow-me-home & Lead-me-to-vehicle headlamps, Service Reminder, Cooled glove box, Sunglass holder, Conversation mirror, Cup-holders in every row & bottle-holders on all 4 doors, Multiple charging and media outlets.

Social Media Handles:

Please visit: https://www.mahindramarazzo.com for more details and images.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MahindraMarazzo/
username: @MahindraMarazzo
Twitter: https://twitter..

Vinfast launches as first global Vietnamese car brand

The plant will also produce an electric scooter, which will go into production that autumn. Meanwhile, Vinfast has secured a licence to produce what was sold in the UK as the Vauxhall Viva. This restyled A-segment city car will be sold in Vietnam from autumn 2019 in two versions: a 1.0-litre manual in taxi specification… Continue reading Vinfast launches as first global Vietnamese car brand

Behind the scenes at Britain’s ice-cream van HQ

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Vietnam’s VinFast gets Italian design, German engineering

Share Facebook Tweet Pinterest Email Vietnamese automaker VinFast will use the Paris auto show to raise its global profile by unveiling Italian-designed first production cars. VinFast said it will debut a production-ready SUV and production-ready sedan at the Paris auto show in October. The SUV is similar in size to the BMW X5 crossover, while… Continue reading Vietnam’s VinFast gets Italian design, German engineering

UPDATE 2-Auto parts maker Magna hit by trade dispute; cuts outlook

(Adds comments by CEO and CFO, adds analyst comment, industry background, updates share price.) Aug 8 (Reuters) – Canadian auto parts maker Magna International Inc on Wednesday lowered its full-year production outlook for North America, and revised downward its global sales, hurt in part by U.S. tariffs and other “headwinds” during the quarter, sending its… Continue reading UPDATE 2-Auto parts maker Magna hit by trade dispute; cuts outlook

Canada’s Magna International quarterly profit rises 14 pct

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Meet the RUF-Powered, Magna-Engineered W Motors Fenyr

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