This Week:

• DaimlerChrysler and Mitsubishi Motors to Decide on Location for New Engine Plant
  .

• "Audi Forum Ingolstadt" officially opened
  .

• General Motors Announces Phase-Out Of Oldsmobile
  .

• Lexus To Have Three Worldwide Debuts at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit
  .

• Side Impact Crash Test Of The BMW X5 By The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety Demonstrates Importance Of The First Head Protection System Offered In An SUV
  .

• U.S. Competition Authority Gives Clearance To AB VOLVO'S Acquisition Of Renault V.I. /MACK
  .

• First Vehicle Premieres At Jinbei GM:
  Manufacturing High-Quality Chevrolet Trucks In China
  .

• New Managing Director for Mercedes-AMG GmbH
  Ulrich Bruhnke to succeed Wolfgang Bernhard
  .

• Largest five stage transfer press in Europe starts up at Land Rover
  .

• GM Powertrain Announces New Plant Manager At Fredericksburg
  .

• Visteon Corporation Names Glenda Minor as General Auditor

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News of  December 19, 2000

Largest five stage transfer press in Europe starts up at Land Rover

Gaydon, Warwickshire - A new Stamping Plant opened at Land Rover's Solihull site, representing an investment of £60 million. The five stage transfer press at the heart of the plant, the largest of its kind in Europe, is to be officially opened by HRH the Duke of Kent.

The plant reached fruition in just 14 months from initial construction to initial run. The giant press, with a total force of over 8300 tonnes, will produce a peak of 58,000 steel or aluminium panels per week. Press changeover, involving the switching of the dies dictating the shape of the panel, can be accomplished inside ten minutes, an activity taking several hours on older equipment.

A £4 million try-out press, on which new tools and maintenance work can be carried out, stands alongside the main press, to ensure minimum downtime and disruption in the event of routine maintenance.

"We are delighted with the increase in efficiency that this new press will bring, " said Land Rover Solihull Plant Services Director, Chris Packwood. " The resulting panels have an unparalleled degree of accuracy and will make a valuable contribution towards boosting quality levels."

The plant will begin pressing panels immediately and will also be used to supply other manufacturers. It will be staffed by around 120 people transferring into the plant from elsewhere on site.

The new stamping plant will be the first of several new facilities due to come on stream over the next year, following the announcement in September of a further £130 million investment in new plant and equipment at the Solihull site.

(Dec. 13, 2000)

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