Purchasing

PURCHASING EXECUTIVES: KLAUS ZEHENDER, MERCEDES-BENZ

M-B searches for savings to offset rising costs

12:01 am U.S. ET | Aug. 20, 2012
Mercedes-Benz spends more on materials, emissions controls and other expenses. Klaus Zehender, vice president of procurement for Mercedes-Benz cars and vans, is looking for savings in various areas to offset those costs.... Read More »

 

PURCHASING EXECUTIVES: PETER CARLSSON, TESLA MOTORS

How an automotive outsider forges Tesla's supply chain

12:01 am U.S. ET | Aug. 20, 2012
In the past year, Peter Carlsson has taken Tesla Motors Inc.'s purchasing department and supply chain from handling "boutique manufacturing" to being capable of launching the company's Model S electric sedan. Carlsson, 41, came to Tesla's Palo Alto, Calif., headquarters by way of Singapore, where he was in charge of NXP Semiconductors' purchasing operation.... Read More »

 

GM seen planning global reorganization to tackle 'fiefdoms'

Aug. 17, 2012 10:34 CET
GM CEO Dan Akerson is planning a reorganization of the automaker that would move it away from long-entrenched regional authority toward a structure built on global functions, said two people familiar with the planning.... Read More »

 

2012 MANAGEMENT BRIEFING SEMINARS

Toyota prods lagging suppliers to boost output

8:43 am U.S. ET | Aug. 9, 2012
As Toyota prepares for record North American vehicle production in each of the next two years, the company is intensifying its scrutiny of suppliers that are struggling to keep up.... Read More »

 

Toyota names new Europe bosses for Lexus, purchasing

Aug. 6, 2012 06:01 CET
Toyota has named a new Lexus Europe boss and a new head of purchasing for the region as part of a management shuffle. Paul van der Burgh will take charge of Lexus in Europe from his current boss, Andy Pfeiffenberger. Takayuki Shirata will take over as head of purchasing for Europe from Mark Adams.... Read More »

 

Q&A: KLAUS ZEHENDER, DAIMLER AG PURCHASING

M-B purchasing boss wants to tap emerging markets

12:01 am U.S. ET | Aug. 6, 2012
Klaus Zehender, vice president of procurement for Mercedes-Benz cars and vans, aims to buy more parts in emerging markets and to encourage suppliers in those markets to export to Western countries.... Read More »

 

Ford sues supplier Dana over subframes in recalled Windstars

3:46 pm U.S. ET | Aug. 1, 2012
Ford is suing its longtime supplier Dana Holding for refusing to compensate the automaker for recalled subframes in 1999-2003 Windstar minivans. Dana, of Maumee, Ohio, has been a Ford supplier since the days of the Model T.... Read More »

 

CHAD HALCOM

Defendant suppliers ask for civil claim dismissals in price-fixing litigation

11:05 am U.S. ET | July 18, 2012
Two dozen defendants in consolidated civil price-fixing lawsuits being heard in federal court are calling for the suits to be dismissed. Two motions filed late last week argue that the plaintiff customer auto suppliers, dealerships and car buyers have no standing to sue -- or at least don't have standing the way the potential class action lawsuits currently stand.... Read More »

 

French president says PSA job cut plan is not acceptable

July 14, 2012 10:34 CET
President Francois Hollande said PSA's decision to close a factory and cut an additional 8,000 jobs is unacceptable and that he will lean on Europe's second-biggest carmaker to renegotiate the plan.... Read More »

 

Chinese automaker SAIC opens N.A. office in Michigan

9:42 am U.S. ET | June 28, 2012
SAIC, China’s largest automaker and a key local joint venture partner of General Motors, opened a North American office in Michigan on June 12 as it deepens its roots in the United States.... Read More »

 

Dynamic executives honored as Automotive News Europe Rising Stars

June 20, 2012 22:00 CET
PSA, Ford, GM, Kia, Volvo and Johnson Controls were among the companies to have an executive named as a Rising Star by Automotive News Europe. Fifteen young and talented leaders were honored for their achievements in this year's awards presented in Monte Carlo.... Read More »

 

U.S. considering auto parts action versus China

12:49 pm U.S. ET | June 15, 2012
The United States is considering action against auto parts imports from China and closely examining other concerns about automobile trade with the world's second largest economy, a top trade official said today. "We are looking at a variety of issues in the bilateral relationship, including, I would say, in the auto sector," Tim Reif, general counsel in the Trade Representative's office, told reporters.... Read More »

 

Audi gets new sales, purchasing, development bosses as part of VW shake-up

June 2, 2012 15:04 CET
Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn replaced three Audi board members and added a board level post for China as part of a shake-up of top management to push forward his growth plans for the automaker.... Read More »

 

Auto microchip maker Renesas to cut 6,000 jobs, raise capital

2:00 pm U.S. ET | May 22, 2012
Automotive microchip maker Renesas Electronics of Japan, which suffered major disruptions following last year's earthquake and tsunami, plans to cut 6,000 jobs and raise 50 billion yen ($630 million) in new capital, local media reported.... Read More »

 

PSA-GM plan Brazil plant, report says

May 22, 2012 13:53 CET
PSA and partner GM are in discussions to build a joint plant in Brazil, according to a Brazilian media report. The two automakers established a partnership in February to share vehicle platforms and jointly purchase parts and materials. A decision on the project is expected by the end of the month, the report said.... Read More »