http://www.automotivesweden.com/sidorutanformenyn/newsforrssexport.4.6ccae249126f6a0ed2b800026549.html Read the latest news, articles and activities from Automotive Sweden sv SiteVision 2.6.2 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:43:26 +0100 Gothenburg has always been associated with shipping and the port. This is still true today even though port operations have changed. Back in the 1950s the central quays in the city were full of freighters from all over the world that were unloaded by longshoremen. We meet Magnus Kårested, CEO at the Port of Gothenburg for the past eight years. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/portofgothenburgacompetitivefactorforswedishindustry.5.7f30c2451341eef1dc180004182.html Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:41:02 +0100 The global economic turbulence of the past few years has left its mark on trade and industry. Companies are searching for new customers and many in areas where they have not previously done business. For example, automotive industry suppliers have moved into the environmental field and some have even discovered partners in biopharmaceuticals. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/industriesdisappearing.5.7f30c2451341eef1dc180004171.html Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:38:47 +0100 Gothenburg received a visit from representatives from automotive clusters in Italy, France, Germany and Poland. They were here to start the Safe and Green Road Vehicles (SAGE) project. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/neweuropeancollaborationforastrongautomotiveindustryinwestsweden.5.7f30c2451341eef1dc180004161.html Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:36:12 +0100 — Re-adjustment project behind BRC´s set-up. BRC Sweden´s conversion facility for biogas cars not only provides 50 new jobs, it also boosts Trollhättan´s eco-profile and its investment in sustainable development. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/biogascreatesnewjobs.5.7f30c2451341eef1dc180004150.html Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:31:08 +0100 The Automotive Forum conference will be held at Lindholmen Science Park in Gothenburg May 30-31, 2012. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/excitingprogramforautomotiveforumingothenburg.5.7f30c2451341eef1dc180004139.html Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:28:14 +0100 Göteborg Energi (Gothenburg Energy) has been around for more than 150 years and today it´s west sweden´s leading energy company and provides an electricity grid, district heating, gas, district cooling, energy services, renewable energy and data and telecommunications. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/automotiveswedenmetgoteborgenergisrddirector.5.7f30c2451341eef1dc180004129.html Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:25:55 +0100 Vinnova is investing SEK 2,225,000 in three preliminary studies in the field of sustainable transportation, in which Business Region Göteborg is one of the participants. Closer Lindholmen, at newly started transportation efficiency arena at Lindholmen Science Park, will be managing the studies. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/majorprojectforsustainabletransportationatlindholmensciencepark.5.7f30c2451341eef1dc180004119.html Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:20:46 +0100 We met Cristofer Englund and Kristoffer Lidström, both of whom are researchers in cooperative systems at the viktoria institute, an industrial research institute that develops and studies the effects of it and telecom-based services in the transportation and automotive industries. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/industrialresearchinstitutedevelopesservicesfortheautomotiveindustry.5.7f30c2451341eef1dc180004072.html Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:56:55 +0100 A unique app for analyzing vibrations in cutting processes has been developed by scientists at the Production Technology Centre. iCut is the first in a planned series of products based on research results. “The app represents an entirely new way of making results from research immediately usable for industry," says Lars Pejryd. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/theiphoneicutapp.5.7f30c2451341eef1dc180004062.html Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:55:18 +0100 In May of this year Minister for Education Jan Björklund invited a number of organizations to provide input and formulate proposals on strategies for the forthcoming research and innovation policy bill that will be submitted in 2012. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/researchinsweden20132016.5.7f30c2451341eef1dc180004052.html Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:53:24 +0100 Lindholmen Science Park developed step-by-step to become what is today an unmistakable national center for important parts of Swedish research. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/scaniajoinslindholmensciencepark.5.7f30c2451341eef1dc180004042.html Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:29:28 +0100 ...Truck and Bus World Forum 2011 in Lyon. What highlights would you like to bring forward at Truck & Bus World Forum this year? This 5th edition will focus on “Best practices for greater accessibility in urban areas". It will address forward-looking ideas about "Economic & governance models", “Models of international urban area accessibility" and “Technologies to address a range of urban needs, constraints and expectations". http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/helloemmanuelpiegayforumcoordinator.5.384e36df1336aa6918480005006.html Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:46:57 +0100 In 1946 ship owner Gustaf Thordén started the Uddevalla shipyard. He bought shipyard equipment from the USA, which had surplus capacity when World War II ended. Uddevalla Shipyard became the biggest workplace in Bohus County in southern Sweden, and the biggest ship ever built in Sweden — the tanker Nanny, 499,000 DWT — was built here. Uddevalla Shipyard closed in 1986, and the Swedish shipbuilding epoch came to an end. Automotive Sweden met Walter Fortgens, CEO of Pininfarina in Sweden to ask about the factory, his experiences and ideas for the future. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/idealfactoryupforsale.5.384e36df1336aa6918480004995.html Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:41:34 +0100 What good is it if you have a super-intelligent car but the road is flooded because someone was not keeping track of a pumping station? The question was put by Infracontrol CEO Johan Höglund. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/alottobegainedfromintelligentinfrastructure.5.384e36df1336aa6918480004977.html Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:11:37 +0100 American Richard Montura has moved to Volvo Cars in Gothenburg to work on developing the company's brand. After having had a safety-conscious, somewhat restrained and frosty image, Volvo Cars is looking to promote what it calls a "safety-plus" feel. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/volvocarsstrengthensitsbrand.5.384e36df1336aa6918480004965.html Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:08:22 +0100 Scania will reduce production by 10 to 15 percent from November 1, which means around 900 temporary positions will be lost. Operations affected in Sweden are in Södertälje, Oskarshamn and Luleå where 450 to 500 temporary workers will not have their contracts extended. Scania has around 2,000 temporary workers employed in production. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/scaniaslowsdown.5.384e36df1336aa6918480004955.html Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:03:55 +0100 BMW is testing a system in which sensors in the steering wheel monitor driver health. Pulse and blood pressure are registered and if abnormal values are detected the car may be stopped. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/steeringwheelkeepswatch.5.384e36df1336aa6918480004939.html Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:02:40 +0100 Car sales in the USA have increased this year by 10 percent. The increase continued in October and reached 8 percent. Chrysler is picking up speed in the USA and sales increased by 28 percent during October. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/usaautosalescontinuetheirupswing.5.384e36df1336aa6918480004929.html Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:00:59 +0100 Professor John Schellnhuber has been awarded the 2011 the Volvo Environment Prize. The professor is a world-leading research scientist in the complex research field that describes the things that affect the global environment.I http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/professorschellnhuberawardedthevolvoenvironmentprize.5.384e36df1336aa6918480004914.html Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:56:40 +0100 The Chalmers Virtual Development Laboratory is now open. Its objective is to strengthen collaboration between researchers and companies. Small companies gain access to equipment they lack themselves, while major companies gain the opportunity to test radical ideas that no longer fit in their slimmed-down development environments. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/newchalmerslab.5.384e36df1336aa6918480004903.html Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:54:40 +0100 The commission has adopted a proposal to transform the existing patchwork of roads, railroads, airports and canals into a Trans-European transport network (TEN-T). Bottlenecks will be removed in the new network, infrastructure will be upgraded and cross-border transportation simplified bringing improvements for passengers and companies throughout the EU. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/connectingeuropeneweutrunktransportationnetwork.5.384e36df1336aa6918480004893.html Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:52:30 +0100 The biggest change will take place in the Volvo, Renault, Mack and UD Trucks truck operations. Sales and marketing will be divided into three regions that take care of all truck marketing, while planning, development and manufacturing of all trucks will be coordinated. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/abvolvoorganiserargetsneworganization.5.384e36df1336aa6918480004879.html Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:49:47 +0100 AB Volvo has announced that 400 — 450 temporary workers will not have their contracts renewed next year. Volvo aims to react quickly whenever there is a risk of reduced volumes. So far this year AB Volvo has taken on 2,200 people in Sweden, of whom half were permanent employees and the remainder temporary. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/abvolvoslowsdown.5.384e36df1336aa6918480004868.html Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:47:02 +0100 The creditors' meeting approved the composition and reconstruction efforts continue. Youngman and Pang Da now recommend two alternatives in which the two Chinese companies acquire 100 percent of the company from Swedish Automobile and plan for major investments moving forward. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/saabfightson.5.384e36df1336aa6918480004858.html Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:44:14 +0100 Volvo Cars reported an operating loss of SEK 736 million during the third quarter. The loss was anticipated as the company is currently in an intensive investment phase, and the third quarter is always the weakest since it includes the summer vacation period. The full 2011 business year will be positive. Meanwhile, Volvo Cars continues to increase sales in Europe and the USA. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/volvocarsreportsaloss.5.384e36df1336aa6918480004848.html Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:39:17 +0100 Subaru will start converting cars to run on LPG in Trollhättan creating jobs for 50 people. The cars will be sold in the Baltic and Nordic markets. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/subaruinvestsintrollhattan.5.384e36df1336aa6918480004816.html Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:37:46 +0200 For the first time a Swedish engineering company — Semcon — participated in the IAA in Frankfurt, the world's biggest auto show. Semcon has grown to significance on the German market and today several German automakers are Semcon customers. Their latest order concerns engine development and has a value of almost SEK 90 million. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/swedishengineeringatiaa.5.21f39bcf132da5e57c280001476.html Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:33:12 +0200 The European Environment Agency has published its 2010 figures for CO2 emissions for new automobiles in the 27 EU member states. This year 13.2 million autos were registered compared to 15.5 million in 2007. Average emissions for new cars in 2010 were 140.3 g CO2/km, which is a reduction of 5.4 g. Engine size on cars registered since 2003 fell from 1743 cm3 to 1633 in 2010. The proportion of diesel-engined vehicles was 51.3 percent. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/newco2emissionsfigures.5.21f39bcf132da5e57c280001466.html Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:28:38 +0200 The automotive intelligence provider Jato in the UK has studied how subsidies influence sales of electrical vehicles in Europe and has found that today such subsidies play no significant part in a purchaser's choice. Other factors determine the decision, such as environmental concerns, beneficial parking permits and the right to use bus lanes, etc. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/subsidiesdonotaffectthesaleofelectriccars.5.21f39bcf132da5e57c280001452.html Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:26:34 +0200 | Downgraded credit rating for FIAT | Volvo expanding in Iraq | EU clears the way for MAN and Scania | BYD encounters financial problems | http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/mixednews.5.21f39bcf132da5e57c280001434.html Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:07:52 +0200 | NOTE | Scania and Russian automaker GAZ will sponsor the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi in 2014. GAZ and Scania currently collaborate and Scania supplies bus chassis fitted with engines and transmissions to GAZ. The companies are confident of an order for around 1,100 buses for Olympic passenger traffic. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/scaniasponsorsolympicsinrussia.5.21f39bcf132da5e57c280001409.html Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:06:14 +0200 | NOTE | Forty years ago more than 50 percent of domestic freight in Sweden was carried by shipping. Today, trucks account for 85 percent, rail 11 percent, shipping 3.2 percent and air 0.4 percent, calculated by weight. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/trucksmove85percentofallfreight.5.21f39bcf132da5e57c280001398.html Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:04:34 +0200 | NOTE | Analysts at the international consultancy Frost & Sullivan believe that diesel hybrids will grow in importance over the next 5 years in order for the EU is to achieve its CO2 emission goals. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/dieselhybridsimportant.5.21f39bcf132da5e57c280001372.html Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:59:10 +0200 Western politicians and the heads of central banks perform delicate balancing acts when they make statements and present ideas in an attempt to reassure various players that the situation in the Euro market is manageable and that undertakings will be honored.  In the United States the political struggle between the left and right has rubbed off on future expectations, and house prices continue to fall. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/delicatebalancingact.5.21f39bcf132da5e57c280001363.html Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:34:25 +0200 innovITS ADVANCE opens for business in the UK and promises to change the shape of ITS and Telematics development. Europe ´s first purpose built independent facility for the development, testing and validation of ITS and telematics technology, products and services is open for business. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/innovitsadvanceopensforbusinessintheuk.5.21f39bcf132da5e57c280001255.html Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:14:35 +0200 We were eight journalists who were granted a one-hour interview with Honda CEO Takanabu Ito in connection with the Frankfurt Motor Show. We were ushered into a cool, quiet room away from the heat and thronging visitors. Ito was sitting with his Technology Director, Interpreter and PR Director. The atmosphere was friendly, calm and positive so we began right away. We were first allowed a question each and then it was open discussion. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/technologyleadstheway.5.21f39bcf132da5e57c28000331.html Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:06:52 +0200 As the newly appointed CEO for FKG, the Scandinavian automotive suppliers' association, you were immediately thrown into the lion's den. The media have been chasing you since day 1. How did that feel?- "It went well. It's a bit bewildering to be on the radio one day, on TV the next and then to comment in national newspapers on the third. The mind works at top speed, and this really was a flying start." http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/hellofredriksidahl.5.21f39bcf132da5e57c28000209.html Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:23:12 +0200 As soon as I'm back from the IAA in Frankfurt I get that feeling I've often felt before — a feeling that to a certain extent the automotive industry has a life of its own. No crisis indicators from Frankfurt — everything bigger and more lavish than ever. Perhaps all the decisions were taken six months ago when the world seemed a lot rosier than it is now.  IAA was a demonstration of German automotive might. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/triplehelixmakesforexcitingprojects.5.21f39bcf132da5e57c28000197.html Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:56:45 +0200 Lidköping and Xindu District in Chengdu signed a city twinning agreement last summer. Why Xindu?ITM Worldwide Foundation in Lidköping was already collaborating with the Nordic International Management Institute (NIMI), which is located in the Nordic City of Living and Learning in Xindu. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/helloleiferikssontradeindustrydirectorlidkopingmunicipality.5.5b753cf31328d2f594b80007671.html Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:40:20 +0200 One of the (Swedish political) Alliance's election manifesto promises in the run-up to the parliamentary elections was the introduction of a Super Eco-Car Premium on January 1, 2012, to speed up the introduction of the most eco-friendly autos. The proposal for the Super Eco-Car Premium was originally conceived only to cover private automobiles, but after much criticism from BIL Sweden, among others, the government listened up and will now extend the premium to include companies and the public sector. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/theintroductionofelectriccarscannowbecomereality.5.5b753cf31328d2f594b80007660.html Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:38:04 +0200 A new report from the IT security company McAfee analyzes the security risks in automotive electronic systems. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/securityrisksinautomotiveelectronicsystems.5.5b753cf31328d2f594b80007649.html Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:35:41 +0200 What is AstaZero?"It's a technologically advanced test facility that will be built outside of Borås, near Hällered, Sweden. Previously, a great many safety developments depended on passive safety, but AstaZero will enable us to take a giant leap forward in developing active safety that combines sensor technology, vehicle communications and embedded computers. The track will have four test environments including city conditions and a winding country highway." http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/hellopetherwallinastazeroceo.5.5b753cf31328d2f594b80007633.html Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:00:54 +0200 American Axle & Manufacturing is one of the world's biggest suppliers of automotive driveline and drivetrain systems.  The company has 8500 employees, is present in 13 countries and has 30 manufacturing facilities that provide automakers in various parts of the world. Drivetrains are important and play a major role in reducing a vehicle's fuel consumption. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/newtypeof4wdprovidesexcitingcharacteristics.5.2a5e37051324a2dab6480002886.html Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:58:04 +0200 With several tough years in the rear view mirror and new owners behind the wheel, Elmo is back on track again looking ahead with confidence. The factory in Svenljunga outside of Borås, Sweden is running at full speed and handling daily deliveries of a couple of thousand hides. “We've succeeded in turning a number of tough years with major cutbacks into something positive, and today we're almost at the same levels as before the crisis," says Anders Johansson, General Manager at Elmo. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/pedaltothemetalatelmosweden.5.2a5e37051324a2dab6480002876.html Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:55:27 +0200 Swerea IVF AB is part of the Swerea Group. It works with the preparation and publication of research results within the process, product and production technology fields. Swedish companies own 53 percent of the group, while the Swedish state owns 47 percent through the Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/thisisafabulousopportunityforsweden.5.2a5e37051324a2dab6480002833.html Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:36:44 +0200 On July 14 the Board of Volvo Cars resolved to adopt the strategic proposal regarding the next generation of Volvo engines, production of which will take place in Skövde. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/newgenerationvolvoenginetobebuiltinskovde.5.2a5e37051324a2dab6480002821.html Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:34:57 +0200 If anti-trust authorities approve the plans, both MAN and Scania will become VW Group subsidiaries. VW will attempt to continue growing and it has further acquisitions in its sights. Rumors have it that VW is interested in buying Mack from AB Volvo in order to enter the American market with a flying start. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/vwtobebigplayerintrucks.5.2a5e37051324a2dab6480002809.html Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:33:37 +0200 Volvo PV and Siemens have entered into an agreement regarding electric vehicle development. Volvo PV has also decided to invest in full hybrids, which the company sees as a necessity if it is to compete in the USA with large autos such as the XC 90. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/volvopvcollaborationwithsiemens.5.2a5e37051324a2dab6480002797.html Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:29:26 +0200 Suddenly the going got really tough — not at all the financial development we'd hoped for. Right now things should have been on the way up with growth making it possible for countries to strengthen their public finances while employment increased. But that's not the way things are any more. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/politicalcrisiscreatesproblems.5.2a5e37051324a2dab6480002785.html Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:26:10 +0200 The underlying principle for fuel cells was discovered in 1838 by the German-Swiss chemist and scientist Christian Friedrich Schönbein. Although first published in a scientific journal in 1843, it was not before 1959 that Francis Thomas Bacon succeeded in developing a functional fuel cell of 5 kW. The technology attracted the interest of NASA, which began using fuel cells to provide power during space voyages. The technology has been developed and fuel cells are approaching their wider introduction for everyday use. http://www.automotivesweden.com/arkiv/articles/powercellcreatesnewopportunities.5.2a5e37051324a2dab6480002773.html