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Gigacasting

Why are other automakers chasing Tesla’s ‘Gigacasting’?

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Toyota Motor announced this week that it is going to employ a technology powered by Tesla called “Gigacasting” as an element of a plan to increase the efficiency and reduce the price of potential electric vehicles (EVs).

Toyota is not the only company imitating Tesla’s innovation.

Gigacasting
Image Source: reuters.com

Here’s an overview of Gigacasting along with how the invention is pushing car companies to compete with Tesla:

Tesla has implemented the Giga Press which is an aluminium die-casting device, in its facilities in the United States, China along with Germany. The home-sized machines can create aluminium components that are much larger than anything previously used in the auto industry.

Also Read: Google launches AI-powered advertiser features

An average vehicle body is made up of over one hundred separately pressed metal pieces that have been soldered together.

According to experts, Tesla’s industry-leading economic viability has been attributed to fewer components, cheaper costs, and a streamlined manufacturing facility.

Tesla claims that by using just one part in the back of the Model Y, its most popular model, it was able to reduce associated costs by 40 per cent.

Tesla purchases its presses from IDRA in Italy which is a division of LK Industries since 2008 in China.

According to an AlixPartners estimate, the overall market for aluminium die-casting was over 73 billion USD last year and is expected to reach a value of $126 billion by 2032.

Along with Toyota, other automakers employing the technology include Hyundai Motor, General Motors, and also, Volvo Cars, Polestar along with Zeekr, all of which are subsidiaries of China’s Geely.

For the multifunctional van that it sells in China, Zeekr has begun using enormous aluminium die casts, while the company has stated that it would also use the approach for other kinds of vehicles.

Volvo stated last year that it will spend over 900 million dollars to renovate its facility close to Gothenburg in Sweden so that it would feature mega press technology.

Only the Model 3 as well as the Model Y represent the majority of Tesla’s revenues. It is simpler to justifiably invest in innovative manufacturing methods when there are high sales volumes on just two platforms. That benefit also applies to other Electric vehicle startups.

Experts have stated that it can be difficult for traditional automobile manufacturers to decide whether they should invest hundreds of millions of bucks in new casting technologies because they have more complex product lines and production machinery that has previously been amortised.

Magna International

Magna International – Manufacturing Vehicle Parts For Renowned Automakers.

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Magna International is the largest manufacturer of original equipment vehicle parts in North America. It creates automobile systems, components, modules, and assemblies that are sold to a variety of automakers, including General Motors, Ford Motor Company, FCA, Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, Tesla, Toyota, and Tata Motors.

About The Company

Magna International is a Candian company that produces automobile parts. In 2020 it was listed on the Forbes Global 2000 and is one of Canada’s biggest corporations. The company has appeared continuously in the Fortune Global 500 rankings for 20 years in a row since 2001. The company’s head office is in Ontario, Canada. Magna is controlled by a corporate charter that provides for the transfer of profits to the company’s shareholders and employees. Frank Stronach, the company’s founder, described the provisions of this agreement as a “fair enterprise system.”

History

Frank Stronach established Multimatic Investments Ltd. in a Toronto tool and die rental garage in 1957. In 1959, it signed its first deal with General Motors for metal solar interior brackets The company had eight plants operational by the late 1960s. Stronach merged aerospace, defense, and industrial components manufacturer Magna Electronics Corporation with Multimatic Investments to bring the company public in 1969. The combined company was renamed Magna International in 1973. Magna International divested its defense and aerospace operations in 1981 so it could concentrate on the automobile sector. The 1990s saw it spreading into Asia and decentralizing large systems into separate, publicly traded companies. In 2005, Magna started designing automobile rear-view cameras for Hummers on its assembly line in Michigan even though they were not yet mandated by the government. It was among the first companies to create rear view cameras for automotive manufacturers, and by 2007, it had a deal for 350,000 units. In August 2015, the company sold Grupo Antolin its interiors division, which included instrument and door panels, overhead systems, and freight management components. In 2018, the company collaborated with Lyft to provide high-tech kits that convert automobiles into self-driving cars.

Magna International

Acquisitions

Magna International declared in 2002 that it had signed a deal with DaimlerChrysler to buy the Austrian company’s Eurostar Automobilwerk division. In September 2004, Magna acquired eighty percent of New Venture Gear and consolidated it with Magna Powertrain. In 2007, it acquired complete ownership, and the business was shut down in August 2012. In November 2005, Magna acquired CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme, a manufacturer of foldable roofs, from Porsche. Magna paid $1.9 billion in July 2015 to acquire Getrag, a German business that was among the biggest providers of automobile transmissions globally. The acquisition increased the Chinese market’s potential for growth. In 2018, the business purchased the German motion-based software developer Haptronik GmbH, the Italian automotive lighting maker OLSA S.p.A., and the Spanish automotive seating firm Viza Geca SL. It collaborated with Innoviz Technologies to make solid-state lidar for BMW Group’s autonomous vehicles. In January 2022, Boston-based firm Optimus Ride was acquired by Magna.

Technology

In the course of its history, Magna International has collaborated with automakers to advance vehicle safety and technology, developing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), lane departure warning systems, blind-spot detection, as well as smart mobility seating systems like minivan seats that stow into the floor. The organization is the third-biggest auto parts supplier globally and the largest in North America. It creates tailored computing for fully automatic driving systems using mobility technologies. In 2018, it unveiled autonomous emergency braking technologies and an Icon radar system to assist automakers in achieving Level 5 autonomy.

Founder – Frank Stronach

One of the biggest providers of automobile systems and components worldwide, Magna International Inc., was founded by Frank Stronach. With its headquarters in Ontario, Magna employs over 158000 employees across 342 manufacturing facilities in 27 different nations.

CEO – Seetarama Kotagiri

Swamy Kotagiri is the sole representative of management on the board and the CEO of Magna. He provides vast experience and knowledge of the automotive business and has worked in the field for more than 30 years, including 21 years with Magna.

Kiichiro-Toyoda

Kiichiro Toyoda: Journey To Transform Family Business Into An Automobile Manufacturing Company

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Whenever someone wants to buy a car, few names of famous automobile companies come into mind and Toyota is some of them. A Japanese multinational automotive firm Toyota is considered as tenth largest firm on earth by revenue. As of 2018, it was also the second-largest automobile producers worldwide. In fact, it is a pioneer to manufacture over 10 Million vehicles/Year. Toyota also reported the production of its 200 Millionth Vehicle in 2012. Also, in 2014, it was Japan’s largest listed firm by revenue and market capitalization. 

Kiichiro Toyoda set up the firm after he got inspiration from father. Kiichiro always wanted to chase his dream to manufacture an automobile. But that time, he was considering it as a risk to the family profession. Finally, in 1937 he formed Toyota, an automobile firm in Japan. Kiichiro’s colleagues often mentioned him as a “Japan’s Thomas Edison”.

Glimpse to Founder Life

Early life

He was born on 11 June 1894 in Japan at Aichi Prefecture. His father Sakichi was a well-known businessman. As well, Toyoda Automatic Loom Works’ founder. After his father’s death, Kiichiro’s brother became head of the Loom works business. However, Kiichiro always wanted to chase his dream to set up an automobile manufacturing unit. Thus, he persuaded his brother to invest in the expansion of the family business into an idea of automobiles division. 

Backstory

The family background of Kiichiro was strong enough to support his idea of perusing the automobile business. In fact, the Toyoda family had experienced inventing steam, electric looms, and oil. Also, his father was known to the fact that his son would solidify the mechanical prowess the family had in history. So, he encouraged his son to follow his dream. Finally, the decision of Kiichiro changes the family business’s automatic loom manufacture unit to the automobile manufacturing unit by setting firm in 1937. 

Later Life 

He devoted his whole life to building a strong foundation for the company. It was not an easy journey to transform the structure of the family business. Obviously, he had financial support from the family business. But one needs a belief and strong will to take the risk to alter the business. In 1950, Kiichiro resigned after serving for a long time. However, he died just two years after his resignation in 1952. Unfortunately, he would never know the success that would come to him. Even after a huge loss, the company thrived impeccably.

Achievements

Toyota Motor Corp. introduced the compact Corolla Model in 1966. However, it became the best-selling car in the world as of 1997. In fact, over 35 million models were sold at that time. Also, Toyota focused on developing fuel-efficient models, which later became the center of attraction in America. Additionally, the firm also launched the 4Runner sport utility vehicle as well as Camry compact car. In 1989, the company launched the luxury car Lexus. As of 2001, the company introduced the first-ever mass-produced hybrid vehicle all over the world. However, this vehicle called Prius was introduced in Japan in 1997. Furthermore, the had produced over 100 million vehicles in Japan by the end of the 1990s. 

Later successes 

After Kiichiro’s death, his cousin Eiji Toyoda served to flourish it further. He builds the Kiichiro’s successful expansion into a world-class conglomeration of engineering. Also, he assists in the launch of the most prominent luxury brand in Japan. Today, it is one of the leading automobile manufacturers universally. In the year 2018, Toyota was also the second-largest automobile manufacturer on the earth. Also, the firm set the record to manufacture over 10 Million vehicles/Year.

Carlos Ghosn

Carlos Ghosn Rules The Automobile Industry While Being On House Arrest

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Honestly is a very important factor when one wants to be successful in life. But, what is more, important is standing in front of the entire world and having the confidence to defend oneself. Carlos Ghosn is the epitome of confidence, who is ready to seek justice at any cost. A powerful business, who instead of fleeing justice pointed out the flaws of the Japanese justice system. People who are barely interested in the business world have also heard about Carlos Ghosn. He is a famous Brazilian businessman who has served prestigious positions in many famous companies. He has served as the CEO of Michelin North America, CEO of Renault, and, many more. But, this year, he has become one of the most famous wanted fugitives.

Early Life

Carlos has a very interesting family history. He belongs to a family of rich businessmen and traders. Carlos’s grandfather was Bichara Ghosn, who became very famous in the entrepreneurial world. Carlos’s father was also a famous diamond trader who was convicted of murdering a priest.

Born on 9th March 1954, Carlos moved to different places during his childhood. He was born in Porto Velho but at the age of two, he and his mother moved to Rio de Janeiro as he became very sick. Again at the age of six years old, he moved to Lebanon.

Carlos completed his schooling from Lebanon and then he went to Paris for higher education. In 1974, he graduated from Ecole Polytechnique with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. He also went to Mines Paris Tech and graduated in the year 1978.

Early Career

Carlos’s career started with Michelin, a French tire manufacturing company. It is Europe’s largest tire manufacturing company and he worked there for eighteen years. He joined the company in 1978 and in 1984 he became the head of research and development for the company’s industrial tire division. In 1985, Carlos became the Chief Operating Officer for the South American market of Michelin.

Carlos has a very rich multicultural experience and that is why he fled to Rio and helped out Michelin regarding cross-functional management. He led the team with his unique management style and after a couple of years, the division again started making profits. In 1989, Carlos became the COO and President of Michelin North America. He became CEO of the same in the next year.

With Renault and Nissan

In 1996, Carlos became the President in charge of the marketing department and also the manufacturing sector. He had a major contribution to Renault as he was in charge of the South American division as well. He decided to restructure the entire company and in 1997 the company made a huge profit.

In 1999, after the joint partnership of Renault and Nissan, Carlos became the COO of Nissan. He became President of the company in 2000 and became the CEO of the company in 2001. During the year 1999, Nissan was drowning in debt and only three out of forty-six of its models were making profits. Carlos decided to turn the fate of this company and drawn some clear strategies for bringing the company on track.

Carlos also said that if he didn’t achieve the goal by 2001, he will resign from the company. After he started implemented Nissan’s Revival Plan, the company made a profit of $2.7 billion. Carlos successfully reached the goals for the company.

Carlos was named one of the most powerful people in business out of Europe by Fortune. In May 2005, Carlos became the President and CEO of Renault. Carlos became the first person in the entire world to run two famous companies listed on Fortune Global 500. He became one of the prominent figures in the Japanese business world and also outside. In April 2017, he stepped down from the position of Nissan’s CEO.

The allegations

Carlos was accused of misusing the company’s assets and thus Japan’s federal system arrested him. In November 2018, he was arrested at Haneda Airport. Nissan accused him of extorting money from the company for buying his yacht, houses, etc. But, he denies all of it. Carlos also said the justice system of Japan treated him like a terrorist and stood in front of more than a hundred journalists and admitted he is innocent.

But, on 2nd January 2020, Interpol sent a red notice to Lebanon for the arrest of Carlos. He was also in house arrest for a long span in Tokyo.

dodge

Dodge: Story of Classic Vintage and Disputed Success Since 1900

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The two brothers, John Francis Dodge and Horace Elgin Dodge, started carving a niche in the world of automobile, since 1900. And in this journey of 119 years, Dodge has become a connoisseur of high-style vehicles. It is well known for producing high-powered cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and minivans. The company’s headquarters is based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.

Early History of Dodge Brothers

The Dodge brothers grew an interest and skill for machines from their father, who specialized in making engines for marine automobiles. Before founding Dodge, the two brothers worked at the Murphy Boiler Works, in Detroit. In 1897, they established Evans & Dodge Bicycle Company with Fred S. Evans but sold it after a couple of years.

In 1990, the two were established for manufacturing chassis components and other required parts for the automobile industries. The company started flourishing from the very beginning, due to their excellent work and two prime customers, Old Motors and Ford Motor. Initially, they had a workspace in the Boydell Building, but later a plant was built in Mark Avenue. Dodge started receiving huge contracts from Ford, and hence, the main factory was established in Hamtramck, in 1910, to sign in for even higher orders.

Dodge Brothers
Image Source: davidsiwik.net

Relationship with Ford

The once started contract with Ford, an investment of $10,000 brought the entrepreneurs $1.7 million profit and $3.8 million in dividends from their stock, in 1914. The business relationship between these two companies started becoming harsh after Ford reduced the dividends to the stockholders, and the brothers filed a suit in 1916 against the company. This lawsuit proved quite profitable to the company, as it received 10 per cent of the dividend $19 million in 1918. And later, they received a return of $32 million from their total production for Fords.

Founding Dodge Motors

In 1914, Dodge Motors was established with a capital of $5 million. In the same year, they designed their first car- Dodge Model 30/35 touring car. The two brothers already had a reputation in the U.S market for selling the best quality motor parts, and in 1916, their cars were ranked the second best in the U.S.

The company also supplied light wheeled vehicles to the U.S Army and nearly 12,800 cars and trucks were supplied during World War I.

The Unstable Acquisitions

The death of both the Dodge brothers in the year of 1920 led to the constant downfall of the company for the next few years. In 1925, from the second position in the U.S market, it shifted to the fifth place, resulting in selling the company to an investment group, Dillion, Read & Co. Frederick Haynes remained the president of the company, even after it was sold to a different owner.

In October 1925, Dodge acquired 51% interest in Graham brothers for $13 million, and later, acquired the remaining part in May 1926. The Graham brothers established Graham-Paige Company to build a new series of passenger cars, but none of this could take the company to its previous position. So, in 1928, Dodge was again sold to Chrysler Corporation, and it started building Chrysler trucks.

The Chrysler Age

Under the leadership of Chrysler, many new models were launched one modifying the other. In 1932, a new factory was built in Los Angeles, California, to build Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge, and Plymouth vehicles.

Chrysler was very inventive about war vehicles, and Dodge was already popular for its contribution in the U.S army. During World War II, the company (Dodge America) built over 400,000 trucks for the war, and Chrysler Canada built over 180,000 Dodge trucks for British and the Commonwealth militaries.

Postwar, a lot of new models came up, and again, stabilized the name of the company. The Dodge Custom 4-door sedan (1946), Coronet (1956 ), and Coronet 440 sedan (1967) were some of the bestsellers of the comoany during that period.

The oil crisis of 1973 led to a change in the design of many car models, and the number of imported cars from the company’s Japanese partner, Mitsubishi increased. An entire series of luxurious cars were introduced, like Dodge Charger, 1977 Dodge Diplomat sedan, and 1976 Dart 4-door sedan.

Chrysler introduced ‘K-Car’ in the 1980s, but it was replaced by LH, a 1990s leading vehicle, to launch some of the high-rated cars, like LH Dodge Intrepid, Chrysler Concorde and Eagle Vision.

The Modern Age

In 1998, Chrysler Corporation merged with Daimler-Benz AG, and Dodge became the new company’s low-price division.

In 2009, Fiat came in a joint venture with Chrysler under Sergio Marchionne, with the UAW, and the U.S Government to form Chrysler Group LLC. For this partnership, the U.S government-provided a loan which was repaid with interest in 2011, five years prior to the date. In 2014, both Chrysler LLC and Fiat merged to form Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and announced that the company will be based in London.

Renault-Nissan Partners with Waymo to Experiment with Self-driving Cars

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The French automobile company, Renault has partnered with Waymo, the automobile subsidiary of tech giant Alphabet Inc., to bring new autonomous cars to France and Japan. The venture also includes Renault’s Japanese partner Nissan, which will be responsible for the launch of those self-driving cars in Japan.

waymo Self-driving cars
Image Source: engadget.com

With this partnership, Renault and Nissan will be researching on how self-driving cars can help in easing-out the transportation of humans as well as goods and develop driverless mobility services for the same. Noticeably, Waymo has already brought such vehicles in Arizona called Waymo One and a limited robo-taxi pilot program in suburban Phoenix last year. Though the launched cars are fully-autonomous, there is always a human monitor sitting on the other front seat of the car for emergencies.

The companies will also work on the commercial, legal and regularity issues, that are related to the development of self-driving cars and making the transportation-as-a-service for both the countries.

According to the reports, the agreement between the companies has been done for a limited but unspecified time. There has been no comment on the same from either of the company. The agreement also has restricted all the three to work with other companies on a similar project.

“This is an ideal opportunity for Waymo to bring our autonomous technology to a global stage, with an innovative partner. With the Alliance’s international reach and scale, our Waymo Driver can deliver transformational mobility solutions to safely serve riders and commercial deliveries in France, Japan, and other countries,” said John Krafcik, CEO Waymo, in a statement.

Though Waymo is quite excited about this merger, the venture will be a 50-50 partnership between Renault and Nissan for both the countries, and there has been no hint on the role of Waymo for the same. The two companies will be setting up a joint committee to work together in France and Japan.

Earlier, the two companies were in talks with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) to bring next-generation technology and work in the field of self-driving cars. But the merger could not take place, and FCA withdrew the agreement.