Auto Components

BANGKOK — Thailand's worst floods in decades have jolted a global supply chain already straining under the impact of Japan's tsunami, as deluged factories threaten some of the kingdom's key export industries.

Toyota, Ford, Honda and Isuzu have all suspended car assembly in Thailand, a regional automotive hub -- a move expected to hit output of thousands of vehicles.

While most of the country's auto factories are on the eastern coast, outside the worst affected zones, a clutch of large industrial parks north of Bangkok home to plants producing vital components have been inundated.

Electronics firms are also braced for a slowdown in output, with US groups Seagate Technology Inc. and Western Digital Corp. warning their production of hard disk drives would be hit by the disaster.

Thai floods curb production of cars, electronics - AFP

The event is part of the celebration of National Car Care Month in October. The college automotive technology program will conduct the vehicle inspections from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at NAPA Auto Parts, 1000 S. 45th St. In addition to the inspections, those attending will be able to enjoy hot dogs and refreshments, register to win door prizes and make donations to YMCA of Jefferson County.

During the inspections, professional technicians will identify ways you may improve gas mileage, enhance performance of your vehicle, increase safety and reduce emissions, according to information from Rend Lake College.

National Car Care Month is a nationwide effort to focus motorists’ attention on the importance of vehicle care and maintenance. During National Car Care Month, many repair facilities and auto parts stores join local businesses, civic groups, radio stations and others to sponsor free vehicle check-ups.

For more information about this event, please contact Nigel Thompson, RLC automotive technology professor, at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1806, or at thompson@rlc.edu.

National Car Care Month event to take place - Mt. Vernon Register-News

NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Toyota Motor Corp. said Friday it has decided to extend its production suspension at its three plants in Thailand through Oct. 22 due to flooding that has disrupted its supply chain.

Honda Motor Co., meanwhile, said operations at its vehicle factory in Thailand will be suspended through Oct. 21 due to the flooding, while a parts shortage forced Nissan Motor Co. to abandon plans to resume production Saturday at its Thai assembly plant, officials at the Japanese automakers said.

Toyota said although the flood has not had a direct impact on its plants or employees in Thailand, it has decided to extend the production halt because of supply chain disruptions.

The latest move follows the company's earlier announcement that it was halting production from Monday through Saturday this week. The automaker does not operate the Thai plants on Sundays.

Toyota extends Thai output halt to Oct. 22 due to flooding - Mainichi Daily News

Continental Automotive Systems will hire 100 additional full-time workers at its plant in Seguin to keep up with growing orders from automakers such as Ford Motor Co.

The company, a unit of German conglomerate Continental AG, employs 1,000 people in the city just east of San Antonio, producing electronic components for the auto industry.

Two of the nationâ??s â??big threeâ?? automakers sought bankruptcy reorganization in 2009 as new-car purchases dropped by nearly half during the recession.

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Auto-parts maker Continental is expanding workforce in Seguin - San Antonio Business Journal

MG-T dropped Thursday after the auto parts giant said it was being investigated by the U.S. Justice Department on an antitrust matter in the auto tooling industry.

The company said Thursday that it was co-operating in the investigation, which centres on tooling contract bids by its Cosma International unit. Cosma produces vehicle body and chassis systems and provides vehicle engineering services.

Magna spokeswoman Tracy Fuerst said the company takes these matters “very seriously,” saying it was notified of the investigation “recently” and disclosed it “promptly.” “We do not anticipate any interruption in providing our customers with the highest quality products and servicing the global automotive industry,” Ms. Fuerst said. Magna has never been investigated by the Justice Department before, but requests for information are “relatively common for companies in our industry,” she added.

David Tyerman, an auto parts industry analyst with Genuity Capital, said it appears the Magna investigation is part of a broader Justice Department crackdown into anti-competitive activities in the auto parts industry that began in early 2010. “There are a number of players caught up,” he said.

Magna part of US antitrust investigation - Globe and Mail