TRUCKMAKERS NEWS * Japan - Auto Plants Reopen Amid Supply Chain Woes

Manufacturers struggle with parts shortages, unreliable electrical supplies

Tokyo,Japan -The Journal of Commerce Online (USA), by Joseph Bonney  -Apr 8, 2011: -- Japanese automakers plan to resume production at domestic auto plants this month but said they’re still struggling with shortages of parts and unreliable electrical supplies that will hamper output... Plants outside Japan, including those of the Big Three U.S. automakers, have slowed or interrupted production to conserve parts that are in short supply...

* Toyota said it will resume production at half the pre-earthquake levels from April 18-27, before its plants close for Japan’s annual Golden Week spring holiday from April 28-May 9. Production after the holiday will be based on the availability of parts.

* Nissan said today it would resume domestic production at half capacity on April 11 and begin limited production April 18 at a parts factory that was hit by the tsunami. The automaker said it is unclear how long it can keep its entire Japanese operations running while supplies of components are tight.

* Honda plans to restart all its Japanese car plants April 11 but the company said its production cuts in North America would be extended through April 18. The company’s CEO, Takanobu Ito, said the company hopes to return to pre-disaster output in Japan in two to three months...

* South Africa - Hino 700 is even tougher

Johannesburg,South Africa -iafrica/motoring -11 Apr 2011: -- Significant changes have been made to the Hino 700 Series extra-heavy duty truck tractor that was introduced to South Africa in 2004... The changes make it even more competitive in the highest growth sector of the SA truck market, while the revised model range will open up some important new markets to Hino... The most important new feature, which will find favour with many truck operators and drivers in South Africa, is the introduction of the ZF-AS Tronic electronically-controlled, 16-speed, automated manual transmission... (Photo: The Hino 700)

* Germany - Daimler and Bosch to establish joint venture for electric motors

Stuttgart,Germany -Daimler blog -April 12, 2011: -- Daimler AG and Robert Bosch GmbH plan to expand their long-standing partnership and cooperate in the development and production of electric motors for all-electric vehicles in Europe... The companies have signed a letter of intent and begun negotiations to establish a 50:50 joint venture that should be concluded in the first half of 2011.
Both companies aim, by bundling their competencies, to accelerate development advances in electric motors as well as to make accordant synergies accessible. According to their letter of intent, joint production should start in 2012. It is envisioned that the electric motors developed will be used in Mercedes-Benz and smart electric vehicles from 2012. Subsequent sales to other automakers are to be handled by Bosch. The joint activites will be located in the greater Stuttgart area and in Hildesheim...