[ad_1]
Volkswagen Trucks and Buses wishes to replicate the modular consortium model of the Resende (RJ) plant in order to attract component suppliers to the production of electric and hybrid vehicles. The group deals with companies such as Meritor (axles and suspension), Siemens (engines and electrical components) and ZF (transmissions) to create a specific complex for new vehicles. She also hopes to eventually attract a battery manufacturer.
Inaugurated 22 years ago, the factory introduces the unprecedented concept of a modular consortium bringing together in the same sector its production line and seven auto parts manufacturers, which provide badembled kits of chbadis, axles and suspensions, wheels and tires, engine and transmission and make painting, welding and finishing of cabins.
The automaker is already testing two electric trucks in the streets of São Paulo that deliver drinks in partnership with Ambev. The carriers providing services to Ambev have ordered 1,600 fueled trucks to be delivered by 2023.
Volkswagen is also seeking to establish a partnership to launch, in six months, tests with a bus hybrid gasoline or ethanol). Both vehicles were developed in Brazil and, to continue the projects, the company will hire 100 additional engineers. Today, there are 400.
The e-Delivery electric truck and the Volksbus e-flex hybrid bus will go into mbad production in 2020. Until then, the company expects to have suppliers of various components such as engine and axle. The test trucks have Weg's national engine and batteries imported from China. "Our intention is one day to have a local battery producer," said Roberto Cortes, president of Volkswagen Trucks and Buses, which is part of the Traton Group (which also joins MAN and Scania).
Demand drives vacation
Total truck sales up in November increased by 50%, reaching 68,800 units, and bus sales, by 27.4%. In turn, Volkswagen increased sales of both segments by 51%, to 17,100 units and 2,900, respectively.
With demand on the rise, the company hired 350 employees this month, who will begin work in January on a second shift. The car manufacturer and the suppliers of the complex came to work in three teams (24 hours uninterrupted) in 2012 and 2013, but were reduced to two at the beginning of the economic crisis and, since 2015, operate as a single team. With recruitment, the group currently employs 3,550 people.
"This year's recovery was strong and exceeded our expectations," said Cortes. "I am confident that 2018 officially ends one of the most serious periods of our economy." The executive expects double-digit sales growth in 2019. Most industry executives work between 15% and 20%.
Despite the recovery, the plant, which has a production capacity of 80,000 vehicles a year, still operates with inactivity of 50% to 60%.
[ad_2]
Source link
