Renault has announced investment & large scale growth & model launches in Iran now sanctions have been lifted.

• For more than ten years, Groupe Renault has been active in Iran and consistent in its strategic choices.
• Since 2003, Renault and its Iranian partners, SAIPA and IRAN KHODRO, have produced close to 500,000 vehicles.
• Following the launches of the Logan Pick-up and the Sandero in 2015, Renault and its Iranian partners are stepping up their cooperation and preparing the introduction of other models.

During President Rouhani’s visit to France, Groupe Renault reaffirmed Iran’s position since 2003 as a very important market for company strategy, characterised by two key words: calm and consistent.

For more than ten years without interruption, Renault Pars, a joint venture with Iran’s two main auto manufacturers, Saipa and Iran Khodro, has enabled the Group to produce nearly 500,000 vehicles in the country.

In 2015, two new vehicles were manufactured: the Logan Pick-up with Iran Khodro and the Sandero with Saipa. These models are the latest additions to a line-up that has met with success among the Iranian people.

Thanks to the lifting of economic sanctions against Iran on January 16, and as soon as smooth relations have resumed between French and Iranian banks, Renault will considerably intensify operations in Iran and prepare future model releases in association with its two local partners.

“With a market amounting to two million vehicles by 2020, Iran has undeniable potential. Renault has ambitious plans in Iran and advanced discussions are currently underway with Saipa and Iran Khodro to step up our presence, develop our structures and support the automobile sector in Iran,” said Bernard Cambier, Director of the Africa-Middle East-India region.

In 2015, Group sales in Iran soared by 56.1% compared to 2014, to reach a total of 51,500 vehicles and 4.8% of market share.

USA - After a further $44 Million investment at Bowling Green Assembly plant, you can now build your engine.

36 new jobs to support capacity increase

General Motors said Wednesday it will invest $44 million in the Bowling Green Assembly plant to support increased capacity in its Performance Build Center, adding 36 new jobs. Construction and tool re-arrangement is planned to start in January 2016. 

The expansion of the Performance Build Center is fueled by the success of the Corvette Z06, which currently accounts for nearly a third of all Corvettes produced at Bowling Green Assembly.

The Performance Build Center also offers a one-of-a-kind experience for customers – the Build Your Own Engine program. This program allows customers to assemble the 650-hp supercharged LT4 engine for their cars. The $5,000 option package includes a full day with a Performance Build Center engine assembly technician who instructs and oversees the build, a personalized engine plaque identifying the customer and professional photography.

“Coupled with the investment, for $439 million for a new paint shop and facility upgrades announced in May, GM has committed $483 million to Bowling Green this year alone,” said plant manager Kai Spande. “These significant investments indicate the company’s confidence in Bowling Green, the Performance Build Center and our skilled workforce.”

Construction took place in 2013 and early 2014, with engine production beginning in the second quarter of 2014. The Performance Build Center produces the 2016 LT4 6.2L V-8 for the Chevrolet Corvette Z06.

GM has added 316 new jobs and invested a total of $617.5 million over the last four years at Bowling Green. 

• May 4, 2011: $131 Million; 250 new jobs to support the new Corvette Stingray
• January 30, 2013: $3.5 million; 30 new jobs to support the Performance Build Center move from Wixom, Mich., to Bowling Green
• May 21, 2015: $439 million; 150 jobs retained to support a new paint shop and other facility upgrades
• November 12, 2015: $44 million; 36 new jobs to support capacity increase at the Performance Build Center

USA - General Motors continues its vast investment program, this time $119M at Grand Rapids Operations.

General Motors announced today it will invest $119 million in tools and equipment to support production of future vehicle components at its Grand Rapids Operations, creating approximately 300 future jobs.

The plant currently has approximately 500 employees on three shifts and produces a variety of precision-machined automotive engine components used in Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles.

Details about program timing and applications will be released later.

“This investment in the future recognizes the excellent workforce at Grand Rapids Operations” said GM North America Manufacturing Manager Scott Whybrew. 

“It also demonstrates GM’s collaboration with our UAW partners to innovate and bring tangible benefits to our customers.”

The investment in the GM Components Holdings, LLC plant is part of the $5.4 billion investment in U.S. facilities that GM announced April 30, with approximately $3 billion identified to date. 

Today’s news of 300 future plant jobs represents nearly half of the 650 planned employee additions within GM.

“By working together, UAW members and GM are making a difference in communities across the United States,” said UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada. 

“These investments represent the power of our partnership and collective bargaining to create jobs and improve competitiveness, quality and our manufacturing base in this country.”