As vehicles get more and more complex, auto suppliers will need everything in their arsenal to win major contracts from automakers. According to an article on Just-Auto (sub. req'd), by the year 2012, automotive suppliers will bear more than half of the total research and development of a given automobile. What this means for suppliers is that they need to stay at the forefront in environmental technologies. Increasingly complex systems will be necessary for automobiles to meet stringent emissions and fuel efficiency requirements. Biofuels and clean diesel technology are reportedly one area that suppliers are being relied rather heavily upon.

Not only must the suppliers integrate the latest technology into their equipment, they need to do so at an agreeable cost to the manufacturer. Donald Walker of Magna International indicates that the road ahead will not be easy, saying, "There will be fewer pieces of the business to bid on, so the supply chain is going to shrink. Some suppliers will prosper and others will go out of business." Sounds like an already tough business stands to get even tougher.

[Source: Just-Auto - sub. req'd]

Those who follow the automotive industry closely are surely familiar with Magna International, one of the largest auto parts suppliers in the world -- so large, in fact, that the company was actually in on the bidding to purchase Chrysler from Daimler last year. Now it seems that the global company is throwing its hat into the plug-in hybrid ring. Magna founder Frank Stronach says, "You don't have to be a great scientist to know that we're going to be out of oil sooner or later." The company is investing $30 million into the hybrid project, which reportedly involves gasoline, electric and natural gas powerplants. Magna's Austrian arm is leading the project.

Magna is no stranger to the assembly of cars, holding contracts for such revered marques as BMW and Mercedes Benz. We have few details on the actual vehicle being considered, though. All we know for sure is that its likely to play in a market not occupied by its customers. We look forward to finding the answers to such questions as whether or not the vehicle will be sold under the Magna name and what countries the vehicle is being designed for. We'll keep you posted.

[Source: ReportonBusiness.com]

At the Geneva Motor Show earlier in March contract vehicle assembler Magna Steyr unveiled a concept for a small, lightweight off-roader called the Mila Alpin. The Mila Alpin was designed to accommodate a variety of different power-trains including hybrids and electric drives. According to German mag Auto Motor und Sport, they are now talking with both BMW and Mercedes about potentially using the Mila Alpin architecture to underpin new models from the German manufacturers. Since Magna doesn't produce vehicles under its own branding, the Mila Alpin was alway intended as a platform that could be adopted by other companies. Mercedes had always designed the sandwich floor architecture of the A and B-Class in part to accommodate alternative drivetrains. Mercedes however has of late been looking for a partner to help develop the next generation models to reduce the cost. BMW is planning new smaller electric vehicles, possibly with the revival of the Isetta brand. A range of vehicles, including an off-roader, could provide an interesting re-launch to the brand.


[Source: The Truth About Cars]

Although we aren't too fond of making an SUV SAV into a symbol of good fuel economy (and some people think that Mini has gone mad because of this announcement), plans for the new MINI Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) are moving ahead. MINI announced that the SAV will be built by Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik in Graz, Austria, whch has previously produced BMW's X3. This move allows MINI to increase the number of models without needing to build a new plant. The standard Mini, the convertible and the Clubman are currently built in a plant in Oxford, England, which will shortly reach production figures of 260,000 vehicles per year.

The press release remarks that BMW will be responsible for the brand and the concept, including the drivetrain and design of the supply contracts whereas Magna will be in charge developing the model and production, as well as any of call-offs. Full press release after the jump.

[Source: MINI]