American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. said May 28 new and incremental business orders will increase to approximately $1.4 billion between 2009 and 2013 driven partly from increased demand for rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive applications.
The supplier of driveline and drivetrain systems, which recently settled a three-month labor strike with the United Autoworkers union, is sourcing 85% of the new business to non-U.S. facilities. The company says producing the products outside the United States will make it more cost competitive and grow its "global manufacturing footprint" throughout Asia, Europe and Latin America.
Recent developments contributing to the increased growth include:
- Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.'s selection of American Axle to produce rear axles and driveshafts for a 2010 model-year light vehicle program, which will be manufactured at the company's Guanajuato, Mexico, facility for the North American market.
- Renault S.A.'s selection of American Axle to manufacture rear dual-wheel axles for a 2011 model-year light commercial vehicle program. These components will be manufactured at the company's Changshu, China, manufacturing facility for consumers in Brazil, Russia, India, and China.
- Audi AG has awarded American Axle new and incremental transmission differential business. These components will be manufactured at the company's Olawa, Poland, manufacturing facility.
- Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd. has selected American Axle to produce independent rear drive assemblies for a 2010 model-year crossover utility vehicle program. These components will be manufactured at the company's Changshu, China, facility for the domestic market in China.
- Chery Automobile Co. Ltd. has chosen American Axle to supply driveshafts for a 2009 model year crossover vehicle. This vehicle will also feature the company's rear-drive modules. These components also will be produced at the company's Changshu, China, manufacturing facility.
