Mitsubishi Motors’ European production hub (Nedcar) celebrates its 40th anniversary
Just a few weeks before the start of regional production of the very successful Mitsubishi Outlander mid-size SUV, the plant known today as “NedCar” celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Located in Sittard-Geleen, Born, in the Dutch province of Limburg, this factory has brought together cultures, expertise and flexibility like very few other automotive plants in Europe over the last 40 years.
Over 4.5 Million Cars
Dedicated on June 27th, 1968 by Juliana, Queen of the Netherlands, to accommodate the growing needs of the Dutch car manufacturer DAF, this plant became a joint venture operation called “NedCar” - or “Netherlands Car B.V.” in full - when the Dutch State, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and Volvo Car Corporation joined forces in August 1991. In February 1999, the Dutch authorities transferred their shares to the two other partners ending with a 50 / 50 split.
A 100% Mitsubishi Motors subsidiary since March 30th, 2001, NedCar has delivered a total production of 4,560,000 cars (including DAFs, Volvos, Smarts and Mitsubishis) of which 950,000 have been Mitsubishis (Carisma, Space Star and Colt).
High Contribution
Covering 927,000 m² and a covered area of 322,000 m², with a highly automated production tool (over 600 industrial robots), NedCar produced 62,000 cars in 2007.
Over the years, it has proven quality, delivery reliability and cost efficiency performance, reaching high levels within the Mitsubishi industrial world.
The only car manufacturer in the Netherlands, NedCar is also a major contributor for the economies of Limburg and of the adjacent provinces in neighbouring Germany and Belgium with a total of 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Colt , Outlander, 4007 and C-Crosser
With the B-segment Mitsubishi Colt its mainstay product since 2004 (283,000 units built so far), NedCar is now preparing for the next phase of its development: the transfer of production from Japan to Europe of Mitsubishi’s Outlander this summer followed next year by PSA Peugeot Citroën’s Peugeot 4007 and Citroën C-Crosser.
As part of this preparation phase, NedCar has started a recruitment campaign that should increase its headcount from the current 1,600 to 2,000+. To support this plan, a lottery was set up whereby those who would congratulated the plant for its 40th anniversary could win a unique Mitsubishi Colt painted in orange, the Dutch national colour. A testimony of NedCar’s popularity in the region can be seen in some 12,000 greeting cards already received and displayed in the factory.
The decision to make the above transfers has been taken in order to ease the strain on production capacity at the Mizushima Plant, thus avoiding any missed sales opportunities in view of the strong sales of these models in Europe, and also freeing some much needed capacity at Mizushima for the equally successful New Lancer family in all world markets.
As a result of these changes in production sites, the production volume at NedCar will increase considerably as from the second half of 2008, resulting in a corresponding improvement in cost efficiency.
Your Comments
|
