Automotive Success

Recent Automotive Announcements

Company	Product	Type	Jobs	Investment
Draexlmaeir Automotive	Interiors	Expansion	100	10,000,000
BMW Manufacturing (2)	Automobiles	Expansion	1,100	0
ZF Group	Transmissions	New	900	350,000,000
Cooper Standard Automotive	Automotive systems & components	Expansion	60	7,000,000
US Engine Valve	Valves for fuel economy	Expansion	10	18,000,000
ASTRA/CFX	Tire & wheel assembly	New	100	9,000,000
CT&T	Electric vehicles	New	370	21,000,000
Sage Automotive (2)	Automotive fabric	New	130	21,000,000
Magna / Drive Automotive	Body panels & assembly	Expansion	0	5,000,000
Proterra	Advanced battery commercial vehicles	New	1,300	68,000,000

Recent Automotive News

Study: Auto sector the key to S.C. job growth

January 2011

A study released by the South Carolina Automotive Council showed that roughly 5.4% of jobs and 10% of economic output in South Carolina can be linked to the automotive industry.

According to the report, the sector supports nearly 85,000 full-time jobs, directly and indirectly which doesn't include figures from companies like ZF Group, CT&T Electric Vehicles, Proterra or American Titanium, all of which have announced plans to locate and hire workers in South Carolina but have not yet done so.

Full Content of "The Economic Impact of South Carolina's Automotive Cluster"

Dr. Doug Woodward's presentation on "The Economic Impact of South Carolina's Automotive Cluster"

Read more on the Automotive Impact on SC at GSA Business.

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ZF Group recruiting suppliers for S.C. facility

February 2011

ZF Group's $350 million transmission plant under construction in Laurens County represents the largest investment the German auto supplier has ever made outside its home country. The company, which  operates 123 productions facilities in 27 countries, will employ around 900 and produce 650,000 transmissions each year at the Laurens facility. Additionally the company would like to have suppliers close by.

Read more on ZF Group and Upstate SC at GSA Business.

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Staubli Corp donates robot to CU-ICAR

February 2011

Stäubli Corporation, a mechatronics-solution provider with its North American headquarters in Duncan, has donated a robot to Clemson University's International Center for Automotive Research. The robot, valued at $45,000, will give students in the University's automotive engineering program hands-on experience in robotic manufacturing.

"Stäubli Corporation considers CU-ICAR an innovative program that will address and strengthen technologies for the future,” said Joe Gemma, Stäubli Robotics Division manager. “The program has highly qualified and educated individuals who will utilize tools available to them to mold tomorrow’s technology leaders. Stäubli is proud to provide our state-of-the-art robots for these endeavors and other collaboration activities to reinforce our relationship between our organizations and solidify the ongoing commitment to advancing technologies."

Read more on Stäubli Corp and Upstate SC at GSA Business.

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Michelin donates high-tech equipment to CU-ICAR

February 2011

Michelin NA, which has headquarters, research and production facilities in the Upstate, has donated a $200,000 oscilloscope to the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research to advance research to improve the safety of electronic communications systems in vehicles.

"Michelin is proud of the work taking place at the Edouard Michelin Research Laboratory. This equipment provides the world-class research teams at CU-ICAR with yet another resource for helping further the innovations and advancements that Michelin remains committed to providing the driving public every day, around the world," said George O'Brien, Michelin's global coordinator of project managers for research and development."

The Edouard Michelin Research Laboratory is a complement to the Michelin Endowed Chair in Vehicle Electronic Systems Integration at CU-ICAR.

Read more on Michelin and Upstate SC at GSA Business.