Examination of Firearms Review: 2007 to 2010 - Interpol

The majority of the information was obtained from Automotive News, which is a
weekly publication. As such, some of the projections (e.g. model year available)
may not be accurate or may not have come to fruition. Where possible, most of
the information reported herein was confirmed via internet searches or through
industry contacts.
One trend that has remained steady regardless of the global economy is that car
production in China is growing four times faster than the rest of the world. In a
study published in 2008, it states that Chinese vehicle production more than
doubled over the period from 2001-2005.[19] It was also reported that all major
multinational producers of automotive coatings are active in China, supplying
leading international automotive manufacturers, which have been setting up and
acquiring plants in that country.[20]
2.1.1 Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo reported its new Giulietta hatchback will go on sale in Europe in
spring, 2010. It replaces the 147, which launched in 2000.[21]
2.1.2 Audi
In February, 2009, Karmann stopped building the Audi A4 Cabriolet convertible,
which had been assembled at their plant in Rheine, Germany. Karmann later
filed for bankruptcy in April 2009.[22] In 2010, Audi began production of a fuelefficient
premium small car, the A1. It will be available as a 2011 model in
Europe and will be assembled at Audi’s Brussels factory.[21]
2.1.3 BMW
The last Z4 coupes and roadsters were built at BMW’s Spartanburg, SC plant in
late August, 2008. The second-generation Z4, beginning model year 2009, are
built at BMW’s Regensburg, Germany plant.[23] In December, 2008, BMW
reported that the $750 million expansion of their Spartanburg, SC factory is
proceeding on time and on budget. Production of the X3 crossover, currently
built at contract assembler Magna Steyr’s factory in Graz, Austria will move to
Spartanburg upon completion of the expansion. It is expected to begin
production in early 2011.[23] The Dürr Group, based in Stuttgart, Germany, is
responsible for the remodel and expansion of the paint shop at the factory. The
production capacity is expected to increase from 160,000 to 240,000 units by
2012. The paint shop, built by Dürr in 1996 will be expanded by 28,000 square
meters or 80%. It will include dip-coating and drying, where RoDip (a rotation
dipping process) will be used. Most recently Dürr expanded and modernized the
paint shop at the BMW site in Oxford, England where the Mini is produced.[24]
In June, 2009, the Spartanburg plant reported that about 75 percent of its
production is exported to global markets.[25]
In April, 2010, contacts at the BMW Spartanburg, SC plant relayed the following
information regarding the integrated paint process (IPP II), currently being
implemented at the plant: color codes M475, M354, and U300 (Black Sapphire
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