Range extenders can extend the driving range for an electric vehicle ...
Range extenders can extend the driving range for an electric vehicle ...
Range extenders can extend the driving range for an electric vehicle ...
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<strong>an</strong>d services <strong>for</strong> mining, construction, energy, metal recycling<br />
<strong>an</strong>d <strong>the</strong> pulp <strong>an</strong>d paper industries. The Valmet Automotive pl<strong>an</strong>t<br />
production line in Uusikaupunki, Finl<strong>an</strong>d has produced more<br />
th<strong>an</strong> one million cars <strong>for</strong> Porsche AG, Saab, PSA, General<br />
Motors <strong>an</strong>d Avtovaz during its 40-year history. Valmet has also<br />
m<strong>an</strong>ufactured over 220 000 Boxster <strong>an</strong>d Caym<strong>an</strong> models <strong>for</strong><br />
Porsche since 1997.<br />
Valmet Automotive has also developed its own concept<br />
<strong>electric</strong> <strong>vehicle</strong>, which will be showcased at <strong>the</strong> 2010 Geneva<br />
Motor Show. The comp<strong>an</strong>y cooperated with energy comp<strong>an</strong>y<br />
Fortum to develop <strong>an</strong> <strong>electric</strong> concept car <strong>an</strong>d related recharging<br />
technology. “We have now designed <strong>an</strong>d built a concept <strong>for</strong> a 2+2<br />
<strong>electric</strong> city car with a <strong>r<strong>an</strong>ge</strong> of up to 95 miles (approximately 160<br />
kilometers) per charge. The idea was to create new solutions as<br />
a part of our service offering. By bringing toge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> experts<br />
in <strong>the</strong> sector, we <strong>c<strong>an</strong></strong> develop service packages <strong>for</strong><br />
OEM customers, packages that <strong>r<strong>an</strong>ge</strong> from<br />
<strong>electric</strong> <strong>vehicle</strong> design <strong>an</strong>d m<strong>an</strong>ufacturing<br />
to recharging systems,” said Korhonen.<br />
“Our main target is to create new<br />
innovations to benefit our current<br />
<strong>an</strong>d future customers. There are no<br />
decisions to start production of <strong>the</strong><br />
car at Valmet Automotive”.<br />
Automotive Industries (AI)<br />
asked Korhonen why <strong>the</strong> comp<strong>an</strong>y<br />
was developing its own<br />
<strong>electric</strong> concept <strong>vehicle</strong>.<br />
Korhonen: There is no time to<br />
waste to reduce <strong>the</strong> CO2 emissions<br />
caused by traffic. As a <strong>for</strong>erunner in<br />
engineering <strong>an</strong>d m<strong>an</strong>ufacturing <strong>electric</strong><br />
<strong>vehicle</strong>s, Valmet Automotive <strong>c<strong>an</strong></strong> develop<br />
new innovative solutions. There is a large<br />
network of Finnish comp<strong>an</strong>ies <strong>an</strong>d research<br />
institutes that have a lot to give to this project. In<br />
Finl<strong>an</strong>d, <strong>the</strong>re is also a vast charging infrastructure <strong>an</strong>d<br />
<strong>the</strong> charging systems are well developed.<br />
AI: What does it me<strong>an</strong> <strong>for</strong> Valmet Automotive to be<br />
<strong>the</strong> engineering <strong>an</strong>d m<strong>an</strong>ufacturing partner <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> much<br />
awaited Fisker Karma?<br />
Korhonen: The agreement is very signifi<strong>c<strong>an</strong></strong>t <strong>for</strong> us, <strong>an</strong>d<br />
because <strong>the</strong> agreement sp<strong>an</strong>s several years, it also bodes well <strong>for</strong><br />
our employees in <strong>the</strong> years to come. Fisker Automotive’s decision<br />
to start m<strong>an</strong>ufacturing <strong>the</strong> more af<strong>for</strong>dable version of its plug-in<br />
hybrid <strong>vehicle</strong> in <strong>the</strong> USA rein<strong>for</strong>ces <strong>the</strong> br<strong>an</strong>d <strong>an</strong>d <strong>the</strong> fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />
cooperation of <strong>the</strong> comp<strong>an</strong>ies.<br />
AI: Tell us about <strong>the</strong> successful implementation of<br />
Valmet’s renewed strategy <strong>an</strong>d services.<br />
Korhonen: Valmet Automotive’s offering of engineering<br />
<strong>an</strong>d m<strong>an</strong>ufacturing services has received very good<br />
feedback. The current ch<strong>an</strong>ge in <strong>the</strong> automotive industry is<br />
<strong>an</strong> opportunity <strong>for</strong> new players who need engineering <strong>an</strong>d<br />
m<strong>an</strong>ufacturing services as well as business support services<br />
from <strong>an</strong> experienced partner.<br />
Valmet Automotive’s 40-year experience in various automotive<br />
projects is <strong>an</strong> excellent base to provide conventional OEM’s with<br />
tailor-made services. Our service offering will be diversified which<br />
contributes towards <strong>the</strong> growth of our business. We have already<br />
achieved our goal of increasing engineering services to over ten<br />
percent of <strong>the</strong> sales last year.<br />
AI: How would you describe Valmet Automotive’s growing<br />
project m<strong>an</strong>agement skills <strong>an</strong>d engineering capabilities?<br />
Korhonen: The majority of our customers are not only<br />
interested in exploiting <strong>the</strong> engineering <strong>an</strong>d m<strong>an</strong>ufacturing<br />
capabilities of Valmet Automotive, but in delegating <strong>the</strong><br />
orchestration of a complex scope of activities within a<br />
large network of partners.<br />
Thus, our main responsibility is to shorten <strong>an</strong>d support all<br />
interfaces between customers, system suppliers, service providers<br />
<strong>an</strong>d in-house experts in order to achieve all project deadlines. This<br />
is <strong>the</strong> reason why we have focused specifically on exp<strong>an</strong>ding<br />
our project m<strong>an</strong>agement resources <strong>an</strong>d enlarged our team of<br />
engineering experts in selected technological areas.<br />
AI: Tell us about Valmet’s <strong>extend</strong>ed global footprint in<br />
countries like Germ<strong>an</strong>y, China, South Korea, Jap<strong>an</strong> <strong>an</strong>d<br />
<strong>the</strong> US.<br />
Korhonen: As a Europe<strong>an</strong>-based automotive comp<strong>an</strong>y, having<br />
<strong>an</strong> office in Germ<strong>an</strong>y is vital. Developing long-term partnerships<br />
with our current customers such as Fisker Automotive in <strong>the</strong> US,<br />
<strong>an</strong>d building relationships with targeted customers in Asia, are <strong>the</strong><br />
main reasons <strong>for</strong> our presence abroad. AI<br />
Automotive Industries 67<br />
“<br />
Valmet Automotive’s<br />
40-year experience in<br />
various automotive<br />
projects is <strong>an</strong> excellent<br />
base to provide OEM’s<br />
with tailor-made<br />
services.<br />
”<br />
Ilpo Korhonen, president of<br />
Valmet Automotive.
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