On 2nd and 3rd of March 2011 the 1st AutoNet Annual Conference together with the Symposium for Suppliers in Central Europe took place as “Sharing Automotive Competence in Central Europe” at the Congress Center of Leipzig. At the conference, which was organized by the Saxony Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), more than 130 participants from ten countries were informed of present developments in automotive industry of Central Europe in three sessions. The main topics “Alternative Drive Systems”, “Upgraded Capacities of the Automotive Industry” and “Cooperation with International Networks” were discussed by international experts, who are all conform that the further development of alternative drive systems will be essential for the automotive industry I the future.

The SEDC gives you the opportunity to look at and download the presentations of the involved regions in session 1 and session 2 as well as the presentations fo the experts of session 3.

ACS is a partner in the project AutoNet which aims to promote the CE region as a sustainable, innovative environment for the creation of new processes, innovations and materials in the automotive industry. Through the creation of the ‘AutoNet’ business network firms and actors in the automotive industry in the CE region will be able to establish new partnerships to further create new innovative solutions and products.

More info about the project can be found on www.autonet-central.eu.

See also our first Newsletter, PDF format, November 2010

You are kindly invited to the 12th BAIKA One-on-One cooperation platform for manufacturers and suppliers, organized by Bayern Innovativ GmbH. On 20 - 21 September 2010, approximately representatives of more than 200 companies and institutes from 25 countries are expected in Lindau, with some 1000 pre-arranged one-on-one business meetings being organised for them. On average, each participant has 15 cooperation meetings with partners of his own choice, with a high success rate of nearly 50 per cent according to past experience.

The BAIKA One-on-One Cooperation Forum opens up comprehensive tailor-made opportunities for establishing direct contacts with automobile manufacturers and suppliers as well as with experts from other sectors such as electronics, mechanical engineering and material development. Take advantage of this opportunity to initiate new cooperations today for the developments of tomorrow.

Please find more information in the attached flyer.

The project AUTOCLUSTERS has an aim to develop a network of existing SME facilities together with R&D or universities in automotive industry. The purpose of the project is to realize second level clustering activities with objectives to increase innovation capacities, increase effectiveness of technology transfer – improve the innovation circle in automotive industry, and through the project clearly address the global objectives – facilitating innovation, knowledge economy and information society. For more information check www.autoclusters.eu.

• Autoclusters newsletter, PDF

Ljubljana, 11 January (STA) - The Novo mesto-based subsidiary of French car maker Renault saw a record year in 2009, generating EUR 1.28bn in revenues and EUR 20.6m in net profit. Revoz chairman Ales Bratoz however told Monday's business supplement of the daily Delo that the company expected a lower output this year.

"We worked very well in the crisis, we surpassed the previous record output by more than 12,000 cars. The total production was at 212,680," Bratoz told Delo FT about the 2009 results of the company assembling Renault's Clio II and Twingo cars. Revoz will probably work at full capacity in the first part of 2010, while the second part could see a drop in orders and consequently a decrease in output, he said. This could result in abandoning the third shift.

"If we have to work in two shifts, we will have to reduce the number of workers," Bratoz said, adding that cuts in wages would be discussed only if the output decreased drastically. While in early spring of 2009 Revoz could hardly keep pace with a surging demand, it seems that the production in 2010 will calm down.

Bratoz said the main reason was that Twingo was entering the fourth year of production and that government incentives for new cars would expire in some countries. Incentives in France will still be in force, but will be reduced gradually.

Novo mesto, 3 December (STA) - With financial incentives for new cars in European countries boosting orders and allowing the Novo mesto-based car plant Revoz to switch back to the three-shift production in April, the management of the Renault subsidiary hopes that the factory will end 2009 with a record annual output.

Revoz spokesperson Nevenka Basek Zildzovic said on Thursday that the management believes that the record of slightly more than 200,000 cars a year would be surpassed at the beginning of December. In 2008, Revoz put out 198,096 cars. Two-thirds of the cars produced were Twingo city cars, while one third were Clio II superminis. The most successful year for Revoz was 2007, when it made 200,162 cars.

Basek Zildzovic said this year was marked with the financial and economic crisis, whose consequences were felt primarily in the automobile industry. Revoz was fortunate because it produces economy cars, whose sales were boosted the most with the financial incentives, she added. The spokesperson added that one should be careful with projections, because the market had not recovered yet. Next year will be very uncertain for the industry as the financial incentives will be abolished in numerous European countries.

Ljubljana, 23 July (STA) - The SID bank, the state-owned export and development bank, published on Thursday a call for development projects in the automotive industry. Reserved for companies based in Slovenia, the tender is based on a EUR 380m loan SID secured on Wednesday from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

The call, starting in September and running until the end of 2010, is worth EUR 136m, EUR 80m of which comes from the EIB's loan while EUR 56m comes from other sources. The funds are aimed at R&D investments in the automotive industry, with priority on new-generation vehicle technologies with lower emissions and higher efficiency.

The contract under which SID will borrow EUR 380m from the EIB was signed yesterday in Ljubljana. SID chairman Sibil Svilan told the press that the bank would use the loan to fund a new developmental breakthrough and help mitigate consequences of the financial crisis, securing long-term development of the Slovenian economy.

Apart from EUR 80m that is earmarked for the call published today, EUR 150m will be spent for funding projects in SMEs, EUR 100m for funding infrastructural investments by municipalities, and EUR 50m for environmental projects.

Due to the current economic crisis JAMA and CLEPA have jointly decided to postpone the JAMA-CLEPA Business Conference originally scheduled for June 2009 in Ljubljana (Slovenia).

JAMA and CLEPA will discuss the new economic conditions in spring 2009. The new date would be communicate to all participants and exhibitors as soon as possible, in order to allow for sufficient time to organize the conference.