Esson, France, Plant Launches Production; Meritor Launches Production at New Plant in France To Supply New Generation Electric Motors
26 February 1998
Esson, France, Plant Launches Production; Meritor Launches Production at New Plant in France To Supply New Generation Electric Motors
DETROIT, Feb. 26 -- Meritor Automotive, Inc.'s
Light Vehicle Systems business has announced the opening and production start-
up of its new plant and global technical Center of Expertise for Electric
Motor development in Esson, France. The 70,000-square foot facility began
production early in February 1998. The plant will produce Meritor's advanced
new generation motors (NGM). The new motors will be supplied initially for
window regulator applications on the all-new Peugeot SAXO and Renault Clio
passenger cars. Further applications are planned for new and existing OEM
platforms worldwide.
"What we have done is to more efficiently combine the production of motors
and various motor components from two older buildings, while at the same time
tooling and equipping for the production of our highly advanced new generation
motor," said Tom Lewis, managing director for LVS Electric Motors.
Global Motor Design
The new NGM system is an ultra-light, compact motor designed for ease of
assembly and installation. It has nearly 30 percent fewer parts than
traditional window regulator motors. The motor's basic design is easily
customized to meet differing power and speed requirements for every
application.
Applying the LVS systems expertise in designing the NGM, the drive pinion
has two points of support, one within the motor itself and an outboard
support. When installed on an LVS window regulator, this added support
results in a more durable product while offering quieter operation.
"By having the ability to specifically apply the NGM motor for individual
OEM platforms, we assure automakers of constant, high-quality operation of
their powered components under all conceivable operating conditions," Lewis
explained.
Global Asset Deployment
In addition to producing the advanced NGM motors at Esson, Meritor has a
strategy for deploying its NGM motor production assets to locate production in
closer proximity to customer component and vehicle assembly plants.
"Our final motor assembly process can be easily deployed in production
lines close to the customers' own facilities within the served market or
region," Lewis noted. "We're studying several possibilities in Europe, North
America and South America," he added.
Globally Developed
The NGM motor was developed in France with design and engineering inputs
from several Meritor world locations, including North America, Latin America
and Asia/Pacific. The new motor is designed for application on vehicle
platforms in all of the major world markets, Lewis explained.
"It was very important to receive design input and assistance from Meritor
specialists familiar with the requirements of every major regional market,"
Lewis said.
Computer-Aided Design
Meritor's Design Simulation and Analysis (S&A) Team, based in
Gordonsville, Tennessee, completed virtual functional design verification
during the early phases of the motor's development. The S&A team consists of
computational simulation analysts who formerly simulated and monitored launch
operations for the NASA Space Shuttle Orbiter.
These specialists applied computer-aided engineering (CAE) techniques to
trial design variations and transmitted results to the involved engineers via
the company's Intranet to ensure the motor exceeded customer functional and
quality goals, Lewis explained.
Meritor Automotive, with 1997 sales of approximately $3.3 billion, is a
world leading supplier of a broad range of components and systems for
commercial, specialty and light vehicles. Meritor consists of two global
businesses: Heavy Vehicle Systems, a leading supplier of drivetrain systems
and components for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, trailers and off-highway
equipment and specialty vehicles including military, bus and coach, and fire
and rescue; and Light Vehicle Systems, a major supplier of roof, door, access
control and seat adjusting systems, electric motors and electronic controls,
suspension systems and wheels for passenger cars, light trucks and sport
utility vehicles.
SOURCE Meritor Automotive, Inc.