Valmet Automotive Inc. news feed

Valmet Automotive, Solaris S.A. to cooperate in Finland

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:00:00 +0300

Valmet Automotive, experienced service provider for the automotive industry, and leading European bus manufacturer Solaris Bus & Coach S.A. have signed an agreement on cooperation in Finland. Based on the agreement Valmet Automotive will consult and support Solaris’ entry to the Finnish market area. Possibilities for product development cooperation are also being considered.

Valmet Automotive reinforces its Business Services with a cooperation agreement with the Polish bus manufacturer Solaris Bus & Coach. Within the open-ended agreement, Valmet Automotive has a versatile role as Solaris’ partner in Finland. Solaris will operate as the importer of its busses. A local partner, Pehycon, will be responsible for service and maintenance.

Valmet Automotive intends to expand the Business Services considerable in the next few years. The Solaris agreement extends the service offering to buses, and enables Valmet Automotive to use its strong expertise in marketing consulting.

”Bus operators in Finland have been waiting for Solaris’ entry. We are pleased that we can help Solaris in their efforts in Finland from the very beginning. Solaris introduces several interesting, modern and competitive alternatives”, says Mr. Hans Svensson, Sales and Marketing Director, Business Services, Valmet Automotive.

Solaris was founded in 2001, and has an annual turnover of EUR 290 million. The company is acknowledged for its comprehensive and advanced product range, including hybrid, gas and diesel buses, trolleys and trams. Solaris’ first full electric bus is already in test drive stage. The main Solaris market areas are Poland, Germany, Italy, Central Europe and Scandinavia.

”Solaris intends to establish itself strongly in Scandinavia, and entry in Finland is a strategic choice. We are pleased to have Valmet Automotive, a well-known and capable partner in Finland”, says Ms. Malgorzata Olszewska, Global Sales and Marketing Director, Solaris.

Further information:
Hans Svensson, Sales and Marketing Director, Valmet Automotive
Tel. +358 400 355 378
E-mail: hans.svensson@valmet-automotiv e.com

Valmet Automotive is an experienced provider of automotive engineering, vehicle manufacturing, convertible roof systems and related business services. Our special areas of expertise are premium cars, convertibles and electric vehicles. We employ 1,700 professionals in Finland, Germany, Poland, Sweden, China and the USA.

Valmet Automotive participates in Eco Urban Living project

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 04:45:00 +0300

As a leading service provider for the automotive industry and a pioneer of electric mobility, Valmet Automotive is active in projects to study, test and develop new vehicle and infrastructure solutions.

Valmet Automotive participates in Eco Urban Living project, a development platform for new urban development and electromobility related technologies. The Eco Urban Living initiative aims to research, test and demonstrate the features and functionality of fully electric vehicles as well as the economic feasibility of related components. The initiative operates on an open platform allowing for the development and utilization of all types of equipment and services.

The EUL initiative promotes the development of new electric vehicle related technologies and services as well as strengthening international networking. This will support the rapid commercialization and utilization of results both nationally and internationally. The initiative has three dimensions: regional, research-oriented and commercial. The EUL components include:

- EV technology
- Customer dialogue
- Market making ecosystems
- World Alliance for Low Carbon Cities

The initiative is supported by companies such as Synocus and Valmet Automotive, universities and research institutes such as Aalto University, the Technical University of Lappeenranta, Hanken School of Economics, and the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) as well as the City of Espoo.

Mr. Olli-Pekka Vanhanen appointed CFO

Wed, 2 Nov 2011 01:59:00 +0300

To ensure the implementation of the Valmet Automotive growth strategy the organizational structures are developed. Consequently, the Group finance and IT organizations are combined and the organization of Business Development is reinforced.

Mr. Olli-Pekka Vanhanen (M.Sc. Economics) has been appointed CFO (Chief Financial Officer) of Valmet Automotive as of November 21, 2011. He will lead and develop Valmet Automotive operations globally in finance, accounting, reporting, IT, legal affairs and administration.

Mr.Vanhanen takes Executive Team level responsibility of finance, IT and legal functions. He reports to President Ilpo Korhonen.

The experience of Mr. Vanhanen consists of executive management positions and international responsibilities in companies like Elqotec Group and Finnforest Group, Kalmar Industries Group, Wärtsilä and IVO/Imatran Voima.

Furthermore, Business Development organization is reinforced. The target is to ensure the implementation of the strategy, to develop new services and to expand the company’s service portfolio in Asia and the USA.

Mr. Rainer Karjalainen reinforces Business Development organization as of November 1, 2011 being responsible for finance of Business Development. In his new task he reports to Mr. Erik Torseke, Senior Vice President, Business Services, Sales and Marketing.

Electric Vehicle Maker THINK™ Resets for a New Start

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:55:00 +0300

OSLO, Norway (July 25, 2011) – THINK Global AS, a leading manufacturer of pure electric cars, has been purchased by a prominent international technology entrepreneur committed to maintaining the company’s key role in global transportation electrification.

A court-appointed trustee decided on Mr. Boris G. Zingarevich, whose investment operations are based in St. Petersburg, Russia, as the winning bidder following a bankruptcy proceeding initiated by the Norwegian company last month.

In addition, Mr. Zingarevich has signed a memorandum of understanding with American advanced lithium-ion battery maker Ener1, Inc. and Finnish automobile engineering and manufacturing concern Valmet Automotive, Inc. to cooperate in relaunching THINK.

"Having achieved the position of one of the world's most highly regarded electric vehicle products, the THINK brand is a valuable asset that deserves to continue its key role in the global shift to electrification," said Mr. Zingarevich. "With the potential of working with the leading American lithium-ion battery maker and Europe's top automobile engineering and manufacturing company, I believe we could have exactly the right combination and value chain to ensure that the brand will be increasingly competitive in the worldwide electric vehicle market."

The assets of wholly owned subsidiaries THINK North America and THINK UK, which have remained going concerns during the bankruptcy proceeding for THINK Global, were also acquired in the transaction. The name of the new company marketing THINK brand products will be Electric Mobility Solutions AS.

Ener1 and Valmet were the senior secured creditors of THINK when the company filed for bankruptcy after failing to raise adequate capital to continue financing operations. Ener1 and Valmet are negotiating stakes in the company on the basis of a debt restructuring. Mr. Zingarevich has been a major investor in Ener1 since 2002 and provided bridge funding for THINK while the company attempted reorganization before filing for bankruptcy.

A new sales and service structure for THINK will be announced soon. The production restart, with a refined version of the THINK City model, is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2012.

Over its 20-year history, THINK achieved the status of the leading dedicated electric vehicle maker in the world. The THINK City has accumulated more than 48 million km of road experience in the several countries where it has been marketed. The current model has a range of 160 km on a single charge and provides one of the most engaging and spirited drives of any car in its class.

About Mr. Boris G. Zingarevich:

Mr. Zingarevich is an international serial entrepreneur with investments spanning a wide range of new and traditional industries in a number of countries. He has been the principal investor since 2002 in the leading American advanced lithium-ion battery manufacturer Ener1, Inc., on whose board of directors he sits. Mr. Zingarevich is a founder and strategic shareholder in Ilim Group, which is a joint venture with the American company International Paper and the largest timber products company in Russia.

Media contact:
Nick von Miltitz
+49.89.20062025
nicolaus.vonmiltitz@firstmove -ag.com

Valmet Automotive: 25 years of specializing in convertibles

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 02:44:00 +0300

Exactly 25 years ago, in the summer of 1986, Saab introduced a convertible model to complement their popular 900 series. This car, Saab 900 Cabriolet manufactured in Uusikaupunki, Finland, turned into a success story that boosted Valmet Automotive to become one of Europe’s most experienced convertible manufacturers, and convertible related business to become one of company’s corner stones.

The stylish and technologically advanced Saab 900 Cabriolet became a best seller in North America and Europe. In total, 198,032 convertible Saabs were manufactured in Uusikaupunki in years 1986–2003.

Saab 900 Cabriolet had heirs in Uusikaupunki. In 1999–2003, Saab’s 9-3 convertibles rolled off the production line, and in 1997 there was a new kid on the block: Porsche Boxster. The original volume plan for 5000 Porsches per year proved completely inadequate in face of the huge demand. The production volumes were quickly upgraded, and by 2010, a total of 168,477 Boxsters had been assembled in Finland.

Valmet Automotive has manufactured over 1.1 million cars since 1969, and every third is a convertible. Accordingly, Valmet Automotive is one of the most experienced convertible manufacturers in Europe. The company can offer the customer tailored solutions from convertible and roof systems engineering to manufacturing.Valmet Automotive has complemented its offering in convertibles by acquiring two roof systems plants in Germany and Poland with engineering and production capabilities. Today, Valmet Automotive is among the three largest roof systems manufacturers with a global market share of 25 %.

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You can find images of the cars on this website under: Company > History > Cars produced

Further information:
Teija Åhlman, VP Communications, Valmet Automotive
Tel. +358 20 484 8060
E-mail: teija.ahlman@valmet-automotive. com

Valmet Automotive is an experienced provider of automotive engineering, vehicle manufacturing, convertible roof systems and related business services. Our special areas of expertise are premium cars, convertibles and electric vehicles. We employ 1,600 professionals in Finland, Germany, Poland, Sweden and the USA.

The bankruptcy of Think Global AS ends the manufacturing of THINK City in Finland

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 08:42:00 +0300

Valmet Automotive's customer Think Global AS has filed a petition for bankruptcy in Norway. Consequently, the production of THINK City EV will no longer be continued by Valmet Automotive as defined in the agreement of 2009. The production in Uusikaupunki, Finland, has been on hold since February 2011. The target was to relaunch it in August 2011.

55 employees have been laid off from the THINK production, in total appr. 170 employees are currently laid off of the over 800 employees of Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki. According to present plans, they will be re-employed during 2011 on other product lines. In Uusikaupunki, Valmet Automotive manufactures Fisker Karma, an electric vehicle with extended range, Garia golf cars and LSVs as well as Porsche Cayman bodies.

The bankruptcy of THINK Global AS has only a marginal impact on Valmet Automotive’s turnover this year. Other consequences will be clarified during the bankruptcy proceedings.

Further information:
Teija Åhlman, VP Communications, Valmet Automotive
Tel.: +358 20 484 8060
E-mail: teija.ahlman@valmet-automotive. com

Valmet Automotive is an experienced provider of automotive engineering, vehicle manufacturing, convertible roof systems and related business services. Our special areas of expertise are premium cars, convertibles and electric vehicles. We employ 1,600 professionals in Finland, Germany, Poland, Sweden and the USA.

Pekka Virolainen appointed Managing Director in Zary

Wed, 25 May 2011 04:23:00 +0300

Mr. Pekka Virolainen has been appointed Member of the Management Board and Managing Director of Valmet Automotive Sp. z o.o. as of June 1, 2011. He will lead Valmet Automotive's convertible roof systems unit in Zary, Poland. He reports to Mr. Michael Hannemann, Senior Vice President Roof Systems.

Pekka Virolainen has been working at Valmet Automotive since 1988 in change management and in product launch as well as general development projects. Since 2000 he has been responsible for production control working in cooperation with various OEMs.

Porsche’s Finnish success story: 227,890 Boxsters and Caymans

Mon, 2 May 2011 02:51:00 +0300

The final Porsche assembled in Finland has rolled off the production line in Valmet Automotive’s Uusikaupunki plant. This is a black Cayman R, destined to a British car enthusiast. Cayman R is the sports version, equipped with a 3,4 liter engine producing 330 bhp.

The success story of 14 years has produced a total of 227,890 Porsches by Valmet Automotive, comprising 168,477 Boxsters and 59,413 Caymans. And the story still goes on – the contract between Valmet Automotive and Porsche continues till the end of 2011, with Valmet Automotive delivering Cayman pre-treated bodies and Boxster sides to Porsche.

The cooperation was initiated in 1997, when the demand for Boxster exploded and Porsche needed quickly a reliable manufacturing partner that could meet the high quality demands. The first Boxster was ready on September 3, 1997 in Uusikaupunki – with a record-short preparation time and with top quality. In all, a grand total 109,213 first generation Boxsters were assembled in Finland in 1997–2004.

To mutual satisfaction, the Valmet Automotive-Porsche contract was renewed in 2001. Now Valmet Automotive became an engineering and manufacturing partner to second generation Boxsters and the new Porsche Cayman. The production of new Boxster was started in Uusikaupunki in 2004, and that of Cayman in 2005. Caymans were assembled exclusively by Valmet Automotive.

After Porsche, the Valmet Automotive assembly lines are filled with the electric vehicle extender range Fisker Karma.

The enclosed image shows the last Cayman assembled by Valmet Automotive and a group of car builders, Eija Ahonen, Miia Uusikartano, Hannu Lehtonen and Teijo Komulainen.

Valmet Automotive launches Fisker Karma production in March 2011

Tue, 1 Mar 2011 08:52:00 +0300

Fisker Karma, the first true electric vehicle with extended range enters production at Valmet Automotive’s Uusikaupunki plant in March 2011. The first batch of cars is assigned to importers and retailers, customer deliveries in the USA and Europe will start in late April.

“We are proud to announce the production start of Fisker Karma by Valmet Automotive. We have a high end brand and a product based on innovative technologies. Therefore we only rely on partners who can convince us with their references, experience and knowhow. We have been completely satisfied with our cooperation with Valmet Automotive”, says Bernhard Koehler, COO, Fisker Automotive.

Production ramp up will reach full run by autumn. Fisker Karma has currently over 3,000 deposit holders. The target is to deliver their cars during the 2011 model year.

“Fisker Karma is an exciting project to Valmet Automotive. Karma is an innovative product that puts our 40 years of experience in demanding car projects in good use. Valmet Automotive has obtained substantial new resources in suppliers and logistics and works in tight cooperation with Fisker Automotive to ensure fluent production run”, says Ilpo Korhonen, President, Valmet Automotive.

Valmet Automotive is a global pioneer in series production of electric vehicles. The first EVs were launched at the company’s Uusikaupunki, Finland, plant in 2009. Valmet Automotive has profound knowhow in manufacturing various types of electric vehicles.

The technologically advanced Fisker Karma presents a new class to the motoring world, the luxury sports hybrid. Fisker Karma is a fascinating addition to Valmet Automotive’s production range.

Further information:
Teija Åhlman, VP Communications, Valmet Automotive
Tel: +358 20 484 8060
Email: teija.ahlman@valmet-automotive. com

Valmet Automotive is an experienced provider of automotive engineering, vehicle manufacturing, convertible roof systems and related business services. Our special areas of expertise are premium cars, convertibles and electric vehicles. We employ 1,600 professionals in Finland, Germany, Poland, Sweden and the USA.

Valmet Automotive elevates to global top 3 in car roof systems

Tue, 1 Mar 2011 08:51:00 +0300

The renowned provider of automotive related services, Valmet Automotive, is now among the three largest manufacturers of car roof systems in the world. The recent acquisition of former Karmann’s convertible roof business fits perfectly to Valmet Automotive’s strategy and complements the product portfolio.

The roof systems acquisition shifts the focus of Valmet Automotive strongly towards international operations. The number of company personnel grows by 700 professionals, working in engineering and manufacturing positions in Germany and Poland. Since 2000, the acquired plants have produced 1.2 million roof systems for global markets.

“The roof systems acquisition is in line with our company strategy. We intend to expand internationally and position ourselves as a leading service provider for the automotive industry. Roof systems will not cause overlaps with our other activities, but supports perfectly our knowhow in convertibles. We consider the roof systems highly potential, and our target is to extend our current 25 % global market share to 30 % by 2012”, says Ilpo Korhonen, President, Valmet Automotive.

The roof systems for convertibles are an important addition to Valmet Automotive’s service portfolio. The company is now a provider of automotive engineering, vehicle manufacturing, convertible roof systems and related business services. The new business line also strengthens the engineering resources and technical in-house knowhow at Valmet Automotive.

The roof systems complement Valmet Automotive’s service offering in convertible engineering and manufacturing services, particularly in component manufacturing. Valmet Automotive has special expertise in open vehicles, with a significant role in both product development and production of convertibles. With 370,000 open cars manufactured, Valmet Automotive is one of the most experienced European producers of premium convertibles.

Currently, Valmet Automotive’s roof systems customers include BMW and MINI, Daimler, Renault and Bentley.

Further information:
Teija Åhlman, VP Communications, Valmet Automotive
Tel: +358 20 484 8060
Email: teija.ahlman@valmet-automotive. com

Valmet Automotive is an experienced provider of automotive engineering, vehicle manufacturing, convertible roof systems and related business services. Our special areas of expertise are premium cars, convertibles and electric vehicles. We employ 1,600 professionals in Finland, Germany, Poland, Sweden and the USA.