Chrysler 2012 Annual Report Download - page 77

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COMPONENTS AND PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
Magneti Marelli (Components)
In 2012, the auto market continued to suffer the effects of the weakening global economy, evident already in the
second half of 2011, particularly in Europe, which is a key region for the sector. Performance in other areas was
more positive and, overall, revenues were substantially in line with the prior year. Positive performance in Germany
(although slowing in the fourth quarter), NAFTA and China largely compensated for difficult trading conditions in
other European markets and a mixed performance in Brazil, which was particularly weak in the first half of the year.
During the year, Magneti Marelli concluded several major agreements for development of innovative products
in its core segments.
In January, Magneti Marelli and Changchun Fudi Equipment Technology Development Co. Ltd., a Chinese
producer of automotive components and systems, signed an agreement for the establishment of a joint venture
to produce engine control systems for passenger cars. The joint venture company, Changchun Magneti Marelli
Powertrain Components Co. Ltd., was established in May.
In June, Sistemi Sospensioni S.p.A. and Promatcor Inc. signed a joint venture agreement which resulted in the
creation of Magneti Marelli Promatcor Sistemi Sospensioni Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V. The new company will
produce suspension systems for the Fiat Professional Ducato assembled in Mexico.
In July, production began at the new Magneti Marelli plant in Changsha (China), which supplies exhaust systems
for the Fiat Viaggio produced by the GAC-Fiat JV, as well as the new plant in Kragujevac (Serbia), which supplies
exhaust systems for the Fiat 500L.
In September, Magneti Marelli signed a 4-year agreement with Dorna (organizer of the MotoGP™) that will allow
all MotoGP™ teams to use electronic control systems produced by Magneti Marelli beginning in 2013. Also in
September, Magneti Marelli established Hefei Magneti Marelli Exhaust Systems Co. Ltd. in China with its JV
partner JAC (a local parts manufacturer). The company will produce exhaust systems for GAC-Fiat, Daimler and
JAC Automobile.
Performance for the principal business lines was as follows:
Lighting
Revenues totaled €2,038 million in 2012, an increase of approximately 13% over the prior year. The growth was
primarily attributable to strong demand from German customers and new technological content for products
launched during the second half of 2011, in addition to performance in NAFTA, China and Russia.
Innovation development projects during the year included:
LED AFS Module (LFX): a multi-functional modular lighting system that adjusts quantity and intensity to
exterior conditions
IRED – Radiator: a next generation system using infrared cameras for active night vision
E-light 2.0 & 2.1: the second generation of this module provides customers greater freedom in design with
electricity consumption below 20W
Matrix Beam S: a system based on a new generation of optic elements using innovative new materials.
Major new orders included headlights for new Audi and Mercedes Benz models and for Fiat/PSA.
Commercial
Performance
by Segment
Report on
Operations