On April 11, Audi informed that the new Audi S6 and S7 models make their entrance with a torquey V6 TDI engine, offering customers in Europe starting in summer 2019.
For the first time, Audi has combined an electric powered compressor with a 48-volt primary electrical system. This takes the 3.0L V6 TDI’s total power output to 257 kW (349 hp) and 700 newton-meters (516.3 lb-ft) of torque. Power transmission is handled by the eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission, which always operates in tandem with quattro permanent all-wheel drive.
For the United States, Asia and Middle East, to reflect local customer preferences and driving profiles, the S6 and S7will be available as the 2.9 TFSI with an output of 450 hp and 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) of torque. Like the TDI models, the V6 gasoline version will be equipped with both the EPC and the
48-volt MHEV system, for more performance and efficiency.

Audi Press Release

Ford's sudden decision to close the São Bernardo do Campo factory in Brazil left several suppliers with high inventories of parts ordered days before the February 19 announcement.
With BRL 2 million in stranded parts, Fastplas is waiting for Ford to receive the order or be compensated after Ford workers decided not to operate their machines at the plant in protest of the closure.
"Ten days before announcing the closure, Ford confirmed orders," says Peter Otto Köcher, president of Fastplas, which has been supplying plastic parts for interior, exterior and engine compartment for Ford since 2002 and has 15% of the production destined to the plant.
Parker Hannifin, manufacturer of high pressure hoses, valves and connectors, received orders one day before the end of production announcement, with Turíbio Lombardi, manager of sales and marketing, saying "The shutdown affected 30% of our production of brake and fuel line connections."
Cummins, which devotes 25% of its engine production to Ford, has dismissed 70 workers.
"As the truck market is in full recovery, we believe that in the medium term, other customers will share Ford's share," says Besaliel Botelho, president of Bosch, which makes several electronic components adding that, in the short term, the impact of supply disruption "will be important."
Reynaldo Contreira, president of Wabco, said that 5% of its revenue comes from air compressors and brake cylinders for Ford trucks.
In 2018, truck sales totaled nearly 76,000 units, 46% more than in 2017, with Ford accounting for 12% of the business.

(Fenabrave press release on April 1, 2019)

The European Commission approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Magneti Marelli S.p.A. of Italy, by KKR & Co., Ltd. ("KKR") of the US. KKR is an investment firm, which offers a broad range of asset funds and other investment products. KKR controls Calsonic Kansei Corporation, a Japan-based global supplier of auto parts, such as climate control systems, engine cooling products, automotive compressors, exhaust systems and electronic products. The Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would raise no competition concerns as the parties have a limited position in the markets where their activities overlap. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. (From a press release on March 15, 2019)