Michigan automotive expansions roundup

Eckhart President and CEO Andrew P. Storm says, “While the auto industry is focused on developing autonomous vehicles for use on the streets, Eckhart is accelerating the development of advanced technologies we believe will reshape the manufacturing ecosystem.”

In addition to the Advanced Technology Center, Eckhart operates Michigan locations in Algonac, Lansing, Marine City, and Rochester Hills. www.eckhartusa.com

Mergers/acquisitions

The merger combines Dana’s expertise in axles, suspension components, and vehicle structural components with GKN’s drivetrain business. Dana officials say the merger will give the company a leading position in electric drivetrain technologies that they believe will be critical in the future. The deal also fends off a hostile takeover bid for GKN plc from British private equity company Melrose plc. www.dana.com; www.gkn.com

The purchase gives Shiloh, a company with several production lines and technologies for steel and aluminum parts, more capacity for magnesium beams for automotive structural components. Lighter than aluminum, but more difficult to cast and machine, magnesium holds the promise of further weight reductions in vehicle designs. www.brabantalucast.com; www.shiloh.com

SPLT’s app, marketed primarily to large employers, identifies people with similar commutes or those who are along routes to companies, universities, or large government offices. An algorithm determines who can share a vehicle and computes the fastest route to pick up passengers to get to work on time. Bosch associates in Mexico are already using the app, and company officials plan to extend its use worldwide.

Ridesharing, in which digital services and apps form carpools, vehicle sharing, or taxi sharing, is a growth market. By 2020, the number of people worldwide using ridesharing is expected to rise 60% to 685 million, according to Statista. www.bosch.com; www.splt.io