May 15, 2007 — Wescast Industries Inc. reports that its Wescast Hungary Zrt. business unit has earned several new production programs from major European automakers. The group calls itself the world's largest supplier of exhaust manifolds for cars and light trucks. It designs, casts, and machines iron exhaust systems for automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.
"The customer relationships we have formed in Europe have allowed us to diversify our customer base and capture an increased share of the very competitive European market," stated Ed Frackowiak, Wescast Chairman and CEO. "Our full service capabilities to design, cast and machine exhaust system components provide a strong value proposition for our customers, globally."
Beginning in 2007, Wescast will supply cast and machined exhaust manifolds for BMW, Audi, and PSA Peugeot Citroen. For BMW, the manifolds will be part of the 1.6L I4 engine program for the automaker's Mini Cooper models, being built in the United Kingdom.
For Audi's3.2L V6 engine program, Wescast will produced manifolds to be shipped to the Gyor, Hungary, engine plant. The V6 is installed in the Audi A4 and A6.
For PSA Peugeot Citroen, Wescast is supplying manifolds to the Douvrin, France, engine plant, for the 1.4L IR engine.