European Engine Programs Choosing Wescast

Feb. 15, 2006
Manifolds for Iveco, Isuzu, BorgWarner Turbo, and Mitsubishi HI

Wescast Industries Inc. is reporting some recent success for its European business unit, Wescast Hungary, specifically new orders for a series of cast and machined exhaust manifolds, turbine housings, and cast turbomanifolds.

Based in Brantford, ON, Wescast calls itself " the world's largest supplier of exhaust manifolds for passenger cars and light trucks." Wescast Hungary Autoipari Rt., or Wescast Hungary, was launched in 1999 as a joint venture of Wescast and Linamar Corp., and Wescast acquired Linamar’s stake in 2004.

In the newly announced orders, Italian truck producer Iveco chose Wescast to supply cast and machined manifolds to its engine plant in Foggia, Italy, for the 4-cylinder, 2.3L Fiat-Ducato diesel engine program. Production is due to start in the second quarter.

Isuzu named Wescast as its cast and machined manifold supplier for its new Circle L, 4-cylinder, 1.7L turbocharged diesel engine, assembled in Tychy, Poland. Production should begin this fall, with parts for the Opel Corsa, Meriva, Astra, and Zafira.

BorgWarner Turbo Systems selected Wescast as its Tier 1 supplier for several programs. Beginning in the first quarter, Wescast will supply integrated turbomanifolds for a 3-cylinder engine program, for Volkswagen's Polo and Skoda Fabia passenger cars. And,, Wescast will supply turbine housings for a 4-cylinder 2.0L engine fitted to the Audi A4, and for the BMW 4-cylinder 2.0L 2-stage turbocharged engine program. Production of the turbine housing program for Audi is expected to begin in the fourth quarter, and the BMW program will begin early in 2007.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will have Wescast supply cast and machined turbine housings for its Netherlands plant. The turbo chargers are provided to PSA for the Peugeot 207, Peugeot Partner, and Citroen C3, C4 and Berlingo. Production is expected to start this summer.

"We are very excited about the strong growth underway in Europe, both from new business wins and the expansion of current relationships," said Ed Frackowiak, Wescast chairman and CEO.