TI Automotive Opens New Fuel Tank Systems Production Facility in San Luis Potosi, Mexico

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ --

• The new facility will produce low-emission and light weight blow molded plastic fuel tank systems for Nissan vehicles.
• San Luis Potosi is the company's first fuel tank production facility in Mexico.
• The facility includes a fuel pump and module production assembly area.
• The Mexico plant joins TI Automotive's global footprint of 24 fuel tank and 11 fuel pump and module production facilities worldwide.

TI Automotive inaugurated its brand-new fuel tank systems production facility in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, today, where it will produce low-emission, plastic fuel tanks, pumps and modules for the Nissan Micra, Note and Versa vehicles. It is the company's sixth manufacturing location and first fuel tank production facility in Mexico.

"Our strategy is to locate our production facilities close to our customers, which enables us to provide advanced, high-quality fluid storage, carrying and delivery technology everywhere in the world," said Bill Kozyra, chairman, CEO and president of TI Automotive. "With the high concentration of vehicle manufacturing in Mexico and the facility's central location, we are capable of producing fuel tank systems for every automaker in the country."

TI Automotive currently has 24 fuel tank manufacturing and 11 pump and module systems production facilities worldwide. Its vertically integrated structure allows it to produce all elements of the fuel system in addition to the tank, including the pump, fuel module, filler pipe, vapor and fluid lines, level sensors and system electronics.

TI Automotive has been recognized for its innovations in plastic fuel tank design and production, helping to reduce weight and emissions. The company earned Automotive News PACE Innovation Awards in 2009 and 2010 for its Ship-In-a-Bottle (SIB) fuel tank for Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV) and Dual-Channel Single-Stage (DCSS) fuel pump technology, respectively.

Within the 83,500-square-foot San Luis Potosi facility, TI Automotive has established a self-contained production line to produce complete tank systems. Fuel pumps and modules will be produced in a 3,200-square-foot clean room, free of static and dust, and welded into the fuel tank shells shortly after the blow-molding process.

Currently, the San Luis Potosi facility has 20 employees and one assembly line, but it has capacity for three lines and 200 employees at full production. Full-scale production on the first program is expected by May 2011. TI Automotive has planned for future zero-emissions fuel tank production, as well.

Fuel modules being produced at San Luis Potosi contain the most advanced fuel pump and level sensor technology available. The modules feature TI Automotive's award-winning, high-performance DCSS fuel pump, along with its new sealed level sensor, both of which are flex-fuel compatible.

With the global push toward improved fuel economy and reduced emissions, plastic fuel tanks are rapidly replacing steel due to several key advantages:

• Significant weight reduction and packaging flexibility
• Equal or better emissions levels
• Internal component integration
• Long-term durability benefits

With changing engine technology, such as downsize and boost, fuel pumps are challenged to provide maximum flow and pressure at greater efficiency, in varying fuels. TI Automotive has developed fuel pumps in multiple sizes, configurations and materials for gasoline, diesel and flex-fuel applications that meet the stringent demands.

About TI Automotive

Fluid thinking™ shapes the mindset of TI Automotive. Global automotive manufacturers turn to TI Automotive for insight and focus to develop industry-changing fluid storage, transfer and delivery technology.

With 16,000 employees at 126 locations in 27 countries, our strength lies in our ability to creatively meet and exceed the increasing fuel-economy and emissions regulations of tomorrow's auto industry.

SOURCE TI Automotive