Global automotive safety supplier Autoliv has inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Hefei, eastern China, launching a smart factory focused on steering wheel production as it expands its manufacturing and technology base in the country, the company said.
The plant, officially opened on Dec. 16, is Autoliv’s second specialised steering wheel manufacturing site in China and its first production operation in Hefei. The company said the facility is intended to strengthen its global supply capabilities while supporting its long-term roadmap for advanced manufacturing and digitalisation.
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Autoliv agreed the project in March 2024, when it signed an investment agreement with the Hefei municipal government in Anhui province. Located in Feixi County, the site was planned as a large-scale intelligent steering wheel factory with an annual capacity of several million units, covering about 80 mu of land.
According to Autoliv, the factory was designed from the outset around high levels of automation, digital management and green manufacturing standards. A digital production system enables real-time data collection, full-process quality traceability and early detection of production anomalies. The workshops follow a one-way lean production layout, integrating injection moulding, assembly and finishing processes to shorten cycle times.
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The facility also uses automated warehouses and automated guided vehicle (AGV) systems to improve storage efficiency and internal logistics, the company said.
Sustainability measures were incorporated into the plant’s construction and operations. The roof has been prepared for the future installation of distributed photovoltaic systems, while an on-site wastewater treatment and reuse system allows industrial water to be recycled. Autoliv said the use of prefabricated steel structures for the main buildings helped reduce material consumption, shorten construction timelines and lower the plant’s carbon footprint over its life cycle.
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Autoliv said the Hefei factory will play a role in supporting Chinese and global automakers as demand grows for advanced steering systems and intelligent vehicle technologies.
