'Surgical' Bankruptcy Possible for GM
from The New York Times
 The Treasury Department is directing General Motors to lay the groundwork for a bankruptcy filing by a June 1 deadline, despite GM’s public contention that it could still reorganize outside court, people with knowledge of the plans said during the weekend. Members of President Obama’s automotive task force spent last week in meetings and on conference calls with GM officials and its advisers in Detroit and Washington. Those talks are expected to continue this week. More 
Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing Standard Revised
from Reliable Plant Magazine
ASME, the world’s leading professional association for mechanical engineers, today announced that the organization’s geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD& T) standard, ASME Y14.5 -2009, has been revised and is now available for purchase. The first update in more than 15 years, ASME Y14.5-2009 has been revised to meet the needs of 21st century engineering applications. More
Wind Turbine Industry Growing in the U.S.
from The Miami Herald
Manufacturing of wind turbine parts in the United States grew last year as the market for wind energy boomed, but trade figures show that imports continued at a high rate after years of big growth. Wind turbine imports from Europe and Asia rose from $60 million in 2004 to $2.5 billion in 2008, according to Customs data reviewed by McClatchy. Imports of other equipment usually, but not always, used for wind power production also increased in the same period. The value of AC generators and towers, for instance, jumped from $84 million to $1.6 billion. More
Fiat Funds from Subsidiary Loan Could Aid Chrysler
from The Detroit Free Press
The Italian automaker Fiat SpA is seeking billions of dollars in U.S. banking rescue funds through one of its subsidiaries -- money that could be used to prop up its deteriorating cash reserves and, ultimately, help Fiat and Chrysler LLC finalize an alliance that could rescue the Auburn Hills-based automaker. More
Ex Ford, Mazda Designer to Head Styling at Renault
from AutoWeek
Former Ford Motor and Mazda designer Laurens van den Acker will succeed Patrick le Quement as head of design at French automaker Renault. Van den Acker, 43, quit as head of design at Mazda earlier this month. He will join Renault on May 15 and assume le Quement's full responsibilities starting on Nov. 1. Van den Acker, a Dutch native, is an experienced designer who had led Mazda's corporate design since 2006. More
Boeing Cuts 2010 Widebody Production
from Aviation Week
Boeing will reduce 777 production beginning next year and delay buildups in its 747 and 767 production lines, but leave intact rates on its narrow-body 737s, the company said Thursday. "These are extremely difficult economic times for our customers," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Scott Carson. The company has a backlog of 3,500 airplanes. More
Alternative Materials
from Plant Services
Scientists, engineers and manufacturers are busy modifying existing materials and developing new ones that expand the choices for material of construction. They’re eliminating nano-scale flaws that promote alloy corrosion; impregnating alloys to enhance bearing properties; developing copolymer structures that enhance material performance; and leveraging amorphous metals and engineering thermoplastics for new applications. More
Environmental Expert Calls on GM to Lead Green Revolution in Michigan
from Michigan Live
Robert Reigle Sr. doesn't have to wonder whether General Motors can shift gears in times of crisis. All he has to do is take a spin on Lake Fenton in one of his son's antique Ducks, built during World War II by GM in Pontiac, using engines and some sheet metal stampings made at the Chevrolet Flint Manufacturing complex. More
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