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VDL Nedcar is an automotive manufacturing company based in Born, Netherlands. Since December 2012 it is owned by the Dutch coach manufacturer VDL Groep. Previously it was owned by Mitsubishi Motors and Volvo, and has its origins as a DAF factory, being officially inaugurated in June 1968. It is the only large-scale car manufacturer in the Netherlands, with a 927,000 site, and a production capacity of approximately 200,000 vehicles per year.〔("Key facts and figures" ), Nedcar official site〕 Nedcar produced its millionth vehicle, a Mitsubishi Space Star, on October 4, 2000. The factory itself has produced more than 4.5 million cars since 1967.〔〔("1,000,000th NedCar car produced" ), Mitsubishi Motors press release, October 4, 2000〕 ==History== The factory was founded in 1967 by the former Van Doorne's Automobiel Fabriek (DAF), and continued after the takeover of its parent by Volvo in 1972–1975.〔http://www.vdlnedcar.nl/?page/4842402/Profile.aspx〕 When financial difficulties threatened to close it down in the early 1990s the government stepped in to ensure its survival.〔http://www.vdlnedcar.nl/data/uploads/VDL_Nedcar/history_en.pdf〕 A joint venture between the Dutch State, Volvo and Mitsubishi Motors began in August 1991, although it was 1996 before the name was officially changed from Volvo Car B.V. to Netherlands Car B.V. On February 15, 1999 the Dutch government sold its shares to its two partners, which then owned 50 percent each. Later, on March 30, 2001, Volvo sold its shares to Mitsubishi, which then owned 100 percent.〔("Netherlands Car B.V. to become MMC subsidiary after acquisition of additional shares" ), Mitsubishi Motors press release, April 4, 2001〕 The plant's long-term survival was in question from 2001, when then Mitsubishi Motors Chief Operating Officer Rolf Eckrodt stated that its annual vehicle production capacity had to increase to 280,000 if it wished to remain economically viable.〔("NedCar production target" ), Meuse-Rhine Journal, September 22, 2001〕 The last Volvo automobiles were built in 2004. Between 2004 and 2012 the Mitsubishi Colt〔("Mitsubishi Motors to Unveil New European Colt at Geneva Motor Show" ), Mitsubishi Motors press release, January 26, 2004〕 was built at Nedcar. The factory also produced the Colt's sister vehicle, the Smart Forfour, for DaimlerChrysler until production ceased in mid-2006. Industrial action in 2005 protested the discontinuation of the Smart Forfour, although Mitsubishi confirmed its commitment to keeping the factory open as far as the end of the Colt's life cycle in 2009.〔("Strike at Mitsubishi factory" ), 4Car, April 21, 2006〕 Since then, European market versions of the Mitsubishi Outlander have had their production transferred from Japan to the Netherlands from 2008,〔("Mitsubishi Motors transfers Outlander production for Europe" ), Mitsubishi Motors press release, September 18, 2007〕 while the Outlander-based Citroen C-Crosser and Peugeot 4007 were also planned to be assembled at Born for the European market,〔("Mitsubishi Motors transfers production of SUV for PSA Peugeot Citroen" ), Mitsubishi Motors press release, March 27, 2008〕 but this was postponed indefinitely because of slow sales of these models.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.automotiveworld.com/analysis/84332-mitsubishi-ads-signal-shift-in-production-strategy/ )〕 Labour union FNV, NedCar COO Joost Goovaarts and the works council have said it is a step towards securing the future of the plant.〔("SUV redt Nedcar voor een paar jaar" ). Frits Baltesen, ''NRC Handelsblad'', September 18, 2007〕 In 2012, Mitsubishi announced it would stop producing cars in the Netherlands. Dutch coach manufacturer VDL acquired the factory in December 2012 and renamed it VDL Nedcar. VDL entered negotiations with BMW which resulted in the announcement that certain Mini models would be produced in the Limburg factory from 2014 onwards.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2012/10/nedcar_rescue_deal_finalised.php )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「VDL Nedcar」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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