Magna keeps frame contract for GM pickups, SUVs

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY 185]

Magna keeps frame contract for GM pickups, SUVs

CHRISSIE THOMPSON

AUTOMOTIVE NEWS

NOVEMBER 23, 2009 - 3:52 PM ET

Cosma International, a unit of Magna International Inc. that makes bodies and chassis, will assemble the frame for General Motors Co.'s next generation of full-sized pickups and SUVs.

The deal means Cosma will produce its third generation of frames for this GM platform, the supplier said today in a statement.

Cosma will build the frames for the high-volume light trucks in St. Thomas, Ontario, and Saltillo, Mexico.

Magna International Inc., of Aurora, Ontario, ranks fourth on the Automotive News list of top 100 global suppliers, with sales to automakers of $23.3 billion in 2008. It is the largest supplier in North America.

Magna was the leading candidate to buy GM's European Opel unit, but the automaker decided earlier this month to keep Opel. That left the supplier to manage its parts and contractual assembly work for automakers.