Japan earthquake impacts automotive and semiconductor supply chains A deadly earthquake in Japan has impacted the manufacturing and supply chain operations of several automakers including Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi. James McLoughlin Ilkhan Ozsevim
“Our production network must be able to breathe” In the interview, project manager Patrick Walz explains how digital twins, flexible production lines, AI and local battery assembly are changing Kecskemét. James McLoughlin Timo Gilgen
Electric C-Class and small G-Class enhance Kecskemét Mercedes-Benz has expanded its Kecskemét plant with an investment of around €1 billion. With the electric C-Class, the Hungarian site is moving into the Core segment, while the electric GLC and, exclusively, the smaller G-Class will follow. At full utilisation, the plant could quadruple its 2024 output to as many as 400,000 vehicles a year. Timo Gilgen James McLoughlin
Renault adds Bursa as second global Boreal production hub Renault has scaled up production of its Boreal compact SUV with a second production hub in Bursa, Turkey for markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. James McLoughlin
Nissan, Chery explore Sunderland manufacturing partnership Nissan and Chery International UK have signed a non-binding MoU to explore building Chery-brand vehicles at Sunderland from 2027, reflecting a wider shift by Chinese automakers towards localised manufacturing across Europe. James McLoughlin
GAC confirms Mexico assembly plant will be operational in 2026 GAC will become the first Chinese automotive OEM to operate an assembly plant in Mexico when its new site becomes operational in the second half of 2026. James McLoughlin
Toyota scales circular factories from UK to Europe Toyota is expanding its circular factory model from the UK to Poland, advancing closed-loop material use, vehicle refurbishment and design-for-recycling as it prepares for stricter EU regulations and long-term carbon neutrality goals. James McLoughlin
UK market hits post-2019 high as EV volumes surge, but ZEV mandate gap widens New SMMT data shows UK registrations hit 380,627 in March (+6.6%), with BEVs up 24.2% to 86,120. Yet EV share sits at 22.4% versus a 33% target, while Chinese OEMs doubled market share to 11.1%, reshaping competitive and supply chain dynamics. James McLoughlin
Why carmakers can't celebrate the Supreme Court win Why carmakers can't celebrate the Supreme Court win James McLoughlin Ilkhan Ozsevim
2026: BMW appoints production chief Milan Nedeljković as next chairman From 14 May 2026, Dr Nedeljković will assume the role of chairman, following the departure of Oliver Zipse, who will leave BMW after a 35-year career with the company. James McLoughlin
Novelis hot mill fire risks $1bn hit to Ford F-150 output, exposing heavy reliance on aluminium body-in-white A fire at Novelis’ aluminium rolling and recycling plant in New York is set to disrupt Ford’s supply of aluminium for its F-150, with analysts warning the production impact could cost the carmaker as much as $1 billion. James McLoughlin Ilkhan Ozsevim
