Christopher Ludwig
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ArticleThe future of Ford in a flash of lightning
The Ford Dearborn Truck Plant is a benchmark for managing complexity, quality and software. Plant manager Corey Williams shares learnings and lean principles across ICE and fast-growing EV output.
InterviewPanasonic sparks scalable and sustainable US battery production
Panasonic Energy’s Abby Chitwood discusses maximising output and cutting emissions in battery cell production ahead of AMS Evolution North America.
ArticleBMW’s aspirations to the X degree in Spartanburg: Special series
As the carmaker prepares for EV production in the US, leaders in manufacturing, battery, logistics and training outline BMW’s ambitions in the region.
ArticleMaster of complexity in Spartanburg
Dr Robert Engelhorn is leading transformation of BMW’s Plant Spartanburg for EVs whilst ensuring manufacturing remains flexible in managing vehicle variations.
ArticleBMW Batteries blossoming in South Carolina
BMW’s battery assembly plant will use advanced automation and set global standards, whilst supporting a local-for-local production strategy, says Rich Everly.
ArticleReady for the next generation in Spartanburg
As BMW prepares to build EVs and batteries in Spartanburg, it has expanded training programmes, with emphasis on safety, change management and youth outreach.
ArticleBMW batteries: made and trained in South Carolina
BMW’s battery plant in South Carolina will use regionally sourced cells to power EV production in Spartanburg, and help establish an electrification hub in the Americas.
InterviewA friend of flexible lines – upgrading JLR production for EVs and more
Barbara Bergmeier is driving digitalisation, sustainability and resilience across operations, and wants to ramp up EV manufacturing whilst staying flexible
ArticleForm and function: Developing production processes and structures for electric vehicle architectures
The new electric vehicle architectures are also continuing to evolve as vehicle makers strive to find the optimum balance between platform flexibility, while also being viable for high-volume production. To get some insights in to this ongoing process AMS spoke with Paul Belanger, Gestamp’s R&D Director for North America
NewsJaguar Land Rover to invest in UK manufacturing plants to ramp up EV and flexible production
JLR will invest billions over the next five years to upgrade its UK plants for an electric-first future, including new EVs, electric drivetrains and battery packs across Halewood, Solihull, Wolverhampton and Castle Bromwich
ArticleBuilding on the edge of the virtual and physical worlds
As Audi aims to bring its local production cloud to plants, Jörg Spindler sees opportunities in digital control systems, digital twins and virtual reality.
ArticleSpecial series: Digitalising manufacturing engineering at Audi
Jörg Spindler is leading Audi’s push to virtualise production planning, ramp up battery production and use data to reduce emissions and improve productivity in areas like toolmaking and body shop
ArticleTools for progress: real-time tracking and monitoring in Audi’s toolmaking
The carmaker’s Toolmaking 4.0 system is bringing greater visibility of suppliers and potential disruption of machines and operations at tool shops, with high productivity gains.
VideoWelcome to Automotive Evolution Europe 2022!
Editor-in-Chief Christopher Ludwig kicks off the 1st Automotive Evolution Europe
VideoTransforming plant and production processes - interview with Rüdiger Eck, Audi
Christopher Ludwig caught up with Rüdiger Eck, Director of Data Governance and Analytics for Digital Production, AUDI AG at AMS Automotive Evolution Europe.
VideoHyper-flexible microfactory - interview with Dr Matthias Preuß, Next e.GO Mobile
Christopher Ludwig caught up with Dr Matthias Preuß, Vice-President, Global Microfactory Technology, Next e.GO Mobile.
VideoFuture-proof Plant Munich - interview with Peter Weber, BMW
Christopher Ludwig caught up with Peter Weber, Director Plant Munich, BMW Group following the closing session of AMS Automotive Evolution Europe 2022.
VideoBlossoming brownfields: rejuvenating Europe’s car plants
BMW and Volta Trucks joined the closing panel discussion at Automotive Evolution Europe to discuss how Europe is revamping production plants and ensuring their existing production plants can be as flexible and efficient as any greenfield.
VideoEngineering the future of manufacturing
Ford Research and Advanced Manufacturing Europe and Microsoft joined the ninth panel at Automotive Evolution Europe to discuss some of the steps Europe’s automotive industry is taking to future-proof factories and quicken the rollout of new technology, battery and EV production.
VideoPainting a brighter day: increasing speed, reducing errors in paintshop
SAMES and FANUC joined the eighth panel at Automotive Evolution Europe to discuss optimising processes and reducing waste in the paintshop.