JLR News
Transforming a field into a factory – Jaguar Land Rover in Slovakia
Plant launch specialist Mark Parody reflects on the approach he took when set the daunting task of launching production at Jaguar Land Rover’s state-of-the-art factory at Nitra, Slovakia, including putting together a new team and coordinating significant complexity at each stage of manufacturing
VIDEO: Views from the assembly line at the home of the Range Rover
Assembly workers give their reaction as Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull plant reopens under new social distancing measures
Calling stop on automotive supply chains: How long can companies survive the Covid-19 crisis?
With the coronavirus pandemic causing a level of automotive plant shutdowns not seen since the second world war, suppliers and logistics providers will face failures without direct support from government, and close collaboration with OEMs and industry.
More investment needed in EV battery production
There are concerns regarding battery and cell production capacity in Europe as electric vehicle production is restricted by a shortage of batteries
Weight-loss programme
The electrification drive has increased the importance of lightweight vehicle structures. AMS looks at the development of the latest aluminium grades for electric vehicle applications
Global trade disputes could dim electric vehicle production potential in key markets
Trade uncertainties such as those between the US and China, or the UK and the EU, could put the brakes on growth in the electric vehicle and battery supply chain for some OEMs and countries, despite bullish forecasts for alternative powertrains
3D-printed glove to aid assembly workers
UK - Jaguar Land Rover has been testing a 3D-printed glove to prevent injuries to production line workers
Jaguar Land Rover Nitra, Slovakia
Production of the new Defender has just started at the Jaguar Land Rover factory in Nitra
New horizons
With a healthy automotive supply chain and financial incentives on offer, Slovakia was an attractive prospect for JLR to expand its production facility network, as Nick Gibbs reports
Have EVs reached a tipping point in the UK?
With the continued political uncertainty from the lack of Brexit progress, JLR announcement of a £1bn investment in its Castle Bromwich facility to make the new electric XJ will be met with some relief by the UK government, writes Ian Henry
Honda closure deals blow to UK
Honda has announced plans to close its Swindon plant at the end of the current model’s production lifecycle in 2021. The statement, which was published on the company’s website, refers to the changing nature of the global auto industry and Honda’s “commitment to electrified cars” as the main reasons behind ...
Dashboard meeting
Switching from gantry line to a fleet of AGVs, an IAC facility near Liverpool has brought swift and smart adaptability to its instrument panel assembly process
New year, new arrangements
As 2018 draws to a close, the pace of change in vehicle manufacturing is accelerating. The move to EVs is gaining speed while the companies themselves continue to realign and optimise their manufacturing footprints.
Unease in the East
Falling sales, electrification and mega mergers: Nick Gibbs provides an overview of the current automotive industry trends in China
Piecing it all together
Ian Henry identifies six themes from the moves, mergers and makeovers underway in the global automotive tier supply sector
JLR opens Nitra plant
Slovakia - Jaguar Land Rover has opened its manufacturing facility in Nitra, which is located in the west of the country, an hour’s drive from the capital Bratislava. It cost the company €1.4bn (US$1.59bn) to build, covers an area of 300,000 sq.m, and has an annual output of 150,000 vehicles.
Rolls-Royce appoints production head
UK - Johann Wolf has been named director of manufacturing at the company. He has 40 years of experience working in the BMW Group and holding various different manufacturing roles, in the latest of which he was responsible for integrating new products into the company's Dingolfing plant.
Food for thought in Paris
So many big names were absent from this year’s Paris motor show that the long-term future of these events must soon be called into question. Nissan, Volvo, Opel, Ford and Fiat in particular were notable no-shows. Audi and Skoda had a presence, but the Volkswagen brand was perhaps the biggest ...
Waste not…
Karen McCandless reports on vehicle-maker recycling projects ranging from plastic bottles to electric vehicle batteries
