Automotive Manufacturing Solutions Magazine – Issue 1, 2025

Is flexibility the key to futureproofing automotive manufacturing?

AMS is celebrating 25 years of covering and supporting the global automotive industry. So, what’s going on?

Coming into 2025 the industry faces unprecedented levels of uncertainty in areas where it has always had a good grip; notably what cars to produce and where to produce them.

Geopolitical and economic influences aside (granted they are hard to ignore) carmakers have taken an invigorated interest in flexible production, and this has been helped by the ongoing digitalisation of production operations; and as many see it, a huge opportunity to optimise production operations at every level.

Our Spring print edition is filled with some great examples of this renewed drive for flexible production, notably stories on BMW and Honda serve to demonstrate how important this capability has become, and the impressive progress being made.

Plus, insights from Mercedes’ Berlin digital development campus and powertrain manufacturer HORSE on deploying digital twins.

We also have some substantial coverage on the digital tools that are now as essential to production as robots and assembly lines. We have expert comment on digital twins, edge computing and connected factories, the potential, the realities, the application and the best practice.

And while all eyes are on the US at this particular moment, we take a look at India’s big ambitions for its automotive industry, and what plans are in place to help realise its huge potential as a major player at a global level.

Since we (the publication) are 25 years old, we thought it might be interesting to reflect on some key changes and advances in the intervening years. So, look out for our ‘Then & Now’ sections.

So, enjoy a few moments of tranquillity while you read on, before you must return to less calm waters. Here’s to another 25 years!

Buy now in print, or read online with our digital page turner or by the topic links below.

Features include:

Mercedes-Benz digital factory campus | Berlin

• Inside the company’s flagship AI-powered plant reshaping the future of production.

Honda’s North America EV hub

• A candid conversation with Mike Fischer on the company’s electrification roadmap.

BMW Munich: Neue Klasse EV plant

• Plant Director Peter Webber shares how BMW is rethinking flexibility and space in the iFactory.

HORSE Powertrain

• Rafael Vázquez and Alberto de los Ojos discuss integrating the metaverse and smart factory tech for operational excellence.

SUBSCRIBE NOW  | Register or sign in below to read digital page turner