All Opinion & comment articles
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ArticleAMS Digital: e-mobility 2020: A different approach… realised in manufacturing strategy
E-mobility has truly opened the door to a host of new faces to the automotive industry, outliers who have approached the EV challenge with a different viewpoint, delivering innovative solutions for vehicle architectures, powertrains and batteries. Some of these are familiar and broad in their scope, others ...
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Editor’s blog: Will normal service be resumed?
Come the end of lockdown, there is unlikely to be a swift return to business as usual – the lessons learned might see new approaches to manufacturing operations that go beyond the Covid-19 crisis
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When the Covid-19 crisis is over, what ‘new normal’ can automotive suppliers expect to emerge?
As the global automotive industry faces shutdowns, for who knows how long, it is worth considering how it might change or evolve once the pandemic’s peak has passed. Some companies, from vehicle companies down throughout the supply chain, may well go under, owing to the financial shock which Covid-19 is causing.
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AMS statement on coronavirus
To all of our automotive audiences, customers and partners globally, we wanted to let you know that we are mindful of the effect that coronavirus (Covid-19) is having on businesses and individuals as well as families and wider friends’ networks.
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Europe presents a brave face over production halts in China and Italy
While Europe-based vehicle makers appear resilient in the face of assembly line disruption caused by the coronavirus shutdowns, a number of factors coming into play that could see production affected over the coming weeks
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The coronavirus impact on vehicle production reaches beyond China shutdowns
Such is the nature of the global automotive supply chain, it is inevitable that the knock-on effects of idle assembly lines in China soon reach Japan, Korea and beyond
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With its architect in exile, the Alliance is destined for separation
Having led the way on OEM collaboration and cooperation, Renault and Nissan seem set to unwind their alliance
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Is Sony’s Vision S a scary sight, or a revelation for carmakers and suppliers?
Should automotive manufacturers fear or embrace this surprise announcement from the consumer technology giant?
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Job Opportunity: Special Projects Editor – Automotive at Ultima Media and Automotive Manufacturing Solutions
Interested in moving your career in automotive media and content to the next level? Consider joining our editorial team in a new role as Special Projects / Brand Editor
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EVs are transforming the automotive workforce as well as the market
The means by which electric vehicles powertrains and batteries are assembled could lead to significant reductions in factory headcounts
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Comment
PSA-FCA merger: Sergio Marchionne gets his wish, posthumously
As CEO of FCA, Sergio Marchionne tried and tried to find a mega-merger partner for the group. Less less than two years after his death, a likely candidate has emerged…
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Comment
Breaching the Wall, building the lines
This weekend marked the 30th anniversary of a major turning point in world history - the fall of the Berlin Wall. Despite the political upheaval that followed and even new borders being drawn, the Central and Eastern Europe region has seen its strong engineering and industrial heritage re-established with automotive manufacturing underpinning much of the economic progress…
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Weighing up the long-term future for Rüsselsheim
Opel management believe the Rüsselsheim plant is secure for the next decade but, with compact cars sales in decline and competition fierce, Ian Henry believes serious questions remain
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Comment
A European battery gigafactory … someday, somewhere
As OEMs continue to push the scale and variety of their electrified vehicle ranges, Ian Henry asks, is battery production and supply up to the task?
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Comment
Supplier financials a cause for concern
Recent quarterly results from some of the major tier ones make for grim reading, as company after company reports declining profits and cites common themes for these disappointing times
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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
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The Fiat-Renault merger – inevitability postponed?
Ian Henry provides insight on the situation between FCA and its partners and potential partners
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Out now: AMS May-June issue...
AMS May June 2019 The May-June issue of AMS is out now, and includes… >> Ford – A new alliance with Volkswagen, a pick-up offensive in the US and plans for electrification – AMS provides an overview of the Ford’s most recent activities, plus an inside ...
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The politicisation of electric vehicles accelerates
I have commented before on how barely a week goes by without one or other vehicle company announcing a new electric vehicle; Geely went one step further recently by announcing a whole new brand for future electric vehicles, to be called Geometry. This follows in the footsteps of Volkswagen (ID), ...
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Tariffs: controversy reigns with Trump and Brexit adding to confusion
In President Trump somewhat simplistic analysis, trade wars fought through the medium of tariffs are easy to win. Angered, apparently, by seeing too many Mercedes and BMWs on Fifth Avenue, Trump has threatened to invoke section 232 of the 1962 US Trade Expansion Act, raising tariffs from ...
