Africa and Middle East
BMW electrifies South African plant
BMW is investing more than $224m in its plant to allow production of electric vehicles.
China: European, US and Japanese Vehicle Manufacturers rebalance production and supply chains
AMS looks at the changing role of the Chinese operations of European and other long established brands’ operations in China and their changing roles in the global auto sector
Stellantis allocates BEV-centric STLA Large vehicles to Cassino Assembly Plant
The Cassino plant in Italy produces premium vehicles for Alfa Romeo and Maserati
Going green: Self-generating electricity on-site
OEMs are investing heavily in renewable energy sources to reduce the carbon footprint of their manufacturing operations
Mercedes-Benz to deploy Microsoft connected factory software, eyes 20% efficiency boost
The software system will optimise manufacturing plans based on available components and enable easy monitoring of energy and water use and CO2 emissions.
Adjusting to a new climate: Alternative powertrain testing
AMS visited a newly upgraded test facility to get an insight into the equipment and process requirements for electric and fuel cell powertrains
BMW Digitalisation – Virtual becomes a reality
BMW using digital twins to simulate production for new plants and upgrades for existing facilities
Renault Trucks to recover, resell parts from used vehicles in circular economy push
The recovery of used parts suitable for re-sale builds on the company’s existing initiative to refurbish and modernise second-hand trucks to extend their life.
Ford’s e-coating edge for the new Ranger’s chassis frames
Ford uses the latest e-coatings to ensure optimum coverage on the chassis frames for the new Ranger pick-up
Gigafactories give N. America, Europe more skin in EV game but minerals supply a worry
Battery metals prices have become a significant threat to automotive’s pursuit of electrification with growing EV output calling for higher volumes of minerals production.
Man and machine: Using technology to push efficiency boundaries in logistics and assembly
Experts discuss how they are using digital technology to streamline time-consuming and expensive processes from supply chain monitoring to assembly planning.
How Ford will track production planning and suppliers like Uber rides
Ford is deploying digital twins and data analytics at factores in Asia, Africa and South America to bring real-time visibility to production planning and supply chains.
From now to 2030: What’s next for a disrupted, post-pandemic auto industry
AutoForecast Solutions sees a value-over-volume focus, more shared components and some major shuffles in the ranks of top EV makers
Watch: Connected factories, predictable futures
This AMS livestream explores how Ford, Fraunhofer IPA and other OEMs are advancing smart factories to optimise assembly lines, improve quality and reduce errors, leveraging connected data for digital twins and AI-driven manufacturing planning.
Chris Glover to be new president and CEO of Volkswagen Chattanooga
Glover will assume the role on January 1 and will lead the plant’s transformation and push towards electric mobility, starting with the localised production of the ID.4 SUV in 2022
Watch recording: Fast, Flexible and Sustainable: the Paintshop of the future
Watch this session to discover GeicoTaikisha insights on automotive manufacturing trends, time reduction for paintshop production and new ways to adapt production output to meet market needs
Cellular manufacturing adds flexibility in Mercedes-Benz bodyshop
For the production of the new C-class, Mercedes has taken the opportunity to add flexibility by way of cellular manufacturing in the body shop and with so-called ‘TecLines’ for assembly.
Watch: Automotive suppliers charging ahead – Electrifying Production Series (Pt.1)
In the first part of our Electrifying Production Livestream series, AMS explores how vehicle electrification is changing major tier-1 suppliers’ manufacturing engineering and design, plant equipment and manufacturing strategies. Featuring experts from automotive suppliers and production specialists including Gestamp and ZF, Henkel and ABB.
Integrating robotics and electric powertrains in BMW production
BMW is on an EV offensive and is taking the opportunity to revamp its plants with automation and digital twins. Mark Smyth spoke to the global boss of production, Milan Nedeljković, about the challenges and opportunities
Skoda gains additional capacity within VW’s production network
Production of the next-generation Superb will be relocated from Kvasiny to Bratislava in Slovakia in 2023, to free up capacity in the Czech plant required for the brand’s plans for growth