Europe News
Ford to build first EV components in Europe at revamped Halewood site
Ford Motors will begin building its first electric vehicle parts in Europe at its Halewood plant on Merseyside, as part of a £230m ($315m) investment project.
Mercedes-Benz German plants begin producing key components for eActros electric trucks
Mercedes-Benz German plants will begin production of central components for the battery-electric eActros, the company revealed
Mercedes-Benz partners with Stellantis and Total to expand European battery cell capacity
Mercedes-Benz has joined Stellantis and Total in taking shares in Automotive Cells Company, with plans to expand battery cell production in Europe, as part of a strategy to increase and diversify supply.
AMS Lightweighting 2021 – Weighing the options
This edition features insights on how manufacturing engineers and designers are taking new approaches to vehicle architectures and production to integrate lighter, more efficient materials – especially for EVs – to reduce weight and improve sustainability. Featuring Ford, Gestamp, Rio Tinto, ArcelorMittal, Dreistern and more
Lightweighting of the future: Lotus reveals blueprints underpinning new EV sports range
Lotus Cars has unveiled its full range of EV performance cars demonstrating innovations in lightweight chassis technology for the production of its electric sports vehicles. According to the company, they will be essential in both performances of electric vehicles, as well as in maintaining efficiency in manufacturing.
CATL partners with BASF for EV battery material recycling to support European supply chain
Battery maker CATL has announced a strategic partnership with German chemicals firm BASF in battery materials solutions that will support recycling of batteries, and CATL’s plans for the production of battery cells in Europe.
Valmet Automotive opens battery plant in Finland as it expands EV production capabilities
Valmet Automotive has officially opened its Uusikaupunki, Finland battery plant, marking the start of production of high-voltage automotive battery modules and battery packs, part of a significant expansion of its electric vehicle battery-related manufacturing.
VW Components opens new lab for EV battery cell research in Salzgitter
As global demand for electric vehicles ramps up, OEMs are increasingly looking to develop their own battery chip-making capacity. Through partnerships and in-house development, carmakers are also seeking to be less reliant on complex supply chains and produce essential equipment closer to their customers.
Italvolt signs land purchase to build southern Europe’s largest gigafactory as EV battery cell plant race heats up
The Italian startup takes over the site of a former Olivette factory in the Piedmont region, where it plans to build a battery factory to help meet rising demand and production for electric vehicles.
Volta Trucks partners with Steyr Automotive to build first electric Volta Zero units in Austria
Beginning in 2019, Volta Trucks is a newcomer in the EV truck market but has seen rapid growth in recent years. Since its inception, the OEM has constructed offices across Europe.
Porsche production: moving faster around the bend
Porsche’s manufacturing chief, Albrecht Reimold, explains the carmaker’s progress towards sustainable, connected manufacturing as it gears up to build more electric vehicles.
Electrifying Europe: new EU ‘Fit for 55’ legislation effectively bans petrol and diesel engines by 2035
The EU’s latest salvo against the automotive industry to mitigate against climate change will eliminate ICEs and transform automotive manufacturing
Cost and opportunity: experts unveil the contradictions at the core of lightweighting EVs
Lightweighting has become one of the most important features when it comes to designing EVs. As calls for more sustainable production practices become louder, creators are looking at new innovative ways to lighten the load.
British car manufacturing recovery hampered by ‘pingdemic’ and chip shortages
UK vehicle production and exports are rising from pandemic lows, but the sector facing serious challenges in supply chain bottlenecks and labour shortages because of the need to self-isolate.
Driving home the reality of global market changes: Honda Swindon factory closes
Honda has closed its Swindon, UK plant, as it ends European production. The carmaker is focusing electric vehicle investment and scale in Asia, and is a sign of how electrification could reshape manufacturing footprints.
A production transformation that will last 20 years at Volkswagen
Christian Vollmer at Volkswagen discusses how virtual tools have helped production move during the pandemic, why cross-plant collaboration has accelerated and VW’s evolving manufacturing strategies to ramp up EV production.
AMS Materials flow and automation 2021 – Moving with the times
Our latest digital edition looks at the latest assembly line concepts coming from new EV producers and how AI is becoming a key enabling technology
Mercedes prepares for series production of battery-electric and fuel-cell trucks
The plant in Wörth will become the centre for emission-free transport within the Mercedes-Benz truck production network. Daimler Truck says it will continue to invest in the location in the coming years
Lightweighting the EV is a challenge to celebrate
There is a new impetus to save weight as vehicles become powered by electric powertrains. Reducing the weight of a vehicle by optimising the mix of materials and the application in design is now a key focus.
Watch: Vehicle lightweighting rises to the top of the agenda for designers and engineers
This livestream investigates how designers and engineers at Ford, Gestamp and key suppliers are using innovative materials and creating lightweight architectures, including for models like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Maverick compact truck.