Europe News
Tesla gets the gig in Berlin
Electric carmaker Tesla is to build its next Gigafactory in Germany, co-founder and CEO Elon Musk told an awards ceremony in the country on Tuesday.
Lamborghini puts the AI in paint
Chief manufacturing officer at the Sant’Agata Bolognese plant, Ranieri Niccoli speaks to AMS about the smart features now employed in the factory’s new paintshop
Destination Europe
Gareth Price visits HMMC, Hyundai’s fully integrated production operation at the centre of Europe
VW Zwickau leads the MEB charge as ID.3 goes into production
Volkswagen’s vision for its newly-converted Zwickau plant is that it will become an emobility flagship – a state-of-the-art, flexible, high-tech factory with digitalisation underpinning all areas. Now series production of the ID.3 electric vehicle has begun there, VW’s new era is formally underway…
FCA–PSA fusion: first of the electric shock waves?
The merger attempt by FCA and PSA will be complicated but makes economic and operational sense, including for manufacturing efficiency. Whether or not it goes ahead, more consolidation is likely as the automotive industry gears up for electrification
Nissan puts exoskeletons to the test
Nissan has been testing new ergonomic-assistance devices to be worn by assembly workers performing overhead tasks
A divided global electric vehicle market could limit OEM economies of scale in manufacturing
Sales of hybrid and battery electric vehicles are set for significant regional divergence, which could fragment economies of scale across automotive production, R&D and technology costs, according to a new powertrain forecast by Automotive from Ultima Media
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
Powertrain forecast to 2030: Navigating the road to electrification
Download this report for forecasts of eight different powertrains across major regions, including hybridisation, electrification and internal combustion engines, which reveals changes that will have huge implications for the future of automotive manufacturing. The latest insight by the business intelligence unit of Automotive from Ultima Media
FCA to build battery assembly complex
Italy - FCA will construct a battery assembly facility to support its electrification strategy
Volkswagen ramps up new Golf production
Germany - The new Golf is being produced faster than its predecessor thanks to various improvements to the Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg plant
CATL begins building battery factory
Germany - CATL is looking to serve its many European carmaker customers from its new factory
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
Bentley starts Flying Spur production
UK - Bentley Motors is now producing the new Flying Spur at its Crewe plant
Ford starts production of new Puma
Romania - Ford has started making the new Puma in Craiova after a significant investment was made at its plant
Form and function
Developments in composite parts are continuing to offer the automotive industry a variety of weight and cost advantages in high-volume production
A proactive approach
Predictive maintenance offers big gains in production efficiency. Mike Farish looks at some examples of how these systems have been developed and applied
Bentley Motors plant becomes carbon neutral
UK - The Bentley Motors plant in Crewe is now operating as a carbon neutral facility
Russia’s powerhouse
Volkswagen has recorded notable growth in Russia over the last few years, but management are being careful not to get excited. Michael Nash gets the inside view
Stricter EU CO2 regulations will reshape vehicle platforms and car design
As OEMs try to reduce CO2 and transition to electric vehicles in the face of the high fines, we expect a profound impact on vehicle design.
