Europe News
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 light-weighting 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 light-weight architectures, including for models like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Maverick compact truck.
Renault signs two major partnerships for the design and production of EV batteries
Renault has entered into a strategic partnership with Envision AESC as it sets up a gigafactory in Douai, to support manufacture of latest technology, low-carbon batteries, and signed a MU with the French start-up Verkor to co-develop and then manufacture high-performance batteries
Fisker and Magna finalise manufacturing agreement
Along with the previously signed agreements on electric vehicle platform sharing and ADAS package, this finalises the framework established between the two companies beginning in 2020
EV battery supply chains on the move
As electric vehicles become serious business for OEMs, they are reassessing their battery supply and manufacturing bases, putting their eggs in multiple baskets and taking more control of the process.
Lotus starts pre-production of its all-new Emira
The sportscar maker has made a £100m investment in its UK facilities that will support the production of new models and the expansion of engineering and consultancy services
Electric vehicle and hybrid vehicle plant database
Track factory locations for electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles by manufacturer, model and location.
Lithium-ion battery gigafactory database
Track electric vehicle lithium battery gigafactories by manufacturer, location, manufacturer, current and planned gigawatt (GWh) capacity.
OEM and lithium-ion battery cell supplier database
Keep up with changing supplier relationships between electric vehicle manufacturers and battery cell suppliers in this database.
Electric vehicle battery supply chain analysis 2021: How lithium-ion battery demand and production are reshaping the automotive industry
Download this report for forecasts of lithium-ion battery demand, analysis of battery cell factories and insight on EV battery manufacturing and sourcing.
Watch: Factory of the future Livestream – The software-defined assembly line
As automotive OEMs digitalise and connect factories, hear how the Audi Production Lab, ABB and Cosmotech are using real-time data, smart software and advanced automation to reshape vehicle production processes.
Audi cuts production again because of chip shortage
Audi has confirmed that it will be putting 10,000 of its employees working at the Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm assembly plants in Germany on reduced hours in June. A shortage in the supply of semiconductors, which is affecting the automotive industry globally, means Audi is having to cut output at the plants.
Škoda accelerates expansion of its production automation
The OEM has developed a smart handling system at its Vrchlabí plant for the pick-and-place robots handling forged transmission shafts
AMS Factory of the future 2021 – Redefining the production line
Flexibility is a key factor in enabling OEMs produce the growing number of electric vehicle variants. Our latest digital edition focuses on how and where OEMs are employing the latest digital technologies in AR, VR and AI to develop networked factories, with shared tooling and data, and cellular production stations. This issue features insights from Honda, Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Epic Games and more
Seat adds logistics cobots at Martorell
Spanish carmaker Seat has started using two autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) at its plant in Martorell for the picking of parts from its onsite storage warehouses.
VW cuts transport emissions by expanding Zwickau press shop
Volkswagen’s electric vehicle (EV) assembly plant in Zwickau, Germany, has taken another step into sustainable manufacturing by investing €74m ($95m) to expand its press shop.
Watch: Electrifying Production – How to build an electric future (Pt.2)
In the second part of our Electrifying Production Livestream series, AMS explores how OEMs are ramping up EV production through modular strategies, data analytics and advanced joining and metrology tools. Featuring Volkswagen Group, Ford, Renishaw and Atlas Copco.
How the European automotive industry aims to build back semiconductor and chip supply
OEMs, suppliers and EU officials are considering how best to develop Europe’s semiconductor manufacturing to mitigate current and future shortages, but the broad gaps at many levels – including for older, larger chips – mean there will be no magic bullet
Ford to build all-electric LCV at Craiova
Following a $300m investment the new all-electric model is planned to launch in 2024 with Craiova following the Ford Cologne Electrified Vehicle Centre in Germany and Ford Otosan’s Kocaeli plant in Turkey to build all-electric vehicles