Europe News
VW’s PowerCo and battery recycler Umicore form JV for EV cathode materials
The JV will produce materials from 2025 to make cathodes, a component which accounts for roughly half the cost of a battery cell.
Toyota to close sole manufacturing plant in Russia, expects more semiconductor disruption globally
The Japanese automaker said that after a shut-down of more than six months, there was no sign it would be able to re-open.
Europe’s carmakers dim lights, turn back to coal, oil, on approach to bleak winter
Automakers crimp energy use and reluctantly turn to coal and oil but options may be more limited for component and material suppliers upstream.
Mercedes-Benz to build wind farm to supply 15% of German factory power
The turbines with a combined output of more than 100 megawatts (MW) will be installed at the automaker’s Papenburg, northern Germany test track.
Škoda trials 5G communications in lab, anticipating roll-out to manage factories
Škoda trials 5G communications to support production operations and development of the smart factory
BMW Digitalisation – Virtual becomes a reality
BMW using digital twins to simulate production for new plants and upgrades for existing facilities
Chinese battery maker SVOLT to open third cell factory in Germany
The battery producer will open a new production facility which it has acquired from wind turbine producer Vestas.
BMW to use round battery cells in future EVs, cutting costs by close to half
Developments in the new generation of cells include higher energy density, faster charging and lower CO2 in manufacture as well as lower cost.
Mercedes-Benz and Rivian to join forces on European EV van factory
The joint plant will offer cost savings to both automakers and speed start-up Rivian’s establishment of a presence beyond North America.
Register: Building the Green Machine
Join this livestream on how vehicle manufacturers and suppliers are fast-tracking energy reduction, circular economy and greener materials to save costs and achieve decarbonisation goals, featuring experts from OEMs, SSAB and more. Thursday October 6 at 9.30 EST / 14.30 BST / 15.30 CEST
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.
Renault drop in energy use since early 2021 equivalent to closing a factory
The reduction in energy use includes an even higher cut in the automaker’s consumption of currenlty-scarce natural gas.
Mercedes looks to chemical recycling to further develop circular manufacturing operations
The carmaker says it is working to increase the proportion of recycled materials in its car fleet to an average of 40% by 2030
JLR works with Multiverse to deliver data skills training to employees
JLR tackles data skills shortage through collaboration with tech start-up Multiverse
Mercedes-Benz to buy battery cells from €7.4 bn CATL Hungary plant
Mercedes-Benz will be the first to receive cells from CATL’s forthcoming Hungarian plant, placing the largest initial order.
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.
AMTE Power selects Dundee as site for battery cell mega-factory
AMTE Power accelerates it plans towards high volume battery cell production with plans for a mega-factory near the city of Dundee
Energy, mineral supplies could be bottlenecks to EV and battery production
Battery experts say energy costs and the supply of renewable energy could mean it takes longer for Europe to reach zero-emission mobility targets.
What Vorsprung durch Technik means for Audi manufacturing in 2022
Audi is making progress in production through virtual reality, AI and software prototype builds, modular assembly, quality control and energy conservation.
Automotive battery manufacturing and supply chain 2022: Risks, regulation and resiliency
The latest AMS battery report forecasts production capacity, analyses suppliers and materials, and shows why OEMs and suppliers are forging new partnerships