Europe News
Bohemian prosperity
After a record-breaking year, Skoda’s Kvasiny plant is aiming higher still, backed by industry 4.0. Gareth Price visits the operation in East Bohemia
Emissions regulations pose existential risk for OEMs
Escalating fines over CO2 and fuel standards, especially in Europe and China, are set to have significant impacts across OEM profits and investment plans, according to a new report by Automotive from Ultima Media.
Powering the EV surge
Andreas Guecker, head of quality management and projects within BMW’s planning and production of E-Powertrains, offers an insight into the OEM’s e-drive production operations
Audi tests new sealing process in paint shop
Hungary - The new sealing process could soon be rolled out across all Audi paint shops
Skoda starts battery production for VW Group
Czech Republic - Batteries for hybrid vehicles in the Volkswagen Group are being made at Skoda’s Mladá Boleslav factory
Volkswagen electric vehicles - the next chapter
Factories that make vehicles with internal combustion engines could soon be making electric vehicles. Volkswagen has already started the transition at one of its plants
Porsche starts electric Taycan production
Germany - The Taycan electric sports car is being made in a new facility at Porche’s Zuffenhausen site
Flexible thinking
Commercial vehicle sales in Russia are on the decline, but Volvo Trucks has a plan in place to deal with the tough conditions. Michael Nash reports
Staying on track
FCA’s restructuring has proved successful and the Jeep brand continues to prosper with new models on the way, but there are still challenges to overcome. Ian Henry reports
Clean, recycle, reimagine
For precision cleaning of metalworked parts, Castrol’s Techniclean XBC has been designed with ‘circular economy’ characteristics built-in, making it durable and reusable to help reduce water consumption and process costs
Nexen Tire opens new plant in Zatec
Czech Republic - The new Nexen Tire facility includes an automated quality system that identifies defects before they are made
Raising the bar
The future looks bright as Tornos helps automotive players to meet their challenges with flexible and efficient technology
Steel stays the distance
SSAB’s Thomas Müller explains how new high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels can assist OEMs in cost-effectively improving the range of electric vehicles
Success for Seat
Spain’s biggest exporter has turned its finances around and looks to have a bright future. Ian Henry reports
Special deliveries
The deployment of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in automotive manufacturing applications is now well-established. Mike Farish reports on some of the latest developments
Automation advances
AMS investigates how robotics can be adapted to a wider range of applications and the potential offered by 5G communications
Valmet starts building battery test centre
Germany - Valmet is upping its game in the battery field for electric vehicles
Röchling Automotive opens new Slovakia plant
Slovakia - The new plant will be used to make a variety of different components for Daimler, JLR and PSA.
Made in Wales
Nick Gibbs reports on the opening of Aston Martin’s SUV plant in South Wales, all set to build the new DBX
Electrification nation
A corridor of factories is being established in Finland to satisfy the rapid growth in demand for electric vehicle batteries
