North America News
AMS Environment and Sustainability 2020 Edition is available to view now
For the automotive industry environmental sustainability is not just important for the vehicles they produce, it is also a key factor in the production process. This edition of AMS takes a close look at sustainable production, utilising recycled materials and renewable energy sources
Audi introduces closed-loop systems for aluminium, wastewater and plastic
Audi has detailed how it is introducing closed-loop systems to its plants as part of its goal to make all its five plants carbon-neutral by 2025. This includes aluminium, wastewater and a pilot project for chemical recycling of plastics.
Lordstown development moves GM closer to all-electric future
GM says it will create more than 1,100 new jobs in Northeast Ohio with the construction of its Ultium Cells LLC battery cell manufacturing facility in Lordstown
Stable growth post-Covid will depend on greater supplier collaboration
At last week’s Livestream Hour Joe McCabe, CEO and president of AutoForecast Solutions, said 2021 was going to be a recovery year in global vehicle production and that continued recovery to 2027 would be based on greater stability. A more globally integratred supply chain, thanks in part to revision of Trump policy following last week’s election, and provide opportunities for tier suppliers, who are getting more involved complex subassembly
GM invests $4 billion to prepare Spring Hill and Detroit-Hamtramck plants for EV production
General Motors is moving forward with investments to equip its factories to produce electric vehicles (EVs). The Spring Hill, Tennessee plant gets a $2 billion upgrade to produce the Cadillac Lyriq and the and Detroit-Hamtramck plant will see $2.2 billion invested to produce the recently unveiled GMC Hummer EV.
GM restarts Corvette assembly after supply shortage
General Motors has confirmed that it restarted production of the Corvette sports car in Kentucky on Monday after a week of shutdowns that resulted from parts shortages.
AMS Autumn 2020 – At the cutting edge, the latest on 3D printing and aluminium welding
The latest issue Automotive Manufacturing Solutions features insight on 3D printing of parts and tooling with Porsche, Audi and Seat, digital solutions for aluminium welding and much more. With technology solutions from ABB, Rockwell Automation, Henkel and Castrol.
EV start-up Arrival to build microfactory in South Carolina
Arrival, the start-up that plans to build electric commercial vehicles in what it calls ‘microfactories’, has announced its first US production location in York County, South Carolina. It has also raised $118m from funds managed by BlackRock.
2,200 new robots to improve automation at VW Chattanooga, Emden and Hannover plants
Volkswagen is investing in automation with robots from Fanuc and ABB at its Chattanooga, Emden and Hannover plants, in preparation for those factories to start producing electric vehicles based on the MEB platform. The robots are to be mainly used for body production and battery assembly.
Can Tesla shift the balance of EV battery and cell manufacturing away from China?
At Tesla’s recent Battery Day presentation, the company promised to shake up its battery supply chains by moving into cell production and even the mining of raw material, but how realistic are these targets?
Ultium Drive to power GM’s next-generation EVs
GM says it will lead design, development and manufacturing of next-generation EV drive units and motors
GM reveals wireless battery management system
This new system will allow the use of a common set of battery components across GM’s electric vehicle range
VW develops Chattanooga plant for future EV production
Volkswagen says it is expanding its Tennessee factory to build a North American centre for electric vehicles, for both assembly and engineering functions
Mazda and Toyota make additional investment in US joint-venture
The Japanese OEMs have announced an additional $830m investment into their new production facility in Alabama, US. Funding for the joint-venture has increased to $2.3 billion, up from the $1.6 billion originally announced in 2018
Event preview – Surcar North America: Virtual Summit 2020
Automotive coating experts set the scene as networking opportunities reconvene
Watch: Livestream Hour Season Finale | Part 2: Update from North America with Honda and Benteler
Don’t miss the last Livestream Hour episode this season as our guests provide insight on how the coronavirus crisis is currently affecting production and the supply chain in North America, featuring Hector Martinez from Honda de Mexico and Maxim Serov from global tier 1 Benteler.
Watch: Livestream Hour Season Finale Part 1: Global logistics lessons with the Volkswagen Group
As part of our finale for this season’s Livestream Hour, watch this exclusive interview with our special guest Matthias Braun, who leads digitalisation and concept development for group logistics at the Volkswagen Group, on how the carmaker has managed its supply chain through all phases of the coronavirus crisis so far, and lessons for the future
Watch: Livestream Hour Episode 13 – Start-up OEM supply chains with INEOS Automotive
Watch this discussion to hear key insights and ask questions to our special guest panel including INEOS Automotive’s head of supply chain management, Marko Weisshaar
Watch: Livestream Hour Episode 12 – North American vehicle ports
This week’s show will feature insights into how leading automotive ports have adapted rapidly to manage the crisis, how they are using digital technologies and investing in smart infrastructure to better support the automotive supply chain.