North America News
Volkswagen workers in Tennessee vote to join UAW
The result of the vote was clear, with 2,628 workers casting their support for the union against 985 nays. This victory makes VW’s Chattanooga’s the first foreign-owned car plant in the southern US to unionise through an election since the 1940s, marking it as a monumental win for the UAW.
ZF unveils automotive tech facility in Monterrey, Mexico
ZF’s $200m investment will establish one of the most advanced automotive complexes in Mexico and will focusing on driving automotive developments through collaboration
Nissan North America announces leadership shakeup
Nissan’s North American leadership shakeup impacts production engineering, vehicle standards and the Nissan Technical Center North America (NTCNA)
Reshaping the future: Developments in automotive production engineering
A picture of the fast-paced world of automotive production engineering as it navigates the transition to electric vehicles and digitalisation
Compas wins category for site transformation at FYA: Interview with Santiago Jurado, chief quality officer
Santiago Jurado, chief quality officer at Compas talks managing complexity across different brands (Mercedez-Benz and Nissan) and several architectures on a single production line as the company takes category win at the Factory of the Year Awards.
Google’s Clausen takes GM manufacturing mantle as EVP Johnson retires
Major leadership changes at GM as Gerald Johnson retires after 44 years. Google’s Jens Peter Clausen steps in while Mike Abbott steps down for health reasons.
Toyota Alabama Launches i-FORCE line enhancing Tacoma’s performance
The launch of the i-FORCE 2.4L turbo engine line for enhanced Tacoma at Toyota Alabama affirms the OEMs commitment to diversified powertrains and job security
Challenges looming for US vehicle production
EV production in the US is facing headwinds from both weakening demand and foreign competition.
UAW-Ford avert strike at Kentucky after reaching tentative deal
The United Auto Workers union and Ford have reached a tentative agreement that is expected to avert a strike that was due to upset production operations at the Kentuvky Truck Plant. With ratifications still looming, all parties involved seem to want to find common ground but this is stil uncertain.
Magna secures major eDrive system contract for high-end OEM
Magna clinches a pivotal eDrive system contract, supporting a high-end North-American vehicle OEM in its electrification journey
2024 Jeep Gladiator rolls out Toledo Assembly Complex alongside Wrangler
With the Gladiator joining production of the Wrangler at the Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio, the facility draws attention to the tooling and upgrading that was set in motion in preparaton for its launch
GM and Honda JV ‘FCSM’ begins producing hydrogen battery fuel cells
GM-Honda collaboration FCSM kicks off hydrogen fuel cell production at its Michigan plant, setting a new standard in sustainable battery technology
Toyota adds battery electric vehicle production to Kentucky
The $1.3billion investment at the Kentucky will support assembly of an all-new, three row battery electric SUV for the US market
The rising role of renewable energy supply in automotive production
The automotive industry’s shift towards sustainability transcends mere vehicle innovation, with a large part of the global carbon equation relying on renewable energy architectures in manufacturing processes.
Nissan mulls migrating rogue production to Japan amid cost-cutting drive
Facing pressing cost reductions, Nissan considers relocating its flagship Rogue’s production from the US to Japan. With a stark 20% cost disparity favoring Japan, the automaker’s push for significant supplier discounts underscores a serious ultimatum forced by the OEMs attempt at securing a competitive edge in the automotive production
SMMT: Production resilience and strategic progress for UK automotive industry
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has revealed a marked trend of prodcution resilience in the UK, with the sector witnessing a substantial 16.8% rise in car production. This led to an output of 1.25 million vehicles; the industry’s strongest performance since 2019. With markets shifting and competition growing overseas, UK productions and exports are witnessing sings of confidence and resilience.
Watch Now: Shaping the future: How electric vehicles are driving manufacturing decisions
Explore electric vehicle (EV) architecture design and manufacturing complexities, from flexible platforms to battery integration challenges.
AMS & ABB Automotive Manufacturing Outlook Survey 2023 results: A positive outlook despite evolving challenges
Download our latest global survey results to gain expert insight into automotive manufacturing trends, gauge the current sentiment across the automotive sector and learn about the broader industry outlook for 2024 and beyond.
Is sodium-ion the future of battery tech? - Stellantis Ventures all-in on Tiamat
France’s Tiamat has taken the spotlight with its advanced sodium-ion battery cell chemistry, awarded by Stellantis for its potential to offer a lower cost per kWh and an eco-friendly alternative to lithium-ion. Stellantis Ventures, the corporate venture fund of automotive giant Stellantis N.V., has recently announced strategic investment in Tiamat, signaling a strong belief in the sodium-ion technology’s potential.
Henkel supports innovation with Battery Engineering Center
Henkel, a global leader in adhesives, sealants and functional coatings, has opened its revolutionary Battery Engineering Center within its Inspiration Center in Duesseldorf. Experts at Henkel explain the benefits of the new battery hub, and how it solidifies Henkel’s role as a premier design and innovation partner for OEMs in the automotive industry.