Tag: Toyota

Why Toyota is investing another billion in its US plants

Toyota is investing one billion US dollars in its US plants in the states of Indiana and Kentucky. The Japanese company is strengthening its electric vehicle plans and expanding hybrid capacity in the group’s most important sales market.

EV batteries: OEMs cut investment due to lower demand

Automakers are facing a costly re-set as EV production lags behind expectations, with battery cell joint ventures dissolving and investments scaled back

Japanese vehicle makers look to China for EV growth

Mazda, Toyota and Nissan are focusing on EV production in China with local partners. This has implications for European EV investment by Chinese vehicle companies

Toyota Canada signs humanoid robot deal with Agility

After a year-long pilot at its Woodstock, Ontario facility, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada has signed a commercial Robots-as-a-Service agreement with Agility Robotics, deploying seven Digit humanoids on the assembly line this April.

Ilkhan Ozsevim

Subaru begins battery electric assembly at Gunma plant, Japan

Japanese carmaker achieves milestone with mixed-model production line that builds EVs alongside petrol and hybrid vehicles, leveraging two decades of collaboration with Toyota to advance its electrification strategy

Ilkhan Ozsevim

China speed reshapes global vehicle manufacturing

Chinese EV entrants and legacy OEMs are redefining vehicle manufacturing through gigacasting, vertical integration and faster product cycles, forcing global rivals to adapt

China’s auto industry: EV surge, exports and global manufacturing

China leads global vehicle, EV and battery production, but overcapacity and weak domestic demand are driving exports, overseas factories and a looming industry shake-out

Japanese carmakers look to increase imports of US built vehicles back to Japan

Japanese OEMs are increasingly sourcing vehicles from overseas plants for sale at home, reflecting shifting trade rules, cost pressures and manufacturing strategies. From India and Thailand to potential US imports, the trend highlights changing global production logic.

2026 and the knowledge capture race reshaping auto production

As 2026 unfolds, automotive manufacturing confronts an urgent paradox. Veteran technicians retire in waves whilst electrification demands new skills. The industry's response transforms institutional memory into digital intelligence before time runs out.

Ilkhan Ozsevim

Hongqi moves solid-state batteries from lab to trial production

Hongqi has produced its first all-solid-state battery packs in a controlled manufacturing environment, marking a shift from experimental development to industrial validation.

Ilkhan Ozsevim

Rockwell's Stephen Heirene on bringing future mobility to factory floor training

Rockwell Automation's Stephen Heirene explains how the company is helping automotive manufacturers bridge the gap between legacy systems and digital transformation through training academies that prepare engineers for the realities of modern production.

Ilkhan Ozsevim

Toyota stakes $912m on hybrid surge with five-plant expansion

Japanese automaker allocates capital across component casting, engine assembly and vehicle production facilities in response to electrified vehicle demand approaching 50% of total US sales, marking significant shift in manufacturing strategy

Ilkhan Ozsevim

New alliances and innovative factory upgrades for US auto industry

GM and Hyundai form a wide-ranging new partnership, and Toyota reinvents its Kentucky plant to pioneer global manufacturing standards

Intelligent automation rewrites the rules of vehicle production

Carmakers bet on humanoid robots and AI-driven systems to solve labour crises and accelerate output. The catch: success depends less on silicon than on skilful change management.

Ilkhan Ozsevim

Tariffs redraw North American auto manufacturing map

From BMW to Nissan, automakers are shifting assembly lines to the US to avoid steep tariffs – while Canadian and Mexican operations face uncertain futures. Here's how tariffs are reshaping the industry's landscape.

Toyota's Burnaston academy redefines industrial training with Rockwell

As global manufacturing confronts a looming skills crisis, Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK, with help of Rockwell, has created a training model that could reshape how the industry develops its workforce

Ilkhan Ozsevim

Hybrid powertrains will continue to support the transition to vehicle electrification

Weak EV demand, critical mineral supply challenges and tariff-driven market uncertainty keeps hybrid vehicles in the big picture for model development and production investments.

UK automotive production hits lowest April level since 1952 as exports falter and policy uncertainty clouds EV transition

UK car and commercial vehicle production fell sharply in April, marking the worst start to a year since 2009. As exports decline and policy uncertainty looms, the industry calls for urgent action to restore competitiveness and support the EV transition.

Automotive expert Tunç Kip: Human-machine interfaces essential in boosting flexibility, quality, and performance in global manufacturing

From the factory floor to upstream design, digital human-machine interfaces are enabling smarter, leaner, and more flexible vehicle production - but humans need to be at the centre of gravity for it to work.

Toyota to build GR Corolla in the UK starting 2026

Toyota Motor Europe has confirmed that its Burnaston plant in Derbyshire will begin production of the Toyota GR Corolla in 2026, marking a significant expansion of the company’s high-performance GR (Gazoo Racing) lineup.

Tariffs changing the automotive landscape in North America

Donald Trump’s tariffs have triggered some shorter-term shifts in US production operations and longer-term evaluation on investments and strategies as supply chains are restructured.

Augmented reality, AI, cobots and digital twins are transforming automotive production by enhancing worker training, planning, inspection and collaboration

Human-machine interfaces are becoming central to car production. With AR, cobots, AI inspection and digital twins, OEMs like Ford, Volvo, GM and Mercedes are reshaping the way people and machines interact.

Toyota reorganises North American manufacturing into three pillars and seven regions as part of its long-term production and logistics strategy

Toyota has unveiled a sweeping reorganisation of its North American manufacturing, dividing operations into three strategic pillars and seven regions, alongside executive changes aimed at EV growth and production agility.

Toyota and Gorilla join forces to deploy AI warehouse tools and drive a global rollout of smart factory automation starting from Thailand

Toyota Material Handling Solutions Thailand is partnering with AI firm Gorilla Technology Group to co-develop intelligent warehouse tools. The collaboration launches in Thailand with a global rollout planned.

UK competition regulator fines 10 carmakers and trade bodies over collusion in green advertising and recycling disclosures

The UK’s competition watchdog has fined major carmakers and two trade bodies over £77m for colluding on green advertising. A whistle-blower tip from Mercedes-Benz exposed years of consortium activity that limited consumer choice.

Honda to source hybrid vehicle batteries from Toyota’s new US plant as tariff threats and shifting EV policies force Japanese carmakers to rethink their supply chains

Honda will source hybrid batteries from Toyota’s $14bn US factory starting in 2025, as rising tariffs under Trump and declining EV incentives prompt Japanese carmakers to reinforce local supply chains

Accelerating EV innovation transforms design and manufacturing processes as Toyota and Volkswagen lead cross-functional integration and digital twin adoption for future production

Industry experts at the AMS Evolution panel examine the accelerating EV shift and its impact on design and manufacturing. Toyota and Volkswagen share insights on engineering flexibility and digital twin simulation to streamline production

Why global automotive innovators must embrace Design For Manufacture to power production in an environment of increasing complexity and fierce foreign competition

Automotive manufacturers are streamlining production with Design for Manufacture (DFM), cutting complexity, reducing costs and driving EV innovation. In In this article, experts reveal the key strategies and digital tools that are reshaping vehicle production.

US tariffs on Mexico and Canada threaten North American auto production and supply chains, raising costs for manufacturers

The US is threatening to impose tariffs on automotive imports from Canada and Mexico, testing the resilience of North American manufacturing. The move could drive up costs, disrupt supply chains, and challenge the stability of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), just as the industry navigates nearshoring, investment shifts, and electrification.

How OEMs such as BMW, Toyota and Ford are harnessing data-driven decision making drive sustainability in automotive manufacturing

Leading automotive OEMs and tier-suppliers are deploying cutting-edge data tools to transform their operations. This article explores how they are using AI and big data to enhance resource efficiency, reduce emissions, and pave the way for a greener future in manufacturing.

China: Fierce domestic competition sees international brands suffer lower sales and a contraction of output

As China’s domestic brands consolidate and grow both at home and internationally, the international brands, which have benefited from growth in the Chinese market over the years, now face serious headwinds.

Scaling agility in auto manufacturing: Volkswagen and Toyota on flexibility, digitalisation, and workforce innovation

Through a series of insights shared by Chris Glover, executive vice-president of Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Plant, and Jaime Moore, senior principal engineer at Toyota North America, the discussion called for a vital need for flexibility, collaboration, and technological innovation in navigating constant change.

AMS Automotive Evolution: Reducing costs, fast-tracking development, embracing change

The AMS Automotive Evolution conference in Detroit brought together leading car makers and tier suppliers to discuss managing production operations as the EV transition continues. AMS Editor Nick Holt shares some takeaways from the event.

Toyota’s Jaime Moore on engineering transformation: Agile teams, early collaboration, and the impact of digital tools

At the AMS Automotive Evolution NA 2024 event, Jaime Moore, Senior Principal Engineer at Toyota North America, highlighted the evolving role of engineers in manufacturing. She discussed the expanded skill set required, the need for cross-functional collaboration, and the potential of digital twins and AI in streamlining the automotive production process.

Chinese automaker GAC plans European EV production to counter 45% EU tariffs, aiming for half a million overseas sales by 2030, with first electric SUV launch set for mid-2025

Facing the imposition of tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, GAC, one of China’s largest carmakers, is considering European manufacturing to preserve market access. Its electric SUV Aion V will be showcased at the Paris Auto Show, with sales expected by 2025.

Mazda Toyota manufacturing Vice President Rhonda Gilyard recognised for advancing women’s roles in automotive production and inducted into Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame

Rhonda Gilyard, Vice President of administration at Mazda Toyota manufacturing, has been inducted into the Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame. Her two-decade-long leadership has advanced women’s roles in automotive production.

Hybrid powertrains – building the bridge to e-mobility

The future of internal combustion engines (ICE) is being extended through growing demand for hybrid powertrains as OEMs rebalance EV product line-ups.

BMW and Toyota’s mixed powertrain approach sees collaboration to produce Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle options for passenger cars

Utilising a fuel cell powertrain, developed in collaboration with Toyota, BMW plans to launch its first-ever series production fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) in 2028.

Toyota West Virginia starts production of new hybrid transaxle

Production of this fifth-generation hybrid transaxle is part of Toyota’s multi-pathway approach to electrification.

Toyota to build EV battery plant for Lexus in Japanese island

Toyota Motor is planning to build an EV battery plant for its Lexus brand in the Japanese island of Kyushu, according to Japanese newspaper Nikkei.

ASEAN: Chinese OEMs increase investment through EV production

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is now seeing increasing investment in electric vehicle production with Chinese OEMs leading the way.

Toyota Texas to expand manufacturing footprint with $531m investment

Toyota Texas’ new on-site 500,000 sq. ft facility will be for drivetrain parts production

The future may be all electric, but not just yet

With demand for battery electric vehicles lower than expected, OEMs are boosting hybrid output and extending ICE production.

Toyota Motor Europe shuffles manufacturing leadership

Toyota Motor Europe has made a series of changes to its manufacturing team leadership, including appointing a new vice-president.

Design4Production: Recap blog

Thank you for joining us for the Design4Production 2024 event, read the summary of the key sessions covered at the event below. Today’s discussions highlighted the critical integration of design, engineering, and production to foster innovation and collaboration in the automotive industry. Esteemed speakers from Ford, NOYO AG, Volvo Group, Hyundai, among others, emphasised the importance of breaking down silos, enhancing sustainability, and speeding up development processes.

Toyota Motor North America announces key production leadership changes

Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) is undergoing significant leadership changes in its manufacturing operations, with the retirement of Jim Zehmer, president of TABC, and Wes Woods, president of Toyota Missouri and Toyota Tennessee, and the appointment of Oscar Villarreal as interim president of TABC and Todd Williams as Woods’ successor, marking a pivotal transition in the company’s manufacturing leadership.

UK auto production prospects improving

Economic headwinds, supply chain challenges and future trading uncertainty have put the UK’s automotive manufacturing sector under considerable pressure, but there are signs of a positive change ahead.

Toyota invests $1.4B in US manufacturing for new BEV SUV

With a focus on sustainability and job creation, Toyota’s investment in its Princeton facility in Indiana aims to solidify its position in the electrification market, adding up to 340 new jobs and bolstering its long-standing partnership with the state

Reshaping the future: Innovations and developments in automotive production engineering: propulsion by Electrification and Digitalisation

Manufacturing engineering both powers and underpins production ecosystems across the industry. From BMW’s Munich plant to Porsche’s Zuffenhausen facility and Toyota’s expansions in Kentucky, we take a look at transformative initiatives shaping the industry.

Toyota Alabama accelerates production unveiling the i-FORCE engine line to power the enhanced Tacoma, focused on versatile powertrains and demand-led job stability

Toyota Alabama launches i-FORCE 2.4L turbo engine line, fortifying commitment to responsive powertrains amid market shifts. The OEM ramps up towards its wider electrification goals

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 state and stipulation of automotive production: Retrospect 2023 to prospect 2024

Using 2023 as a launchpad into the coming trends of 2024, we take a dive into the coming automotive production trends set to shape the industry

A natural fit: how and why the automotive production industry is turning to bio-materials for sustainable solutions in pursuit of zero emissions and enhanced performance

Bio-based materials like flax, hemp, kenaf, and jute are reshaping automotive production for sustainability. These natural fibres offer durable, lightweight alternatives for several vehicle components, from dashboards to electric vehicle batteries.

Toyota’s $8 Billion investment powers North Carolina battery plant

Toyota’s $8 billion investment in North Carolina powers regional electrification efforts with plans to roll out ten EV/PHEV battery production lines

Toyota Japan's production halt expands across ten assembly lines following supplier explosion

From explosions to system failures, Toyota Japan’s production standstills highlight the need for diverse supplier networks, robust safety measures and resilience

AMS Autumn 2023 – Continental Shift

In this latest AMS digital edition we have a special focus on the North American automotive industry as the region’s OEMs make big investments in electric vehicle and battery production

Toyota promotes Erik Skaggs to president of motor manufacturing at Mississippi, Blue Springs (TMMMS)

Erik Skaggs becomes President of Toyota Mississippi, steering the company towards a promising future in automotive manufacturing.

Toyota’s advanced battery technology roadmap could be a game-changer for automotive manufacturing

The carmaker’s advanced battery technology roadmap may be set to transform EVs for automotive manufacturing; enhancing power, range and efficiency.

Toyota addresses production system malfunction that put the breaks on Japanese production

The OEM finally releases statement regarding the nationwide disruption; identifying “insufficient disk space.”

Toyota’s huge production shutdown was due to a simple parts-ordering “system update”

The revelation should give pause for automotive production professionals to potentially rethink their systems and presents an opportunity for solutions

Toyota’s production grinds to a halt in Japan amid system failure

The carmaker’s Japanese production suffers a sudden system failure, impacting one-third of global output and exposing supply chain vulnerabilities and recovery hurdles.

AMS Summer 2023 – JLR goes electric

In our AMS Summer digital edition, we have features on JLR’s plans to transform its end-to-end industrial system, ready for new electric models, Seat’s technical upgrades to production operations and upskilling the workforce and insights into developments at Audi’s Neckarsulm plant, and more.

New engine production line boosts Toyota’s hybrid vehicle manufacturing

The new flexible engine line at Toyota Kentucky can produce three different engine types simultaneously on one line and is part of a $145m investment

Solar power for Toyota’s North Alabama engine plant

A new solar project aims to generate 70% of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama’s power requirements

AMS Spring 2023 – Next level digital production engineering

In this latest AMS digital edition we have features on Audi’s digital production engineering strategy, Dacia’s vehicle plant Mioveni, production cloud systems, toolmaking, China, sustainability and more.

China: European, US and Japanese Vehicle Manufacturers rebalance production and supply chains

AMS looks at the changing role of the Chinese operations of European and other long established brands’ operations in China and their changing roles in the global auto sector

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 remained no sign that it would be able to re-open.

Toyota to invest $5.2bn to expand EV battery manufacture in Japan, US

The investment in battery production is a significant step forward for the global automaker whose emissions-cutting efforts have focused on hybridisation over EVs.

Mazda resumes US production with new all-electric CX-50 SUV rollout at Alabama factory

The first 2023 CX-50 SUV has rolled off Mazda’s new Huntsville assembly line, marking the Japanese carmaker’s return to US-based manufacturing following a 10-year hiatus.

Electrifying Europe: new EU ‘Fit for 55’ legislation effectively bans petrol and diesel engines by 2035

The EU’s latest salvo against the automotive industry to mitigate against climate change is the most radical yet, tightening emission targets more than previously announced and setting a timetable to eliminate combustion engines – all of which will ultimately transform automotive manufacturing and supply chain

Electric vehicle and hybrid vehicle plant database

Track factory locations for electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles by manufacturer, model and location, in a comprehensive listing of the changing geography of electric vehicle manufacturing.

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 by powertrain type (battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, mild and full hybrid electric vehicles, and commercial electric vehicles).

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 electric vehicle lithium-ion battery demand, analysis of battery cell gigafactory locations and insight on global EV battery manufacturing and supply chain management.

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

The time is now to start integrating robotics into plant and warehouse logistics

Robotics have already enabled major productivity gains in manufacturing, but as the technology becomes more affordable and labour gets harder to find and more expensive, it could start to play a bigger role in the plant logistics and warehousing, too, helping workers do their jobs more safely and quickly.

Toyota sees positives in its electrostatic paint atomiser innovation

Across the group, the OEM anticipates lower consumption and more compact paintshop design as a result of deploying the new technology

Toyota pursues dip-free plating technology innovation

The new, more efficient and compact process reduces waste in plating solution during electronic component production

3D Print Case Study: Toyota Corolla

Toyota use additive manufacturing services to validate a number of exterior components for design, fit and function

Watch: Livestream Hour Episode 6 – Aftermarket and Service Parts: Keeping the wheels moving

In this episode of the Livestream Hour, we discuss the pandemic’s potential impact on aftersales supply and the aftermarket, including the long-term effects on supply chains and what this means for managing inventory. With special guests from Toyota North America, LKQ Europe and CLEPA. Hosted by editor-in-chief Christopher Ludwig.

People get ready: recruitment and retention in a complex automotive industry

With contributions from Volkswagen, Toyota, BMW and Audi, AMS looks at some of the strategies OEMs are using to attract and retain employees with the skills needed to work in modern digitalised workplaces – and to adapt to cutting-edge developments in hybrid, electric and autonomous vehicles …

Calling stop on automotive supply chains: How long can companies survive the Covid-19 crisis?

With the coronavirus pandemic causing a level of automotive plant shutdowns not seen since the second world war, suppliers and logistics providers will face failures without direct support from government, and close collaboration with OEMs and industry.

Coronavirus: how the OEMs are responding

As coronavirus measures continue to affect vehicle production, AMS spoke to Renault, Toyota, PSA, BMW, Nissan, Volkswagen and Honda on how they are keeping assembly lines moving

Toyota tops up US investment

Toyota has completed its US plant modernisation project, first announced in January 2017, with an additional $700 million for its Indiana facility

RAV4 Hybrid production starts at TMMK

Looking after ‘the triplets’

The Toyota-PSA venture combines talents for the production of a trio of city cars. Gareth Price reports

US plants – stick or twist?

Corolla confidence

Asia’s other powerhouse

Unease in the East

Set the controls

Piecing it all together

GAC Mitsubishi makes engines

Time for an upgrade

Expanding and restructuring

Japanese OEMs target China for EVs

Southern hospitality

Pacific standard

Centre of operations

PSA and Nissan exploring new ground

JLR opts for EU over UK

Raising the volume

Pursuing profitability

Lofty production plans

More to follow

The final death throes of diesel?