Tag: Volkswagen

Marco Schubert becomes VW's new North America chief

Volkswagen has appointed Marco Schubert to the extended Group management for the difficult business in North America. The current Audi board member for sales succeeds Kjell Gruner. At the same time, the Group is reorganising several important sales positions.

How Volkswagen makes old plants fit for new models

New models and drive systems increasingly have to be integrated into existing factories. Volkswagen is relying on modernised equipment, short conversion windows and the reuse of existing technology.

Timo Gilgen

Puebla prepares for the Golf

From 2027, the Golf will move from Wolfsburg to Puebla. Volkswagen is preparing the plant for the traditional model with reused equipment from several European sites.

Timo Gilgen

Porsche weighs early exit for production board chief Albrecht Reimold

Porsche's supervisory board is expected to decide whether production chief Albrecht Reimold will step down months before his contract ends, as the sports car maker continues reshaping its leadership amid mounting market and operational pressures.

Automotive Manufacturing Solutions

Scout’s $2bn US plant prepares for pre-series production

Scout’s Blythewood factory is 80% complete, with highly automated body production, all-electric paint lines and capacity for 200,000 vehicles annually as the VW Group brand prepares to build its first pre-series models.

From paint shop to platform hall: Jan Drinka's 30 years at VW Bratislava

Jan Drinka has accompanied the transformation of the Volkswagen plant in Bratislava since 1992. In conversation with AMS, he talks about automation, new joining techniques and the ramp-up of the electric platform for the Porsche Cayenne.

Timo Gilgen

VW reportedly weighs closure of four German plants in deepest cost-cutting push yet

Various media report on new cost-cutting plans by the VW Group. According to these reports, up to 100,000 jobs are to be cut and four German plants are to be closed. We show what consequences this could have for production.

Timo Gilgen

Smarter paintshops: The technologies driving sustainable automotive production

Reducing emissions and cutting costs go hand in hand in the latest moves being made by Renault, Toyota and Volkswagen to clean up paintshop operations

How Volkswagen wants to become more competitive again

Volkswagen is tightening its cost-cutting course. The Group wants to reduce overcapacity, realign production networks and cut around 50,000 jobs across the Group by 2030. The measures are intended to save more than €6 billion ($6.9bn) annually.

How the car plant becomes a learning system

Digital twins and physical AI are currently the biggest game changers in automotive production. Examples from BMW, Volkswagen or Schaeffler make clear why some technological promises still have to stand the test of reality.

Yannick Tiedemann

Major management reshuffle in Volkswagen's production

Volkswagen is refilling several key positions in the Brand Group Core. Among those affected are the sites in Osnabrück, Hanover and Poznań, as well as leadership roles in China, Mexico and Argentina.

Timo Gilgen

Inside VW Slovakia: How Bratislava is mastering the electric shift, AI, and supply chain disruption

Volkswagen Slovakia CEO Wolfram Kirchert on leading one of the Group's most complex plants – from the electric Cayenne ramp-up and workforce integration challenges to predictive maintenance and building resilience against geopolitical supply chain risk

Timo Gilgen

EV or ICE? Inside the factory strategies splitting the auto industry in 2026

From purpose-built EV megaplants to U-turns on EV and battery investments, the global auto industry's production strategies are diverging fast. The winners may be those who build for flexibility.

VW Chattanooga ends ID.4 output, backs new ICE Atlas

Volkswagen is ending ID.4 electric vehicle assembly at its Chattanooga plant and pivoting to a second-generation Atlas as its North American anchor. The move lays bare the tension between long-term electrification targets and the immediate pressures of a market that has not kept pace with them.

Ilkhan Ozsevim

At Hefei, VW draws new hope for its business in China

In little more than five years, the Hefei plant has become VW’s pivotal hub for its long-awaited comeback in China. A key model, the ID.Unyx 08, is already rolling off the production line there.

How carmakers are repurposing idle factories for defence production

A growing number of European firms – from Volkswagen and Renault to Schaeffler and Valmet – are pivoting redundant production lines towards defence contracts, as rising geopolitical tensions unlock a surprising new revenue stream.

Why Bratislava has become Volkswagen’s most versatile plant

As the electric Cayenne joins the line in 2026, Bratislava highlights how Volkswagen balances complexity, volume and flexibility at a single site.

Timo Gilgen

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

Volkswagen consolidates production, development and procurement across brands

From January 2026, Volkswagen will jointly manage central functions of the volume brands. A new brand group board is set to accelerate decisions, reduce costs by €1 billion by 2030, and reorganise the industrial base of the Brand Group Core.

Timo Gilgen

AMS Talks 2025-2026: The Human & The Machine in Carmaking

In our final livestream of 2025, we explored how automotive manufacturers are abandoning top-down digitalisation for agile, shop-floor solutions. What we discovered across factory visits is striking: transforming brownfield sites into EV hubs succeeds only when you empower people, not just deploy technology. What awaits in 2026?

Ilkhan Ozsevim

Why Ford is turning to Renault for its next B-segment EVs

Ford’s decision to source two small electric vehicles from Renault’s AmpR platform marks a shift away from deep alliances toward pragmatic manufacturing partnerships.

Volkswagen's new production leadership: From Palmela to Martorell

Volkswagen is entirely restructuring the responsibilities of the production board member role after Markus Haupt's move to Seat CEO created a vacancy, electing not to appoint a new member.

AR and VR boosting production planning and performance

From Ford and Volkswagen to BMW, Hyundai, Bosch, and ZF, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality tools are becoming key to a faster, safer, more connected production environment.

Inside Palmela: How VW transformed a 30-year-old factory for net zero

From geothermal networks to electrified paintshops and closed-loop metal recycling, Volkswagen's Palmela plant demonstrates how legacy factories can achieve significant decarbonisation—while confronting hard truths about polymer contamination and circularity limits.

Ilkhan Ozsevim

VW-Rivian venture accelerates software ambitions

A year into their joint venture, Volkswagen and Rivian have assembled a 1,500-strong engineering team working on next-generation vehicle architecture. Winter testing for reference vehicles begins next quarter as the partnership targets 30 million units.

Ilkhan Ozsevim

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

Amazon's AWS outage exposes automotive production's digital vulnerability

Amazon's 15-hour AWS outage affected billions in transactions globally. With major OEMs running production systems on the same infrastructure, the incident raises urgent questions about automotive manufacturing's digital resilience.

Ilkhan Ozsevim

Porsche and VW dial back EV ambitions as market shifts and costs mount

Facing cooling demand and mounting platform delays, Porsche and the wider Volkswagen Group are scaling back their electric vehicle rollout plans. With €5 billion in write-downs, postponed launches, and a return to ICE and hybrid models, the road to electrification is no longer a straight line.

Europe’s carmakers cut production as overcapacity bites

Stellantis, Volkswagen, and Ford are pausing production at multiple plants across Europe amid falling demand, rising inventories, and shrinking market share. With utilisation rates dropping, industry-wide plant closures are beginning to look inevitable.

Volkswagen accelerates AI-powered production with 5-year AWS extension

The platform now hosts more than 1,200 AI-driven applications, ranging from real-time image-based quality inspections to energy optimisation, with machine learning executed via AWS services such as Amazon SageMaker.

Anushka Dixit

Europe: EV investment continues but managing capacity is an issue

Despite billions invested in electric vehicle production and battery supply chains, many European plants are grappling with low utilisation, underwhelming EV sales, and structural overcapacity. Can Europe's auto industry recalibrate to remain competitive?

European vehicle makers navigate the challenging US tariffs

The European vehicle manufacturing sector faces a multitude of challenges including tariffs imposed by President Trump. OEMs are now reviewing their export strategies and manufacturing networks.

How flexibility, digitalisation and workforce agility are reshaping auto manufacturing

From multi-powertrain assembly lines and digital twin-enabled operations to agile supply networks and adaptive workforce models, OEMs and suppliers are redesigning the production floor for a future that rewards flexibility and responsiveness.

UK vehicle production slips behind global leaders as China and North America accelerate EV manufacturing, trade alignment and industrial policy

AMS explores why the structural forces behind Britain’s vehicle production are in decline, contrasting it with the strategic clarity and industrial momentum driving EV investment across North America, and preeminently.

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.

Volkswagen appoints Dr. Werner Tietz as new head of Group Research and Development

Volkswagen Group has announced that Dr. Werner Tietz, currently the Executive Board Member for Research and Development at SEAT S.A., will take on the additional role of Head of Group Research and Development at Volkswagen Group, effective July 1, 2025.

China’s rare earth magnet export ban threatens global EV and automotive manufacturing, as US, European and Asian carmakers scramble to secure critical materials

The global automotive sector is facing renewed disruption as China tightens control over exports of heavy rare earths and magnets. With EV powertrains and chips at risk, OEMs are now racing to diversify supply.

Will exports drive production growth across India?

Building on the rising value of vehicle exports and components, the Indian government wants 50% of vehicles made in India to be exported by 2030 but there is some way to go before this ambition can be realised.

As VW cuts back in Germany, Slovakia and Spain emerge as new pillars of cost-effective and future-focused production across Europe

As VW’s traditional German plants face uncertainty, its long-established facilities in Bratislava and Pamplona are stepping into the spotlight—producing top-selling models and gearing up for a new era of electric vehicles.

How digital twins, hybrid clouds and predictive AI are enabling connected manufacturing in the automotive industry

Automotive manufacturers are racing to connect systems, optimise production and secure supply chains through digital twins, hybrid clouds and AI. But legacy systems and organisational inertia remain major obstacles. By Ilkhan Ozsevim.

Software-defined vehicles are transforming value creation, customer models, and strategies across the automotive industry, from BMW to Stellantis and NXP

It’s now time to take a more holistic view of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). After all, they involve completely new business models. Who is pursuing which strategy?

Ambitious targets and big investments for India’s carmakers

After a period of downsizing or complete withdrawal by some foreign OEMs, investment in Indian production is on the rise again with the domestic vehicle makers leading the way.

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.

EU allows automakers flexibility for 2025 emissions targets to be averaged over 2025-2027, easing regulatory pressure

The European Commission has eased 2025 CO2 targets, averaging them over 2025-2027. While this relieves short-term pressure, it raises concerns over Europe’s ability to stay competitive with China in the EV race.

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.

Will Volkswagen’s surplus German plants become Chinese production operations?

As European vehicle makers continue to face challenging global markets and increased costs, many are having to make difficult decisions around underutilised production operations. Ian Henry looks at how Chinese OEMs could potentially buy or utilise some of Volkswagen’s production sites.

Volkswagen partners with Dassault Systèmes to accelerate software-defined vehicle development with the AI-powered 3DEXPERIENCE cloud platform

Volkswagen has selected Dassault Systèmes’ AI-powered 3DEXPERIENCE platform as its primary engineering and manufacturing system. The move aims to drive software-defined vehicle innovation, enhance efficiency and unify fragmented processes across the group.

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.

Volkswagen de México opens world’s 1st fully electric paintshop at Puebla plant

Volkswagen de México has launched the first fully electric paint shop in the automotive industry, eliminating natural gas use and improving sustainability. The Puebla plant’s advanced automation, AI-driven quality control, and renewable energy integration is a step toward carbon-neutral vehicle production.

The automotive industry weighs the challenges of geopolitics and market factors in 2025

Trade wars, geopolitical tensions, mergers, increasing competition are all considerations that need to be addressed and navigated by vehicle makers and suppliers. Ian Henry highlights some of the key factors to look out for in 2025.

Volkswagen to cut 35,000 jobs and shift Golf production to Mexico amid huge German manufacturing overhaul

Volkswagen announces a significant restructuring of its German manufacturing operations, including 35,000 job cuts by 2030 and the relocation of Golf production to Mexico. The plan aims to reduce production capacity by 734,000 units and save €15 billion ($15.45 billion) annually, addressing overcapacity and high labour costs to ‘enhance competitiveness’ in automotive production crisis.

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.

VW Wolfsburg plant kicks-off Tayron production with precision and digital innovation

The VW main plant is once again producing four different models. After the Seat Tarraco is phased out, the VW Tayron is taking its place. Read how the start-up worked here.

Skoda’s Andreas Dick on driving flexible manufacturing, digitisation and the role of AI in transforming automotive production for future competitiveness

Two measures are at the top of Skoda’s new production boss, Andreas Dick’s, to-do list: digitalisation and flexibility. In the interview, he also reveals what impact the weak demand for electric cars has on his area of responsibility.

PowerCo partners with Alterric and EnviTec to power Salzgitter Gigafactory with 3 Terawatt Hours of green energy over the next decade

PowerCo SE has secured 3 terawatt hours of green electricity for its Salzgitter gigafactory through long-term agreements with Alterric and EnviTec Biogas. These partnerships will cut 115,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually and support Europe’s renewable energy goals.

Volkswagen Chattanooga and Christopher Glover: a masterclass in flexible manufacturing in North America

As Volkswagen celebrates its 75th year in the US, its Chattanooga plant exemplifies a flexible manufacturing model that integrates electrification, workforce innovation, and supply chain resilience. With Chris glover as EVP, the plant has become a benchmark for industry transformation.

The declaration of Martial Law in South Korea raises challenges for automotive production and global supply chains amid political upheaval

The declaration of Martial Law in South Korea has thrown its critical automotive production and logisitics into uncertainty. As political tensions mount, automotive manufacturers and supply chains brace for potential major disruptions in operations and logistics

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.

Henning Habicht appointed Head of Volkswagen Chattanooga Operations

Habicht takes over from Chris Glover, who will retire in January 2025 after more than three decades with Volkswagen, including a three-year stint at Chattanooga.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group JV to create electric architectures and software

The new joint venture (JV), with a potential investment of up to $5.8 billion, will see engineers from both partners developing software and electronics architectures and scale the electric vehicle platforms and architectures.

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.

Volkswagen grapples with high costs in Germany to address “decades of structural problems” says CEO Oliver Blume

Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume is pushing for aggressive cost reductions as the automaker confronts “decades of structural problems.” Rising German labour costs and sluggish market demand have intensified pressures on VW to overhaul its strategy.

Renault, Volkswagen, Stellantis and Geely pursue entry into Korea’s growing auto market as consumer demand rises

As Korean consumers increasingly favour imported vehicles, global auto giants including Renault, Volkswagen, Stellantis and Geely plan new market entries with brand launches and expansions, reflecting shifting local preferences and competitive pricing against domestic cars.

Change is the only constant for Volkswagen Chattanooga EVP Christopher Glover

The head of Volkswagen’s US plant operations is managing market and technology complexity through flexible facility design, practical digitalisation, training and engagement with workers. He speaks to AMS ahead of a keynote presentation at AMS Evolution North America in Michigan.

How VW’s Palmela plant excels with lean production, in-house 3d printing, and 90% automation to produce the T-Roc while preparing for the next generation of vehicles

While the continued existence of German VW plants is being questioned, Volkswagen Autoeuropa in the middle of Portugal is operating at a good capacity. Here’s a look at the lean principles that ensure that the T-Roc plant is running so well.

Volkswagen faces manufacturing challenges amid financial troubles

Volkswagen is grappling with mounting financial troubles, signalling a worsening situation in its global manufacturing operations. With two profit warnings in three months, the automotive giant faces falling EV sales, factory underutilisation, and tariff threats from China.

“We cannot afford to make any mistakes” - Volkswagen’s Portugal boss Thomas Hegel Gunther

It’s not easy being the manager of a VW plant these days. In an interview, Volkswagen’s Portugal boss Thomas Hegel Gunther explains what makes the home of the T-Roc so special and how his team is continually increasing effectiveness through various lean principles.

With the hope of exponential problem-solving on the horizon, are quantum computers the future of the automotive industry?

Quantum computers promise to give industry and science a boost when it comes to solving complex tasks in the future. But how exactly do quantum computers work and which model currently has the highest computing power?

Mexico’s automotive industry is a balancing act between foreign investment and domestic concerns

While the US government encourages domestic production, Mexico continues to attract foreign automotive investment. The trend is particularly evident in the arrival of Chinese manufacturers, poised to have a significant impact on regional production.

Volkswagen’s plan to close two German assembly plants is an existential crisis for legacy auto – but only part of the solution

VW’s announcement marks a pivotal moment for Europe’s legacy OEMs with huge repercussions for German production and broader European supply chains. Daniel Harrison, automotive analyst at Ultima Media assesses the causes, potential remedies, and opportunities.

Audi’s electric hopes rest on Györ

Györ plays a special role in Audi’s production network. Just as important as the approximately 176,000 vehicles produced each year are the almost 1.7 million drives produced. Now Györ must make the transition to electromobility.

VW in cooperation to develop sustainable materials for vehicle interiors

Volkswagen will work with Revoltech to develop sustainable bio-based leather alternative made from industrial hemp.

Volkswagen warns of German plant closures and the end of job security amid EV struggles

Volkswagen is considering closing key German plants and ending a long-standing job security scheme. This move comes as the automaker struggles with insufficient electric vehicle demand, reduced government subsidies, and the push for substantial cost savings. The decision could lead to significant job losses and marks a turning point in the company’s 87-year history.

Skoda builds updated Octavia at Kvasiny

Skoda shuffles production to add Octavia to Kvasiny and free up capacity at Mlada Bolslav for Enyaq and Elroq models.

Despite industry fears, global EV sales reach record highs in 2024 and remain on an upward trajectory

How will slowing growth in EVs impact auto industry investment strategies? As the industry navigates challenges from rising costs and charging infrastructure gaps, to consumer range anxiety and rising competition, Daniel Harrison explodes some EV myths.

Volkswagen’s Traton eyes third European battery plant to meet Electric Vehicle demand

Traton Group, Volkswagen’s commercial vehicle arm, considers a third battery assembly plant in Europe to support rising electric truck demand. Potential locations include Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands. This move aligns with the EU’s carbon reduction roadmap and Traton’s goal of 50% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2030.

In Emden, Volkswagen wants to leave the Passat behind

Volkswagen’s Emden plant has existed in northwest Lower Saxony for decades. Nowhere else is the change to electric drives so noticeable. With new logistics, new assembly and the new ID.7, a new era begins.

Volkswagen invests $5B in Rivian to establish 50/50 EV and software focussed Joint Venture

Volkswagen Group’s $5 billion investment in Rivian forms a joint venture to develop cutting-edge EV architecture and software. The judicious move strengthens both companies’ market positions, both helping Rivian advance its R2 and R3 models while addressing Volkswagen’s software challenges.

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.

Volkswagen announces new affordable European EV

Volkswagen Group has announced that it will make all-electric entry-level mobility widespread across Europe, with affordable EVs made in the continent, for the European market.

Weak demand dims electric future

Consumer resistance and trade disputes mean the future may not be so electric after all as vehicle makers express caution on zero emission vehicle targets.

Danny Auerswald to lead Volkswagen Saxony, bringing global production expertise

Danny Auerswald will assume the position of managing director at VW Saxony starting July, overseeing technology and logistics at the Zwickau, Chemnitz, and Dresden plants. His leadership will guide a fully electric production network. Auerswald succeeds Robert Janssen, who transitions to executive vice-president, overseeing production and product management at SAIC Volkswagen in Shanghai.

Ford Otosan manufacturing for an economy in transition

Ford Otosan has upgraded its manufacturing facilities in Turkey to ensure the Transit is ready for an electrified future

Bentley prepares electric future with groundbreaking for new paintshop as part of £2.5 bn investment program

As part of Bentley’s ambitious Beyond100 strategy, a state-of-the-art paintshop breaks ground in Crewe, signifying a leap towards Battery-Powered Electric Vehicle (BEV) production and a commitment to sustainability, innovation and digital manufacturing

VW focuses on Chinese market boosting cost competitiveness and local partnerships

VW seeks to strengthen its position in the Chinese automotive market through achieving cost reductions in production and boosting local partnerships

VW Chattanooga votes union: A turning point for southern autoworkers?

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of the VW Chattanooga workers voted in favour of joining the union, making VW’s Chattanooga’s plant the first unionised foreign car factory in the southern US since the 1940s. It’s a major win for the UAW, which has struggled to expand its influence beyond its Detroit base in recent years.

Impacts of global geopolitics on European production

Geopolitical influences on the automotive manufacturing sector are intensifying and becoming ever more powerful. European trends cannot be looked at in isolation; their impact on the ground in Europe have their roots in wider global factors…

The changing shape of Europe’s automotive production operations

European vehicle manufacturing is having to adapt to weakening EV demand and increasing competition. This means revising production volumes and rethinking the ICE-EV balance in the short term.

Europe: OEMs face multiple challenges ahead

With global geopolitics in increasing turmoil and ongoing economic uncertainty, Ian Henry shares his thoughts on the notable challenges facing the European vehicle manufacturing sector.

From Wolfsburg to Zwickau: Volkswagen shifts and consolidates ID.3 production amidst wavering demand

Volkswagen shifts ID.3 production from Wolfsburg to Zwickau in an effort to optimise resources amidst changing market demand

Challenges looming for US vehicle production

EV production in the US is facing headwinds from both weakening demand and foreign competition.

Antolin expands its production footprint in Asia with a new plant in India

The new plant will produce lighting, HMI systems and electronics for leading automotive manufacturers in the Indian market.

Is cost-cutting the newest trend among OEMs in Europe 2024? Watch this space…

As Renault and VW move towards major and comprehensive cost-cutting projects, with the squeeze of uncertainties and inefficiencies, is this liable to spread?

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

AMS Winter 2023/24 – BMW’s battery boost

Our Winter digital edition takes an in-depth look at how OEMs are getting to grips with developing and manufacturing new electric vehicles and powertrains

How battery and electric motors and EVs are reshaping the European automotive supply chain

The automotive industry is in a major shift with EVs reshaping the supply chain. Challenges and opportunities include replacing traditional components tied to combustion engines, new players in the battery market, disruptors facing tariffs, and the looming influence of China in Europe; all adding new layers of complexity.

How Europe’s Big 3 (Volkswagen, Stellantis, Renault) are evolving their manufacturing arrangements and production strategies in the European automotive industry as electrification takes hold

As the automotive industry in Europe undergoes a seismic shift from internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric vehicles (EV), major players like Volkswagen, Stellantis and Renault are navigating complex changes in their production strategies.

Skoda auto unveils next chapter with production launch of fourth-generation superb at Bratislava plant, alignment with visionary Beta+ project marks a transformative milestone

Efficiency meets innovation as Skoda’s flagship Superb starts production in Bratislava with goals to set new standards in automotive excellence and sustainability.

New materials drive electric motor development

Original equipment manufacturers need electric motors that are more energy-efficient and power-dense than those currently available. How composites and resin materials could support developments on this area was discussed by industry experts at a recent conference organised by Sumitomo Bakelite Europe (Ghent) NV (Sumitomo Bakelite Ghent).

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.

New world order: How the US is boosting EV production with new technologies and investment

The US is leading the way in the transition to EVs, with significant government support to increase domestic battery production and new technologies. Ian Henry explores how the US is becoming competition to China, and what it means for the rest of the world.

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

Ionway: Volkswagen Group’s PowerCo and Umicore establish new European battery materials JV in Nysa, Poland

JV a tactical convergence between the OEM with major battery materials player effectively pooling resources and expertise to capitalise on European market as demand booms

Floods affect manufacturing facilities in Slovenia

Major flooding in Slovenia throughout the last month has affected manufacturing facilities in Slovenia and across Europe, hitting the production of carmakers including Volkswagen.

VW and Audi strengthen partnership with SAIC and Xpeng to expand EV production and development in China for China strategy

Volkswagen invests $700m in Xpeng and will partner on tech and platform, while Audi expands partnership with SAIC and will produce vehicles on one of its platforms.

VW to make Spain an electric vehicle hub

The VW Group is building new battery production capacities in Valencia and at the Seat headquarters in Martorell to support further electric vehicle production in the region

India’s light vehicle demand is rising again, and so is manufacturing investment

India has long been seen as the next big thing in automotive manufacturing, due to its growing middle class and high demand for vehicles, but it has struggled to get there. Will new investment help it realise its potential?

VW subsidiary PowerCo develops “gamechanger” in battery cell production: Dry Coating

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.

Heat-treatment – AMS Expert Interview with Nitrex

Shaping the future – Developing electric vehicle architectures

In our AMS Evolution Livestream experts from ArcelorMittal and Gestamp tackle EV production challenges and explain how digital tools, new technologies, processes and materials innovations could help solve some key issues

Smart Factory Special Edition - Automobil Produktion

Read about the latest developments in digital twins, predictive maintenance and Industry 4.0 featuring SEAT’s Markus Haupt, Audi and more from AMS sister publication Automobil Produktion in this special edition for the Hannover Messe

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

PowerCo starts construction of Valencia gigafactory

The gigafactory will start production of unified cells in 2026 and will directly employ more than 3,000 people

VW Group and PowerCo to establish battery cell gigafactory in Canada

The plant will be located in St. Thomas, with production set to begin in 2027

VW-backed Scout Motors to establish manufacturing plant in South Carolina

The plant will build next-generation trucks and rugged SUVs, harkening back to Scout vehicles produced from 1960 to 1980

Martin Goede takes over VW production in Dresden as Danny Auerswald leads on key models in Bratislava

Goede will take the reins at VW’s EV plant in Dresden, knows as ‘the Transparent Factory’ while outgoing manager, Danny Auerswald, will run production of Audi and VW models at the group plant in Slovakia.

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.

Europe’s carmakers dim lights, turn back to coal, oil, on approach to bleak winter

Automakers crimp consumption and reluctantly turn to coal and oil but options may be more limited for component and material suppliers upstream.

Volkswagen signs preliminary deal for MEB EV parts supply to India’s Mahindra

Mahindra plans to use the MEB electric drivetrain, battery system and VW-specification battery cells in its forthcoming EV SUVs.

What Vorsprung durch Technik means for Audi manufacturing in 2022

Digital over physical: Audi is making progress in production through virtual reality, AI and software prototype builds, modular assembly, quality control and energy conservation. AMS gets a tour of manufacturing digitalisation in Ingolstadt, and learns what keeps production chief Gerd Walker up at night.

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

Lithium-ion battery gigafactory database 2022

Track electric vehicle lithium battery gigafactories by manufacturer, location, manufacturer, current and planned gigawatt (GWh) capacity.

Volkswagen launches battery cell-making company PowerCo

PowerCo could produce enough cells for 3m electric vehicles a year by 2030 across six ‘standardised’ European gigafactories.

Buzz timetable: VW’s Hannover plant to produce iconic van’s battery pack from 2024

Volkswagen Group Components will invest €2.3 billion for EV-related part making by 2026.

Volkswagen-led research team to develop closed-loop battery recycling

Consortium launches closed-loop raw material project with the aim to develop permanent recovery of valuable materials to increase sustainability and security of supply

VW’s Frank Blome appointed CEO of automaker’s new battery company

Volkswagen’s battery technology chief will run the group’s battery development and production division in Europe.

Volkswagen starts EV production at second German plant

The ID.4 is now produced in Zwickau and Emden in Germany, Anting and Foshan in China while the first US production will start in the autumn at Chattanooga.

Ford and VW expand collaboration with plans for new electric model using MEB platform

Ford Motor and Volkswagen Group are growing their e-mobility partnership amid plans to produce a new electric model based on the MEB platform for the European market. Following plans to introduce another 7 EVs in Europe by 2024, Ford also aims to double its planned MEB volume to 1.2m units across six years.

Where the Catena-X automotive cloud stands

The vehicle cloud Catena-X intended to provide a more integrated network for automakers and suppliers. In reality, standalone solutions have prevailed so far and made the task of networking the entire auto industry even more strenuous.

Nokia provides 5G private wireless network for Volkswagen pilot project in Germany as part of flexibility drive

Nokia has provided a private 5G wireless network to support industrial connectivity at the production development centre and pilot hall at Volkswagen’s headquarters plant in Wolfsburg.

Chris Glover to be new president and CEO of Volkswagen Chattanooga

Glover will assume the role on January 1 and will lead the plant’s transformation and push towards electric mobility, starting with the localised production of the ID.4 SUV in 2022

Porsche production: moving faster around the bend

Porsche’s top manufacturing executive, Albrecht Reimold, explains the carmaker’s progress towards sustainable, connected manufacturing, and why he thinks the automotive industry needs to talk less and act more when comes to solving production problems

Breaking the Mould: Porsche expands production to Malaysia in shift away from European exclusivity

Porsche has maintained that it will continue to build its models in Europe, resisting the global pull to seek out cheaper production costs in Asia. But as sales in the Asian market increase and production localises further, the luxury carmaker is partnering with a local company to build vehicles in Malaysia.

Volkswagen’s plan to digitise its global production network

Volkswagen is looking to completely overhaul its manufacturing capacity through a strategy of digitalisation across the North American region. Using artificial intelligence, cobots, and integrated in-house cloud systems, the company is laying the basis for its planned total upgrade of the entire global supply network.

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

AI, apps, and automation: How Volkswagen aims to transform North American manufacturing with digital drive

Digitalisation is the word of the day when it comes to streamlining the production process and making data more transparent. While cars themselves have rapidly developed and become more advanced, the manufacturing process is now following suit.

A production transformation that will last 20 years at Volkswagen

Christian Vollmer at Volkswagen discusses how virtual tools have helped production move during the pandemic, why cross-plant collaboration has accelerated and VW’s evolving manufacturing strategies to ramp up EV production.

EV battery supply chains on the move

As electric vehicles become serious business for OEMs, they are reassessing their battery supply and manufacturing bases, putting their eggs in multiple baskets and taking more control of the process.

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.

Watch: Factory of the future Livestream – The software-defined assembly line

As automotive OEMs digitalise and connect factories, hear how the Audi Production Lab, ABB and Cosmotech are using real-time data, smart software and advanced automation to reshape vehicle production processes.

Electrification and digitalisation go hand in hand at Ford and VW

As the automotive industry electrifies, manufacturing is changing dramatically and OEMs are using big data to keep pace with that change. Increasingly moving into the world of tech, old quality control processes may no longer suffice since a lot of EV components cannot be reworked like traditional equivalents. Manufacturing has to be ultra-precise like never before.

VW and Ford invest in flexible production for an uncertain future

The speed of change in the technology of cars, electrification and the introduction of advanced software is requiring new manufacturing equipment and is making expensive old machines redundant, but exactly where the industry is going next is hard to predict. More flexible manufacturing is the answer for Ford and VW.

Watch: Electrifying Production – How to build an electric future (Pt.2)

In the second part of our Electrifying Production Livestream series, AMS explores how OEMs are ramping up EV production through modular strategies, data analytics and advanced joining and metrology tools. Featuring Volkswagen Group, Ford, Renishaw and Atlas Copco.

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

VW to have 240 GWh of battery plants in Europe by 2030

Volkswagen Group plans to significantly increase battery cell production capacity and reshape the EV battery supply chain in Europe, with plans to have six ‘gigafactories’ by the end of the decade – including an expansion of its partnership with Sweden’s Northvolt.

Carmakers pledge to switch to all-electric vehicles

The wave of electrification is slowly turning into a tsunami, in Europe at least. Illya Verpraet takes a look at some of the big manufacturing plans in 2021

VW Hannover to become multi-brand production plant

In addition to its own T model range and the ID. Buzz, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) will also produce three fully electric D-SUV models for other brands within the Group

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.

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 5 – Mexico Automotive Supply Chain in Focus

In Episode 5 of the Livestream Hour, we discuss the key risks in the Mexican automotive supply chain, and strategies for successfully restarting manufacturing and supply chains, whilst preparing for USMCA implementation. With special guests from Volkswagen, the US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce and CNW. Hosted by editor-in-chief Christopher Ludwig.

Production in Pictures: Zwickau kicks off Volkswagen’s return

Producing cars, protecting people: creativity safeguards assembly workers in the pandemic

As the lockdowns are loosened and vehicle plants in Europe return to operations, assembly workers are adapting stations to create safer environments. The teams are well accustomed to applying their own innovative solutions to keep the assembly lines running smoothly and safely. As this AMS video shows, creative and ingenious solutions are making all the difference in the automotive manufacturing network’s recovery after the coronavirus crisis …

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.

Augmented reality technology assists Volkswagen to remodel Chattanooga production lines

AR in factory floor design is helping VW make decisions faster and spot potential issues sooner

AMS on Africa: Part 2 – Algeria thinks big

Algeria has ambitions to be the Africa’s next major automotive manufacturing hub and the OEMs are lining up to make it happen

New recycle system at Bentley puts waste water to work

A paintshop water treatment innovation is helping Bentley achieve sustainability targets and reduce consumption

Production records set at Skoda’s domestic plants

As it marks the 125th anniversary of the company, Skoda is chalking up record-breaking output

The wider scope of Skoda

With new products and an expanding production network, Skoda is managing to achieve greater influence and standing despite the challenges of a changing market

Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark

Bentley’s prudence for performance

After more than half a century of carmaking, major changes are underway at Bentley’s Crewe headquarters as the luxury brand enacts a leaner and streamlined phase

At the centre of change for Volkswagen Group

Martin Hofmann, chief information office of the Volkswagen Group (pictured, right), explains how the carmaker is transforming its IT system backbone and legacy infrastructure across manufacturing, purchasing, supply chain and engineering – and how Volkswagen is now able to attract top software talent.

The new shape of IT at Volkswagen

Over the past two years, Volkswagen’s central Group IT division, led by CIO Martin Hofmann, has been expanding staff numbers, investment and digital projects across the group’s business processes, and working more closely with brands like Audi, Porsche and Skoda. In the first of a multi-part article special on Group IT, we explain the evolving shape of the organisation.

Map: Volkswagen’s growing network of IT expertise

Volkswagen Group IT has opened or expanded global IT and software centers, with growing significance across the company’s IT research and operations. Check out a map of their key locations and functions.

Building Volkswagen’s Industrial Cloud

Volkswagen Group’s landmark project with Amazon Web Services will help to connect all its global factories, and eventually the spply chain as well. At the core of the project is a drive to establish a standard software stack that will transform the way production IT is developed and implemented across Volkswagen locations.

VW Zwickau leads the MEB charge as ID.3 goes into production

Volkswagen’s vision for its newly-converted Zwickau plant is that it will become an emobility flagship – a state-of-the-art, flexible, high-tech factory with digitalisation underpinning all areas. Now series production of the ID.3 electric vehicle has begun at the factory in Saxony, VW’s new era is formally underway…

Russia’s powerhouse

Volkswagen has recorded notable growth in Russia over the last few years, but management are being careful not to get excited

Volkswagen Center of Excellence for Battery Cells

Volkswagen is now testing production methods for batteries at its Salzgitter facility

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

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. Michael Nash investigates

Digitalised energy saving

Vehicle production has become increasingly digitalised, with a variety of different tools helping workers on production lines. These tools can also help reduce energy usage. Michael Nash provides an insight

Success for Seat

Spain’s biggest exporter has turned its finances around and looks to have a bright future

Automation advances

AMS investigates how robotics can be adapted to a wider range of applications and the potential offered by 5G communications

Interview: Luca de Meo, CEO, SEAT

Seat has a long history of making affordable and reliable cars, but how will the company continue to do so while also electrifying its line up? Michael Nash sits down with Luca de Meo to find out

Vision of the future

Skoda is set to make the leap into electro-mobility this year with the launch of the plug-in hybrid Superb and the all-electric version of the Citigo small car. Report by Nick Gibbs

The imitation game

Ford and VW confirm their alliance; and raise questions …

Asia’s other powerhouse

Smartly pressed

New chapter, different story?

Unease in the East

Lap of luxury

A positive response