China's Geely redraws global engineering map with Geely Tech Europe By merging its Gothenburg and Frankfurt engineering centres into Geely Technology Europe, the Chinese auto giant is making a calculated wager that embedding European expertise from day one will sharpen its vehicles for every market on the planet. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Honda scraps its EV future in $15.7bn retreat Honda has cancelled its entire North American EV programme, bracing for losses of up to ¥2.5 trillion ($15.7bn) in its first loss year since 1957. An Ohio manufacturing hub lies stranded, and every legacy OEM's electrification strategy is now under scrutiny. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Polestar 5 Life Cycle Assessment exposes where EV emissions really lie A detailed lifecycle study of the Polestar 5 reveals a stark truth for manufacturers. Materials, not assembly, dominate emissions, forcing a rethink of where decarbonisation efforts should be focused. Ilkhan Ozsevim
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 Ian Henry
Sponsored The assembly line model that can survive EV uncertainty Traditional rigid assembly lines are failing as OEMs navigate unpredictable EV adoption rates while maintaining ICE and hybrid production. This whitepaper reveals how lineside automation and modular systems are enabling the universal factory - and why manufacturers who delay implementation risk losing competitive position.
Inside Landshut: BMW bets on in-house battery brains At BMW Group's Plant Landshut in Lower Bavaria, a traditional foundry is quietly becoming one of the automotive industry's most ambitious proving grounds for in-house electronics manufacturing, workforce reinvention, and the possibilties of what a component plant can become. Ilkhan Ozsevim
The Great $60bn EV Reset: Analysis Why OEMs & Tier suppliers are having to roll-back, retrench, and recalibrate their EV investments Daniel Harrison
Why carmakers can't celebrate the Supreme Court win Why carmakers can't celebrate the Supreme Court win James McLoughlin Ilkhan Ozsevim
Tesla Cybercab blends style, efficiency, and autonomous innovation Slated for 2026, Tesla’s Cybercab rejects legacy design to deliver a fully autonomous, two-seater vehicle that combines low cost per mile with premium comfort and sculptural aesthetics. James McLachlan
Renault takes full control of electric van firm Flexis Renault Group has agreed to acquire the stakes held by Volvo Group and CMA CGM in Flexis, consolidating ownership of the electric light commercial vehicle venture and installing a new chief executive to lead its next industrial phase. Ilkhan Ozsevim
How VW Palmela's intralogistics system keeps production flexible under pressure At Volkswagen Portugal’s Palmela plant, tight margins and geography shape logistics strategies, offering lessons in cost efficiency and complexity ahead of 2027 multi-model EV production. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Chinese automakers circle the last market they cannot enter With Canada's tariff wall crumbling, Ford in talks with Geely, and a US president inviting Chinese factories onto American soil, the industry's most protected market is facing its most consequential competitive test in a generation. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Fractured supply chains force automotive sector to rebuild from scratch Automotive supply chains face growing cyber vulnerabilities as 64% of manufacturers adopt supply chain software. Tier 3 suppliers at just 23% automation adoption create critical weak links. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Why automotive industry restructuring will intensify in 2026 Plant closures, cost cutting, automation and sustainability targets are colliding with acute skills shortages, leaving suppliers and manufacturers facing an uncertain and potentially volatile path to 2026 and beyond Ian Henry
Physics-aware AI embeds production constraints into design As automotive manufacturers face unprecedented pressure to compress development cycles, a new generation of AI tools is forcing a fundamental rethink of how production and design teams collaborate from the earliest stages Ilkhan Ozsevim
UK auto apprentices surge 33% as industry confronts skills crisis Britain's automotive sector added 1,700 apprenticeships in 2025 amid warnings that 61% of roles will require new skills by 2035. But can training programmes match the speed of technological change? Ilkhan Ozsevim
LG takes full control of Canada's largest battery plant South Korean battery maker acquires Stellantis's 49% stake in NextStar Energy as joint venture ends after four years. The Windsor facility, which has absorbed $5 billion CAD ($3.7 billion), will target energy storage markets beyond automotive. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Talent crisis accelerates as carmakers embrace automation Labour and skills shortages rank as automotive manufacturing's second-biggest challenge, creating a paradox where workforce deficits drive automation investment whilst simultaneously constraining the industry's ability to operate advanced systems. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Labour costs and tariffs squeeze automotive manufacturers New survey reveals energy, materials and tariffs create perfect storm for global automotive production as industry races to balance cost control with technological transformation and electrification targets Ilkhan Ozsevim
Batteries for the E-Cayenne are being produced in Slovakia A battery module production facility is being established in Horná Streda, which is more reminiscent of cleanroom logic than traditional assembly. A high degree of automation, real-time data, and an analysis centre are intended to ensure the series ramp-up of the Cayenne Electric. Timo Gilgen
Xpeng targets UK volume growth with 20,000 G6 refinements The Chinese EV maker unveils enhanced G6 SUV with dual-motor variant while preparing seven-seat X9 flagship for mid-2026 launch. Network expansion focuses on major metropolitan areas as brand accelerates European manufacturing 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 Ian Henry
China's 12-in-1 EV Drivetrain: How InfiMotion hits 360K annual output At its Wuxi facility, the Chinese electric drive supplier is demonstrating what happens when digital infrastructure meets aggressive production timelines and high-volume demands Ilkhan Ozsevim
EU-India pact redraws vehicle production parameters Quota-based tariff cuts to 10% and zero duties on components herald manufacturing shift as European OEMs navigate India's expanding premium segment while protecting domestic EV investments. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Ford appoints Drake to monetise battery pivot As pure EV ambitions recede, Ford hands Lisa Drake the task of transforming battery infrastructure into a commercial energy storage business targeting data centres and utilities Ilkhan Ozsevim
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 Ian Henry
Honda-GM fuel cell venture ends as EV priorities reshape After less than three years of production, Honda and General Motors will shut their joint fuel cell facility in Michigan before year's end, signalling a fundamental shift in how manufacturers balance alternative powertrains against market realities. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Geopolitics and shifting investment plans reshape 2026 automotive strategy As 2026 begins the automotive industry faces intensifying pressures from geopolitics, tariffs and cost constraints with investment priorities are being reset and flexibility becoming critical Ian Henry
The Assembly Line is no longer linear - and that changes everything Modular cells, intelligent sequencing and collaborative robots are transforming automotive production from rigid choreography into adaptable orchestration Ilkhan Ozsevim
Dürr implements highly automated paint shop for Ceer Dürr is constructing a modular and largely automated paint shop for the Saudi Arabian electric car manufacturer Ceer. The project combines flexible production concepts with energy-efficient technologies and digital control systems. Timo Gilgen
GM takes $6bn blow, lays off 1,200 workers as battery ambitions meet reality Detroit automaker records massive writedown on electric vehicle investments as it recalibrates production capacity amid weakening demand and policy shifts, with majority of costs tied to supplier settlements Ilkhan Ozsevim
2025: The year the factory floor outpaced the C-suite The year 2025 delivered an uncomfortable truth for automotive production. Success belonged not to those with the most sophisticated digital architecture but to manufacturers willing to deploy pragmatic solutions at speed. Ilkhan Ozsevim
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
Ford pivots factories from pure EVs to hybrid and hydrogen future The American manufacturer is repurposing its Tennessee and Ohio plants to produce trucks and vans with internal combustion and hybrid powertrains whilst launching a battery storage venture, marking a decisive retreat from EV-only production Ilkhan Ozsevim
Ford-Renault Alliance: Ampere Platform to Power New European EVs The landmark manufacturing alliance between Ford and Renault Group not only anchors Ford’s passenger car revival in Europe but also provides a major boost to Renault’s Ampere electric vehicle strategy by allowing the French OEM to fully utilise its EV production capacity and plants in Northern France. Ilkhan Ozsevim
BMW’s Neue Klasse transforms its electric vehicle architecture BMW’s Neue Klasse introduces a new electric platform built around central computing, in-house energy control, structural batteries, and an 800-volt system that delivers faster charging, sharper dynamics, and a software-led driving experience. Andrea Hoffmann-Topp
Sponsored Superior designs with steel for the EV age Experts at SSAB discuss making smart design choices with high-strength steels for a cost-effective and lightweight solution in the ultra-competitive EV era AMS
Battery manufacturing engineers return to Hyundai-LG site in bitter epilogue Hyundai-LG's $7.6bn Georgia battery plant sees detained workers return amid lawsuits 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
China’s automotive industry: Global expansion and transformation China has moved from national champion to global force in vehicle manufacturing, exports, and electric mobility. Overcapacity at home, rapid development cycles, battery dominance, and fast-rising overseas investment are driving a profound shift in the industry. Ian Henry
Hyundai opens Georgia's first EV training facility An 89,000-square-foot facility in Bryan County will train 824 workers simultaneously for electric and hybrid vehicle production, using simulation lines and high-voltage labs to prepare employees for Hyundai's advanced manufacturing processes. 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 Ian Henry
Tariffs, delays, and doubt: Canada’s auto sector faces uncertain future Canada’s automotive industry is caught in the crosshairs of a shifting US trade policy. Investment has stalled, jobs are at risk, raising urgent questions about the country’s role in North America’s automotive future. Ian Henry
Global vehicle production faces sharpest decline in 5 years Tariff exposure crushes margins, aluminium shortages halt F-150 lines, and BEV strategies unravel. Industry faces steepest production decline in five years as 78 million unit forecast reveals manufacturers misjudged policy, supply and demand dynamics. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Sponsored Steel sharpens its edge in automotive production & design SSAB demonstrates how advanced steels can cut weight, costs and emissions in automotive, offering strong competition to aluminium in EVs and beyond. AMS
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. Ian Henry
Leapmotor's LFP-powered B10 exposes European EV deficits Chinese EV maker Leapmotor is disrupting Europe's compact SUV segment with aggressive pricing and imminent local production at Stellantis facilities in Spain, threatening incumbents with tighter margin management. Ilkhan Ozsevim
China's Hybrid EV shift demands Western production pivot A new survey reveals how Chinese consumers are reshaping global automotive production priorities, with technology trumping price wars and plug-in hybrids gaining ground over pure battery electric vehicles: McKinsey Ilkhan Ozsevim
Analysis: Carmakers face flux with flexible production as labour crisis deepens Fourth annual survey reveals workforce challenges remain paramount whilst production flexibility emerges as new complexity. Early data suggests fundamental shift in how manufacturers approach capacity and agility in uncertain times. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Munro secures £2m funding to scale Scottish EV production Munro EV has secured £2m funding to expand production of its M-Series electric 4x4s in Glasgow. Backed by Elbow Beach, the company aims to meet rising demand from mining, defence and construction while creating 300 jobs in Scotland. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Inside BMW’s smart logistics strategy at Debrecen BMW is redefining automotive logistics with direct delivery systems, real-time tracking, digital twins, and autonomous transport at its Debrecen plant. The OEM’s tech-driven approach integrates production, quality, and sustainability – setting a new standard for next-gen vehicle manufacturing. Nick Holt
BYD’s 880% UK surge exposes gaps in the region’s EV strategy BYD’s record UK sales in September, despite being shut out of subsidy schemes, underline a wider reckoning for UK auto manufacturing strategy. An industry built on incentives and protection needs fresh foundations in design, export and resilience. Ilkhan Ozsevim
The flexible assembly line: How vehicle production learned to hedge its bets Market uncertainty has forced manufacturers to abandon fixed production lines. Honda, BMW and Volkswagen are investing billions in systems that can switch between combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles by the hour. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Carmakers and regulators rethink EV timelines as ICE makes a comeback in Europe Electric vehicle momentum is slowing across Europe as automakers delay EV launches, extend hybrid and ICE models, and push for regulatory flexibility. The EU is under pressure to revise zero-emission targets and support its own supply base. Ian Henry
Renault, Nissan, and Mitsubishi ramp up EV production at Ampere’s Douai plant The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance is accelerating its electric vehicle strategy at Ampere’s Douai plant, preparing for the launch of the all-electric Nissan Micra and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. The modular facility now serves four brands with six EV models. AMS Editorial
Hyundai ups US bet to $26bn Despite an immigration raid at its Georgia plant, Hyundai Motor Group boosts US investment to $26bn, including a $2.7bn EV expansion, to counter tariffs and leverage EV incentives, spotlighting labour reliance issues. Ilkhan Ozsevim
SSAB creates ‘EV Success Index’ for material selection The "SSAB EV Success Index" provides designers and EV developers with a single parameter to aid in material selection AMS
Magna to build Xpeng and GAC EVs at Graz facility Magna expands its footprint in the electric vehicle (EV) sector with two major new contracts to assemble models for Chinese automakers Xpeng and GAC AMS Editorial
Proton opens EV-dedicated assembly plant in Malaysia to boost electrification strategy Tanjong Malim facility delivers rapid launch of e.MAS 7 and localisation of EV production. The site was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim on 6 September. Anushka Dixit
CEA and ProLogium partner to develop removable and recyclable solid-state battery module The prototype will aim to showcase how Design-for-Disassembly could reshape battery production and recycling in Europe, which will be demonstrated at IAA Mobility 2025. Anushka Dixit
EU carmakers say 2035 CO2 targets unworkable Europe’s leading automotive executives are pressing Brussels to rethink its car and van CO2 rules, warning that rigid 2030 and 2035 targets are no longer realistic amid rising costs, import dependence and trade barriers. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Tesla's Nevada Semi surge gathers pace With a colossal stamping press now in place at Gigafactory Nevada, Tesla primes its all-electric heavy-duty truck for broader output, challenging diesel dominance in a sector ripe for decarbonisation. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Modular manufacturing moves automotive production into the future Automotive manufacturers embrace modular platforms to achieve unprecedented flexibility whilst maintaining efficiency gains, transforming traditional production paradigms for electric and conventional vehicles. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Small EVs offer big production and industrial advantages A new report argues that smaller, more affordable electric vehicles are central to reducing supply risks, improving competitiveness and restoring growth in global automotive markets. Ilkhan Ozsevim
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? Ian Henry
Mercedes Chairman urges EV "reality check" on EU 2035 car ban lest region “collapse” Mercedes-Benz’s Ola Källenius warns Europe’s automotive industry could collapse under a rigid petrol and diesel ban by 2035, urging a technology-neutral and economically sustainable path. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Toyota to build "plant of the future" in Japan amidst tariff turbulence Toyota has announced plans to acquire land to build a new vehicle manufacturing plant in the Teihoucho area of Toyota City in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Megan Kelly
VinFast launches "world class" flagship EV plant in Tamil Nadu, India Vietnamese EV maker VinFast opens its first overseas plant in Tamil Nadu, India, signalling a confident bet on one of the world’s fastest-growing vehicle markets and a strategic push toward regional exports and sustainable mobility leadership. Ilkhan Ozsevim
UK automotive output slumps amid EV and cost challenges UK automotive manufacturing faces its toughest half-year since 1953 outside the pandemic. While EV output grows, cost pressures, unclear incentives and supply shortages threaten recovery plans. Megan Kelly Ilkhan Ozsevim
Washington’s tariff gambit upends vehicle production map Fresh US tariffs are upending EV strategies, accelerating reshoring, stalling imports and forcing automakers to overhaul production footprints and future investment plans. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Polestar expands European production with new Polestar 7 in Slovakia Polestar is advancing its production strategy with a new European manufacturing footprint, shared platforms with Volvo Cars, and the forthcoming Polestar 7 SUV set to launch from new Slovakia plant in 2028. AMS Editorial Nick Holt
