Tag: factory expansion

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Honda’s $1bn redevelopment of its Ohio plants sets a global precedent in integrating EV, hybrid and ICE production with smart manufacturing and supplier transformation.

Honda North America’s upgraded Ohio operations will be its template for flexible production of ICE, hybrid and electric vehicles on a single line. Project lead Mike Fischer speaks to AMS about the goals, planning and execution behind this major production shift.

Nick Holt

Future-ready: BMW’s digital transformation of its Munich plant and beyond

As the global automotive market pivots toward sustainability and electrification, BMW isn’t just adapting its product portfolio it’s reengineering the entire production operation, prioritising flexibility, digitalisation, and long-term operational efficiency. Plant Munich director, Peter Weber discusses the company’s approach to digitalising production.

Nick Holt

BMW plants prepare for a new era with Neue Klasse production

As BMW gears up production towards its Neue Klasse electric vehicles, the factories are to remain flexible. Gotz Fuchslocher looks at the strategies the manufacturer is pursuing as it prepares to launch production of the new models.

Götz Fuchslocher

Honda North America’s big investment in flexible manufacturing for EVs, hybrid and ICE vehicles

Honda invests $1 billion in retooling its Ohio manufacturing plants to build ICE, hybrid, and EV models on same production line. New technologies being introduced include megacasting, CDC and friction stir welding.

Nick Holt

Tier suppliers – Adapting to new challenges

BorgWarner shares insights into how the company is leveraging existing assets and using mergers and acquisitions to boost electric vehicle component production.

Nick Holt

HORSE powertrain continues to expand supply in range extender market

HORSE will supply Brazilian EV start-up manufacturer Lecar with its HR10 range extender engine, to be fitted to the Lecar 459 hybrid.

Nick Holt

UK Car production slows as industry transitions to EVs according to SMMT

The UK automotive industry faces a 14.4% production decline in July 2024, largely due to model transitions and supply chain issues. Despite this, the sector’s value holds steady at over £20 billion, with electrified vehicles comprising 37.5% of output.

Ilkhan Ozsevim

Musk halts Tesla Mexico gigafactory until after US election

Tesla has paused its plans to build a new gigafactory in Mexico until after the US presidential election in November, as Donald Trump has pledged to impose a 100% tariff on vehicles made in Mexico.

Megan Kelly

GM Invests $500M in Lansing Grand River for EV transition

GM is investing $500m in Lansing Grand River Assembly, supported by a US Department of Energy grant, to transition the plant to electric vehicle production. The investment is part of a broader $12bn commitment to enhance North American EV manufacturing

Ilkhan Ozsevim

BMW opens its first North American press shop at Spartanburg and unveils the new BMW X3

BMW Manufacturing celebrates 30 years in Spartanburg with the opening of its first North American press shop and the debut of the fourth-generation BMW X3. The $200M investment will create over 200 jobs and pave the way for electric vehicle production by 2026.

Ilkhan Ozsevim

Sames solves for BMW & Mercedes: Adhesive tech in bodyshop & glazing

Sames’ innovations support high-quality adhesive bonding in automotive manufacturing, optimising efficiency and standardisation across bodyshop and glazing processes.

SAMES

Honda starts production of fuel cell electric vehicles in the US

The 2025 CR-V e:FCEV fuel cell electric vehicle is now being produced at Honda’s Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) in Marysville, Ohio.

Nick Holt

Vitesco Technologies supplies electric drive system for Honda plug-in fuel cell vehicle

Vitesco’s EMR3 axle drive will be integrated into the Honda CR-V e:FCEV and will be the first time this system has been used for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

Nick Holt

PPG to build new paint and coatings manufacturing facility in the US

PPG plans to build a new paint and coatings manufacturing facility in Tennessee as part of $300m investment in advanced manufacturing in North America.

Nick Holt

Exclusive: BMW Group improves efficiency with additive manufacturing gripper

BMW Group has improved the speed, versatility and sustainability of its manufacturing and cut costs by using 3D-printed bionic robot grippers. Automotive Manufacturing Solutions reports on the latest innovations from the BMW Group Additive Manufacturing Campus and manufacturing plant in Munich.

Megan Kelly

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.

AMS

BMW builds gigafactory for Neue Klasse in Mexico

BMW Group is taking its ‘local for local’ approach to manufacturing and supply chain to Mexico, and has started construction on an 80,000 sq.m battery manufacturing facility next to its assembly plant in San Luis Potosi. The plant is due to start making the Neue Klasse electric sports activity vehicle there from 2027.

Marcus Williams

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

Mark Smyth

Rivian secures $827m funding, plans expansion and brings in Javier Varela as new COO

Rivian secures $827m in public funding from Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity despite announcing 10% workforce cuts earlier this year. Javier Varela appoitned new COO ahead of R2 production

Ilkhan Ozsevim

Honda grows its North American EV footprint

Honda is investing heavily in growing its electric vehicle production operations in North America but is also leveraging expertise and capacity for hybrid powertrain production

Nick Holt

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

Ilkhan Ozsevim

“We have a clear strategy towards electromobility”: Gerd Walker, Audi

Gerd Walker controls production and logistics on the Audi board. In this interview, he explains how Audi flexibly and digitally designs the production network and what role the target image of the 360factory plays.

Götz Fuchslocher

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.

Ian Henry

Shifting gears – Electrifying the driveline

GKN Automotive has a long history as a driveline component and system developer, and manufacturer. Like many of the leading tier suppliers in this segment, the company has now added a range of products for electric powertrains to its range. Jorge Beja, VP of Operations Systems shares some insights into production at the company’s centre for excellence for eDrive systems, at Bruneck, Italy.

Nick Holt

Nissan launches its new Arc business plan

In line with other vehicle makers, Nissan is adapting its production strategy to rebalance its ICE and electric vehicle output and address rising costs and market fragmentation

Nick Holt

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

Ilkhan Ozsevim

Back in the USA

Returning to Detroit for the first time in over 10 years the AMS Automotive Evolution North America event delivered expert panels and a fully engaged audience who combined to share their valuable insights and experience, through panel discussions, Q&A and networking. Here are some of the highlights from the sessions.

Nick Holt

The future of Ford in a flash of lightning

The Ford Dearborn Truck Plant is a benchmark for managing complexity, quality and software, and is setting standards for the future. Plant manager Corey Williams shares learnings and lean principles across ICE production and fast-growing EV output at the plant’s newly expanded Rouge Electric Vehicle Center

Christopher Ludwig

Ford restarts electric F-150 Lightning production in Dearborn following retooling and expansion

The OEM has retooled its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center to build 150,000 units per year at, and is increasing manufacturing capabilities to produce more trim options.

Ilkhan Ozsevim