Volvo rebalances production geography due to US tariffs Like many European OEMs, Volvo is facing additional costs to import vehicles into the US. This challenge is seeing production strategies being quickly revised and manufacturing of some models relocated. Ian Henry
Zeekr consolidates Lynk & Co to streamline production, enhance cost efficiencies and accelerate EV manufacturing under Geely’s restructuring Zeekr’s acquisition of a majority stake in Lynk & Co marks a pivotal moment in EV manufacturing. The integration is set to enhance production efficiency, cut costs and accelerate global expansion. Ilkhan Ozsevim
India aims to become a global player in automotive manufacturing India is potentially on the cusp of becoming a major global player in vehicle production. Whether it can achieve this status will become clear in the next couple of years. The transition to EVs adds to the national challenge as the domestic players are not really leaders in this sector. Meanwhile, the Indian EV supply base is nascent and dependent on foreign investors. Ian Henry
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. Ilkhan Ozsevim
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. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Polestar plans European production of imminent Polestar 7, moving away from China in nearshoring drive, solving for supply chain complexities Polestar aims to hit profitability by 2025 with Polestar 7 to be built in Europe, exiting China in regionalisation move enhancing supply chain resilience. The carmaker’s strategy includes streamlined product lines eyeing growth targets for premium EV market. Ilkhan Ozsevim
HORSE launches new high-performance eMotor production at Aveiro, Portugal, for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, enhancing automotive electrification HORSE, a leader in hybrid and combustion powertrain solutions, has started producing its high-performance eMotor at Aveiro, Portugal. Designed for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, the motor delivers 49kW and 212Nm torque, with a capacity of 160,000 units annually. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Chinese vehicle makers look to international markets for growth, but domestic government pressure and trade barriers may slow expansion. The number of domestic vehicle manufacturers in China has increased rapidly in recent years. Some are spin-offs from previous joint ventures with foreign companies, others entirely new. A few, notably BYD, Geely and Chery, have become significant global players, as well as gradually overhauling the foreign players in their domestic market. Ian Henry
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 Ilkhan Ozsevim
What next for Chinese investment in Europe? China’s economy is slowing, and the US is threatening high tariffs on Chinese imports. Against this backdrop Chinese OEMs are looking to expand operations in Europe. Ian Henry examines the opportunities and challenges. Ian Henry
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. Ilkhan Ozsevim
HORSE’s smart factory model sets new standards in digital powertrain production, leveraging cobotics, virtual twins, and real-time data for efficiency and sustainability HORSE is pioneering a smart factory approach for powertrain production, integrating cobotics and virtual twins in a fully digital environment that adapts to changing demands, enhancing both efficiency and sustainability across its global operations. CTO Julien Faure, and CPEO, Antonio Vaz expound… Ilkhan Ozsevim
Oyak Horse celebrates production of 7.5 million engines at its Türkiye plant while expanding its workforce with 100 new jobs and scaling output to meet rising hybrid demand Oyak Horse has achieved the milestone of producing 7.5 million engines at its Bursa, facility, in Türkiye. As hybrid demand grows, the plant adds 100 jobs, expands to a third shift, and increases daily output. The company continues to play a key role in low-emission powertrain solutions for global markets. Ilkhan Ozsevim
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. Nick Holt
Polestar starts US production of the Polestar 3 Polestar has started production of its Polestar 3 SUV at the Volvo plant in Ridgeville, South Carolina. Nick Holt
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. Ian Henry
Korea: the switch to EV production accelerates Korean vehicle makers invest in flexible production and add more EVs. Foreign OEMs continue to invest in production for export. Ian Henry
HORSE Powertrain welcomes Aramco as strategic investor, leveraging chemical expertise Aramco invests 10% in HORSE Powertrain Limited, a joint venture by Renault Group and Geely. This partnership will enhance the development of sustainable powertrains and synthetic fuels, driving the future of automotive decarbonisation. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Europe’s tariffs on Chinese EV imports stresses importance of local production The European Commission (EC) has decided to impose additional tariffs of up to 38% on Chinese EVs following preliminary results of its anti-subsidy investigation, which found that prices are being distorted by Chinese state support. Megan Kelly
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. Ian Henry
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. Ian Henry
Renault subsidiary, HORSE, kicks off Power Electronics Box production Power Electronics Box (PEB) production at the Aveiro facility in Portugal promises enhanced scalability and efficiency in meeting the rising demand for hybrid vehicle components. Ilkhan Ozsevim
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
LEVC starts production of its new L380 MPV The prototype of LEVC’s first fully electric model based on its new Space Oriented Architecture (SOA) has rolled off the assembly line in Yiwu, China Nick Holt
Polestar set to expand manufacturing operations for the fully-electric Polestar 4 in South Korea, bolstering regional production With production set to commence in the second half of 2025, the Polestar 4 will aim to make its mark in the North American and domestic South Korean markets. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Zeekr VP and plant director discusses mass volume EV production Zhao Chunlin of Zeekr sits down with Michael Nash to talk about the company’s ‘intelligent factory’ in Ningbo, China, as well as the various challenges that come with EV production Michael Nash
Chinese Tech giant Baidu forms second automotive JV with Geely to expand into automotive manufacturing The partnership will focus on production capability as well as new energy vehicle sales, automobile component retail, EV charging infrastructure, battery sales and pre-owned vehicle brokerage. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Renault and Geely sign joint venture agreement to launch powertrain technology company Renault and Geely have signed a 50-50% joint venture agreement to form a new company, to develop and produce next-generation hybrid and highly efficient ICE powertrain solutions Nick Holt
LEVC launches its new electric vehicle architecture Advanced modular platform supports LEVC’s strategy to become a leading mobility solution provider with a range of new global EV products Nick Holt
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. AMS
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 Ian Henry
Renault to merge combustion engine ops with China’s Geely, create listed EV business The French and Chinese automakers will develop and produce internal combustion engines for their own products as well as for other automakers. Peter Murphy
Renault to partner with Geely to manufacture hybrid vehicles in China and South Korea Renault has agreed a framework with Geely to share vehicle platforms and production for hybrid vehicles in Asia, including using Geely plants in China and localising Lynk & Co platforms in South Korea. Christopher Ludwig
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. Automotive from Ultima Media
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). Automotive from Ultima Media
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. Daniel Harrison Christopher Ludwig
Q&A: Mofid Elkemiri, LEVC manufacturing operations and quality director LEVC’s Mofid Elkemiri was recruited to the Geely-owned company back in 2016 as launch director for the TX5 electric taxi. Prior to that he spent six years at UK-based trim supplier CAB Automotive, where he rose to the position of engineering and quality director. AMS speaks to him about his current role, ramping up production, battery cell supply and the relationship with the parent company. But first, we ask how the factory has been affected by the recent coronavirus measures and the suspension of production… Nick Gibbs
Can an electric van deliver for LEVC? Following its success in reinventing the iconic London black cab, Geely plans to produce a one-tonne electric van under the London Electric Vehicle Company brand Nick Gibbs
