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. Anushka Dixit
Automating complexity: How JLR Is futureproofing production and skills From goods-to-person automation and modular design strategies to technical training and career paths, Loretta Dittrich, logistics director for global manufacturing engineering explains how the OEM is reshaping both systems and skills to meet the demands of more customised, digitalised vehicle production.
JLR deepens electric vehicle manufacturing capabilities with 50 new roles focused on material sourcing, traceability and supply chain risk mitigation As it transitions to electric vehicle production, JLR has added 50 roles to map material sources, secure battery minerals, and protect manufacturing operations from disruption and compliance risk. Ilkhan Ozsevim
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. Ilkhan Ozsevim
UK automotive production hits lowest April level since 1952 as exports falter and policy uncertainty clouds EV transition UK car and commercial vehicle production fell sharply in April, marking the worst start to a year since 2009. As exports decline and policy uncertainty looms, the industry calls for urgent action to restore competitiveness and support the EV transition. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Inside JLR’s circular manufacturing push: How reused tools and digital systems are driving EV production and decarbonisation across its global network Tomasz Jozwiak explains how Jaguar Land Rover is driving circularity across its operations by reusing and refurbishing manufacturing assets, cutting emissions, saving millions, and supporting electrification. Ilkhan Ozsevim
JLR and Daimler Truck are building resilience through flexible manufacturing, agile supply chains and modular production systems JLR and Daimler Truck are adapting their global production systems to meet rising demand for vehicle personalisation, electrification and supply resilience. From simulation to system design, flexibility is now built in from the start. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Jaguar Land Rover restarts US shipments after pause, as UK fears being sidelined in American trade priorities under Trump’s protectionist stance Jaguar Land Rover has restarted shipments to the United States after a month-long halt triggered by the threat of 25% tariffs, raising concerns over UK trade priorities and the impact on automotive exports. Ilkhan Ozsevim
5G networking: How JLR is building smarter factories As manufacturing operations become more data-driven, traditional network technologies are struggling to keep up. Steve Mason, JLR’s Advanced Digital Technologies Manager for Global Industrial Operations speaks to AMS about the integration of 5G networks into factory environments. Nick Holt
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. Ian Henry
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. Ian Henry
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. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Jaguar Land Rover accelerates EV production with hairpin winding machines for high-efficiency electric motors at its Wolverhampton site At its Wolverhampton plant, Jaguar Land Rover is deploying high-speed hairpin winding machines to increase electric motor performance while retraining its workforce for a future of electric propulsion. Ilkhan Ozsevim
JLR expands EV production with 150 new UK roles supporting Range Rover Electric and next-generation electric vehicle manufacturing JLR is expanding its UK workforce with 150 new maintenance roles to support EV production. With Solihull and Wolverhampton at the heart of its transformation, the company is investing in people, technology and electrification. Ilkhan Ozsevim
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. Ilkhan Ozsevim
JLR and partners push seat foam circularity forward through digital tools and collaboration, accelerating sustainable material reuse in luxury vehicle production JLR’s breakthrough in seat foam circularity is powered by digital tools, data-driven traceability and production/supply chain collaboration. The Circularity Lab’s ‘learn through doing’ approach is setting new industry benchmarks for material reuse and sustainable innovation. Ilkhan Ozsevim reports. Ilkhan Ozsevim
JLR expands sustainable paint facilities with £65m ($80m) investment to meet soaring demand for personalised luxury vehicle finishes across its brands JLR is expanding its paint operations with a £65m ($80m) investment, meeting soaring demand for bespoke vehicle finishes while cutting energy and water use at key sites in the UK and Slovakia. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Jaguar Land Rover Industrial Operations Chief departs as Nigel Blenkinsop takes over manufacturing leadership Jaguar Land Rover is undergoing a leadership transition as Barbara Bergmeier steps down from her role as executive director of industrial operations. Nigel Blenkinsop, a seasoned JLR executive, will take over as the company navigates an evolving automotive landscape. Ilkhan Ozsevim
2024 wrap up and 2025: EV batteries, gigafactories, sustainability and smart factories in auto manufacturing Take a look back at AMS’ biggest stories in automotive manufacturing in 2024, and our predictions for 2025 from smart factories to digital twins and more AMS
JLR’s Rudy the Robot will be hard at work this Christmas in Gaydon JLR will be using an automated robot over Christmas to carry out a lifetime of door usage checks within 12 weeks, completing 84,000 door shuts. Megan Kelly
This is how JLR’s quest for paint perfection is being realised through ostrich feathers and sustainable innovation JLR turns to ostrich feathers for unparalleled paint perfection. Combining sustainability with cutting-edge innovation, these feathers ensure flawless finishes while enhancing eco-friendly manufacturing. Ilkhan Ozsevim
JLR advances circular economy with closed-loop seat foam recycling, reducing waste and emissions in luxury vehicle production JLR’s Circularity Lab leads an industry breakthrough by creating closed-loop recycled seat foam for luxury vehicles. This innovation addresses recycling challenges, reduces emissions, and supports the Reimagine strategy for an all-electric future. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Automotive Manufacturing Solutions Magazine – Issue 2, 2024 Issue 2, 2024 of Automotive Manufacturing Solutions is out now, with a focus on the North American manufacturing sector, EV and battery production projects, hybrid powertrains, and much more. This issue includes insights from BorgWarner, BMW, Ford and Stellantis. Purchase print edition Nick Holt
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. Ian Henry
UK car production drops 8% in first half of 2024 Car production in the first six months of 2024 has dropped by 7.6%, according to new figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Megan Kelly
JLR ends SUV production at Magna Steyr amid electric shift Jaguar Land Rover is concluding its SUV production at Magna Steyr’s Austrian facility in December as part of a strategic shift towards an all-electric brand by 2025. The move includes ending five “zero profit” models to focus on high-margin vehicles and streamline operations. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Virtual production networks are able to solve multi-level complexities across automotive manufacturing Virtual production networks provide automotive manufacturing with myriad solutions like advanced time- and cost-saving simulations, global collaboration capabilities, and innovative tools like digital twins to harness untapped production flexibility. Ilkhan Ozsevim
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. Ian Henry
JLR and Chery announce strategic Freelander EV collaboration for China The two automotive giants have signed a Letter of Intent to license the Freelander brand to CJLR for the development of electric vehicles in China. This collaboration leverages Chery’s advanced EV technology and JLR’s design expertise, heralding a new phase for the CJLR joint venture and the rebirth of Freelander as an EV portfolio, poised for future global export Ilkhan Ozsevim
JLR boosts training to build electric cars JLR says 95% of its global retail partner technician workforce is now EV trained, with further training underway for 11,000 manufacturing colleagues to build BEVs. Nick Holt
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
Automotive Manufacturing Solutions Magazine – Issue 1, 2024 Issue 1, 2024 of Automotive Manufacturing Solutions is out now, with a focus on sustainability with insights from JLR and GKN Automotive, and supporting features on manufacturing engineering with BMW and Gestamp Purchase print edition Nick Holt
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… Ian Henry
JLR boosts sustainability with solar power expansion in the UK and drives global ops towards energy independence The carmaker has announced its sustainable energy expansion focusing on solar power expansion for substantial cost savings and reduced grid dependence Ilkhan Ozsevim
Powertrain – Reducing waste in machining fluids Sustainability projects at plant and team levels are vital to reducing the operational carbon footprint in manufacturing operations. These range from simple energy management protocols to more involved process improvement related projects. JLR offers a very interesting case study on the latter at its Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre. Nick Holt
JLR – Putting sustainability at the centre of its strategy Sustainability is a key of JLR’s Reimagine strategy, but this goes beyond developing and manufacturing a new generation of electric vehicles. The OEM’s manufacturing sustainability transformation lead, Garrett Bell, shared some insights in how the business is reducing its carbon footprint across its operations. Nick Holt
Green Revolution: How renewable energy is fuelling sustainable automotive manufacturing Adopting renewable energy in automotive production requires a comprehensive strategy, integrating solar, wind, biogas and electric solutions to drive sustainability and mitigate environmental impact effectively. OEMs, strategies and technologies are converging on different approaches to achieve sustainability goals across regions. Here are some notweworthy projects to keep an eye on… Ilkhan Ozsevim
Tata Steel to close two blast furnaces in Port Talbot causing major setback to regional automotive production The closures are to have a significant impact on the automotive production environment and supply chains across the region. Is the transition to green steel upsetting traditional ecosystems? Ilkhan Ozsevim
JLR accelerates digital transformation with Tata Communications connecting 128 of its global sites through cloud-based digital production network The two companies are collaborating to build JLR’s robust digital network to foster supply chain resilience. The collaboration integrates AI for real-time data analysis, enhancing production efficiency and security. Ilkhan Ozsevim
JLR expands EV production to Slovakia JLR has used the fifth anniversary of its plant opening in Nitra, Slovakia to announce that it will develop the plant to produce electric vehicles by 2030. Nick Holt
Qualcomm’s collaborations with leading automakers to reshape automotive manufacturing Partnerships with BMW, Mercedes, JLR and Mahindra revolve around automotive digital advancements and driving industry transformation. Ilkhan Ozsevim
JLR to boost West Midlands workforce for new body shop and EVs JLR will recruit 300 technicians and engineers for body shop production, testing and development, highlighting its commitment to West Midlands manufacturing and electric vehicle innovation. Ilkhan Ozsevim
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? Ian Henry
Tata invests £4bn in UK battery cell gigafactory to supply JLR as anchor client Tata Group has confirmed it will build a £4bn gigafactory in Somerset in the UK through its new subsidiary known as Agratas, with plans to ramp up production to serve JLR. It’s the most significant battery cell investment in the UK to date. Megan Kelly
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. AMS
EMO Hannover to address challenges of digitising automotive manufacturing EMO Hannover, one of the biggest trade fairs for production technology, will take place in September. Ahead of the event, AMS looks at what future insights the OEMs and tier-1 suppliers in attendance can expect to find. Megan Kelly
A friend of flexible lines – upgrading JLR production for EVs and more Barbara Bergmeier is driving digitalisation, sustainability and resilience across JLR’s operations. Now she will help ramp up EV and battery output whilst keeping manufacturing flexible Nick Holt Christopher Ludwig
Jaguar Land Rover to invest in UK manufacturing plants to ramp up EV and flexible production JLR will invest billions over the next five years to upgrade its UK plants for an electric-first future, including transforming Halewood into an all-electric plant, adding an electric Jaguar in Solihull, producing electric drives and battery packs in Wolverhampton and expanding stamping in Castle Bromwich Christopher Ludwig
Re-evaluating recycled materials Carmakers are increasingly looking into ways of reducing the environmental impact of their vehicle manufacture – and one way to do this is by using more recycled materials in their cars. But how can they go about this? James Bakewell
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 Daniel Harrison
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 Namrita Chow
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. Marcus Williams
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 Illya Verpraet
Transforming a field into a factory – Jaguar Land Rover in Slovakia Plant launch specialist Mark Parody reflects on the approach he took when set the daunting task of launching production at Jaguar Land Rover’s state-of-the-art factory at Nitra, Slovakia, including putting together a new team and coordinating significant complexity at each stage of manufacturing By Mark Parody – Plant launch specialist
VIDEO: Views from the assembly line at the home of the Range Rover Assembly workers give their reaction as Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull plant reopens under new social distancing measures Gareth Price
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. Christopher Ludwig
Jaguar Land Rover Nitra, Slovakia Production of the new Defender has just started at the Jaguar Land Rover factory in Nitra Gareth Price
New horizons With a healthy automotive supply chain and financial incentives on offer, Slovakia was an attractive prospect for JLR to expand its production facility network, as Nick Gibbs reports Nick Gibbs
Have EVs reached a tipping point in the UK? With the continued political uncertainty from the lack of Brexit progress, JLR’s announcement of a £1bn investment in its Castle Bromwich facility to make the new electric XJ will be met with some relief by the UK government Ian Henry
