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
UK automakers sound alarm on skills shortages, unfilled engineering roles The pace of electrification is getting ahead of the time taken to train the engineers with the skills needed for an auto industry transitioning to producing EVs. Peter Murphy
UK automakers slammed by uncompetitive energy costs but long-term EV prospects bright UK car manufacturers pay about 59% more for energy overall than their EU-based rivals and costs are set to jump again this year, threatening competitiveness. Peter Murphy
Lotus opens new sports car manufacturing facility at Hethel The Chapman Production Centre is already building the Emira, the last petrol-powered car from Lotus and is latest stage of £100m redevelopment of the company’s UK facilities AMS
What wireless battery management systems mean for sustainable EV manufacturing As the demand for EVs rises and OEMs rapidly roll out units, battery component manufacturers are looking to develop vital electrification ecosystems. A factor that is increasingly central to the manufacturing of EVs is a battery framework that simplifies the production process for new sustainable models. Jason Dunn
Watch: Vehicle lightweighting rises to the top of the agenda for designers and engineers This livestream investigates how designers and engineers at Ford, Gestamp and key suppliers are using innovative materials and creating lightweight architectures, including for models like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Maverick compact truck. AMS
When the Covid-19 crisis is over, what ‘new normal’ can automotive suppliers expect to emerge? As the global automotive industry faces shutdowns, for who knows how long, it is worth considering how it might change or evolve once the pandemic’s peak has passed. Some companies, from vehicle companies down throughout the supply chain, may well go under, owing to the financial shock which Covid-19 is causing. Ian Henry
The Morgan Plus Six: a century in the making Modern technology and traditional craftsmanship combine in Morgan’s most technologically advanced model to date Chris Pickering
Setting the pace – AP Racing speeds up smart production A new €1m assembly line is helping UK-based high-performance brake component supplier AP Racing take a smarter approach to production Mike Farish
Drawing attention: aluminium hot form quench Better known as a niche process for parts with deep-drawn and complex geometries in high-strength aluminium, hot form quench is now being adapted for high volume production. James Bakewell
Gaining momentum Vehicle makers and tier suppliers are embarking on huge changes to their production operations and range line-ups to supply electrified vehicles. Ian Henry looks at who’s charging ahead and who’s falling flat Ian Henry
