How circular economy targets are driving new strategies in automotive design, sourcing and supply chain integration across EVs, batteries and interiors Leading OEMs and suppliers are no longer treating circularity as an end-of-life concern. Design, sourcing and localisation strategies are being rethought to prioritise reuse, remanufacture and material traceability from day one. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Automotive expert Tunç Kip says human-machine interfaces are essential in boosting flexibility, quality, and performance in global automotive manufacturing From the factory floor to upstream design, digital human-machine interfaces are enabling smarter, leaner, and more flexible vehicle production - but humans need to be at the centre of gravity for it to work. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Rivian strengthens EV ambitions with $6.6B federal loan to develop advanced manufacturing facility in Georgia Rivian’s $6.6 billion loan from the US Department of Energy bolsters its ambitious plans for a key Georgia manufacturing hub. The 9 million sq. ft facility will increase production of next-gen EVs, foster innovation and boost regional production. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Rivian and Volkswagen Group JV to create electric architectures and software The new joint venture (JV), with a potential investment of up to $5.8 billion, will see engineers from both partners developing software and electronics architectures and scale the electric vehicle platforms and architectures. Nick Holt
Can Rivian navigate production challenges and scale up in the electric vehicle world? Rivian has emerged as an important player in the EV market, known for its adventure-oriented electric trucks and SUVs. But the OEM faces significant challenges to its production forecasts. Can Rivian maintain its momentum in EV production? Ilkhan Ozsevim
Volkswagen invests $5B in Rivian to establish 50/50 EV and software focussed Joint Venture Volkswagen Group’s $5 billion investment in Rivian forms a joint venture to develop cutting-edge EV architecture and software. The judicious move strengthens both companies’ market positions, both helping Rivian advance its R2 and R3 models while addressing Volkswagen’s software challenges. Ilkhan Ozsevim
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
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
New world order: How the US is boosting EV production with new technologies and investment The US is leading the way in the transition to EVs, with significant government support to increase domestic battery production and new technologies. Ian Henry explores how the US is becoming competition to China, and what it means for the rest of the world. Ian Henry
AMS Autumn 2023 – Continental Shift In this latest AMS digital edition we have a special focus on the North American automotive industry as the region’s OEMs make big investments in electric vehicle and battery production AMS
Six trends that will shape the automotive industry’s future From integrated factory planning to virtual reality, Autodesk highlights six key trends primed to disrupt the automotive industry in the future Friederike Voigt
Shaping the future – Developing electric vehicle architectures In our AMS Evolution Livestream experts from ArcelorMittal and Gestamp tackle EV production challenges and explain how digital tools, new technologies, processes and materials innovations could help solve some key issues Michael Nash
Mercedes-Benz and Rivian to join forces on European EV van factory The joint plant will offer cost savings to both automakers and speed start-up Rivian’s establishment of a presence beyond North America. Peter Murphy
Lucid opens EV and battery plants in Arizona as electrification expands US production map Lucid Group has announced the opening of its new Advanced Manufacturing Plant (AMP-1) and Lucid Powertrain Manufacturing plants in Arizona at the US startup’s Production Preview Week. 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
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
Ineos finalises supply for Hambach takeover Ineos Automotive has officially taken over operations of the Daimler plant in Hambach, France, after completing the purchase of the facility in December last year. It will start building the firm’s Grenadier off-roader in 2021, as well as continue to build the Smart EQ Fortwo until the end of its model cycle Illya Verpraet
Your webinar questions answered: How tier 1 suppliers are responding to tough headwinds You asked, we answer. We return to the questions from our audience that we didn’t have time to answer in our live webinar, ranging from which parts of automotive tier 1 suppliers’ business models are at risk of commodification, to how tier suppliers are changing manufacturing processes Daniel Harrison Christopher Ludwig
A divided global electric vehicle market could limit OEM economies of scale in manufacturing Sales of hybrid and battery electric vehicles are set for significant regional divergence, which could fragment economies of scale across automotive production, R&D and technology costs, according to a new powertrain forecast by Automotive from Ultima Media Automotive from Ultima Media
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
