Nissan-Mercedes JV shuts Mexican plant amid tariff storm The COMPAS facility in Aguascalientes will close in May 2026, ending a decade-long partnership between two automotive giants as trade pressures and Nissan's financial crisis reshape North American manufacturing. Ilkhan Ozsevim
New alliances and innovative factory upgrades for US auto industry GM and Hyundai form a wide-ranging new partnership, and Toyota reinvents its Kentucky plant to pioneer global manufacturing standards Ian Henry
Tariffs, delays, and doubt: Canada’s auto sector faces uncertain future Canada’s automotive industry is caught in the crosshairs of a shifting US trade policy. Investment has stalled, jobs are at risk, raising urgent questions about the country’s role in North America’s automotive future. Ian Henry
Global vehicle production faces sharpest decline in 5 years Tariff exposure crushes margins, aluminium shortages halt F-150 lines, and BEV strategies unravel. Industry faces steepest production decline in five years as 78 million unit forecast reveals manufacturers misjudged policy, supply and demand dynamics. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Leapmotor's LFP-powered B10 exposes European EV deficits Chinese EV maker Leapmotor is disrupting Europe's compact SUV segment with aggressive pricing and imminent local production at Stellantis facilities in Spain, threatening incumbents with tighter margin management. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Tariffs redraw North American auto manufacturing map From BMW to Nissan, automakers are shifting assembly lines to the US to avoid steep tariffs – while Canadian and Mexican operations face uncertain futures. Here's how tariffs are reshaping the industry's landscape. Ian Henry
Stellantis reverses course on US stance with $10bn manufacturing investment New chief executive Antonio Filosa charts dramatic reversal from predecessor's low-cost country strategy, refocusing capital on North American manufacturing as European operations face mounting overcapacity challenges Ilkhan Ozsevim
German auto giants face major job cuts Bosch and ZF Friedrichshafen announce over 20,000 job reductions amid market challenges and global competition. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Tariffs, trade shifts, and EV turbulence: How Trump’s second term is reshaping North American auto manufacturing North American vehicle manufacturing is undergoing major changes. These are in response to political actions, wider market factors and some interesting decisions by major vehicle companies Ian Henry
EU carmakers say 2035 CO2 targets unworkable Europe’s leading automotive executives are pressing Brussels to rethink its car and van CO2 rules, warning that rigid 2030 and 2035 targets are no longer realistic amid rising costs, import dependence and trade barriers. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Europe: Chinese brand’s sales and localised production on the increase Despite steep EU tariffs, Chinese automakers are rapidly expanding their footprint across Europe – doubling market share. With hybrid models gaining traction and production scaling locally, their momentum shows no signs of slowing. Ian Henry
Toyota to build "plant of the future" in Japan amidst tariff turbulence Toyota has announced plans to acquire land to build a new vehicle manufacturing plant in the Teihoucho area of Toyota City in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Megan Kelly
UK automotive output slumps amid EV and cost challenges UK automotive manufacturing faces its toughest half-year since 1953 outside the pandemic. While EV output grows, cost pressures, unclear incentives and supply shortages threaten recovery plans. Megan Kelly Ilkhan Ozsevim
Washington’s tariff gambit upends vehicle production map Fresh US tariffs are upending EV strategies, accelerating reshoring, stalling imports and forcing automakers to overhaul production footprints and future investment plans. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Tariffs, competition and challenging markets put European OEMs under more pressure The European vehicle manufacturing sector faces major challenges amidst ongoing geopolitical and economic turmoil. This review looks at US tariffs, the slower adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), low factory utilisation, and the rising competition from the Chinese vehicle manufacturers. Ian Henry
