Tag: tesla

Hybrid vehicles return to North America’s production lines as automakers rethink strategy

Automakers that once aimed to skip hybrids and go straight to electric vehicles are now reintegrating hybrids into their North American line-ups. Building “half-and-half” cars is proving technically tricky but strategically worthwhile.

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.

Augmented reality, AI, cobots and digital twins are transforming automotive production by enhancing worker training, planning, inspection and collaboration

Human-machine interfaces are becoming central to car production. With AR, cobots, AI inspection and digital twins, OEMs like Ford, Volvo, GM and Mercedes are reshaping the way people and machines interact.

Inside Tesla’s ‘radical’ manufacturing shift: How the “Unboxed” process could slash EV production costs and impact the automotive industry

As Tesla gears up to launch its $25,000 electric car, its “Unboxed” manufacturing process draws both praise and scepticism. AMS explores its potential to transform automotive production and its implications for the industry.

China’s rare earth magnet export ban threatens global EV and automotive manufacturing, as US, European and Asian carmakers scramble to secure critical materials

The global automotive sector is facing renewed disruption as China tightens control over exports of heavy rare earths and magnets. With EV powertrains and chips at risk, OEMs are now racing to diversify supply.

India targets $500bn in EV investment as government boosts manufacturing incentives and new players like Tesla, VinFast prepare entry

Significant investments are now under way at domestic and international vehicle companies in India, in component production, electric and hybrid vehicle production for the domestic market, and to facilitate rising exports across the world. This is being encouraged under the government’s strapline of “Make in India for the world.”

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.

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.

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.

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

How Trump’s presidency could reshape automotive production, trade relations, and the green transition for manufacturers across the US, Europe, and Mexico

With Trump as President, automotive manufacturers are bracing for major policy shifts affecting production, tariffs, and the electric vehicle landscape. With opposing stances on trade and green policies, candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump could alter the course of the automotive sector across the US, Europe, and Mexico.

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.

Megacasting: a new frontier or unfounded flare-up for automotive production?

From Tesla to Volvo, Megacasting is gaining traction. While it offers efficiency and sustainability benefits, challenges remain. Stellantis, however, remains unconvinced.

Despite industry fears, global EV sales reach record highs in 2024 and remain on an upward trajectory

How will slowing growth in EVs impact auto industry investment strategies? As the industry navigates challenges from rising costs and charging infrastructure gaps, to consumer range anxiety and rising competition, Daniel Harrison explodes some EV myths.

Musk halts Tesla Mexico gigafactory until after US election

Tesla has paused its plans to build a new gigafactory in Mexico until after the US presidential election in November, as Donald Trump has pledged to impose a 100% tariff on vehicles made in Mexico.

Cracks in the EV empire? Is Tesla’s EV share dwindling as competition heats up?

Standfirst: The once nascent EV market is maturing rapidly, with traditional automakers and new entrants challenging Tesla’s dominance. As the industry evolves, new factors will determine market leadership.

Electric Dreams: Tesla’s gigafactory network and EV battery production blueprint

From Fremont to Berlin, Tesla’s gigafactories are the drivers in its goal to lead the EV market. Each site plays a crucial role in electric vehicle and battery innovation, ensuring Tesla meets global demand and maintains its lead in the electrification race.

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.

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.

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.

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…

Google’s Clausen takes GM manufacturing mantle as EVP Johnson retires

GM’s longtime EVP Gerald Johnson announces retirement after 44 years. Clausen appointed new EVP, Abbott to step down due to health. Leadership transition underway for manufacturing and software divisions.

Tesla’s Berlin factory set to restart production after arson attack

Tesla’s gigafactory in Grünheide, in Berlin, Germany is set to regain power from as early as today, allowing it to restart production, having been shut down for the past week following a suspected arson attack.

GM appoints ex-Tesla executive to new VP of batteries role

GM has appointed Kurt Kelty, a battery expert and former Tesla executive, to its new role of vice-president of batteries, in a move that aims to help the carmaker become a leader in EV manufacturing.

GM secures ex-Tesla gigacasting specialist Tooling & Equipment International (TEI) with the acquisition signalling a potentially ambitious production pivot and push into untapped market segment

General Motors’ acquisition of gigacasting expert Tooling & Equipment International (TEI) could signal a significant change in its EV manufacturing. With Tesla in focus, GM may be aiming to reshape its production landscape and vie for market share.

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.

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

Tesla’s Cybertruck enters long-awaited production as company reaches record production volume

Tesla’s Cybertruck marks a pivotal milestone as it enters production at Giga Texas, while its latest financial report shows huge progress in production after years of manufacturing challenges and delays.

Panasonic to grow battery production by 10% at Tesla Nevada gigafactory

Panasonic is planning to grow the production of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) at Gigafactory Nevada by 10% over the next three years.

Developing EV architectures optimised for manufacturing

There’s more to electrification than batteries. We look at some of the developments and trends in designing and manufacturing electric vehicle platforms ahead our exclusive livestream featuring Gestamp and ArcelorMittal

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.

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

Tesla to build new factory in Mexico

The company, which also has factories in the US, Germany and China, has chosen the northern border state of Nuevo Leon for the plant

Automotive battery manufacturing and supply chain 2022: Risks, regulation and resiliency

The latest AMS battery report forecasts production capacity, analyses suppliers and materials, and shows why OEMs and suppliers are forging new partnerships

Lithium-ion battery gigafactory database 2022

Track electric vehicle lithium battery gigafactories by manufacturer, location, manufacturer, current and planned gigawatt (GWh) capacity.

Megacasting: a chance to rethink body manufacturing

The aluminium die-casting process could revolutionise body construction. Professor Wolfram Volk, the department head for forming technology and casting at the Technical University of Munich, explains the advantages and disadvantages of so-called ‘mega’- or ‘gigacasting’.

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

EV battery supply chains on the move

As electric vehicles become serious business for OEMs, they are reassessing their battery supply and manufacturing bases, putting their eggs in multiple baskets and taking more control of the process.

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.

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).

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.

Can Tesla shift the balance of EV battery and cell manufacturing away from China?

At Tesla’s recent Battery Day presentation, the company promised to shake up its battery supply chains by moving into cell production and even the mining of raw material. Most of those moves require considerable technological advancements making it questionable how realistic they really are.

Tesla plans for more efficient battery production

At its annual shareholder meeting and battery day event, Tesla revealed a host of production innovations to make lithium-ion battery manufacturing more efficient and reduce costs. Although the premium electric vehicle maker keeps its cards close to its chest when it comes to how exactly it will achieve these innovations, it did announce plans to start its own battery cell production to supplement those provided by suppliers.

Tesla, Fremont

At its facility in Fremont, California, Tesla runs one of the world’s most advanced factories in the automotive world. Covering 5.3 million sq. ft of manufacturing and office space, the facility was previously home to General Motors.

Tesla starts building China factory

Tesla 'on track' with 3 production