Tag: tier suppliers

Novelis hot mill fire risks $1bn hit to Ford F-150 output, exposing heavy reliance on aluminium body-in-white

A fire at Novelis’ aluminium rolling and recycling plant in New York is set to disrupt Ford’s supply of aluminium for its F-150, with analysts warning the production impact could cost the carmaker as much as $1 billion.

James McLoughlin

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

Human-centric digitalisation: Empowering the shopfloor with smarter tools

As automotive manufacturing becomes more automated and data-driven, digitalisation must be designed to empower, not replace, shopfloor workers. With intuitive tools, connected systems and real-time insights, OEMs and suppliers are rethinking how humans and machines interact in production environments.

Ilkhan Ozsevim

Anushka Dixit

Lear’s “lights-out” vehicle production launches in Michigan

Lear is opening an advanced centre in Michigan to demonstrate lights-out manufacturing and deepen its automation push, building on its Palantir-backed digital strategy.

Ilkhan Ozsevim

Exclusive: How Henkel is co-developing the EV batteries of the future at its Battery Engineering Center

PARTNER CONTENTThis content was produced by Automotive Manufacturing Solutions in partnership with HenkelHenkel, a global leader in adhesives, sealants and functional coatings, inaugurated its revolutionary Battery Engineering Center (BEC) within its Inspiration Center Düsseldorf (ICD) in November last year. Henkel invited AMS as its first visitor, to take a tour of the Battery Application Center (BAC) and Battery Test Center (BTC) within the BEC and the innovations happening inside.

Watch: Henkel invites AMS for an exclusive look inside its Battery Engineering Center

PARTNER CONTENTThis content was produced by Automotive Manufacturing Solutions in partnership with HenkelHenkel, a global leader in adhesives, sealants and functional coatings, inaugurated its revolutionary Battery Engineering Center (BEC) within its Inspiration Center Düsseldorf (ICD) in November last year. Henkel invited AMS as its first visitor, to take a tour of the Battery Application Center (BAC) and Battery Test Center (BTC) within the BEC and the innovations happening inside.

ACC halts construction of two European gigafactories

Automotive Cells Company (ACC), with its shareholders Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz and TotalEnergies subsidiary Saft, has halted the construction of two of its three planned European gigafactories.

Balancing digitalisation with production output

The focus of the Automobil Produktion Kongress 2024 was on sustainable, efficient and digital production methods. Industry experts from car manufacturers and suppliers discussed the future of smart production.

ZF’s Arno Güllering on smart factory innovations and navigating volatility

AMS’ chief content officer Christopher Ludwig spoke to Arno Güllering, senior vice president, Operations – Electrified Powertrain Technology division at ZF at the Automobil Produktion Kongress 2024 at Munich to discuss the roadmap for navigating industry challenges and embracing the digital future.

Bosch Ventures invests in battery recycling startups

Bosch Group’s venture capital unit, Bosch Ventures, has made significant investments in Cylib and Li Industries, two battery recycling startups.

Watch on demand: Sustainable Steel Automotive Manufacturing Survey 2024 Webinar

Discover the latest insights from a cutting-edge discussion featuring AMS and SSAB on the key challenges faced by automotive OEMs, tier suppliers and other stakeholders in transitioning to sustainable steel.

How Farasis will bridge the EV battery gap in Europe

The Chinese battery manufacturer’s new European general manager, Marcel Brömlage, will lead an evolving strategy in the region including increasing engineering and acquisition capabilities, and targeting automotive as well as non-automotive customers to support the growth strategy for the Siro joint venture and Farasis group.

Rising labour costs become biggest concern for automotive manufacturing

Rising labour costs and skills shortages are the biggest concern for the automotive manufacturing industry this year, according to the latest AMS & ABB Automotive Manufacturing Outlook Survey 2023.

AMS & ABB Automotive Manufacturing Outlook Survey 2023 results: A positive outlook despite evolving challenges

Download our latest global survey results to gain expert insight into automotive manufacturing trends, gauge the current sentiment across the automotive sector and learn about the broader industry outlook for 2024 and beyond.

Henkel supports innovation with Battery Engineering Center

PARTNER CONTENTThis content was produced by Automotive Manufacturing Solutions in partnership with HenkelHenkel, a global leader in adhesives, sealants and functional coatings, has opened its revolutionary Battery Engineering Center within its Inspiration Center in Duesseldorf, to address the need to improve safety, performance, quality and price of EV batteries.

UAW workers ratify deals with GM, Ford and Stellantis

Members of the United Auto Workers union (UAW) have ratified the tentative deals with GM, Ford and Stellantis following weeks of strikes against the Detroit ‘Big Three’.

Impact of UAW strikes could leave suppliers at financial risk

The impact of the recent UAW strikes could leave suppliers at financial risk, according to a supply chain and manufacturing legal expert.

Floods affect manufacturing facilities in Slovenia

Major flooding in Slovenia throughout the last month has affected manufacturing facilities in Slovenia and across Europe, hitting the production of carmakers including Volkswagen.

GM and Mercedes-Benz both sign up for green steel

Both General Motors (GM) and Mercedes-Benz have signed agreements for the supply of green steel for the production of their vehicles.

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.

GM and POSCO to build battery material facility in North America

General Motors (GM) and POSCO Future M are planning to build a new battery material facility in North America, in the second phase of their joint venture estimated to exceed $1billion.

Europe’s carmakers dim lights, turn back to coal, oil, on approach to bleak winter

Automakers crimp consumption and reluctantly turn to coal and oil but options may be more limited for component and material suppliers upstream.

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

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.

An exclusive focus on flexibility as OEMs look to modular-based manufacturing

Modular production in automotive manufacturing is rapidly becoming more innovative and flexible with the ability to multitask. As a result, OEMs are increasingly rethinking their methods and working closely with technology providers to make flexible manufacturing hegemonic.

Mercedes-Benz opens Alabama battery plant and will partner with Envision AESC for regional cell supply

Mercedes-Benz has opened a new battery assembly plant in Bibb County, Alabama, which will build electric vehicle battery packs that will supply production of the all-electric Mercedes-EQ ahead of the beginning of series production this spring at the Mercedes-Benz US International (MBUSI) plant nearby in Tuscaloosa.

Global powertrain and battery production forecast: ever-evolving complexity

With diverging regulations, infrastructure, market trends and manufacturing bases, the path to EV and battery production will vary across regions, adding more variation for OEMs and suppliers. Ultima Media analyst Daniel Harrison shares the latest data on powertrain and battery forecasts

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.

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

Interior innovations

The new generation of electric vehicles offer a great opportunity to accelerate the development of smart interiors. Mike Farish reports on the application of new technologies and materials

AI and automation in automotive production need people and quality data to succeed

In the automotive industry’s relentless quest for efficiency, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) may seem like silver bullets, and panellists at the recent AMS livestream hour agreed that these rapidly improving technologies can indeed bring enormous benefits. However, the road to successful automation is one with a fair few obstacles.

Watch: Livestream Hour Season Finale | Part 2: Update from North America with Honda and Benteler

Don’t miss the last Livestream Hour episode this season as our guests provide insight on how the coronavirus crisis is currently affecting production and the supply chain in North America, featuring Hector Martinez from Honda de Mexico and Maxim Serov from global tier 1 Benteler.

Watch: Livestream Hour Episode 6 – Aftermarket and Service Parts: Keeping the wheels moving

In this episode of the Livestream Hour, we discuss the pandemic’s potential impact on aftersales supply and the aftermarket, including the long-term effects on supply chains and what this means for managing inventory. With special guests from Toyota North America, LKQ Europe and CLEPA. Hosted by editor-in-chief Christopher Ludwig.

Watch: Livestream Hour Episode 4 – Tier Suppliers on the Road to Recovery

The Livestream Hour features intelligence and updates on important automotive value chain developments, Covid-19-related topics and best practice featuring special guests and experts, as well as behind-the-headlines INSIGHT from our editors and analysts. In Episode 4, we discuss the key areas that suppliers especially need to consider as the automotive industry stirs back into action, including supply chain and logistics processes, sourcing considerations, digital tools and collaboration.

Watch: Livestream Hour Episode 3 – India Automotive Supply Chain in Focus

In Episode 3, in collaboration with The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), we explore the global export, supply chain and logistics challenges and opportunities in India with a special guest panel that include Meritor, Sona Comstar, TCI and others. The Livestream Hour features intelligence and updates on important automotive value chain developments, Covid-19-related topics and best practice featuring special guests and experts, as well as behind-the-headlines INSIGHT from our editors and analysts.

Watch: Your questions answered | Restarting automotive production in the new normal

In a follow up to our Livestream Hour episode on restarting production, we bring our guest panel back together to answer audience that we couldn’t get to during the live session, including topics on automation, inventory and future sourcing. Featuring Ralf Bechmann from ROI Management Consulting, and AMS editor Nick Holt, hosted by Christopher Ludwig

Watch: Livestream Hour Episode 2 – Restarting Automotive Production in the New Normal

This Livestream Hour features intelligence and updates on important automotive value chain developments, Covid-19-related topics and best practice featuring special guests and experts, as well as behind-the-headlines INSIGHT from our editors and analysts. In Episode 2, supply chain expert Ralf Bechmann discusses how OEMs and tier suppliers together with Christopher Ludwig and AMS editor Nick Holt.

Electric vehicles could transform role of tier 1 suppliers in manufacturing

As OEMs look to reduce production costs and manage more complexity, automotive suppliers will face challenges. But with more EV models in the pipeline, many have the opportunity to grab a larger piece of the pie both for manufacturing and the total value chain

Tearing profits apart: how tier 1 automotive suppliers can mitigate shrinking margins

The latest report by Automotive from Ultima Media examines the profits and outlook for the top 20 automotive parts suppliers and explores the strategies and solutions they should consider to avoid significant disruption in the 2020s.

Tier Supplier Profit Analysis: Mitigating Margin Compression and Manufacturing Costs

Automotive tier 1 suppliers are facing unprecedented industry transformation in electrification along with economic uncertainty. Download this report on the top 20 global suppliers for a deep analysis of their historic margins, as well as solutions for how suppliers could cope with growing pressures and changes in manufacturing across the supply base

Challenging relationships

As the trend of electrification gains pace, and demand in the global new car market dwindles, suppliers are looking at ways to best serve their OEM customers

ZF begins chassis technology supply from new Vietnam plant

ZF’s new €25 million plant in Hai Phong, Vietnam is up and running, set to supply chassis modules to neighbouring Vinfast car and e-scooter facility

Easing into electrification

ZF is offering both hybrid and pure electric powertrain solutions to its customers in order to encourage the auto industry’s transition to electrification

Fast finish

New methods for manufacturing

Tier suppliers under pressure