Digital twins: Boosting productivity in automotive manufacturing The digital transformation of production operations is continuing at pace and while there is still much more potential to be realised, the focus is now firmly on digital tools making a practical contribution. Nick Holt
Honda’s $1bn redevelopment of its Ohio plants sets a global precedent in integrating EV, hybrid and ICE production with smart manufacturing and supplier transformation. Honda North America’s upgraded Ohio operations will be its template for flexible production of ICE, hybrid and electric vehicles on a single line. Project lead Mike Fischer speaks to AMS about the goals, planning and execution behind this major production shift. Nick Holt
BMW plants prepare for a new era with Neue Klasse production As BMW gears up production towards its Neue Klasse electric vehicles, the factories are to remain flexible. Gotz Fuchslocher looks at the strategies the manufacturer is pursuing as it prepares to launch production of the new models. Götz Fuchslocher
BMW drives CO2 reduction with workforce engagement: Transformation only succeeds with head and heart The BMW Group is driving forward decarbonisation, digitalisation and modern leadership with ambitious CO2 targets and a clear strategy. Human Resources Board Member Ilka Horstmeier outlines the economic policy opportunities and challenges in this Q&A. By Andrea Hoffmann-Topp
In Emden, Volkswagen wants to leave the Passat behind Volkswagen’s Emden plant has existed in northwest Lower Saxony for decades. Nowhere else is the change to electric drives so noticeable. With new logistics, new assembly and the new ID.7, a new era begins. Timo Gilgen
JLR boosts training to build electric cars JLR says 95% of its global retail partner technician workforce is now EV trained, with further training underway for 11,000 manufacturing colleagues to build BEVs. Nick Holt
How Mercedes-Benz and Seat are transforming their plants Michael Bauer, regional head of production at Mercedes-Benz and Jose Arreche, plant manager at Seat emphasised the importance of data and digitalisation in the transformation of their plants at the Automobil Produktion Kongress 2024, but stressed the evolving role that people will play in production. Timo Gilgen
Federico Kochlowski promoted to President and CEO Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. (MBUSI) Kochlowski has extensive experience across numerous production roles at the carmaker as well as across several regions Ilkhan Ozsevim
Ready for the next generation in Spartanburg As BMW prepares to build EVs and batteries in Spartanburg, it has expanded training programmes, with emphasis on safety, change management and youth outreach. The head of talent and training, Paul Sinanian, is focused on preparing for the decades ahead. Christopher Ludwig
On advanced robotics, skills and training: “Machines can’t do everything” Next-generation vehicles require new production processes, above all in automation, digitalisation and employee qualifications. Carolin Platz from the Auto-Motive Academy and Jörg Reger from automation expert ABB discuss the intersection of major topics in scaling up EV manufacturing. Götz Fuchslocher
Audi leads manufacturing skills transformation as it launches first EV from Ingolstadt plant Audi’s launch of the all-electric Q6 e-tron series has catalysed a major reskilling project, as the shift to e-mobility is demanding skills development. Other manufacturers, such as ZF, have also been cultivating internal talent. Ilkhan Ozsevim
BMW batteries: made and trained in South Carolina The carmaker’s upcoming battery plant in South Carolina will use regionally sourced cells to power EV production in Spartanburg, and help establish the area an electrification hub in the Americas. Christopher Ludwig
A friend of flexible lines – upgrading JLR production for EVs and more Barbara Bergmeier is driving digitalisation, sustainability and resilience across JLR’s operations. Now she will help ramp up EV and battery output whilst keeping manufacturing flexible Nick Holt Christopher Ludwig
BMW opens digital upskilling, future technologies training centre at Spartanburg Automakers and component suppliers are increasingly turning to internal training to match skills to the rapid pace of automotive’s digital and electric transition. Peter Murphy
Mercedes-Benz to invest €1.3 billion in digital skills training by 2030 The size of the training budget underscores the urgency of the building new skillsets automakers will rely on in an EV-focused future. Peter Murphy
VR training for assembly operations Introducing a completely new model to the production line and ramping up to mass production is a challenge. The team at Honda’s East liberty Auto plant have deployed a VR training system to support the assembly line workers with impressive results Nick Holt
