AUBURN HILLS, MI—FCA US LLC recently installed intelligent lighting systems at several of its plants in the Detroit area. The smart LEDs are expected to help drive down energy costs by at least 50 percent and improve employee productivity.
FLINT, MI—General Motors Co. will add 1,000 workers to build new heavy-duty pickup trucks at its assembly plant here. Priority will be given to GM workers who were laid off elsewhere.
CHICAGO—Ford Motor Co. will invest $1 billion in its manufacturing operations here to expand production of its Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator sport utility vehicles.
Automotive manufacturers face several ongoing challenges, such as being able to introduce new products onto an assembly line without long retooling times.
FOREST CITY, IA—Winnebago Industries Inc. announced Monday plans to move the manufacturing of its Class A diesel motorhomes here from Junction City, OR.
Robots have always struggled to match human touch. But, recent advances in sensor technology now enable machines to process the sensitive forces needed for delicate assembly tasks, such as placing, inserting and tightening parts.
In November, General Motors stunned the nation by announcing that it will cut 15 percent of its salaried workforce and idle assembly plants in Michigan, Ohio, Maryland and Canada.