Building a car generates massive amounts of data throughout the value chain. The BMW Group uses its Smart Data Analytics digitalization cluster to analyze this data selectively and enhance its production system. Results from intelligent data analysis make an effective contribution towards improving quality in all areas of production and logistics.
At the recent Geneva Motor Show, vehicle electrification was a leading topic of conversation. While automakers aren’t giving up on the good-old internal combustion engine just yet, they’re investing billions of dollars to develop fully electric systems that are reliable, safe and cost-effective to assemble.
DEARBORN, MI--The Associated Press reported last week that Ford Motor Co. will shed most of its North American car lineup as part of broad plan to save money and make the company more competitive in a fast-changing marketplace. The changes include getting rid of all cars in the region during the next four years except for the Mustang sports car and a compact Focus crossover vehicle, CEO Jim Hackett said as the company released first-quarter earnings.
BLUE SPRINGS, MS--Toyota Motor Corp. is investing $170 million at its assembly plant here to build the 12th-generation Corolla sedan, creating 400 jobs. The small car is moving to a new platform known as Toyota New Global Architecture, and production lines will be replaced as part of the investment.
TOLEDO, OH--After more than 12 years of production, the final Jeep Wrangler JK has rolled off the assembly line at the FCA Supplier Park here. Approximately 2.1 million Wranglers were built during this time. The plant will now begin retooling for the all-new Jeep truck that is scheduled to launch in the first half of 2019.
LONDON--About a year and a half ago, well-known automobile designer Gordon Murray designed the OX truck to be cheap to manufacture, shipped in flat packs and quickly assembled at its final destination. According to the Global Vehicle Trust, three skilled people can put an OX together in approximately 12 hours.
DETROIT--Wallace Detroit Guitars and Chevrolet are teaming up to release a line of guitars made with wood salvaged from the GM truck plant in Fort Wayne, IN. The move further cements the bond between Detroit's long legacies of automobile and music production.
OTTAWA, ON—The top U.S., Canadian and Mexican officials driving NAFTA renegotiations will meet in Washington today, as pressure for a quick deal is mounting.
MORRISTOWN, TN—A Belgian company that makes buses and industrial vehicles will invest $47 million to build its first assembly plant here, a move expected to create nearly 640 jobs in five years.
FREMONT, CA—Tesla Inc. has temporarily suspended production of the Model 3 sedan at its assembly plant here in what the company said on Monday was a planned production pause. It was the second time since February that Tesla has temporarily shut down assembly of the Model 3.