Automotive Assembly

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U.S. manufacturers have faced significant headwinds this year: supply chain problems, a skilled labor shortage, inflation, and the war in Ukraine. And yet despite these issues—or perhaps, because of them—manufacturers continued to invest in people, plants and equipment.

COWETA COUNTY, GA—FREYR Battery plans to open a new assembly plant here, about 40 miles south of Atlanta.

The current paradigm of car manufacturing, which provides a variety of models, colors and options, is called mass customization. However, mass customization is now transforming into mass individualization. In mass individualization, products are uniquely catered to consumers’ desires. For example, some car buyers may want to replace ordinary car seats with luxury brands, such as Louis Vuitton, to differentiate themselves.

Rotor blades, guide vanes and other components for jet engines are made from costly materials and machined to precise tolerances. Such components are typically made in batches, due to the time involved in setting up machine centers. The process also requires a fair number of people to tend the machines and assist in changeover.

DETROIT, MI—After years of development, GM is signaling it's finally ready to start producing electric vehicles in enough volume— with a new battery pack— to grow sales and start lowering costs.

MEBANE, NC—Sunlight Batteries USA is spending $40 million to build a new battery assembly plant here. The new facility will be equipped with five lithium-ion battery assembly lines, including a fully automated one and one dedicated to large-scale energy storage systems. The facility is expected to create more than 200 jobs.

STATESBORO, GA—Auto parts manufacturer Joon Georgia Inc. is investing $317 million to build a new assembly plant here. The project is expected to create 317 jobs.

MUNICH—The BMW Group is sourcing aluminum produced using solar electricity.

An automatic transmission case is a complex casting that includes a sophisticated valve body with many channels and passages. These channels and passages must be precisely connected to ensure smooth, accurate shifting.

Rarely does a major spending bill in Washington draw bipartisan support and yield immediate results. Behold the CHIPS and Science Act, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden Aug. 9. The act provides more than $52 billion in new funding to boost domestic research and manufacturing of semiconductors in the U.S.