Electric motors in cars are omnipresent, but they are also well hidden. In today’s late model vehicles, more than 30 motors are typically used to power a variety of applications, including ABS pumps, central locking systems, exterior mirrors, seat adjusters, window regulators and windshield wipers.

INGERSOLL, ON—Construction to prep Canada’s first full-scale electric vehicle factory is underway at General Motors’ CAMI assembly plant here.

While assembly work has always been physically demanding, little is known about the overall consequences of cognitive loading on assemblers' performance, well-being, and the speed and quality of production. Cognitive under- or overloading can cause a lack of focus or distraction on one hand, or overwhelm on the other.

KARIYA, Japan—Automotive supplier DENSO Corp. and United Semiconductor Japan Co. Ltd. (USJC) have agreed to collaborate on the production of power semiconductors at USJC’s 300-millimeter fab to serve growing demand in the automotive market.

STUTTGART, Germany—Mercedes-Benz is increasingly integrating recycled and sustainable materials into its vehicles.

HOLLAND, MI—LG Energy Solution has announced that it is investing $1.7 billion at its plant here to increase production of lithium-ion polymer battery cells and packs for EVs by fivefold. The expansion will create more than 1,200 new jobs.

LONG BEACH, CA—Toyota Motor North America will invest $27 million to increase production at its assembly plant here.

RAAMSDONKSVEER, Netherlands—Pal-V says it will begin serial production of the world’s first combined road/air vehicle, called the Liberty, in 2023.

GEORGETOWN, KY—Toyota Motor North America will add 220 new positions to its production engineering division, which serves as the go-between for design and manufacturing. The additional support will increase Toyota’s capacity to use innovative engineering technology to design and build assembly plants, equipment and processes across its operations.

LEWIS CENTER, OH—ATS Industrial Automation has opened a new 240,000-square-foot battery assembly plant here.