Factory Closures and Consolidation
China: Fierce domestic competition sees international brands suffer lower sales and a contraction of output
International brands, which have benefited from growth in the Chinese market over the years, now face serious headwinds.
Stellantis: Managing multi-brand complexity
Carlos Tavares’ tenure in charge of Stellantis has ended abruptly but was the job of developing, producing and selling such a diverse range of brands across different continents an impossible one?
Nissan faces tough decisions on Sunderland plant’s future
Nissan’s Sunderland plant, a leader in EV production, faces uncertainty as the automaker grapples with declining sales, rising costs, and a sweeping restructuring plan.
Stellantis’ Vauxhall factory closure sparks UK EV policy debate
Stellantis to close Vauxhall Luton plant, affecting 1,100 jobs. The move highlights challenges in EV adoption and calls for UK policy reform.
Volkswagen faces manufacturing challenges amid financial troubles
What’s behind Volkswagen’s financial and manufacturing struggles? Falling sales, China tariffs, and EV woes are triggering major challenges.
Ford, GM, Stellantis fight EV slowdown, tariffs, IRA & China
As the Big Three US automakers grapple with a slowing EV market, rising costs, and intense competition, their survival hinges on navigating a complex web of challenges.
VW’s plant closures illustrate industry’s existential crisis
Volkswagen is at a critical juncture as it confronts severe challenges with possible plant closures and intensifying competition in the EV market
Crisis? VW warns of closures and job losses amid EV struggles
Volkswagen signals potential German plant closures and ends a decades-old job security agreement as it faces declining EV demand and profitability.
Stellantis reorganises production operations at Warren Truck Assembly Plant
Stellantis will end of production of Ram 1500 classic at Warren Truck Assembly Plant, refocussing operations on Wagoneer SUV production
Stellantis and the UK government: sabre rattling or crying wolf?
Unhappy with the UK’s ZEV mandate Stellantis has suggested it might cease LCV production in the UK, but is there more to this than legislation?
Audi may close Brussels plant as Q8 e-tron demand falls
Audi considers closing its Brussels plant due to a sharp decline in Q8 e-tron sales, potentially affecting 3,000 workers.
Stellantis could export UK production over strict EV regulations
Stellantis warns UK production may halt unless the government boosts EV demand, citing stringent regulations and market challenges.
ACC halts construction of two European gigafactories
ACC opened the first of the three planned European gigafactories in June last year.
The changing shape of Europe’s automotive production operations
European vehicle manufacturing is having to adapt to weakening EV demand and increasing competition.
Reshaping the future: Developments in automotive production engineering
A picture of the fast-paced world of automotive production engineering as it navigates the transition to electric vehicles and digitalisation
Tata Steel to close two blast furnaces in Port Talbot causing major setback to regional automotive production
The closures are to have a significant impact on the automotive production environment and supply chains across the region. Is the transition to green steel upsetting traditional ecosystems?
GM pauses production of trucks due to parts shortage
The production pauses come at an already challenging time for GM due to recent union negotiations.
Honda announces next steps in US EV production
The Marysville Auto Plant will be Honda’s first auto plant in the US to transition to making EVs
Europe’s carmakers dim lights, turn back to coal, oil, on approach to bleak winter
Automakers crimp energy use and reluctantly turn to coal and oil but options may be more limited for component and material suppliers upstream.
Factories in China’s Sichuan province forced to close for six days amid power shortage
Plants in China’s Sichuan province, including those run by Toyota and Foxconn, have been told to suspend operations amid electricity shortages
