Published Articles

Ian Henry has written many articles relating to the automotive industry and still regularly contributes to various online publications.  Scroll down for a full list of the articles Ian has produced since 2013.

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Ian has written chapters in two recent books.  These can be accessed free on Amazon Kindle.

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2018

No deal Brexit would cost UK car industry £55bn, says analysis… (Click to read article)

UK Auto calls for restart support as Covid crisis threatens one in six jobs… (Click to read article)

As the global automotive industry faces shutdowns, for who knows how long, it is worth considering how it might change or evolve once the pandemic’s peak has passed. Some companies, from vehicle companies down throughout the supply chain, may well go under, owing to the financial shock which Covid-19 is… (Click to read article)

In its new regional strategies for 2020, the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance announced that it wants Mitsubishi to spearhead activities in South-East Asia. (Click to read article)

As GM and Ford scale back from the subcontinent, the withdrawal is symptomatic of their global challenges and retrenchment back in the homeland. (Click to read article)

During the Brexit referendum, then under Theresa May’s premiership, and also during the early days of Boris Johnson’s tenure, the UK was either “promised” frictionless trade or led to believe imports, especially, would face no specific additional burdens.  Any additional friction would be as a result of the EU, implying that it would be exports which would be hit.  Indeed much of the discussion in last year’s ‘no-deal’ planning suggests that there would be both zero tariffs on most imports and only light touch import procedures, with ‘easements’ for deferring VAT payments for example. (Click to read article)

Such is the nature of the global automotive supply chain, it is inevitable that the knock-on effects of idle assembly lines in China soon reach Japan, Korea and beyond. (Click to read article)

Volumes in Morocco have steadily climbed to the point where it may soon be the biggest vehicle producer in Africa. (Click to read article)

Despite competition elsewhere in the continent, South Africa retains its key place among global manufacturing strategies. (Click to read article)

Algeria has ambitions to be the Africa’s next major automotive manufacturing hub and the OEMs are lining up to make it happen. (Click to read article)

OEM announcements around vehicle production plans in countries such as Ghana, Nigeria and Rwanda provide further examples of how the automotive manufacturing industry is gaining traction in Africa. The continent is responsible for assembly of more than one million vehicles each year. (Click to read article)

Even after the collapse of the Renault deal FCA still wanted a merger to protect itself going forward from the headwinds of electrification and global economic uncertainty; step forward PSA. (Click to read article)

As it marks the 125th anniversary of the company, Skoda is chalking up record-breaking output. (Click to read article)

With new products and an expanding production network, Skoda is managing to achieve greater influence and standing despite the challenges of a changing market. (Click to read article)

Having led the way on OEM collaboration and cooperation, Renault and Nissan seem set to unwind their alliance. (Click to read article)

After three years of confusion and turmoil, the UK is on the brink of leaving European Union. So OEMs with operations based there have decisions to make, as Ian Henry reports. (Click to read article)

2018

Outside of the Hyundai-Kia story, Korea’s other automotive players continue to struggle and in global production terms the country is slipping down the rankings. (Click to read article)

The means by which electric vehicles powertrains and batteries are assembled could lead to significant reductions in factory headcounts. (Click to read article)

From finances to unions and electrifying its model range, domestic and global challenges abound for Hyundai-Kia. (Click to read article)

As the trend of electrification gains pace, and demand in the global new car market dwindles, suppliers are looking at ways to best serve their OEM customers. (Click to read article)

As CEO of FCA, Sergio Marchionne tried and tried to find a mega-merger partner for the group. Less less than two years after his death, a likely candidate has emerged…. (Click to read article)

Opel management believe the Rüsselsheim plant is secure for the next decade but, with compact cars sales in decline and competition fierce, serious questions remain. (Click to read article)

As OEMs continue to push the scale and variety of their electrified vehicle ranges, Ian Henry asks, is battery production and supply up to the task? (Click to read article)

After many decades of vehicle production, the heartlands of European automotive manufacturing are undergoing a shift eastward. Highlighting the investments, innovations and impact. (Click to read article)

FCA’s restructuring has proved successful and the Jeep brand continues to prosper with new models on the way, but there are still challenges to overcome. (Click to read article)

Spain’s biggest exporter has turned its finances around and looks to have a bright future. (Click to read article)

Recent quarterly results from some of the major tier ones make for grim reading, as company after company reports declining profits and cites common themes for these disappointing times. (Click to read article)

Two of the largest former soviet republics, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, have set their sights on growing an automotive sector as they industrialise and modernise their economies. These Cental Asian nations are now focusing on strengthening their supply bases to boost local production. (Click to read article)

With the continued political uncertainty from the lack of Brexit progress, JLR’s announcement of a £1bn investment in its Castle Bromwich facility to make the new electric XJ will be met with some relief by the UK government. (Click to read article)

US-led sanctions have devastated Iran’s automotive industry, disrupting its supply of components and causing production to fall. Automotive Logistics assesses the damage. (Click to read article)

Ian Henry provides insight on the situation between FCA and its partners and potential partners. (Click to read article)

Vehicle makers and tier suppliers are embarking on huge changes to their production operations and range line-ups to supply electrified vehicles. Ian Henry looks at who’s charging ahead and who’s falling flat. (Click to read article)

Given the scale and scope of its current restructuring programme, a very different Ford will eventually emerge. Ian Henry looks into the changes being made. (Click to read article)

I have commented before on how barely a week goes by without one or other vehicle company announcing a new electric vehicle; Geely went one step further recently by announcing a whole new brand for future electric vehicles, to be called Geometry. (Click to read article)

In President Trump somewhat simplistic analysis, trade wars fought through the medium of tariffs are easy to win. (Click to read article)

Ian Henry looks at how Japan’s OEMs are faring in their native land as they intensify supply to their own domestic market. (Click to read article)

While boardroom scandal and criminal allegations have tested this longstanding partnership, the ties that bind the Alliance OEMS remain firmly in place. (Click to read article)

Upgrade and investments at Burnaston see Toyota start production of the new Corolla in the UK, despite all the turmoil of Brexit. (Click to read article)

In what may be a portentous move for the industry, Hyundai has chosen to try to revive its domestic fortunes by opening the first new car factory to be built in Korea for over 20 years. (Click to read article)

After months of rumours and speculation, Ford and Volkswagen have announced an alliance which would begin with the co-development and production of vans and pick-ups; it offers the prospect of wider forms of co-operation, in other segments, electric technology and support services. (Click to read article)

Already a dynamic and rapidly growing manufacturing hub, South-East Asia’s automotive industry is finding further opportunity in the growth of battery and hybrid vehicle production. (Click to read article)

International expansion continues but, as Ian Henry reports, Audi’s long-term role within the VW Group is now under scrutiny. (Click to read article)

2018

As 2018 draws to a close, the pace of change in vehicle manufacturing is accelerating. The move to EVs is gaining speed while the companies themselves continue to realign and optimise their manufacturing footprints. (Click here to read article)

Daimler is embarking on a major corporate restructuring in the hope of improving its ability to face upcoming challenges in the automotive sector. (Click here to read article)

Ian Henry looks at recent divestments from FiatChrysler as it repositions itself for the future. (Click here to read article)

Ian Henry identifies six themes from the moves, mergers and makeovers underway in the global automotive tier supply sector. (Click to read article)

So many big names were absent from this year’s Paris motor show that the long-term future of these events must soon be called into question. Nissan, Volvo, Opel, Ford and Fiat in particular were notable no-shows. (Click to read article)

The UK press was rather excited recently when one of the Sunday papers claimed that the Ford Mondeo would be axed. Given that this model is not, and has never been, made in the UK, such concern was perhaps surprising. (Click to read article)

As the move to electrified and autonomous vehicles accelerates, Toyota is expanding in both technology areas and restructuring its operations. (Click to read article)

Ian Henry examines the key trends in the North American automotive supplier sector where technological progress and feisty trade policies continue to present a range of business challenges. (Click to read article)

Responding to the boom in SUV and crossover markets, the OEMs of Japan and Korea continue to invest in manufacturing operations across their long-established North American networks. (Click to read article)

Volvo is the latest European marque to take up a North American manufacturing base. (Click to read article)

Once the battles over tariffs settle down, North America”s own brands can focus on the rapid and significant changes the domestic market is demanding. Ian Henry reports (Click to read article)

Having bought the perennial loss-making Opel-Vauxhall operations from GM last year, PSA has lost no time in starting with the turnaround required. And the early signs are that it has already had a notable impact, something which may surprise many, myself included. (Click to read article)

Investment in new plants and expansion of existing facilities shows central Europe to be at the heart of vehicle manufacturers’ regional strategies. (Click to read article)

Sergio Marchionne was a remarkable man. He dominated the auto industry’s headlines and news agenda and his passing robs the industry of one of its few star names. (Click to read article)

An interesting news report caught my eye recently; the article suggested that PSA – whose Chinese plants are operating well below capacity – will lease one of its factories in China to Nissan later this summer. (Click to read article)

New models and increased market share: Ian Henry reports on PSA’s improving fortunes under Carlos Tavares’ leadership. (Click to read article)

Groupe PSA’s acquisition of GM’s loss-making European operations raised a few eyebrows. Ian Henry looks at the plan to turn around the Opel/Vauxhall brands. (Click to read article)

When Iran reached agreement with the global community in 2015 regarding denuclearisation, resulting in the lifting of sanctions in early 2016, almost immediately Renault and PSA announced their return to the country. (Click to read article)

Car companies across Europe are facing a serious problem with their diesel line-ups. (Click to read article)

Now Chinese-owned Volvo enters its tenth decade looking stronger than ever. Ian Henry reports Ford had owned Swedish carmaker since 1999, but had never been able to integrate it into the rest of its operations. (Click to read article)

Turkey is on Europe’s geographic fringes, but central to its automotive manufacturing network. (Click to read article)

Tariffs on steel imports, NAFTA renegotiation and the return to sanctions on Iran have been at the centre of recent policy actions by the US president; the implications for the auto industry are potentially severe but how things will develop are far from clear. (Click to read article)

Geely intends to leverage its ownership of Volvo to develop and manufacture Lynk & Co models, and introduce a new approach to sales and service. (Click to read article)

It may have been slow off the mark with electrification, but Ford is now stepping up its efforts through a new global growth strategy. (Click to read article)

AMS provides a summary of the latest electrification plans outlined by numerous OEMs across the world. (Click to read article)

Already struggling to hit production targets, newcomer Tesla is pushing on with more model launches and diversifying its activities. Has the company has bitten off more than it can chew? (Click to read article)

It’s March, so it’s time for the annual trip to the Geneva motor show. These days I just do a day trip which means a long day, first plane out and last plane back. (Click to read article)

With Honda reporting record volume figures for the full calendar year 2017, Ian Henry takes a region-by-region look at how the company is reacting. (Click to read article)

Not so long ago, European consumers were encouraged, with government approval and lower fuel duty, to switch to diesel for their lower CO2 emissions compared to petrol engines. Vehicle companies needed diesel to reach key thresholds in their fuel mix to meet corporate emissions targets which could not be met. (Click to read article)

We are barely a month into 2018 and Europe’s vehicle manufacturers continue to change their production geographies, investing in some factories and adjusting model allocations between others as they seek to optimise their assets. (Click to read article)

While most blue-light conversions are farmed out to contractors, a dedicated area at Vauxhall Luton transforms vehicles from the production line in readiness for the frontline. (Click to read article)

European LCV production is a dynamic mix of rising volumes, electrification and new alliances. (Click to read article)

Porsche has been expanding its production and achieving record results – with some assistance from Volkswagen Group facilities. (Click to read article)

2013

Like all new strategic plans announced by vehicle companies from time to time, the new Opel PACE! plan leaves many questions unanswered.  (Click here to read article)

After losing around US$16 billion in Europe, GM decided to sell Opel/Vauxhall to PSA. The French company had been transformed from near bankruptcy to profitability under Carlos Tavares’ shrewd stewardship.  (Click here to read article)

The continually restructuring tier supply environment is witnessing record M&A activity amid rapid technological change.  (Click here to read article)

South Africa’s automotive industry has emerged onto the world stage after increased investment from the likes of BMW, Mercedes and VW.  (Click here to read article)

JLR is following up the stunning success of its Evoque SUV with more models and manufacturing operationsNot long ago, JLR was facing the possibility of a factory closure amidst declining sales and a recession.  (Click here to read article)

Renault has driven the change and is now driving the future; Nissan is powering along with ‘Power 88’ (aimed at achieving an 8% global market share and an 8% return on capital); and Volkswagen (VW) is working on Strategy 2025+ as it goes about rebuilding after the diesel scandal.  (Click here to read article)

Having driven the change, Renault is now driving into the future – according to its new strategic strapline. Just a few days after Ford announced its latest corporate strategy under new CEO Jim Hackett, Renault’s long-standing leader, Carlos Ghosn, announced its own strategic plan.  (Click here to read article)

Jim Hackett, Ford’s CEO since May 2017 Periodically, Ford decides that it needs a non-automotive leader to effect major change as market shifts demand new ways of running the giant corporation).  (Click here to read article)

This year’s Frankfurt Motor Show was a little different from previous occasions, with some notable absentees – namely Nissan, Peugeot, Volvo and FCA. Something else I was struck (rather than surprised) by was the increasing focus on electric vehicles (EVs).  (Click here to read article)

Suzuki has stayed independent of big joint ventures despite becoming increasingly dependent on markets outside Japan.  (Click here to read article)

The underdeveloped but populous countries of South-East Asia could be rich pickings for Chinese OEMs.  (Click here to read article)

New global politics and difficulties at home threaten the production and export hubs of Japan and Korea.  (Click here to read article)

Under government pressure, domestic and international OEMs in China are switching to new-energy vehicles.  (Click here to read article)

These are challenging times for the automotive industry, especially in Germany, where it is a bellwether for the country’s economic health. But, as the Eurozone slowly emerges from its torpor, Germany’s automotive industry faces several ‘mega-issues’ with uncertain outcomes, notably the continued fall-out from the emissions scandal.  (Click here to read article)

For a company which has largely eschewed partnerships, as it battles with VW for the no.1 spot in the global rankings, Toyota is now embracing alliances as a means of continuing to grow.  (Click here to read article)

By expanding its production in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, SAIC hopes to break into the market share of the dominant Japanese OEMs.  (Click here to read article)

As the OEM is integrated into Renault-Nissan, new possibilities open up for its production in South-East AsiaIn October 2016, with its own fuel-economy scandal at its peak, Mitsubishi was subsumed within Nissan when the latter acquired a controlling 34% stake.  (Click here to read article)

The momentum behind the move towards vehicle electrification continues unabated. Most recently, both the French and UK governments stated their intention to ban the sale of conventionally powered vehicles by 2040.  (Click here to read article)

With plans to expand exports and signs of a slight rise in the Russian automotive market, are the green shoots of recovery sprouting for AvtoVAZ? (Click here to read article)

In early May, UK prime minister Theresa May called a snap general election in the belief that she could both pummel the opposition Labour Party and gain a stronger hand in the upcoming Brexit negotiations with the EU. (Click here to read article)

For some years, mainstream vehicle companies have largely toyed with producing electric vehicles (EVs); Ford, with its now-ended Focus Electric, and Volkswagen, with its Golf Electric, tested the market using existing vehicles fitted with first-generation electric powertrains. (Click here to read article)

Recent expansion and changes to manufacturing arrangements have seen one of Japan’s smaller OEMs make gains in production and sales. (Click here to read article)

While most of the trade press at the recent Geneva Motor Show was focused on PSA’s takeover of GM Europe, some interesting comments by Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne went almost unreported. (Click here to read article)

The acquisition of Opel/Vauxhall by PSA, which should be complete by the end of this year, took the industry by surprise. With Opel/Vauxhall still losing money in Q3 2016, GM’s chief financial officer, Chuck Stevens, said the company would do what was required to put the situation right. (Click here to read article)

The mix of in-house and external sourcing that OEMs regularly deploy in vehicle engine production make its supply chain quite distinct from that of all other components along the assembly line. (Click here to read article)

Periodically, the car industry goes through a burst of rationalisation, with companies closing plants and merging or creating alliances. This is typically accompanied by a flood of headlines and stories about the need for structural change, realignment in the industry and so forth. (Click here to read article)

As Donald Trump has entered the White House, Ford has elected to make a number of key financial and strategic changes. (Click here to read article)

Donald Trump has arguably had more impact on manufacturing strategy than any US president in a very long time; and that is even before he has taken office. (Click here to read article)

Volkswagen has embarked on its rebranded strategy of Transform 2025+ but how has the group changed and what are its plans for manufacturing operations? (Click here to read article)

With new opportunities opening up, the independent pressings and stampings sector continues to evolve. (Click here to read article)

Taking examples from across the world of automotive tier supply, AMS looks at the seven key considerations from supply base consolidation, vertical integration and outsourcing to the changes that the move to electric, autonomous and connected vehicles might mean for the supplier industry. (Click here to read article)

2013

As the end of the year approaches, news from Japan has emerged about what Nissan – or more specifically, Carlos Ghosn – intends to do with Mitsubishi. (Click here to read article)

The strong growth in production seen in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia means eastern Europe is still a big attraction for OEMs. (Click here to read article)

During the recent presidential campaign, Donald Trump was severely critical of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which allows Mexican-made vehicles to be imported tariff-free to the US. At various times, he threatened to rip it up, or at least renegotiate it to give US workers “a better deal”. (Click here to read article)

OEMs are keeping their options open on transmission supply, with many moving away from established in-house production and looking to source externally. (Click here to read article)

This year’s show was notable for a number of intriguing launches, corporate reinventions and absences – no Mazda, no Volvo, no Bentley, no Lamborghini and, most interestingly, no Ford. (Click here to read article)

Mexico’s strong growth in vehicle production is requiring suppliers to invest in their own manufacturing facilities in the country. AMS takes a look at some of the key developments over the past few years. (Click here to read article)

Car plants are popping up across Mexico as OEMs recognise the benefits of manufacturing in the country, but this may put pressure on the labour supply. AMS looks at the latest projects – and potential pitfalls. (Click here to read article)

OEMs are keeping options open on transmission supply. Many are moving from an established in-house option and increasingly looking to source externally. (Click here to read article)

Ford has caused controversy at home by announcing a $1.6 billion vehicle factory in Mexico, but this is not its only investment in the country; it is also building a transmissions plant and expanding an engine facility. (Click here to read article)

Strong financials are justifying investment in new platforms for a company reborn. (Click here to read article)

There will be a new Ford soon – a new company that is, not just a new model. At least, that is the ambitious plan outlined to Ford’s investors in September. (Click here to read article)

Toyota is by some distance the largest Japanese vehicle company but on the global stage it is engaged in a battle for primacy, alongside GM and the VW Group. (Click here to read article)

Despite the economic turmoil and uncertainty of recent years, premium vehicle manufacturing continues to grow; and for some of the premium manufacturers, the financial rewards are also growing strongly. For all the continued economic worries which prevail, the long-term plans of premium brands seem unaffected. (Click here to read article)

While Mercedes has invested in and modernised its domestic plants, it is outside Germany where the most significant expansion of production has taken place. (Click here to read article)

Turbochargers are a key technology in the drive to cut emissions and boost fuel efficiency. (Click here to read article)

Exterior finishes may catch the eye, but interior coatings must also fulfil aesthetic and functional needs. Automotive interior coatings have two main functions: to provide a quality decorative finish and to be warm to the touch, helping occupants to feel ‘at home’ in their vehicle. (Click here to read article)

The immediate answer to this question is: who knows? The UK’s vote to leave the EU is unprecedented, so analysts and commentators trying to work out what might happen next (forecasting seems an inappropriate word at the moment) will have their work cut out, to put it mildly. (Click here to read article)

India’s automotive component sector is relishing its new place on the international stage. Changes in the Indian component sector have prompted growth in the role of its companies worldwide in recent years. Likewise, European, Japanese and American suppliers have moved into India. (Click here to read article)

With the referendum on EU membership fast approaching, the UK’s automotive industry gathered at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham for the first AutoMechanika show outside Germany. (Click here to read article)

Inflated market growth and faulty technology mean both problems and opportunities for airbag production. (Click here to read article)

Toyota will complete its takeover of Daihatsu later this year and already effectively controls Subaru. Since 2015, it has also had a wide-ranging technical alliance with Mazda, although without any capital involvement on either side. (Click here to read article)

The country has emerged as a major market for the world’s car companies as well as a growing export hub. Several car companies are expanding their Indian production capacity. (Click here to read article)

Like its premium-brand competitors, Audi is now in the process of building a global manufacturing network. (Click here to read article)

As the UK’s competing EU referendum campaigns gather speed, it is fascinating to ponder the impact a vote to leave would have on the automotive industry. (Click here to read article)

Despite many mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, the automotive interiors market remains fragmented. (Click here to read article)

News from the Russian automotive industry has been unremittingly bleak in recent times: plants shuttered, shifts cut, production volumes reduced and supply chain problems unresolved. Suddenly, however, there are signs that the Russian automotive bear might just be emerging from its hibernation. (Click here to read article)

With new management, a new strategy and new shareholders, PSA is experiencing a change in fortunes. (Click here to read article)

Within days of sanctions on Iran being lifted in January, PSA announced a major investment of over $430m in a new joint venture in the country that will see Peugeot 208s, 2008s and 301s being made alongside new Iran Khodro-branded models. (Click here to read article)

After enduring some difficult years, the vehicle-maker looks forward to stability and profitability in Europe. GM’s European operations have been loss-making for some time, but the signs are that it could be nearing its immediate target of breaking even, and possibly head into profit this year. (Click here to read article)

OEMs and tier suppliers are developing new vehicle lighting systems such as OLEDs and laser lights. Front and rear lights are generally manufactured in the same regions as the cars onto which they are fitted. (Click here to read article)

Zaragosa has been the European Opel/Vauxhall centre of small-car production for over three decades. (Click here to read article)

The EU may be facing political and economic uncertainty as it wrestles with the current immigration crisis and stock market turmoil, as well as economic doubts in China threatening the stability of a key export market for Europe. (Click here to read article)

Will this region be the next big growth area for automotive production, or will political unrest get in the way? (Click here to read article)

Vauxhall’s old Ellesmere Port plant has been revitalised by a £140m investment to make the newest model. (Click here to read article)

2013

While economics and jobs should be key considerations in the referendum, it’s worth noting that being inside the EU is no guarantee of car plants staying open and jobs surviving. (Click here to read article)

In the past year, Ford has concentrated on delivering its high-profile programme for an aluminium-bodied F-150 pick-up truck, but the OEM has also started reorganising its manufacturing footprint in North America. (Click here to read article)

The Volkswagen emissions scandal is arguably the biggest and most serious issue the industry has faced for years – in fact, ever. Corporate responsibility? A sham. Sustainability? Ditto. Customer trust? Damaged beyond repair. VW might go bankrupt with all the fines and legal suits that are around the corner. (Click here to read article)

The OEM has introduced four vehicle platforms to maximise global production efficiency, but not without difficulty. AMS looks at the steps taken so far, the benefits still to come, and asks if the strategy will work. (Click here to read article)

Global vehicle-makers are investing in their manufacturing operations across the US and Mexico; AMS reviews the latest developments – and how they position the automotive industry for the next downturn. (Click here to read article)

Low-cost labour and free-trade deals are attracting investment in Mexico by global OEMs and suppliersVehicle production is booming in Mexico. In 2014, a record 3.22m vehicles were made there, an increase of nearly 10% on 2013. (Click here to read article)

This review looks in detail at what is taking place at the Japanese vehicle companies in Europe and the role of their European factories in their evolving corporate strategies. (Click here to read article)

Every other year, the automotive industry’s European movers and shakers convene in Frankfurt to gaze in admiration at the latest offerings and future concepts, particularly from the German brands. This year, despite the looming worry over what China’s slowdown might mean, the European car companies did not disappoint. (Click here to read article)

AMS examines the joint projects between Daimler and Renault-Nissan in terms of vehicles, powertrains, technologies, factories, geographies and timescales – and the advantages for each partner. From a near standing start in 2010, the Daimler-Renault-Nissan alliance has quickly grown to encompass projects across the globe. (Click here to read article)

Investment by Japanese vehicle-makers in the US and Europe has been predicated on the assumption that you need to produce where you sell; whether because of the trend toward globalisation or the strictness of government policy. (Click here to read article)

The preceding articles set out the background to and rationale behind the alliance between Daimler and Renault-Nissan. In this article, we look at each of the joint projects in turn, examining what they encompass in terms of vehicles, powertrains, technologies, factories, geography, timescales and the benefits of each programme. (Click here to read article)

Now in the hands of Geely, the Swedish OEM is expanding its manufacturing footprint in China and the US. Volvo, one of the most iconic and best-known Swedish brands, is also the last Swedish car company, following the demise of Saab. (Click here to read article)

I had the pleasure of touring the new XE bodyshop and assembly line at JLR’s Solihull complex the other week. (Click here to read article)

The Automotive News Europe Congress in Birmingham, UK, this month brought together top-level industry executives to discuss manufacturing strategy in the region, and indeed other parts of the world. (Click here to read article)

With sales, revenue and production investments all on the increase, Audi is really making some noise. (Click here to read article)

Despite recent economic difficulties across Europe, vehicle manufacturers are making gains in Spain. (Click here to read article)

As traditional production sites in Western Europe struggle with excess capacity, Turkey is enjoying higher investments and output by global OEMs – with the likelihood of further strong growth. (Click here to read article)

The collaboration between Renault, Nissan and Daimler continues to progress – but what makes it tick? Renault and Nissan established their cross-shareholding and wide-ranging alliance in 1999. It is now the most enduring international partnership between two major car companies in the modern automotive industry. (Click here to read article)

The brand’s global production footprint has grown substantially in recent years, including the US and China. (Click here to read article)

Expanding production has seen the Korean group break into the top five OEMs worldwide; with new plants on the way in China and Mexico, the vehicle-maker may soon challenge rivals for a place in the top three. (Click here to read article)

After recent strife, the OEM is attempting a turnaround by repositioning its brands and production footprint In October 2014, new PSA CEO Carlos Tavares announced his strategy for the company under the strapline ‘Back in the Race’ – an apposite line indeed, because for many years PSA has been floundering. (Click here to read article)

While the OEM remains strong on home territory, its production is expanding significantly outside Europe. (Click here to read article)

2013

While its growth has so far failed to match that of China, global automotive OEMs and suppliers are still eager to strengthen their production footprints in the country. (Click here to read article)

The OEM’s latest full factory, at Tangier, is now an important ingredient in its European production network. (Click here to read article)

Brazil especially is attracting big investments from global vehicle-makers despite economic uncertainties. (Click here to read article)

Described as Sergio Marchionne’s ‘Book of Dreams’, the newly formed OEM has an ambitious growth plan. (Click here to read article)

The OEM’s established brands, vehicle line-up and production locations will be repositioned worldwide. (Click here to read article)

A £185m contract to build the new Opel/Vauxhall van has helped to save GM’s only CV plant in EuropeIn late August this year, GM’s last remaining light commercial vehicle (LCV) plant, at Luton in the UK, started series production of the new Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro after securing a £185m contract. (Click here to read article)

The OEM has a new strategy for its range of vehicles, but familiar problems remain for its many brands Since CEO Sergio Marchionne set out the new strategy for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) earlier this year, some noteworthy developments have taken place. (Click here to read article)

The rapid expansion of vehicle production in China has been accompanied by parallel growth in the operations of component manufacturers. (Click here to read article)

Increased vehicle production in China has led suppliers to strengthen their presence there too, with the encouragement of the OEMs. (Click here to read article)

Honda’s global production footprint is changing as the OEM establishes new plants in Mexico and Asia. (Click here to read article)

The longstanding and complex partnership between Renault and Nissan grows stronger than ever before. (Click here to read article)

Under a new “Change” strategy, Renault is reorganising its manufacturing footprint and model allocationSince 1999, Renault has worked closely with Nissan in the Renault-Nissan Alliance. This co-operation has been immensely beneficial to Renault, giving the company access to a wide range of suppliers and platform technologies. (Click here to read article)

As Nissan looks increasingly beyond its home market, AMS reviews its global production footprint. Although Nissan is one of the most recognisably Japanese automotive brands, it is also one of the most outward-looking and is actively engaged in reducing its dependency on its home market. (Click here to read article)

While production is set to decrease in Japan, the OEM is expanding its worldwide footprint. (Click here to read article)

AMS reports on sustained growth at Volkswagen during 2013 and expectations of more to come in 2014. (Click here to read article)

The success of the Evoque and Freelander models has seen a move to 24-hour production at Land Rover’s Halewood, Merseyside, UK plant In the last couple of years, Halewood has broken one production record after another, with the Range Rover Evoque surpassing all sales expectations. (Click here to read article)

AMS takes a look inside JLR’s plant in Solihull, West Midlands, UK, where production is increasing and aluminium will soon replace steel. (Click here to read article)

Jaguar’s Castle Bromwich factory near Birmingham, UK, currently spearheads production of its latest models. AMS reports on operations at the site. (Click here to read article)

2013

Ian Henry visits Opel’s Gliwice plant in Poland, which is at the heart of GM’s Drive! 2022 turnaround strategy. (Click here to read article)

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