Operations
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Toyota Europe CEO views company as a ‘European OEM’
Yoshihiro Nakata says its manufacturing partners in the U.K., Japan and Turkey should be recognized as “Made in EU” under a legislative proposal.
By Paul Myles • June 15, 2026 -
Novelis restarts Oswego hot mill months after fires
The supplier said it will work closely with customers to ramp up supply, after Ford and other automakers suffered losses from the hot mill outage.
By Nathan Owens • Updated June 11, 2026 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Toyota
TrendlineAutomotive Manufacturing
Production strategies are changing rapidly as tariffs and shifts in consumer buying patterns affect the industry.
By WardsAuto staff -
How Ford flags assembly line defects with IBM’s AI-powered inspection tools
The automaker has installed computer vision-based inspection technology at 17 of its North American manufacturing facilities.
By Eric Walz • June 10, 2026 -
Robust demand for Volvo Cars’ EVs eases global sales slump
Fully electric models are the automaker’s only growth segment, amid early signs of a recovery in the U.S.
By Paul Myles • June 8, 2026 -
Column
Automakers: Catch up to China Speed!
Once again, Detroit needs to swallow its pride and go back to school, John McElroy writes.
By John McElroy • June 8, 2026 -
Nissan UK in talks to build China’s Chery brand passenger cars
The MoU between the automakers could help Nissan use excess U.K. production capacity, as a contract manufacturer for Chery.
By Paul Myles • June 5, 2026 -
Big auto retailers’ growth strategy includes selling dealerships
Penske, Group 1 and Lithia have shown it isn't just acquisitions that drive shareholder performance.
By Jim Henry • June 4, 2026 -
Why Western OEMs are falling behind China in SDV development
Automakers' decision to keep software defined vehicle architecture in-house or outsource it is only part of "a really strategic decision."
By Eric Walz • June 4, 2026 -
Port of Charleston to increase automotive cargo capacity
The port plans to enhance its rail infrastructure and vessel parking areas to support automakers moving parts for just-in-time supply chains.
By Alejandra Carranza • June 4, 2026 -
Hyundai is helping set dealers up for mobile service
The automaker sees mobile service vans as a way of extending the dealership experience — and potentially expanding service capacity.
By Bengt Halvorson • June 3, 2026 -
Stellantis pumps over $1B into Peugeot production in France
French brand is the first of automaker's four global brands to get the new STLA One platform for EV and hybrid models.
By Paul Myles • June 2, 2026 -
Pickups are behind a surge in high auto loan payments
Nearly a fifth of new-vehicle loans topped $1,000 in Q1 2026, hitting an all-time quarterly high, according to Experian.
By Jim Henry • May 29, 2026 -
Nissan scraps UK’s $65M EV powertrain production plan
The reversal is part of the automaker's global turnaround strategy, which includes reduced EV investments.
By Paul Myles • May 29, 2026 -
Stellantis announces second JV with Dongfeng as Jeep, Peugeot go to China
Two major deals between the automakers aim to make the most of their existing vehicle manufacturing facilities.
By Paul Myles • May 28, 2026 -
North Carolina sues EV maker VinFast over unbuilt factory
The state is looking to acquire the megasite of a proposed automotive and battery facility and protect taxpayer money tied to the delayed $3 billion project.
By Nathan Owens • May 27, 2026 -
Volvo Cars can continue to sell vehicles in the US despite China links
The automaker, which is owned by China-based Geely, said it had worked with the U.S. Department of Commerce to gain specific authorization.
By Paul Myles • Updated June 8, 2026 -
Stellantis taps tech partners to create ‘digital twins’ of its assembly plants
Pilot deployments of the AI-powered technology are planned for select plants in North America beginning this year.
By Eric Walz • May 26, 2026 -
Stellantis to invest $70B as part of new 5-year strategic plan
The automaker said the U.S. market leads its expectations for growth and profit powered by a slew of new partnership announcements.
By Paul Myles • May 22, 2026 -
A Colorado dealership group buys its first Chevrolet store
New co-owner Ivette Dominguez Drawe is counting on an inventory boost to kick-start sales.
By Alysha Webb • May 21, 2026 -
Column
Reman auto parts business just begging to be ‘discovered’
John McElroy argues that remanufactured parts should be on the minds of more dealerships — but a broader movement to utilize them needs to start with automakers.
By John McElroy • May 21, 2026 -
Michigan awards $5M to Slate Auto to expand its headquarters
The EV startup plans a total capital investment of $10.4 million in the state, creating at least 392 new jobs across corporate, engineering and design over the next five years.
By Eric Walz • May 20, 2026 -
Toyota eyes $2B plant expansion in San Antonio
That automaker is assessing potential locations and seeking incentives for a new facility in Texas, called Project Orca, with construction set to begin this year.
By Sara Samora • May 18, 2026 -
Subaru postpones in-house EV development after profits fall 90%
The automaker recorded $385 million in impairment losses and expenses related to EVs as it shifts its strategy towards ICE and hybrid vehicles.
By Eric Walz • May 18, 2026 -
JLR’s Q4 revenue improves as $2.3B in savings promised
Revenue in the final quarter of FY2026 was still down 11% YoY and by nearly 21% for the full-year, but the outlook is showing improvement.
By Paul Myles • May 18, 2026 -
Sponsored by C&R Software
Why most AI investments in auto finance aren’t delivering
When it comes to AI, point solutions tend to create more problems than they solve.
May 18, 2026