Operations


  • Toyota Motor Europe Production Plant
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    Courtesy of Toyota Motor Europe
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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 June 15, 2026
  • Aluminum sheet coil at Novelis' Oswego, New York, production facility.
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    Courtesy of Novelis
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    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
  • Robots in action on the new line at Toyota Kentucky as future Camrys seamlessly roll through the production process. Explore the Trendline
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    Courtesy of Toyota
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    Trendline

    Automotive Manufacturing

    Production strategies are changing rapidly as tariffs and shifts in consumer buying patterns affect the industry.

    By WardsAuto staff
  • A Ford worker installing parts on a white Ford Expedition SUV at the automaker's Kentucky Truck Plant.
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    Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
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    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 June 10, 2026
  • Volvo EX40 BEV 2026
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    Courtesy of Volvo Cars
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    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 June 8, 2026
  • BYD Dolphin Surf, side view
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    Courtesy of BYD
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    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 Motor Co UK Sunderland
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    Courtesy of Nissan Motor Corp
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    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 June 5, 2026
  • A U.S. Toyota dealership
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    Courtesy of Toyota
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    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 June 4, 2026
  • A blue and green graphic of a software-defined vehicle with pieces coming off the back.
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    Courtesy of Arm
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    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 June 4, 2026
  • A vessel docked at an ocean port in South Carolina.
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    Courtesy of South Carolina Ports Authority/Matthew Peacock
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    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
  • A Hyundai mobile service van is photographed in New Port Richey, Florida, on May 12, 2026.
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    Courtesy of Hyundai
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    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 June 3, 2026
  • Peugeot 408 Production Mulhouse France
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    Courtesy of Stellantis
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    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 June 2, 2026
  • 2026 Ford F-150 Raptor R
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    Courtesy of Ford
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    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 May 29, 2026
  • Nissan Leaf Production Sunderland
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    Courtesy of Nissan Motor
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    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 May 29, 2026
  • Stellantis EV Production Tremery Plant Near Metz France.jpg
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    Courtesy of Stellantis
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    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 May 28, 2026
  • A rendering of a silver building with the Vinfast logo on a baby blue background, with a parking lot in front of it.
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    Courtesy of Vinfast.

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    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
  • A 2018 Volvo XC60 SUV, in white.
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    Courtesy of Volvo Cars
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    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 Updated June 8, 2026
  • A yellow-painted robot moves the windshield into position on a Jeep Grand Cherokee at the Detroit Assembly Complex – Jefferson in Michigan.
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    Courtesy of Stellantis
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    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 May 26, 2026
  • The Ram 2500 Black Express from the front, parked on a dirt lot.
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    Courtesy of Stellantis
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    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 May 22, 2026
  • Mike Drawe and Ivette Dominguez Drawe stand with Curtis Harris of GM Financial, at Alpine Chevrolet.
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    Courtesy of Alpine Automotive Group
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    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 May 21, 2026
  • A shiny remanufactured clutch housing in the forefront, a tarnished used one in the background
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    Courtesy of ZF
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    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
  • A gray Slate Auto electric truck parked outdoors in front of an industrial building with metal siding.
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    Courtesy of Slate Auto
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    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 May 20, 2026
  • A reddish-orange SUV on a production line in a factory.
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    Courtesy of Toyota Motor Corp.
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    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
  • A black 2027 Subaru Getaway electric SUV parked outdoors with an orange sky in the background.
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    Courtesy of Subaru of America, Inc.
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    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 May 18, 2026
  • Range Rover SV Ultra Exterior 2027
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    Courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover
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    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 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