BMW
BMW i Ventures invests in Plus One Robotics
BMW’s venture capital fund – BMW i Ventures – has invested an undisclosed sum in Plus One Robotics, which provides vision software for logistics robots. The investment is aimed at driving automation across the supply chain and logistics industry, said BMW i Ventures.
How the European automotive industry aims to build back semiconductor and chip supply
OEMs, suppliers and EU officials are considering how best to develop Europe’s semiconductor supply bases to mitigate current and future shortages, but the broad gaps at many levels – including for older, larger chips – mean there will be no magic bullet
Watch: Building a viable and sustainable European battery supply base
The huge demand for lithium-ion batteries is requiring massive investments and new supply sources across Europe, and experts from BMW Group, EV battery startup Britishvolt and packaging supplier ORBIS Europe reveal the supply chain opportunities and changes ahead.
European carmakers need a circular approach to EV production
To meet ambitious goals to cut vehicle emissions in Europe, carmakers are focusing all their efforts on increasing the number of battery electric vehicles (EVs) they make and sell. There were more than 1m EVs and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) sold in Europe last year but by 2030 that number is expected to hit 5m in annual sales. That will put a big demand on lithium-ion battery production as carmakers seek to localise supply.
Bernd Pischetsrieder elected chairman of Daimler
Daimler has elected Bernd Pischetsrieder as chairman of its supervisory board, replacing Manfred Bischoff who is stepping down from the role after 14 years.
Mini gets more sustainable on inbound moves with Imperial
BMW is benefitting from more sustainable inbound logistics at its Mini plant in Oxford, UK thanks to the deployment by its transport provider, Imperial Logistics, of a new fleet of 18 trucks powered by liquified natural gas (LNG). The trucks are being used to transport parts, including engines, from suppliers on 15 routes across the UK into the Oxford plant.
BMW using LNG-powered trucks for engine deliveries to Regensburg
BMW is using trucks fuelled by liquified natural gas (LNG) to deliver engines to its assembly plant in Regensburg, Germany, cutting carbon and nitrogen emissions. The use of the trucks is part of the vehicle maker’s sustainability target of making all of the cargo transport for its operations carbon neutral by 2050.
German border controls threaten inbound parts supply
Germany’s decision to suddenly impose travel restrictions across borders with Austria and the Czech Republic, and to those travelling from Slovakia, has drawn criticism from across the automotive industry as freight queues threaten to delay parts deliveries.
German carmakers race to secure European battery cell production
The millions of electric vehicles being produced also need millions of batteries. But where do the German manufacturers source their cells from?
A fitful start to the year for automotive supply in North America
The repercussions of Covid-19 continue to disrupt the automotive supply chain in North America, not least in the disruption caused to inbound container freight and the serious shortage in the supply of semiconductors. Marcus Williams reports
A fab future for the automotive sector
A shortage of semiconductors is hampering global automotive production. Bettina Weiss, chief of staff and global smart mobility lead at electronics association SEMI, tells Marcus Williams why this is happening and why OEMs need to forge more direct links with the chip manufacturers
BMW’s purchasing strategy gets more sustainable for EVs
BMW Group is more closely aligning its purchasing activity with goals for greater sustainability as it plans for greater vehicle electrification.
AI and automation need people and quality data to succeed
Experts from BMW, Ford, Symbio Robotics and Cosmo Tech discussed how artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in automotive production need fast ramp-up times and adoption by employees to succeed. High-quality data and use of simulation are also key.
AL FVL Winter 2020 Digital Edition
The winter digital edition of Automotive Logistics is out now, featuring an overview of how automotive supply chains have adapted during the crisis, and how digitalisation will reshape logistics. Plus insight on battery supply chains, used car logistics, vehicle logistics quality systems at Daimler and much more!
Watch: Supporting production through automation – from AI to cobots (Ep.4)
This Livestream Hour episode discusses how automation and AI can support automotive manufacturing with technology leaders from BMW and Ford, together with systems and software specialists.
BMW to use AWS cloud computing software to improve supply chain visibility
BMW and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have agreed to jointly develop applications to use AWS’ cloud computing platform to increase efficiency, performance and sustainability across the lifecycle of its vehicles, from design to aftersales services.
Marco Prueglmeier leaves BMW to found innovation consultancy
BMW’s project leader for logistics innovations and industry 4.0, Marco Prueglmeier, has left the carmaker to found an innovation consultancy called i2Market. The aim of the company is to provide industry with software development, robotics, automated warehousing, artificial intelligence and simulation.
BMW launches Idealworks subsidiary to supply logistics automation technology
BMW Group has founded a subsidiary called Idealworks to supply autonomous robots to the logistics sector, including companies outside of the automotive industry. The subsidiary, which is based in Munich, Germany, and currently has a team of 30, takes its name from the acronym for industry-driven engineering for autonomous logistics (Ideal).
Can the UK supply chain keep up with a 2030 ban on new ICE vehicle sales?
The UK government has announced it is bringing forward its plans to phase out the sale of new cars and vans powered by internal combustion engines. Daniel Harrison, automotive analyst at Ultima Media, examines how realistic that is and whether supply chains are ready to produce enough electric vehicles and batteries.
Rhenus Cuxport looks forward to more deep-sea trade after latest BMW exports
BMW has shipped exports of 3,500 vehicles bound for China through the German port of Cuxhaven to avoid delays caused by peak demand at the port of Bremerhaven
