BMW
BMW to cut carbon from Neue Klasse EV lifecycle
BMW is cutting the emissions generated from the supply of parts and production of its Neue Klasse EV platform in an effort to meet strict sustainability targets by 2030
Changes at the top for BMW Manufacturing in Spartanburg
BMW Manufacturing in the US has appointed Dr Robert Engelthorn as its new president and CEO, replacing Knudt Flor who has retired. Jeffrey Gaudiano, vice-president of production control, logistics and VPS, has also retired from the division
BMW deploys more hydrogen fuel cell trucks for logistics in Leipzig
BLG Logistics is deploying 37 hydrogen fuel cell trucks to manage parts movements at BMW’s Leipzig plant in Germany
BMW chooses ICL Systems for business and IT support
Using BMW’s existing technology, ICL Systems will manage adjustments to vehicle routes, handling of special transport and maintenance of master data
EV battery supply chains on the move
As electric vehicles become serious business for OEMs, they are reassessing their battery supply and manufacturing bases, putting their eggs in multiple baskets and taking more control of the process.
OEM and lithium-ion battery cell supplier database
Keep up with changing supplier relationships between electric vehicle manufacturers and battery cell suppliers in this database.
Electric vehicle and hybrid vehicle plant database
Track factory locations for electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles by manufacturer, model and location
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.
