DEARBORN, MI—Ford Motor Co. solidified its position as the No. 1 American automaker in terms of vehicles assembled, vehicles exported from America to other countries, and hourly workers employed.

Threaded and nonthreaded fasteners are, by far, the most popular means of assembling parts. Here’s a look at some of the latest fasteners and the equipment for installing them.

ALLISTON, ON—Honda Motor Co. plans to build a comprehensive EV value chain in Canada with an approximate investment of $11.2 billion, including investment by joint venture partners, to prepare for a future increase in EV demand in North America. 

AUGUSTA, GA—GF Casting Solutions will invest more than $184 million in a new manufacturing facility here. The project will create 350 new jobs.

To meet the production and quality demands of a new contract, a Kentucky automotive supplier implemented Pico MES to error-proof its shop floor operations, consistently build parts in high volume, and ultimately expand its business.

MARTORELL, Spain—SEAT is employing two collaborative robots at its assembly plant here to apply nameplates on the rear doors of Ibiza and Arona hatchbacks. The cobots work at the beginning of the assembly line and apply the badges as the vehicles make their way down the assembly line, with no delay to the process and sharing space with the factory personnel.

SAN ANTONIO—Toyota is investing $531 million to expand its assembly plant here. The project will add a new 500,000-square-foot facility for the production of drivetrain parts, and it will create more than 400 new jobs.

Equipped with visual, thermal and acoustic sensors, the machine is used to collect valuable data for the plant’s digital twin, while also serving as a watchdog overseeing operations.

CHARLESTON, SC—Volvo Cars has started to produce the EX90 at its assembly plant here.