Assembly and Testing

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CUAUHTEMOC, Mexico—Leoni AG has expanded its facility here to meet growing demand for electromobility cables in the North American auto industry.

INGOLSTADT, Germany—Audi AG is preparing its assembly plants to produce EVs-only within 10 years.

UUSIKAUPUNKI, Finland—Production of Lightyear’s much anticipated solar-powered EV has started at Valmet Automotive’s state-of-the-art assembly plant here.

Vehicle production plants are undergoing a massive transformation as automakers evolve from internal-combustion engines (ICE) to battery power. While EVs use fewer parts overall, those components tend to be heavier than their ICE equivalents. That demands new ways to deploy robots on assembly lines.

MARYSVILLE, OH—Honda Motor Co. plans to assemble a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle at its factory here starting in 2024.

IRVING, TX—Caterpillar Inc. has unveiled an electric version of its 793 mining truck.

SANTA CLARA, CA—Archer Aviation Inc. recently unveiled its first production aircraft.

COWETA COUNTY, GA—FREYR Battery plans to open a new assembly plant here, about 40 miles south of Atlanta.

The current paradigm of car manufacturing, which provides a variety of models, colors and options, is called mass customization. However, mass customization is now transforming into mass individualization. In mass individualization, products are uniquely catered to consumers’ desires. For example, some car buyers may want to replace ordinary car seats with luxury brands, such as Louis Vuitton, to differentiate themselves.

COVINGTON, GA—Archer Aviation Inc. will invest $118 million over the next 10 years to build a new assembly plant here to produce an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL).