Advanced Manufacturing Now

In the highly competitive arena of the global auto industry there is little time to sit on one's laurels. To that end Jeep has substantially revamped its Cherokee for the 2019 model year. Mike Downey, Cherokee vehicle line executive, joined Manufacturing Engineering Editor Emeritus Jim Sawyer at the North American International Auto Show to explain how lightweighting served as an important tool in making sure that the Cherokee remains competitive.

The Brose Group is growing in the US. In fact, the operations of Brose North America, the US arm of the global auto supplier, are growing at a rapid pace. Brose North America President Michael Brosseau sat down with Manufacturing Engineering Editor Emeritus at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit to talk about the company's growth and the urgent need it has for workers to help keep the expansion on track.

Licensed aftermarket auto parts can be a source of profits for their non-OEM manufacturers and a source of brand building for automakers as well as a path to additional profits. John Clor of Ford Performance explains to Manufacturing Engineering Editor Emeritus Jim Sawyer how the process works, where the opportunity lies for small manufacturers who want to get into the game, and why precision manufacturing is crucial.

Vehicle electrification and autonomy are challenges facing automakers today and well into the future. But it's not only the OEMs that need to clear the hurdles that are changing the industry. The vendors who populate the supply chain must do so, too. Larry Bemis, vice president of Customer Success and Quality Assurance of Siemens PLM Software's manufacturing business unit, explains to Manufacturing Engineering Editor Emeritus Jim Sawyer how high these hurdles can be and what software can do to make it over the bar.

At the North American International Auto Show, P3 North America CEO Samit Ghosh and Smart Manufacturing Editor in Chief Brett Brune discuss the common pitfalls manufacturers encounter when they introduce smart and connected tech.

At the auto show in Detroit, Magneti Marelli USA's Bill Grabowski tells Smart Manufacturing mag about his firm's "Smart Corner" product, specifically about how it helps OEMs in terms of cost, weight and complexity.

At the auto show in Detroit, Rose Ryntz of Intl Automotive Components (IAC) Group, covers emerging trends, including electrification, autonomy and ride sharing, changing vehicle interiors. She also predicts how future vehicle interiors will look, feel and sound.

Auto dealer Ryan LaFontaine, chairman of the North American International Auto Show, reveals what AutoMobili-D is all about. He spoke with Brett Brune, editor in chief of Smart Manufacturing magazine.

One of the highly anticipated new vehicle introductions at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit was that of the 2019 Ram 1500. Not only is this half-ton pickup significantly improved over its predecessor in terms of capabilities and technologies, but it will be built in a factory that previously had been dedicated to assembling sedans. Rob Wichman, vehicle line executive for Ram Truck, and Mike Raymond, chief engineer for the Ram 1500, sat down with Manufacturing Engineering Editor Emeritus Jim Sawyer to outline what it took to arrive at the new pickup and the essentially new factory.

Half a dozen years ago American Makes was launched as the first institute of Manufacturing USA, the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation, a national network for manufacturing innovation focused on coordinating public and private investment in emerging advanced manufacturing technologies. The charge for America Makes: Accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing technology in the US in order to increase domestic manufacturing competitiveness. The institute's executive director, Rob Gorham, sat down with Manufacturing Engineering Editor Emeritus James D. Sawyer at the recent North American International Auto Show to discuss the progress that's been made.