Gain more understanding and confidence in facing what is ahead. The North American automotive manufacturing landscape is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades, with fast changes in costs, regulation, electrification and trade policy all set to reshape competitive dynamics across the region. However, investment and localisation of production is set to rise further, with the implementation of new technologies essential to stay competitive.  

This exclusive session delivers analysis and forecasts of the US and broader North American automotive manufacturing in the years ahead. Learn where investment is likely to flow, and how OEMs and suppliers will navigate an increasingly complex and fast-moving competitive landscape, and what strategic decisions made today will determine who is best positioned for the decade ahead.

Key focus areas:

• Tracking the changing shape of North American production, including investment, platform and localisation decisions
• Impacts of trade, cost and geopolitics on automotive manufacturing
• Where electrification is heading in the region
• The competitive shifts and players that will redefine the landscape across the 2030s 

Advances in production technology today – whether in advanced automation, computer vision, predictive maintenance or digital twins – have been outpaced only by swings in market uncertainty, regulatory change and operational disruption. That is why automotive manufacturing leaders in North America need not only to be flawless in executing launches and output but must also prepare their teams and facilities for maximum flexibility, as well as the ability to pivot and adapt quickly. Production teams need to be ready implement different playbooks in response to factors that may not fit into forecast and planning windows.

This session will set the tone for the event, exploring how to design production lines for the right speed, scale and productivity whilst also ensuring facilities are resilient and flexible, whether in response to new product or powertrain demands, sudden changes in costs or supply. Experts will discuss strategies, processes and AI capabilities that can improve flexibility, increase transparency, and empower teams to make data-driven decisions and drive continuous improvement.  

Key focus areas

• Designing factory processes and equipment for fast and flexible changes  
• Modular production and standardisation opportunities  
• Harnessing analytics and AI to simulate and anticipate scenarios  
• Leadership and team processes to improve change management 

With pressures on cost and capital rising, automotive OEMs must maximise investments, from tooling changes to plant technology and machine reliability. Join this session for strategies to manage production costs whilst maintaining quality and operational stability, such as upgrading existing plants faster for product launches and changeovers, whilst reducing downtime through proactive and predictive maintenance.  

Key focus areas:

• Improving capital efficiency through shared tooling and retooling  
• Technology adaptions that extend the lifecycle and efficiency of production lines
• Effective strategies for improved maintenance to reduce downtime, including in-house upskilling, predictive maintenance and data sharing