Automobile manufacturers have made efforts to streamline and improve the efficiency of their manufacturing processes, including a 50% reduction in the time it takes to produce one vehicle between 1980 and 2009, and have actually achieved significant results.

At the same time, the automobile, which used to be a mechanical system, has been transformed into an electronics and software-centric system, and the speed of its evolution and changes in the environment surrounding the automotive industry are accelerating. As a result, the manufacturing processes and production lines of automobile manufacturers are becoming unable to catch up with the speed of change. However, many manufacturers are still using outdated processes and equipment, which has become a risk factor for fragmented production lines, silos, and manufacturing start-up failures, as well as cyber attacks and delays in addressing sustainability issues.

Today, automakers must embrace digital technology to eliminate manufacturing line silos while making all processes autonomous and automated. The series of initiatives to achieve this goal is called “Smart Manufacturing,” but how can it be achieved?

The report points out that the automotive industry is currently lagging behind in smart manufacturing. He then submits that the aggressive adoption of digital technology and further use of data is essential for manufacturers to remain competitive.