GM to Use Software and Automation to Boost EV Production in 2024
Automakers have pumped billions into EV development and production, but it will take even more work and money for them to reach the market share goals laid out by the companies. General Motors has invested more than many of its rivals, but the automaker is realistic about the costs it faces going forward. At the same time, CEO Mary Barra said that GM is looking to boost production in 2024 using software and automation.
“We’re a bit disappointed this year that we were constrained by the automation to build battery modules, so this is not something that is fundamentally an issue with Ultium, it was more a manufacturing automation issue that we’re working on, and we’ll be out of it by the middle of next year, and making improvements every quarter.”
GM has several new models on the horizon and will need to get the launches right. Having enough supply is one thing, and quality must be maintained.
The automaker “never saw EV adoption as a straight line,” Barra said, noting that the growth had continued despite plateauing a bit. General Motors is not the only company looking at production hiccups as a hurdle to cross. Ford recently ramped up production of the F-150 Lightning to meet demand, but the automaker had vehicle fires and other issues to work through before restarting the lines after a pause.
[Image: GM]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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Osborne effect? Shortages? What are THESE guys (very different guys lol) talking about??
I'm all in favor of using software and automation to BUILD cars, but keep that junk off my instrument panel, especially the software enabled interactive junk. Just give me the knobs and switches so I can control the vehicle, with no interconnectivity of any kind.
Robots?! Robotics?! We all know GM is a world leader in those areas. Perhaps the interns who programmed the paint robots are in upper management. A true win-win!
I'm so glad to hear that GM will be using "Software and Automation" to boost EV production. Are they also planning to use "Software and Automation" to boost EV sales? Or are Government fleet purchases their strategy there?