The top Manufacturing stories this week include new AI planning at a Siemens factory and Toyota Motor Europe’s CEO on partnership between Japan and the EU
Siemens and NVIDIA have implemented AI-enhanced virtual planning technology at Siemens’ Electronics Factory in Erlangen, Germany. The electrical giant is investing US$560m to develop the facility into the world’s first fully-automated site.
The launch follows Siemens and NVIDIA’s strategic partnership, announced in January 2026. The partners say they aim to develop a blueprint for the global deployment of physical industrial AI.
The Erlangen facility acts as a live-production test site for Siemens and NVIDIA’s developments.
19 October
Toyota is calling for European policymakers to recognise trusted global partners under the definition of a European manufacturer, proposing a “Made with Europe” approach as the EU and UK develop regional automotive competitive strategies.
The proposal comes as EU legislators negotiate the Industrial Accelerator Act and Automotive Package, a series of reforms to target emissions and support European industrial production. In the UK, the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate is undergoing a mandate review, with aims to reduce pressures on the industry as it contends with international competitors.
Toyota maintains that industrial policy should recognise the contribution of trusted international partners, rather than focus exclusively on where vehicles are assembled.
“I am both humbled and proud to say that Toyota is a European manufacturer, and an important contributor to Europe’s automotive industry, economy and communities,” Yoshihiro Nakata, CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, tells Manufacturing Digital.
21 October
Nearly half of automotive executives expect their company to employ fewer than half as many people by 2035 as it does today.
That is one of the findings of KPMG’s 26th Global Automotive Executive Survey, based on responses from 775 senior automotive executives worldwide in June 2026.
Some 47% of respondents expect headcount to fall below 50% of today’s level, while 21% consider this unlikely.
Dr Andreas Ries, Global Head of Automotive at KPMG International, tells Manufacturing Digital: “This expectation is about much more than AI. What executives are signalling is a fundamental shift in how automotive companies create value.”
22 October
Nikon Advanced Manufacturing (Nikon AM) has won a US Department of War contract to supply metal 3D printing systems for making Tomahawk missile mid-bodies.
The company says the two-metre machines will make prototypes and scale production capacity at its site in Long Beach, California.
Hamid Zarringhalam, CEO of Nikon Advanced Manufacturing, tells Manufacturing Digital: “Defence manufacturers increasingly need trusted partners that can deliver not only advanced technology, but also reliable, repeatable production capabilities.”
20 October
French manufacturer Saft has announced new lines for the production of solid-state batteries, bringing manufacturing capacity for an advanced form of energy storage closer to European markets.
Unlike lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries contain no liquid electrolytes: their structure requires a unique, multi-technology manufacturing process.
Saft says the batteries offer a range of competitive benefits, including energy density up to 50% higher than that of conventional batteries.
https://manufacturingdigital.com/news/toyota-siemens-nvidia-top-manufacturing-news-this-week?shem=aimgspe,
