John Irwin See All Staff Page Recent Stories More stable new-vehicle production means higher Q1 sales for suppliers More stable new-vehicle assembly meant higher sales numbers in the first quarter for many North American suppliers, another welcome sign for parts makers hoping for more consistent production schedules form automakers. Linamar's Q1 earnings an 'excellent' start, but CEO warns of delays to EV programs Suppliers urge automakers to standardize their sustainability efforts Parts makers are urging the industry to come up with standardized reporting metrics to help make decarbonizing supply chains easier. Auto industry's share of global microchip capacity rises as EVs, software grow The automotive industry surpassed the consumer and industrial sectors in 2023 to become the third-largest end market for semiconductors worldwide as demand for automotive-grade microchips continues to grow. Suppliers such as Magna churning out innovative concepts for EV interiors Suppliers are designing innovative seats, infotainment systems and other technologies for EV interiors to help automakers differentiate their models. Auto executives are bracing for substantial disruptions from EV, software shifts, survey finds About 60 per cent of auto executives find it difficult to know which areas of disruption to prioritize, an AlixPartners survey reveals. Magna, GM launch auto software ‘matchmaking' platform GM, Magna and Wipro partnered to build a new sales platform for buyers and sellers of automotive software, saying it will help the industry keep new technology costs down. Suppliers, competing with UAW raises, expect higher labour costs in 2024 During quarterly earnings calls with analysts and investors in February, suppliers frequently highlighted one area in which cost increases are expected to persist this year: labour. Why automakers and suppliers are scrambling for silicon carbide microchips for EVs Automakers and suppliers have been scrambling to secure supplies of silicon carbide semiconductors, which could prove to be a significant factor in increasing charging times and battery ranges on EVs. Suppliers may get high debt under control in 2024 Suppliers, after years of racking up debt amid uneven production schedules and increasing costs, should be in a better position this year to get debt under control, though significant uncertainty remains. Automakers, EV battery companies scramble for North American graphite Reduced Chinese exports are forcing companies to find domestic sources of graphite for their EV battery anodes. Panasonic's deal for 10,000 tons of graphite for N.A. battery cells has Canadian roots Panasonic Energy entered into an agreement with Novonix Ltd., the battery materials supplier whose operations are divided between Canada's East Coast and the United States. It is expected to provide the Japanese battery cell manufacturer with at least 10,000 tons of synthetic graphite, a key material in anodes used in lithium ion batteries for EVs. Magna Q4 earnings surge despite UAW, EV production headwinds Magna International Inc., the largest North American parts supplier, on Friday said its fourth-quarter net income surged 185 per cent to US $271 million from a year earlier thanks to steadier global new-vehicle production. EV production cuts give suppliers more uncertainty — and opportunity Cutbacks in some automakers' electric vehicle production plans is a mixed blessing for suppliers. Magna debuts e-drive, anti-drunken driving tech at CES Canadian supplier giant Magna unveiled at CES an e-drive that it says offers increased efficiency and power and debuted anti-drunken driving tech that can detect if a driver is above the limit via cameras and sensors. Suppliers to pitch electrification, software capabilities at CES Parts makers at CES this year plan to exhibit their progress in becoming automakers' suppliers of choice in the growing fields of electrification and vehicle software. Load More