Recent comprehensive research orchestrated by ABB Robotics alongside Automotive Manufacturing Solutions (AMS) unveils significant hurdles facing the auto industry: Europe grapples with surging energy costs, while the US contends with elevated labor rates. This year’s investigation, marking ABB Robotics’ annual barometer survey’s second iteration, elucidates pressing concerns disrupting automotive manufacturing globally.
A pronounced majority of European participants, surpassing half (53%), pinpoint escalating energy expenditures as a principal worry, showcasing a distinct divergence from Asian respondents, where only 38% echo this sentiment. Contrastingly, North American perspectives pivot towards labor costs, with 63% citing it as the paramount issue, undoubtedly influenced by recent union negotiations catalyzing substantial wage augmentations for workers.
Joerg Reger, Managing Director of ABB Robotics Automotive Business Line, highlights the dual predicament of rising labor and energy costs underscored by the survey. Notwithstanding, he underscores the potential of technological progress and intelligent automation, epitomized by ABB’s OmniCoreTM controllers, to facilitate notable reductions in energy consumption at the manufacturing stage—up to 20%.
The industry’s shift towards electric vehicle (EV) production remains contentious. ABB’s survey signals a decline in confidence regarding the fulfillment of legislative EV production targets, with a mere 8% of respondents this year staunchly believing in the viability of these objectives, a decrease from 11% previously. A majority persist in skepticism regarding the realization of these targets.
Skill deficits, particularly in domains critical for EV and battery production, emerge as significant barriers. A majority of survey participants acknowledge the impact of these shortages, with a clarion call for urgent upskilling and recruitment of new talent to meet the burgeoning demands of EV production.
Counteracting the skills challenge, ABB Robotics spearheads initiatives aimed at mitigating this gap through expansive outreach programs. These endeavors, forged in collaboration with educational institutions globally, strive to arm students with vital automation and software competencies, priming them for the advent of intelligent manufacturing. ABB’s IRB 1090 education robot, sanctioned by STEM org, plays a crucial role in this pedagogical mission.
Supply chain disturbances, magnified by global instability, persist as formidable obstacles, inducing component scarcities and production postponements. This issue becomes especially acute in North America, identified by 51% of respondents as the preeminent manufacturing challenge.
Insights from nearly 400 industry luminaries participating in the ABB survey underscore a pivotal moment for the automotive sector. With a commitment to technological innovation, strategic skill fortification, and adaptive supply chain recalibration, the industry navigates its present trials towards a future characterized by sustainability and efficiency.
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