Rockwell Automation and CAR Highlight AI-Driven Gains in Automotive Manufacturing
Event summary
- Rockwell Automation and the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) released a white paper on June 16, 2026, detailing AI and automation gains in automotive manufacturing.
- The report highlights up to 50% reductions in unplanned downtime, 5% improvements in overall equipment effectiveness, and 5-7% gains in throughput.
- AI and ML are now being applied to areas like electronics assembly, validation, and logistics, beyond traditional automation in body, paint, and welding.
- The white paper combines CAR analysis with data from Rockwell Automation's 11th annual State of Smart Manufacturing report.
The big picture
The automotive industry is moving beyond foundational automation to AI-driven smart manufacturing, with early adopters gaining measurable advantages. The shift is being accelerated by complex production environments, warranty pressures, rising costs, and global competition. Rockwell Automation's partnership with CAR underscores the strategic importance of data-driven decision-making in managing growing complexity.
What we're watching
- Adoption Divide
- How the growing gap in AI and automation adoption will impact supplier performance and long-term competitiveness.
- Scaling Capabilities
- The pace at which manufacturers can effectively scale AI and automation across their operations.
- Onshoring Dynamics
- Whether automation can sustain cost-competitive production in tight labor markets, supporting onshoring efforts.
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