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 optimization, with measurable gains in efficiency and performance. Rockwell Automation's partnership with CAR underscores the strategic importance of data and AI in managing complex production environments and maintaining competitiveness amid global pressures. The findings suggest a growing divide between early adopters and laggards, with implications for long-term supplier performance and industry dynamics.
What we're watching
- Adoption Pace
- How quickly automakers and suppliers will scale AI and automation across non-traditional areas like electronics assembly and logistics.
- Competitive Divide
- Whether early adopters of smart manufacturing will create a lasting competitive advantage in quality, uptime, and productivity.
- Onshoring Impact
- The extent to which automation will support cost-competitive onshoring in tight labor markets.
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