General Motors (GM) is focusing on increasing the production of its Ultium-powered EVs in an effort to make in-roads in the electric vehicle (EV) market. Despite ambitions to significantly boost Ultium EV production, GM has faced numerous obstacles, including operational and software issues at its Factory Zero battery plant in Michigan.
However, company executives believe they are out of “production hell” and are now heading down the right path.
Factory Zero has been central to GM’s EV production plans. It represents the company’s efforts to modernize its manufacturing process to accommodate EV production. However, the transition has not been smooth, with GM encountering what it referred to as “production hell,” marked by difficulties in automating battery assembly lines and integrating new technologies.
GM’s has responded to these challenges by doubling its battery production capacity at Factory Zero and bringing in experts, including former Tesla executives to help overcome the production bottlenecks. This has allowed the company to see the light at the end of the tunnel and exit “production hell,” a term Elon Musk used to refer to what Tesla faced in 2017 and 2018.
“We’ve had some challenges scaling it. I think most of those are behind us,” said ” Chief Financial Officer Paul Jacobson at an industry conference in Washington this week. (via Bloomberg)
Software development has also been a critical focus for GM, as the company aims to develop in-house infotainment systems to replace third-party solutions like Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto.
This move towards in-house software development is indicative of the automotive industry’s shift towards greater integration of technology into vehicles, although it has presented its own set of challenges for GM.
