The France‐based vehicle maker, PSA Group, is preparing for the next round of new model introductions. So it is making an in‐depth assessment of which robots to purchase. Meanwhile, the company's plant in Britain is gearing up for its own compliment of new robots.

The automotive industry has been the principal driver in the development of robotics; however, as car design becomes more sophisticated, demands on robot makers will continue undiminished.

With the trend towards lightweight body structures for automobiles, new joining technologies are evolving. This paper highlights the latest application – that of adhesive bonding major components for the Aston Martin DB9 sports car.

Purpose – Describes how Jaguar Cars is evaluating a technology roadmap to assess future manufacturing processes. Design/methodology/approach – Describes the major production line technologies that are under close scrutiny for the next ten years for use in the Jaguar Cars' production plants...

Purpose – Describes how BMW is investing in new body‐in‐white capital equipment to make a new version of the Mini due out in 2007. Design/methodology/approach – Describes the major production line technologies that are under close scrutiny to manufacture the body shell of the next...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe how BMW in the UK has put together a production “triangle” that brings together three of its four manufacturing plants in Britain to produce the latest version of the Mini passenger car. Design/methodology/approach – Describes the major...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe how Jaguar Cars in the UK has increased the number of industrial robots at its XF body‐in‐white (BIW) facility at its Castle Bromwich site in the UK. This site has three BIW shops – one each for the XK sports car, the XF sports saloon...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe how General Motors (GM) Manufacturing has increased the number of installed robots at its Luton, Bedfordshire, UK van making facility as a means of increasing productivity. Design/methodology/approach – As a result of a study of industrial...