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Report highlights significant improvements in equipment uptime, product quality, and production performance driven by AI and automation in automotive manufacturing
SHANGHAIJune 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK), a global leader in industrial automation, informatization, and digital transformation, today released a new white paper, “Smart Manufacturing in the Automotive Industry: Deployment and Impact,” in collaboration with the Center for Automotive Research (CAR). Authored by CAR and based on comprehensive data provided by Rockwell Automation, the white paper details how artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and automation technologies are reshaping manufacturing processes in the automotive, tire, and battery industries.
Rockwell Automation and the Center for Automotive Research release new white paper on the next phase of smart manufacturing in automotive
Research in the white paper indicates that the automotive industry is entering a new phase of smart manufacturing applications. For manufacturers, the focus is no longer on whether to invest in smart manufacturing, but rather on how quickly and in which areas to deploy it.
Automotive manufacturers and suppliers have already widely adopted automation technologies in areas such as body manufacturing, painting, and welding. Today, automation is expanding into previously challenging domains, including electronic assembly, verification, production coordination, and logistics management. Meanwhile, AI and ML are continuously enhancing predictive maintenance capabilities, inspection accuracy, and system performance in existing operations.
Edgar Faler, Chief Mobility Analyst and Strategy Lead at CAR, stated: “The industry has built a solid automation foundation. The shift now is that manufacturers are using AI and data to address increasingly complex production environments, optimize decision-making, and create competitive advantages. Companies that are early adopters of these technologies are already seeing significant results.”
The white paper combines CAR’s research analysis with proprietary data from Rockwell Automation’s 11th annual “State of Smart Manufacturing Report,” highlighting key factors driving the acceleration of smart manufacturing, including increasingly complex production environments, persistent warranty pressures, rising operational costs, and intensifying global market competition. Additionally, amid a tight labor market, automation is supporting cost-competitive production and driving manufacturing reshoring.
Manufacturers have already achieved quantifiable results in practical applications. For example, in some scenarios, unplanned downtime has been reduced by up to 50%, overall equipment effectiveness has improved by approximately 5%, and production output has increased by 5% to 7% through real-time production analytics.
James Glasson, Vice President of Global Automotive, Tire, and Advanced Mobility at Rockwell Automation, said: “Manufacturers are facing the challenge of doing more with less while managing greater complexity. The combination of automation and AI is helping teams detect issues earlier, reduce downtime, and improve overall plant performance. Today, the difference between companies increasingly lies in their ability to effectively scale these capabilities.”
The white paper also notes a growing gap between companies in the industry. Different levels of smart manufacturing adoption are leading to disparities in product quality, equipment uptime, and production efficiency, further impacting supplier performance and long-term competitiveness.
Click here to view the full white paper, “Smart Manufacturing in the Automotive Industry: Deployment and Impact.”
About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) is a global leader in industrial automation, informatization, and digital transformation. We harness human imagination and the potential of technology to create more possibilities, making the world more productive and sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, Rockwell employed approximately 26,000 people as of the end of fiscal year 2025, with operations in over 100 countries and regions. For more information on how Rockwell helps industrial enterprises turn the Connected Enterprise into reality, visit www.rockwellautomation.com.
About the Center for Automotive Research
The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) is a nonprofit organization based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, dedicated to conducting independent research, convening industry stakeholders, and providing insights on critical issues facing the mobility and automotive industries. CAR’s research covers manufacturing, technology, policy, and economic trends impacting the global automotive sector. For more information, visit www.cargroup.org.