Charging Forward: Insights from the 2024 Southern Automotive Conference

As a showcase for the growing worldwide impact of the southern United States’ automotive industry, the Southern Automotive Conference, held at the Chattanooga Convention Center, was a rousing success. Its theme, “Charge Forward,” highlighted the role innovation will play as the region’s auto industry moves toward an even more competitive role in the future.

Conference Highlights

Throughout the conference, attendees — including our team – enjoyed the opportunity to network with and learn from top auto manufacturers and their suppliers. The agenda featured several special events. Two of the most informative, we thought, were the VIP Matchmaking – which will be back in 2025 – and the OEM Panel Discussion.

VIP Matchmaking

Conference organizers arranged one-on-one meetings between attendees and representatives from major automakers and their suppliers. Participating automakers included Honda, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Scout Motors, Toyota, and Volkswagen. Discussions included questions about industry issues and possible joint ventures to overcome those challenges.

OEM Panel Discussion

Several industry leaders, including Toyota’s Kerry Creech, touched on many of the critical issues facing the automotive space. During this session, presenters provided insights on how to address workforce shortages and volume planning with better workforce management and more accurate forecasting.

Emerging Technologies and Market Trends

In addition to the presenters, exhibition hall vendors gave attendees a glimpse into coming technologies and market trends. Featured exhibits included the following:

• Leading-edge technologies from the Japan Pavilion
• Advanced manufacturing software solutions
• Innovative ergonomic and manufacturing technologies

Market Forecast

Automotive Forecast Solutions’ Joe McCabe outlined his take on future trends in the automotive industry, contending that the industry shift toward hybrid vehicles and a nuanced approach to electrification.

Awards Ceremony

The conference ended with an awards ceremony to honor outstanding industry professionals. In their acceptance speeches, honorees pressed home key themes running throughout the conference, including:

• A likely increase in vehicle production across the Southeast by 2031
• The importance of developing a multi-skilled workforce
• The need for both collaboration and innovation

Charging into the Future

Drawing automakers like General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan, and Toyota, the 2024 conference showed why the Southeast has become a major industry player nationwide. With one-on-one sessions with these automakers’ leadership and the ability to network with fellow industry professionals, attendees left the conference with all the tools they need to charge forward into 2025 and beyond.

Eyelit Technologies: Helping Auto Manufacturers Meet Industry Challenges

Eyelit’s automotive manufacturing software will enhance your operations so you can:

• Optimize production: Streamline production and trim down waste with real-time data.
• Adjust production scheduling: Align production scheduling with market changes on the fly with Eyelit’s Advanced Planning and Scheduling system (APS).
• Gain accurate insights into supply chain operations: Utilize precise forecasts to allocate resources where you need them with Eyelit’s Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
• Boost efficiency: Slash lead times, increase operational efficiency, and boost profitability with Eyelit’s APS and MES tools.
• Reduce labor costs: Streamline production workflows to eliminate redundant tasks, reducing the hours employees must spend to achieve optimum results.

Embrace the Future of Smart Auto Manufacturing with Eyelit

As the presenters at the Southern Automotive Conference pointed out, automakers must embrace the growing importance of smart, agile manufacturing technologies. As your company navigates the complexities of producing internal combustion, hybrid, and electric vehicles, Eyelit’s APS and MES tools will become your roadmap for success.

About Eyelit Technologies

Eyelit Technologies is a leading provider of integrated software solutions that optimize Manufacturing and Supply Chain productivity across industries such as semiconductor, automotive, medical device, electronics, and aerospace & defense. Its AI-powered suite of planning and execution solutions enables businesses to improve production processes, enhance asset utilization, and streamline scheduling. Eyelit Technologies empowers organizations to drive sustainable growth, reduce costs, improve delivery performance, and gain greater visibility and proactive management of key business processes.