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The automotive industries are undergoing unprecedented transformation and to remain competitive they need to achieve and maintain world-class performance, both in product development and manufacturing. Manufacturing facilities have to possess high degree of flexibility enabling mass customization of production. Automotive companies need to achieve rapid response and cost-effective product delivery according to current market demand. A few key trends shaping automotive industry today, besides globalization, include customization and gradual growth in outsourcing of manufacturing functions. This paper reviews current practices used in automotive industry for manufacturing of vehicle bodies, which remains one of the key competencies of the OEMs. Future work in this area, leading to adoption of better practices is also outlined.

In order to remain globally competitive, the automotive manufacturers implement unprecedented transformation of their operational practices, striving to assure world-class performance, both in product development and manufacturing. Some trends shaping automotive industry today, besides globalization, are growing customization and outsourcing of manufacturing functions. Manufacturing facilities have to possess high degree of flexibility enabling mass customization of production to achieve rapid response ability and cost-effective product delivery according to current market demand. This paper reviews current efforts used in automotive industry for manufacturing of vehicle bodies, including body-in-white modularization and growing reliance on collaborative digital manufacturing practices.