The automotive manufacturing sector has spent the better part of a decade navigating a volatile transition. The shift from internal combustion engines to battery-electric platforms has been marked by fits and starts, with demand forecasts swinging wildly, supply chain disruptions, and a persistent gap between corporate sustainability pledges and the operational realities of the factory floor. For European operators, the stakes have been particularly high, as the region’s regulatory environment and legacy manufacturing base have made the transition both a strategic imperative and an operational challenge.
In this landscape, data-driven assessments of where the industry actually stands are valuable. The most recent edition of ABB Robotics’ Automotive Manufacturing Outlook Survey offers a snapshot of sentiment among automotive manufacturing leaders and key suppliers regarding electric vehicle (EV) production objectives. The survey, which is the third of its kind from ABB Robotics, was conducted among a substantial cohort of industry decision-makers. According to the source material, this year’s survey included responses from 473 automotive industry decision-makers at vehicle manufacturers and suppliers worldwide. The findings paint a picture of cautious optimism, but also reveal persistent uncertainties that extend beyond the factory environment.
The broader context is important. The automotive industry has been through multiple cycles of hype and disappointment regarding EVs. Early adopters faced range anxiety, charging infrastructure gaps, and manufacturing processes that were not yet mature. Over time, however, the underlying technology has matured. Battery chemistry has improved, manufacturing processes have been refined, and the cost curve has bent in a more favorable direction. The survey results suggest that these improvements are now being felt at the operational level, with a growing number of manufacturers reporting that EVs are becoming easier to build and less costly to produce.
At the same time, the survey highlights a lingering question: can the industry meet its own ambitious timelines for a full transition to electric vehicles? The source material indicates that while there is strong confidence in near-term growth, there is less certainty about reaching 100 percent electric vehicle production timetables. This is a nuanced position, and it is worth unpacking in detail for European operators who are planning their own capital investments, workforce development, and supply chain strategies.
Key findings
The survey’s headline finding is a clear expectation of growth. According to the source material, more than two-thirds of manufacturers expect EV production to increase in 2026 compared with 2025. This is a forward-looking indicator that suggests the industry is not merely stabilizing but is preparing for expansion. The specific breakdown of the 2025 expectations is also instructive. Thirty-one percent of the 434 survey respondents predicted EV output would increase by more than 10 percent. A further 44 percent said production would grow in 2025 by up to 10 percent. This means that a combined 75 percent of respondents expect some level of growth in the coming year.
On the other side of the ledger, only 21 percent of respondents believed EV production would either remain static (8 percent) or decline (13 percent) through 2025. This is a relatively small minority, and it suggests that the prevailing mood among automotive manufacturing professionals is one of measured confidence. The fact that the survey was conducted among a sizable sample—434 respondents for the production growth question, and 473 for the broader survey—adds weight to these findings. These are not anecdotal impressions; they are the aggregated views of a substantial number of industry insiders.
Beyond the headline growth figures, the survey reveals important operational improvements. Over half of respondents (51 percent) say EVs are now easier to manufacture than 12 months ago. This is a significant shift, as it indicates that the learning curve associated with EV production is being climbed. The manufacturing processes, tooling, and workforce skills required to build EVs are becoming more standardized and better understood. This is not just a matter of perception; it has concrete implications for production efficiency, quality control, and the ability to scale.
Complementing this, 41 percent of respondents report that EV manufacturing costs have fallen. This is a critical data point for European operators, where cost competitiveness is often a concern relative to other manufacturing regions. The reduction in costs is likely driven by a combination of factors, including economies of scale, improvements in battery technology, and more efficient production methods. While the source material does not break down the specific drivers of these cost reductions, the overall trend is clear: the cost disadvantage of EV manufacturing relative to traditional vehicles is narrowing.
The survey also touches on the role of automation in this transformation. The source material mentions that ABB Robotics continues to support automotive manufacturers in the flexible manufacturing of combustion, electric, and hybrid production with more autonomous and versatile robotics (AVR). This is an important point for European operators, as the region has historically been a leader in industrial automation. The ability to deploy flexible robotic systems that can handle multiple vehicle architectures—combustion, electric, and hybrid—is a key enabler of the transition. It allows manufacturers to hedge their bets, adjusting production volumes based on market demand without requiring massive retooling efforts.
Another notable finding from the survey, as highlighted in the source material, is the growing importance of cybersecurity in the automotive manufacturing sector. This year’s survey reportedly shows that cybersecurity has become a primary focus for automotive manufacturers worldwide. This reflects a shift in how manufacturers view digital risk, operational continuity, and vehicle production. The increasing use of connected technologies on the factory floor—including robotics, vision systems, analytics, digital twins, and AI—brings significant productivity, quality, and flexibility benefits. However, these technologies also expand the attack surface, creating new vulnerabilities that must be managed.
For European operators, this cybersecurity finding is particularly relevant. The region has some of the most stringent data protection and cybersecurity regulations in the world, and the automotive sector is a critical piece of the European industrial base. The survey’s finding that cybersecurity is now a top priority suggests that manufacturers are internalizing these risks and investing in secure and controlled connectivity. This is not just a compliance issue; it is an operational continuity issue. A cyberattack on a factory floor can halt production, damage equipment, and compromise sensitive data. The survey’s results indicate that manufacturers are taking this threat seriously.
The source material also includes a quote from Joerg Reger, Managing Director of ABB’s automotive business line. Reger is quoted as saying that this year’s survey found that overall, automotive manufacturing professionals are optimistic about EV production growth in 2025, but unsure about reaching 100 percent electric vehicle production timetables due to factors now often beyond the factory environment. This is a crucial nuance. The optimism is real, but it is tempered by external factors—such as charging infrastructure, raw material availability, and consumer demand—that are outside the direct control of manufacturers.
Reger is also quoted as saying that there is strong evidence that EV manufacturing capabilities are now considerably improved, and significant change has taken place in terms of introducing new technologies. This aligns with the survey’s findings on ease of manufacturing and cost reductions. The picture that emerges is one of an industry that has made substantial progress on the production side, but that is still grappling with the broader ecosystem challenges that will determine the ultimate pace of the transition.
What it means for European operators
For European automotive manufacturers and their suppliers, the survey’s findings carry several implications. The first is a matter of strategic positioning. If more than two-thirds of manufacturers expect EV production to increase in 2026 compared with 2025, then European operators need to ensure they are not left behind. This means continuing to invest in EV-specific manufacturing capabilities, including the automation and robotics systems that are increasingly central to efficient production. The survey’s finding that 51 percent of respondents say EVs are now easier to manufacture than 12 months ago suggests that the barriers to entry are lowering, but it also means that competitive pressure is likely to intensify.
The cost reductions reported by 41 percent of respondents are also significant. For European operators, where labor costs and energy costs are often higher than in other regions, the ability to reduce manufacturing costs is essential for maintaining competitiveness. The survey suggests that these cost reductions are happening, but it does not provide specific figures. European operators should therefore be cautious about assuming that cost parity with internal combustion engine vehicles has been achieved. The trend is positive, but the magnitude of the improvement is not disclosed in the source material.
The cybersecurity finding is another area where European operators should take note. The survey indicates that cybersecurity has become a primary focus for automotive manufacturers worldwide. For European operators, this is likely to be an even more pressing concern given the regulatory environment. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Network and Information Security (NIS) Directive impose strict requirements on data protection and cybersecurity. The survey’s findings suggest that manufacturers are responding to these pressures, but they also highlight the need for continued investment in secure connectivity and robust cybersecurity protocols.
The survey also underscores the importance of flexible manufacturing. The source material highlights ABB Robotics’ support for flexible manufacturing of combustion, electric, and hybrid production. For European operators, this flexibility is likely to be a key competitive advantage. The transition to EVs is not happening at a uniform pace across all markets and segments. Some manufacturers may need to maintain significant internal combustion engine production for years to come, while others may pivot more quickly. The ability to adjust production lines to accommodate different vehicle architectures is therefore a valuable strategic asset.
The uncertainty about reaching 100 percent electric vehicle production timetables, as noted by Reger, is also relevant for European operators. This uncertainty is driven by factors beyond the factory environment, such as charging infrastructure, consumer adoption rates, and raw material availability. European operators should therefore avoid over-committing to a single production strategy. A diversified approach that maintains the ability to produce combustion, electric, and hybrid vehicles is likely to be more resilient in the face of these external uncertainties.
The survey’s findings on the broader use of connected technologies—robotics, vision systems, analytics, digital twins, and AI—are also worth noting. These technologies can improve productivity, quality, and flexibility, but they also increase the need for secure and controlled connectivity. For European operators, this means that investments in automation and digitalization must be paired with investments in cybersecurity. The two are inseparable in a modern manufacturing environment.
It is also worth noting what the survey does not disclose. The source material does not provide specific figures on the magnitude of cost reductions, the exact timeline for reaching 100 percent EV production, or the specific cybersecurity threats that manufacturers are most concerned about. European operators should therefore treat the survey’s findings as directional rather than prescriptive. The survey provides a useful snapshot of industry sentiment, but it does not provide the granular data needed for detailed operational planning.
The survey’s sample size—473 decision-makers at vehicle manufacturers and suppliers worldwide—is substantial, but it is not broken down by region in the source material. It is therefore not possible to determine how many of the respondents were from Europe specifically. European operators should be aware of this limitation and consider how the global findings might apply to their specific regional context.
The source material also references ABB Robotics’ delivery of more autonomous and versatile robotics (AVR), which are described as capable of creating a leap in manufacturing capability. While the specific capabilities of these systems are not detailed in the source material, the emphasis on autonomy and versatility aligns with the broader trend toward flexible, reconfigurable manufacturing systems. For European operators, this suggests that the next generation of manufacturing technology will be increasingly adaptable, allowing for faster changeovers and more efficient production of multiple vehicle types.
The survey’s findings on EV manufacturing confidence are part of a broader narrative of an industry that is maturing. The early years of EV production were marked by high costs, quality issues, and supply chain bottlenecks. The survey suggests that many of these early challenges have been overcome. The fact that 51 percent of respondents say EVs are now easier to manufacture than 12 months ago is a strong indicator that the production side of the equation is improving.
However, the survey also serves as a reminder that the transition to EVs is not solely a manufacturing challenge. The factors that will determine the ultimate pace of the transition—charging infrastructure, consumer demand, raw material availability, and regulatory support—are largely outside the control of individual manufacturers. European operators should therefore plan for a future that is more uncertain than the headline growth numbers might suggest.
In practical terms, European operators should consider the following takeaways from the survey. First, the near-term outlook for EV production growth is positive, and manufacturers should be prepared to scale up their EV production capabilities. Second, the cost and ease-of-manufacturing improvements reported by respondents suggest that the business case for EV production is strengthening, but the specific figures are not disclosed. Third, cybersecurity must be a priority, as the increasing use of connected technologies expands the attack surface. Fourth, flexible manufacturing capabilities are likely to be a key competitive advantage, given the uncertainty about the pace of the transition.
The survey also highlights the importance of automation in the EV manufacturing transition. The source material notes that ABB Robotics continues to support automotive manufacturers in the flexible manufacturing of combustion, electric, and hybrid production. For European operators, this suggests that investments in automation are not just about reducing labor costs; they are about enabling the flexibility and scalability needed to navigate the transition successfully.
Finally, it is worth noting that the survey’s findings are consistent with a broader trend in the industry. The transition to EVs is no longer a question of whether it will happen, but of how quickly and at what cost. The survey suggests that the manufacturing side of the equation is becoming more predictable, but the external factors remain uncertain. European operators should therefore approach the transition with a combination of optimism and caution, investing in the capabilities they can control while remaining flexible in the face of factors they cannot.
The source material for this analysis is limited to the survey results and the associated commentary. It does not provide detailed breakdowns by region, company size, or vehicle type. It also does not provide specific projections for European production volumes or timelines. European operators should therefore use the survey’s findings as a general guide rather than a precise forecast. The survey’s value lies in its ability to capture the prevailing sentiment among industry decision-makers, and that sentiment is clearly one of cautious optimism.
As the industry moves forward, it will be important to track whether the optimism reflected in this survey translates into concrete outcomes. The survey’s findings on ease of manufacturing and cost reductions are encouraging, but they are based on perception rather than hard data. European operators should therefore continue to monitor their own production metrics and benchmark them against industry trends. The transition to EVs is a long-term endeavor, and the survey provides a useful waypoint on that journey.
Published by Vigla Media OÜ (Estonia).
Sources
- https://www.therobotreport.com/abb-robotics-survey-predicts-ev-production-growth-2025/