The automotive industry is undergoing a major transformation driven by electrification, the emergence of new EV manufacturers, and rapidly changing market demands. To remain competitive, automakers must shorten development cycles and introduce products more quickly and flexibly.

In this context, Additive Manufacturing (AM), particularly metal 3D printing, has gained attention as a production technology that enables complex geometries while reducing lead times. In the automotive sector, its application has expanded beyond prototyping to product development and service parts production, with increasing examples of low-volume manufacturing, especially in Europe and North America.

This presentation reviews the current status of metal AM adoption in the automotive industry, presents key insights gained from practical implementation efforts, and discusses future challenges and opportunities for wider industrial application.