Ongoing shifts and uncertainty in vehicle markets, global trade and technology are pushing leaders in finished vehicle logistics to constantly to adapt distribution, transport and inventory to meet market requirements and to ensure efficiencies. Whilst this brings challenges in planning and operations, it also presents unique opportunities for carmakers and their stakeholders to re-engineer vehicle logistics networks to meet strategic goals, including reduced transport and lead times, lower emissions and working capital.
This free Automotive Logistics livestream will feature market analysts, automotive logistics leaders and experts who will help viewers understand and navigate current market changes, as well as offer unique case studies and best practice in vehicle logistics optimisation, including for Volkswagen Group’s European port and global shipping network.
Understanding tariff and market changes
In one special segment of the livestream, a leading analyst from automotive forecasting firm, AutoForecast Solutions, Sam Fiorani, will share insights on the impacts and implications of the latest US tariffs and the wider trade war, including what it could mean for vehicle production, sales, import and export flows. Fiorani, one of them most respected and referenced automotive market analysts in the US, will also offer updates on wider automotive market shifts, including trends in the rate of electrification.
OptimisingVolkswagen Group’s European port network
Viewers will also gain exclusive insight into developments of OEM vehicle logistics transport and shipping networks. Volkswagen Group Logistics is responding to changing market, production and trade flows by adapting its European vehicle logistics port network with objectives of reducing inland transport and shipping times, improving resilience, multimodal transport and ultimately reducing emissions and costs across the network. Learn how the group will implement a brand-new terminal in the Mediterranean, and how it will complement its wider logistics network and strategic hubs in northern Europe and trade connections with key markets in Asia.
Trends and opportunities in vehicle logistics
Automotive Logistics editors and other experts will further discuss trends and challenges in vehicle logistics and identify other opportunities for players to manage constant change, including digital tools to improve transparency, adapt networks and routing. You’ll also hear more about recent highlights from Automotive Logistics reporting, events and the wider community.
When & Where:
Date: 16 July 2025
Time: 15:00 GMT | 10:00 EDT | 16:00 CEST
Format: Livestream (Online)
Register Now to secure your spot in this crucial livestream session and gain valuable insights into the future of automotive logistics!
Can’t attend the live session? Don’t worry, register today and get access to the on-demand recording after the event.
Speakers
Peter Hörndlein, Managing Director, Vehicle Logistics, Volkswagen Konzernlogistik (Group Logistics), Volkswagen Group
Since April 2024 Peter Hörndlein has been responsible for all vehicle logistics activities at Volkswagen Konzernlogistik (Group Logistics), which includes vehicle logistics network planning, network steering, port and multimodal transport in Europe, global shipping and governance, as well as digitalisation. He is helping to lead transformation across the group’s vehicle logistics’ organisation, processes and network to optimise operations, improve efficiency and reduce emissions. Hörndlein has worked across automotive logistics and supply chain roles for nearly 30 years, including a variety of roles across logistics planning, systems, supply chain management, inbound transportation and vehicle logistics at BMW Group, where he also had international assignments in the UK and the US. He joined the Volkswagen Group in 2017 at MAN Truck & Bus, where he led brand logistics for the company, and later global material purchasing for the bus division.
Sam Fiorani, Vice President, Autoforecast Solutions
A life-long car enthusiast, Sam has been a student of the automotive industry since his childhood. He received his first car, an Eldon electric Corvette, at the age of three and quickly learned how to parallel park it.
Over the decades, he’s sold cars, worked on cars, wrote about working on cars, and has provided analysis for the automotive industry for nearly three decades. He’s an award-winning writer with histories of vehicles appearing in various publications. He judges concours events around the United States. Along with the museum’s director, he produces various video programs for the Boyertown (Pennsylvania) Museum of Historic Vehicles.
Sam has headed the global vehicle forecasting team for AutoForecast Solutions (AFS) since 2014 providing monthly production forecasts and analysis by nameplate and plant around the world.
Today, he sits on the boards of the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles, the International Motor Press Association, and the Radnor Hunt Concours.
Automotive Logistics livestreams are a key part of our 360-degree content ecosystem, offering timely discussions on the industry’s biggest challenges and opportunities. Complementing our digital hub, in-person events, reports, and publications, these sessions deliver actionable insights aligned with the trends shaping automotive logistics.
View our most recent livestream, ’Data: Silos, security & sovereignty’, on demand to stay ahead of disruption and lead your organisation toward a sustainable and profitable future.
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