OEMs
Ford cuts its losses in Brazil with closure of all production in 2021
Ford will shut all three of its production facilities in Brazil this year and import vehicles from other markets in South America, including neighbouring Argentina and Uruguay, to meet demand in the country.
Second Covid wave will cripple vehicle sales and distribution
Carmakers are looking at a damaging month of sales as new lockdowns in Europe hit the dealer network. At the same time they are closely monitoring inbound supply chains ahead of a winter that could see continued disruption to automotive supply chains.
EV start-up Arrival to build microfactory in South Carolina
Arrival, the start-up that plans to build electric commercial vehicles in what it calls ‘microfactories’, has announced its first US production location in York County, South Carolina. It has also raised $118m from funds managed by BlackRock.
Xiaopeng Motors begins electric SUV exports to Europe
Chinese start-up carmaker Xiaopeng Motors (XPeng) has started exports of its G3i electric SUV to Europe, with the first models expected on the roads in November this year. The vehicle went on sale in the country in June. The vehicles were loaded at Xinsha Port in Guangzhou on September 24.
Tesla plans deep vertical integration of battery supply
Tesla has revealed a host of production innovations to make lithium-ion battery manufacturing more efficient and reduce costs, including in-house battery cell production, which could cut the miles travelled for the battery production by 80%, and the reduction of the cobalt content of the cathode, which would bring further supply chain savings
Ford and Toyota talk about the benefits of returning to sender
Carmakers used last week’s ALSC Live online conference to reveal a range of sustainable packaging strategies they were employing in an effort to cut waste along with cost.
Rivian outlines sustainable packaging initiative
Electric vehicle start-up Rivian has revealed details of a plastic recycling initiative that aims by 2024 to collect 500,000kg (1.1m lbs) of single-use plastic annually and stop it from floating out to sea. Rivian will instead turn it into the containers it uses to move parts inbound to its production line.
Fully automated microfactories mean more resilient manufacturing says Arrival
Electric commercial vehicle maker Arrival could have as many as 1,000 automated microfactories operating by 2026, with the first now under construction. Localised supply is a priority and the manufacturing and logistics will be supported by industry 4.0 technology
Daimler automates inbound communications at Wörth plant
Trucks carrying inbound parts to the Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle plant in Wörth, Germany are now sending out automated arrival announcements thanks to a new IT system set up by parent company Daimler and software development partners Inform and Fleetboard Logistics.
Gefco secures contract with RNM Alliance in France and Netherlands
The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance has signed a new three-year contract with French logistics provider Gefco for the multimodal movement of finished vehicles in France and the Netherlands
Kandi Technologies looks to make EVs in the US
Kandi Technologies is the latest Chinese carmaker interested in opening a manufacturing plant in the US for its electric and off-road vehicles. The company, which also develops lithium-ion batteries and parts, said it could improve competitive pricing by eliminating shipping costs and tariffs associated with imports to the region.
Consortium to develop autonomous inbound services for Nissan UK
Autonomous vehicle technology developer StreetDrone has secured funding as part of a wider consortium looking into the use 5G connected autonomous trucks for inbound shipments to Nissan’s assembly plant in Sunderland, UK
VW will stay with Amports at Jaxport
Volkswagen has extended its vehicle handling contract with the US east coast port of Jacksonville (Jaxport) for three years and will continue to work with terminal operator Amports…
VW Poznań will start full production in September with improved logistics
Following two years of expansion work worth €400m ($463m), Volkswagen’s commercial vehicle (LCV) plant in Poznań, Poland is almost ready to start full production of the new mark 5 Caddy van…
INEOS in discussions with Daimler to produce Grenadier in Hambach
British start-up INEOS Automotive may be making its new 4x4 vehicle in France instead of South Wales after German OEM Daimler announced it wanted to sell its Hambach factory in France. Head of supply chain management at INEOS, Marko Weisshaar (pictured), spoke about the possibility of a French connection during last week’s Livestream Hour
BMW signs deal with Northvolt for battery cell supply
BMW has signed a deal worth €2 billion with Northvolt for supply of battery cells from 2024…
Groupe PSA and FCA merger will be called Stellantis
Following last year’s announcement of the 50:50 merger between Group PSA and Fiat Chrysler Automobile (FCA), the two companies have announced that the merged company will be called Stellantis. The word derives from the Latin ‘to brighten with stars’…
All-electric future for VW at Zwickau
Volkswagen has made its last vehicle with an internal combustion engine at the Zwickau assembly plant in Germany and is now dedicating the plant to the assembly of electric vehicles, beginning with the ID.3. There are similar plans ahead for its plant in Emden from 2022
The future of Ford’s untouchable supply chain
Ford is digitalising key aspects of its global logistics and supply chain management, including the recent insourcing of its fourth party logistics (4PL) logistics management in Asia Pacific, Africa and South America…
VW transports car volumes to North America on Siem LNG vessel
Volkswagen is sending 4,800 vehicles from Germany to North America on board a ro-ro vessel powered by liquified natural gas (LNG). The Siem Confucius, which was delivered to Siem Car Carriers in March this year, is headed for Mexico but will be making stops in Canada and the US..
