OEMs
Russia confirms Khrabrovo as location for BMW plant in Kaliningrad
Following February’s news that BMW planned to build a vehicle assembly plant in the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, which lies between Lithuania and Poland on the Baltic coast, the government’s official news source, Russian Gazette, has reported it will be in the Khrabrovo Industrial Park.
US Trade Representative rejects Volvo and GM requests for tariff exemptions
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has turned down separate applications from Volvo and GM to be excluded from a 25% import duty on their Chinese-made SUVs.
Changan Ford fined for anti-competitive practice in China
China’s anti-trust regulator has ordered Changan Ford Automobile, the US carmaker’s 50:50 joint venture with Chongqing Changan Automobile, to pay a penalty of 162.8m yuan ($23.5m) for having restricted prices since 2013.
Ford announces closure of UK engine plant
Ford plans to shut its 1,700-employee engine factory in Bridgend, South Wales, and shift production to Mexico. Declining demand and excess capacity lie behind the decision.
SMMT warns of ‘no deal’ cost after Brexit blow
A sustained production decline in the UK’s car industry could be expected to ease by year-end as new models arrive and output balances out over the third quarter, provided the country leaves the European Union (EU) with a favourable deal, a substantial transition period and all other things remain equal, said Mike Hawes, CEO of the UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Motoring on: Brazil’s heavyweight OEMs prepare for growth
Brazilian truck and bus sales picked up strongly last year following the country’s long recession, and now both OEMs and logistics providers are hoping the trend continues
Why all eyes are on Israel for AI
In the race to perfect autonomous driving, Israel has proven to be a hotspot of technological innovation – driven, in part, by its military expertise and surveillance tools
Toyota North America: Breaking down supply chain barriers
Toyota is realigning its production and service parts organisation by integrating its inbound and aftermarket supply chain departments into a new division called PDAD. Group vice-president of the new division, Alok Vaish, explains the thinking behind it
Trust in Turkey: How exports are carrying the country through its economic crisis
Turkey faces some difficult economic headwinds that have already impacted on its automotive industry. But there are still several reasons for optimism, especially the country’s strength as a vehicle export hub with easy access to the European market
In the service of free trade
Free trade zones offer many tax and logistics benefits to the automotive supply chain. DP World, with its flagship facility in Dubai, UAE, wants to expand these services in markets in the Middle East and Africa, the UK and the US
Smarter about spot loads
Logistics technology company Loadsmart promises to automate full truckload shipments to the benefit of both shippers and carriers
Hanging in the balance
Lower production output, slower growth in export markets and several regulatory and operational issues are threatening to unbalance Poland’s finished vehicle market
Ford reviews joint venture with Sollers in Russia
Ford may close some or all of the plants it operates in Russia with local carmaker Sollers, according to the Russian government.
German automotive body warns on US trade tensions
German sector association the VDA has warned that ongoing trade tensions between the US and Europe and, separately, the US and China should not be allowed to derail the mutually beneficial relationship its OEMs currently have with the North American country. The warning coincides with news that VW and Ford ...
Mexican car industry calls for action on fuel shortage
Mexico’s new federal government has launched a radical strategy to combat the country's long-term problem of fuel theft. However, this has led to fuel shortages in central regions, which have closed gas stations, and is now threatening the transport and logistics supporting the automotive sector.
Driving into a Russian road block?
Despite economic uncertainty in Russia, analysts expect new vehicle sales to grow further - putting increasing pressure on the nation’s already depleted fleet of car carriers
Honda to halt UK production during Brexit
Japanese OEM Honda is to suspend production at its British plant for six days in April after the UK leaves the European Union on March 29.The decision follows an assessment of how best to prepare for any logistics and border problems following Brexit.“These contingency provisions have been put in place ...
Storrs replaces Clarke at Ford of Europe
Chris Storrs (pictured) has replaced Helen Clarke at Ford of Europe as finished vehicle logistics manager.
Ford Otosan and AVL join forces on platooning
The commercial vehicle arm of Ford’s joint venture in Turkey, Ford Otosan, has begun developing platooning technology for its trucks with Austrian research company AVL.
Dealing with change
In recent years, a number of shifts in the industry have begun to affect traditional dealership models, changing the types of relationships that exist between dealers, OEMs and customers.
