BMW
German border controls threaten inbound parts supply
Germany’s decision to suddenly impose travel restrictions across borders with Austria and the Czech Republic, and to those travelling from Slovakia, has drawn criticism from across the automotive industry as freight queues threaten to delay parts deliveries.
German carmakers race to secure European battery cell production
The millions of electric vehicles being produced also need millions of batteries. But where do the German manufacturers source their cells from?
A fitful start to the year for automotive supply in North America
The repercussions of Covid-19 continue to disrupt the automotive supply chain in North America, not least in the disruption caused to inbound container freight and the serious shortage in the supply of semiconductors. Marcus Williams reports
A fab future for the automotive sector
A shortage of semiconductors is hampering global automotive production. Bettina Weiss, chief of staff and global smart mobility lead at electronics association SEMI, tells Marcus Williams why this is happening and why OEMs need to forge more direct links with the chip manufacturers
BMW’s purchasing strategy gets more sustainable for EVs
BMW Group is more closely aligning its purchasing activity with goals for greater sustainability as it plans for greater vehicle electrification.
AI and automation need people and quality data to succeed
Experts from BMW, Ford, Symbio Robotics and Cosmo Tech discussed how artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in automotive production need fast ramp-up times and adoption by employees to succeed. High-quality data and use of simulation are also key.
AL FVL Winter 2020 Digital Edition
The winter digital edition of Automotive Logistics is out now, featuring an overview of how automotive supply chains have adapted during the crisis, and how digitalisation will reshape logistics. Plus insight on battery supply chains, used car logistics, vehicle logistics quality systems at Daimler and much more!
Watch: Supporting production through automation – from AI to cobots (Ep.4)
This Livestream Hour episode discusses how automation and AI can support automotive manufacturing with technology leaders from BMW and Ford, together with systems and software specialists.
BMW to use AWS cloud computing software to improve supply chain visibility
BMW and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have agreed to jointly develop applications to use AWS’ cloud computing platform to increase efficiency, performance and sustainability across the lifecycle of its vehicles, from design to aftersales services.
Marco Prueglmeier leaves BMW to found innovation consultancy
BMW’s project leader for logistics innovations and industry 4.0, Marco Prueglmeier, has left the carmaker to found an innovation consultancy called i2Market. The aim of the company is to provide industry with software development, robotics, automated warehousing, artificial intelligence and simulation.
BMW launches Idealworks subsidiary to supply logistics automation technology
BMW Group has founded a subsidiary called Idealworks to supply autonomous robots to the logistics sector, including companies outside of the automotive industry. The subsidiary, which is based in Munich, Germany, and currently has a team of 30, takes its name from the acronym for industry-driven engineering for autonomous logistics (Ideal).
Can the UK supply chain keep up with a 2030 ban on new ICE vehicle sales?
The UK government has announced it is bringing forward its plans to phase out the sale of new cars and vans powered by internal combustion engines. Daniel Harrison, automotive analyst at Ultima Media, examines how realistic that is and whether supply chains are ready to produce enough electric vehicles and batteries.
Rhenus Cuxport looks forward to more deep-sea trade after latest BMW exports
BMW has shipped exports of 3,500 vehicles bound for China through the German port of Cuxhaven to avoid delays caused by peak demand at the port of Bremerhaven
BMW trials vehicle exports by rail from Germany to China
BMW has started pilot rail shipments of the 5 Series between its Dingolfing plant in Germany and Chengdu in China.
WHS Plastics invests in distribution to support UK automotive sector
WHS Plastics, which provides plastic injection moulding products to the automotive sector, has opened a £3.5m ($4.5m) national distribution centre in Sutton Coldfield, in the UK Midlands.
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.
BMW selects Penske Logistics for LLP services at Spartanburg
Penske Logistics will be providing lead logistics provider (LLP) services for BMW Manufacturing in South Carolina following the signing of a multi-year contract. It is the first time that BMW has outsourced LLP services in the US and the first time Penske has had an LLP contract with the carmaker, though it has been providing other services at Spartanburg since 2007. Penske also provides LLP services for Ford in North America and GM in Mexico.
Carmakers focus on China for electric vehicle exports to Europe
A growing number of carmakers are looking to China for the production of electric vehicles (EVs) destined for sale in Europe, including Tesla, BMW and Renault.
The medium is the message
Over the last two years leading players in the European automotive industry have been collaborating on a standard for digital messaging that covers outbound logistics processes from the factory to the dealership. The project has involved almost 30 other organisations, including carmakers, logistics providers, software companies, shortsea car carrier lines and terminal operators
Anita Pieper returns to plant logistics at BMW Leipzig
Anita Pieper (pictured) has moved from her role as vice-president of vehicle distribution at BMW Group to a new role leading plant logistics at the carmaker’s Leipzig plant in Germany. Eugen Schantini has taken over her previous role and will now be responsible for global vehicle logistics.
