The transition to new technology raises questions over how carmakers and logistics providers should manage the change from traditional operations to highly automated vehicle logistics. What, if anything, comes in between, and how fast should the industry adopt new processes and equipment?

One example can be found at Audi, which has already broken the mould when it comes to automation and advanced processes in vehicle logistics, both in physical operations and in planning and scheduling. Although Audi, together with the Volkswagen Group, is investing heavily in autonomous vehicle technology, its brand and plant logistics teams are not waiting until all vehicles have achieved level four or level five autonomy to change vehicle handling and loading operations.