IT Technology
The way we buy cars has changed forever
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated a latent online sales trend, with more than 50% of vehicles across Europe currently sold across some form of online channels, according to new research. This has solidified automakers’ roll out plans for new sales structures across the continent and beyond.
Supply chain’s radio star: Positive signals for real-time visibility
Cognosos’ Adrian Jennings talks about enhanced asset tracking, managing production surges and how automotive supply chains compare to rocket science
A game of two halves at Europe’s vehicle ports
Volatility at Europe’s leading finished vehicle handling ports was made worse in 2020 by the impact of restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in the first half of the year and then by resurgent demand in the second half. Marcus Williams reports
AL FVL Spring 2021 Digital Edition – Coping strategies for a global crisis
The spring digital edition of Automotive Logistics and Finished Vehicle Logistics is out now, featuring comprehensive overviews of the main vehicle ports in continental Europe and the UK, as well as the maritime transport sector. Plus, we look at the latest packaging initiative supporting VW’s lithium-ion battery deliveries to VW Zwickau, Vijay Ratnaparkhe’s IT revolution at Bosch and talk to carmakers about supply chain lessons ten years on from the Fukushima earthquake disaster
ABP to install 5G network at port of Southampton
Associated British Ports (ABP) is working with Verizon Business on the installation of a private 5G telecommunications network at the port of Southampton on the UK south coast. It will make ABP the first mainland port operator in the UK to offer a private 5G network to its customers.
Chips will require changes to the just-in-time model
The bottlenecks for semiconductors have caused delays for many car manufacturers, highlighting how supply chains in the tech industry are not always easily compatible with those in automotive. Fabian Pertschy spoke to Lars Reger, chief technology officer (CTO) at semiconductor maker NXP, about the importance of components in today’s vehicles and what long-term effects the current semiconductor crisis may have
Broberg replaces Billiter as CEO of Acertus
Trent Broberg is taking over as CEO of vehicle logistics provider Acertus, replacing William Billiter, who will remain on the management board. Billiter co-founded the company with Scott Naz in 2010 when the company was called MetroGistics. Broberg stepped into the role as of Monday this week (March 22).
LKQ Euro Car Parts now using Microlise SmartPOD
The SmartPOD mobile app provides drivers with access to delivery and consignment information, as well as providing real-time tracking of deliveries through the Microlise Journey Management system.
How Bosch is connecting its business for the AIoT era
Robert Bosch CIO Vijay Ratnaparkhe is continuing a revolution in the company’s corporate IT division as it takes a starring role in connecting Bosch operating units and products – expanding the possibility for data-driven services and AI across the business and supply chain.
Fire at Renesas plant knocks out semiconductor chip production
A fire has stopped production at one of Renesas Electronics’ plants in Japan. Renesas Semiconductor Manufacturing, a subsidiary of the parent company, reported the fire at its Naka factory in Hitachinaka on the earlier hours of March 19.
A stronger supply chain since Fukushima
In the ten years since the earthquake and tsunami hit the Japanese region of Tohoku, carmakers disrupted by the disaster have been working on mitigation strategies to better prepare and respond to the next supply chain threat. Marcus Williams talks to Mazda, Nissan and Toyota about what has been achieved over the last decade
SKF and Einride trial autonomous truck for cross-facility shipments
Bearing manufacturer SKF is trialling an autonomous electric truck to transport parts between its factory and its warehouse in Gothenburg, Sweden. The vehicle has been developed with Einride, the Swedish transport provider that specialises in electric and autonomous vehicles (AVs), and is based on its Pod concept.
VW moves more vehicles by rail than road in Spain
Volkswagen has been able to move more finished vehicles using rail than road in Spain thanks to services provided by Deutsche Bahn subsidiary, Transfesa Logistics. Results for 2020 show that 56% of finished vehicle shipments were made by rail, a record that simultaneously reduced annual carbon emissions by 4,820 tons, ...
Carmakers forced to extend shutdowns because of microchip shortage
Ford and GM have been forced to extend assembly plant closures because of a shortage in the supply of semiconductors, a problem that continues to disrupt vehicle production globally.
Cédric Chacon drives integration and talent at Gefco UK
Gefco UK appointed a new managing director at the start of this year. Despite taking the helm during a stormy period, Cédric Chacon, a Gefco veteran, has ambitious plans to get the different divisions working together more closely and culture the sort of brand loyalty amongst customers that Apple is used to. Illya Verpraet reports
Biden signs order to secure US supply chain network
President Biden has signed an executive order designed to fortify US supply chains, including those supporting the production of EV batteries and semiconductors.
Sustainable as standard: Transforming automotive supply chains with BSI
In this podcast, BSI’s Robert Brown and Martin Townsend discuss how Covid, digitalisation and the circular economy are reshaping processes and business models across automotive supply chains with Automotive Logistics editor-in-chief Christopher Ludwig
The time is now to start integrating robotics into logistics operations
Robotics have enabled major productivity gains in manufacturing, but as the technology becomes more affordable and labour gets harder to find and more expensive, it could start to play a bigger role in logistics, too, helping workers do their jobs more safely and quickly.
Pandemic gives finished vehicle logistics a fresh perspective
According to speakers at the Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain North America Live conference there was a silver lining to the disruption inflicted on the automotive industry by the coronavirus pandemic: it allowed companies to look at things afresh and identify where existing problems in the outbound supply chain lay hidden by day-to-day activity.
Porsche turns to ICL for better visibility on vehicle deliveries
The continuing need for accurate tracking of vehicles in the outbound supply chain became more of a critical issue last year as assembly plants ramped up production after the Covid shutdowns. Demand for new cars remained strong throughout the crisis, which shrank available inventory 32%, from 3.8m to 2.6m when plants were shut or operating on restricted schedules and according to new safety protocols.
