All Govt policy/regulation articles – Page 27
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Government supports green supply chain...
Support funds from the European Union and national governments such as the UK do appear to be reaching the automotive supply chain, including logistics, provided the projects are targeting low-carbon vehicles and transport, revealed speakers at a conference in Birmingham last week organised by the European Automotive Strategy Network (EASN). ...
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Tax efficiency within the automotive supply chain
OEMs have long strived to create the most efficient supply chain possible. With the current volatility, this has become even more prevalent as businesses streamline costs to survive.Historically, the strategies to increase automotive supply chain efficiency have focused on reducing the costs of manufacturing, procurement, distribution and transport. However, recently ...
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Loading regulation could save Europe billions
As the European Commission prepares its transport white paper toward legislation for the industry over the next decade, the Association for Finished Vehicle Carriers (ECG) has called for regulation that will secure a common loaded length for finished vehicle transporters at 20.75 metres (68ft). Speaking at the recently-held European Commission ...
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Korea agrees to auto talks with US
Following US president Barack Obama’s visit to South Korea as part of his first tour of Asia, South Korean president Lee Myung-bak said the republic was willing to reopen discussions on automotive trade under the KORUS free trade agreement with the US and address the concerns of its carmakers. "If ...
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Greater efficiency in India is just around the corner
Inefficient processes, inadequate infrastructure and multiple tax structures are being blamed for the excessive cost of logistics in India, according to a new report from CRISIL Research, the country’s largest independent research house. But the findings suggest that greater efficiency can be achieved by outsourcing to 3PLs, supported by more ...
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Potential EU-Korea trade agreement riles the ACEA...
The European Union and South Korea were still not ready to sign off a free trade agreement (FTA) when talks concluded on Monday in Stockholm, Sweden, thanks to “outstanding questions” from some EU members and opposition by European carmakers about the threat to European manufacturing they say that the policy ...
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Gefco 'justified' in UK port threat over taxes
Gefco is threatening to scale back its automotive business at the UK port of Sheerness in the face of a retrospective rates bill for £3m. In a letter to Sir Peter Westmacott, the British Ambassador in Paris, and seen by The Telegraph, Gefco’s Vice President for Vehicle Transport and Logistics, ...
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UK budget is too little too late for logistics
Last week’s budget announcement in the UK has been received with mixed feelings by the automotive industry, with enthusiasm for the scrappage scheme tempered by criticism from the logistics sector of both that and the fuel duty increases proposed for September. The Freight Transport Association (FTA) said that the decision ...
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Analysis: Chinese policy on downturn – crosshair or blindspot?
The Chinese government certainly acted quickly and successfully to reverse the first downward sales trend for new car sales it experienced during the second half of 2008. Today, thanks largely to a hefty cut in sales tax on cars with a 1.6-litre engine or less, sales are up in the ...
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China looks at new standards for vehicle transporters
The China Automotive Logistics Association (CALA) is planning to test four new car carrier models that are longer than the current standard in China as part of a feasibility study for their introduction in the country. The study is subject to approval at this month’s CALA conference held in Beijing. ...
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Overheard in Montreux: 'What we actually need is action'
Delegates at the Automotive Logistics Europe conference held last week in Montreux talked about the need for leadership, sober prognosis and a greater transparency in the relationship between OEMs and logistic service providers. Only then can the industry move on from the current crisis and deal with the challenges ahead: ...
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China offers economic help to logistics industry
Several sources have indicated that the Chinese government will extend support to industries hit by the economic downturn to help ports, warehouse operators and shipping firms. A report in Reuters said that China will add logistics to its industry support plan, citing sources close to the matter. The government had ...
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Russian taxes devastate imports through Vladivostok
Finished vehicle imports through the Commercial Port of Vladivostok have dropped 85% since the introduction of the new tariffs, mainly affecting second-hand vehicles brought in from Japan. The new charges, which came in to effect on January 12 this year, have brought unprecedented disruption in Vladivostok and have sparked protests ...
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UK ports bill could force CAT out
The UK’s controversial backdated ports rates proposal may force logistics provider CAT (UK) to withdraw activity from Teeside as it faces a £500,000 bill for its 50-acre storage site at the port. CAT (UK) is the only importer of Renault cars to the UK and makes final inspection and fittings ...
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UK ports left out in the cold?
BMW has denied it is threatening to withdraw distribution operations from the ports of Immingham and Southampton in the face of controversial new port rates being introduced in the UK. “We are not planning to pull out of distribution operations at the ports of Immingham and Southampton,” BMW spokesman Frank ...