Subaru announces partnership with Seino Transportation for automotive parts logistics in Japan
At the end of February 2026, Subaru announced that it has begun a collaboration with logistics service provider Seino Transportation to consolidate long-distance parts transportation in Japan and address challenges facing the country's logistics sector.
Subaru identified truck driver shortages and transport capacity constraints as some of the biggest challenges facing automotive logistics in Japan, and hopes that through its partnership with Ogaki-based Seino Transportation it can overcome these issues and optimise operations.
Upon establishing their partnership, the first priority for the two companies was to consolidate the long-distance transportation of automotive parts for EVs manufactured at Subaru’s Gunma Yajima Plant. Subaru began production of the Trailseeker model (marketed in Europe as the E-Outback) at this plant in February 2026.
By consolidating shipments of these parts from suppliers in Japan's Chukyo region at Seino Transportation’s Toyokawa Branch in Aichi Prefecture and leveraging its nationwide logistics network, Subaru says the initiative improves truck loading efficiency and streamlines long-distance transportation.
The automaker has also noted that this method of freight consolidation reduces CO2 emissions and can ease driver workloads.
Subaru established a chief logistics officer (CLO) position and a logistics division in April 2025 to "promote company-wide logistics optimisation". The position of CLO is currently held by Shinichi Murata, who previously served as executive officer responsible for the risk management group, external relations department, intellectual property department, general administration department, and sustainability promotion department.
Subaru has said it will "continue to contribute to building a sustainable logistics environment" by addressing various logistics challenges through enhanced transportation efficiency and the effective utilisation of transportation resources.
One of these logistics challenges it intends to address is the impact of reduced transportation capacity and logistics bottlenecks that have come about following the implementation of upper limits on truck drivers’ overtime in Japan under the Work Style Reform Act in 2024.
