Namrita Chow
NewsChinese vehicle exports see solid growth despite hurdles
The main carmakers in China have been able to increase exports in the first half of this year despite some adverse disruptions, including the shutdown of the world’s biggest vehicle terminal in Shanghai
NewsEU Mobility Package falls short on costs and recruitment
The latest EU Mobility Package could hit the availability of drivers across Europe at a time when the finished vehicle sector is struggling with recruitment and capacity
NewsCar industry looks for more vertical integration to avoid risk
BMW, Tesla and Volkswagen Group are among the vehicle makers taking a vertical approach to integration as a means to secure supply of crucial components in the face of continued disruption
NewsVehicle export growth from China stalled by port congestion
Exports from China in the first quarter of this year were showing impressive gains on the same period in 2021 but the lockdown in Shanghai has hit monthly growth figures
NewsCritical port congestion in China threatens carmakers
Volkswagen is one of a number of carmakers battling disruption to international parts supply and local working conditions because of China’s zero-Covid policy
FeatureElectric car carriers promise to pack a punch
Kässbohrer is developing a pure battery-powered car transporter with Swiss engineering firm Designwerk Technologies, which is being trialled by Galliker Transport as a step toward the cleaner delivery of finished vehicles by road
NewsUkraine’s vital link in the European supply chain
The closure of Ukraine’s supplier industry and the impact on logistics routes reveals how important the country is to European automotive production
NewsGermany localises LNG supply as prices rise
The cutting of LNG supplies from Russia has hit supplies to Europe and prompted the fast-tracking of a number of new projects to localise supply, most notably in Germany
AnalysisEurope’s electric future cannot be free of charge
Carmakers in Europe are working against the clock to ensure they meet regulations on vehicle emissions by 2030, mainly through the electrification of the vehicles they make. However, those efforts are contingent upon there being an adequate charging infrastructure in place. Namrita Chow assesses the state of play
NewsOutbound sector grapples with reality of reaching carbon neutrality
At last week’s conference held by the Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG) in Brussels, delegates discussed what the EU’s carbon neutral targets for 2050 meant for the sector
FeatureIn the waiting room: how the chip crunch is now hitting dealer sales
Most OEMs have met demand through existing vehicle inventory, but worsening chip shortages are now choking off new vehicle registrations, with impacts likely across the supply chain for years.
AnalysisMaterial shortages are forcing a supply chain rethink in automotive
In the face of material shortages across the board, carmakers and their suppliers are looking a range of radical alternatives as part of drive toward more sustainable closed-loop supply chains
AnalysisHow the European automotive industry aims to build back semiconductor and chip supply
OEMs, suppliers and EU officials are considering how best to develop Europe’s semiconductor supply bases to mitigate current and future shortages, but the broad gaps at many levels – including for older, larger chips – mean there will be no magic bullet
AnalysisThe 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 channel, according to new research. This has solidified automakers’ roll out plans for new sales structures across the continent and beyond.