Inbound logistics

Automotive Inbound Logistics Survey 2025: Download now

Automotive Logistics
Automotive Logistics Automotive Logistics
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Download the inaugural Automotive Inbound Logistics Survey 2025 for the definitive playbook to navigate disruption, cut through uncertainty and stay ahead of global competition.

In an era defined by supply chain disruption – driven by geopolitical shifts, trade upheaval, electrification, and rising Chinese competition – knowing what’s ahead is no longer an advantage, it’s essential.

The inaugural Automotive Inbound Logistics Survey 2025 from Automotive Logistics, in partnership with DP World, captures how more than 340 senior executives are responding to this disruption, and where they see opportunity emerging.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT NOW

Top three survey findings:

  1. When asked to name their biggest headaches, industry leaders left no room for doubt. Cost pressure has become the defining challenge of automotive inbound logistics, called out by more than four in ten respondents. Freight rates, fuel bills, and labour costs are climbing relentlessly, crushing margins and forcing even the most efficient operators to rethink contracts and capacity.
  2. Hot on its heels are trade wars and tariffs – now viewed as the most destabilising force shaping global supply chains. Far from offering protection, US tariffs are seen as universally damaging, with respondents across every region (including the US itself) agreeing that there are no winners in a trade war. The fallout is already rippling across North America, Europe, and Asia, reshaping sourcing decisions and inflating prices.
  3. And then there’s the re-emergence of supply chain disruption, cited by one in three executives. Whether it’s shifting geopolitical alliances, shortages of critical materials, or the complex retooling needed for electrification, disruption is once again a permanent feature of the logistics landscape.

Why this research matters

This deep dive analysis equips stakeholders with the actionable intelligence they need to get ahead, implement operational and strategic planning, and compete effectively in one of the most turbulent inbound logistics landscapes in decades. As the first edition of what will become an annual industry benchmark, the survey will continue to track shifting priorities, giving leaders the visibility and foresight to mitigate risk, optimise operations, and make smarter, data-driven decisions.

Four core recommendations from the 2025 playbook

The inbound sector is faced with four key priorities it will need to successfully implement to mitigate disruption and help it navigate competition:

  • Accelerate digital transformation
  • Enhance planning and optimisation
  • Foster collaborative partnerships and
  • Turn industry turmoil into opportunity
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