Global supply chain adapts to booming sales of Chinese vehicles China's auto exports gain momentum despite substantial headwinds, demonstrating outstanding flexibility in adapting to issues such as tariffs and demand fluctuations in target markets. Vladislav Vorotnikov
ASEAN light vehicle sales grow, strong export momentum The ASEAN light vehicle production market outlook is growing, with revisions up by roughly 22,000 units this year and strong export momentum. Megan Kelly
The “great divergence” reshapes vehicle production and logistics in Europe amid market forces, Chinese OEMs and tariff shifts The European automotive market is at an inflection point. Lower vehicle volumes post-pandemic, a shift from net exports to net imports and the growing influence of Chinese manufacturers are fundamentally changing the region’s logistics dynamics. Meanwhile, tariffs and localisation efforts are altering trade flows. As automakers and logistics providers adapt, the success of their strategies will determine who thrives in this new era of European automotive supply chains. Emily Uwemedimo
BYD and other Chinese OEMs accelerate vertical integration with dedicated ro-ro fleets for global vehicle exports Chinese OEM BYD has added a new vessel to its fleet, with the BYD Shenzhen ro-ro car carrier having undocked earlier this month. Megan Kelly
Chinese carmaker Chery builds on containerised vehicle shipments to Turkey with DP World service Chery is building the volumes of cars it ships in containers from China to Turkey supported by DP World operations at the Yarímca container terminal. Marcus Williams
Seismic shifts in the global trade of electric vehicles: 2024 in review The car industry is going through a volatile adaptation as it seeks to decarbonise mobility and clean up the logistics supporting production. This year it has also been dealing with trade and labour disruption but the focus is adamantly on a more resilient supply chain and the adoption of digital technology. Marcus Williams
Leaps and bounds across the strait: How Morocco has become the new hub driving exports to Europe Morocco leads North Africa as a vehicle manufacturing base for exports to Europe, based on the sort of long-term commitments and investment that its neighbours need to embrace if they are to compete. Vladislav Vorotnikov
Chinese finished vehicle exports to Russia in jeopardy Rosteс, the parent company of Russia’s leading automaker Avtovaz, wants government authorities to limit the flow of Chinese finished vehicles into the country. The request follows a number of tariff measures taken by western nations, including Europe and the US, to tackle subsidised imports specific to electric vehicles. Vladislav Vorotnikov
Turkey announces 40% tariff on Chinese vehicle imports as EU imposes multi-band tariffs against Chinese OEMs Turkey’s new tariff on Chinese vehicle imports highlights global concerns over China’s subsidised EV exports. Meanwhile, the EU has announced its own tariffs on Chinese EVs, ranging from 17.4% to 38.1%. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Trade wars: The rise of protectionism and its impact on finished vehicle logistics Economic competition between China, the EU and the US intensifies with protectionist policies expanding to counter China’s EV ‘dumping’ strategies into broadly western regions that upset ‘fair’ competition Ilkhan Ozsevim
DHL to provide EV warehousing for Chery brands DHL Supply Chain has partnered with Chinese-owned Omoda and Jaecoo on a three-year warehousing contract that will enable specialist storage of parts and components including batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles. Megan Kelly
Chery puts car exports in containers to Turkey with help from DP World In the face of congestion at Turkey’s main finished vehicle handling ports, Chery Automobile has opted to put cars in containers for import through DP World’s Yarímca port terminal. Other Chinese carmakers are expected to follow suit and benefit from services DP World is providing. Marcus Williams
Chinese vehicle exports keep Russian vehicle logistics afloat at sea – and by rail Russia has become the top destination for Chinese vehicle exports, rising almost 500% year-on-year. But vehicle logistics modes, cost and capacity are a challenge, leading to new delivery methods, including cars in containers.
Sallaum Lines expands ro-ro capacity with new PCTC orders Shipping firm Sallaum Lines, which moves finished vehicles between the US, Europe and Africa, has ordered six new pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) vessels from China Merchants Shipyard to increase its ro-ro capacity. Megan Kelly
Former VW plant in Russia reported to be acquired, assemble kits from Chery A former Volkswagen plant in Kaluga, western Russia, is reported to be negotiating plans to assemble kits from China’s Chery Automotive Logistics
Chinese automakers surge amid western withdrawal from Russian market Delegates at last week’s Spring Congress of the Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG) heard that China’s vehicle exports surged in the first quarter of 2023, as global demand for electric vehicles helped spur a strong start to the year. Malcolm Ramsay
Chinese carmakers look to own ro-ro capacity A shortage in available capacity for finished vehicle shipments by ocean ro-ro vessel out of China, which has intensified over the last two quarters, has provoked a number of carmakers to look for control of their own assets. Marcus Williams
Faraday Future names Liu Yuchao senior vice-president of supply chain in China As Faraday Future future looks eastward as it seeks to expand the production and rollout of its flagship FF 91 EV, the firm is making a series of appointments to its team of experts to oversee this process. Jason Dunn
Iran’s automotive industry left to rust US-led sanctions have devastated Iran’s automotive industry, disrupting its supply of components and causing production to fall. Automotive Logistics assesses the damage Ian Henry
Technology drives massive change in the supply chain The rise of EVs and higher customer expectations are putting pressure on inbound supply chains and forcing structural changes. Marcus Williams reports from The Supply Chain Conference in Atlanta Marcus Williams
JLR part 1: Ensuring logistics is not a victim of success With so much expansion, change and inevitable risk still ahead of the carmaker, JLR’s director of global material planning and logistics, David Dyke, is pushing his department’s influence across the company and the supply chain to gain efficiency and further strength Christopher Ludwig
China conference: preparing for the new and the old, for growth and decline Chris Ludwig Christopher Ludwig
Developing with China's export demand China’s increasing export volume, particularly to low-cost markets, has resulted in a challenging, fragmented logistics sector. Anthony Coia reports. Anthony Coia
