Tag: companies

Toyota uses VDL Groep hydrogen fuel cell trucks for Europe parts distribution

The OEM is using the trucks for distribution between its European parts centre in Belgium and locations in France, Germany and the Netherlands.

JLR boosts EV supply chain with 50 new expert roles

The move supports its goal to electrify all brands by 2030 while upholding ethical standards and production stability.

Nissan’s Gerardo de la Torre on using digital tools to improve supply chain visibility

The regional senior director of SCM on how Nissan has implemented its supplier visibility platform, and how he foresees it developing.

Plus Automation and Churchill IX merge to form PlusAI, with AI-led virtual drivers for autonomous trucking

An AI-based autonomous trucking software has seen success in trials completed with DSV and IVECO. PlusAI, the company behind the software, eyes partnerships with OEMs such as Traton Group and Hyundai as integral to scaling adoption.

Nissan and Stellantis supplier Marelli files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US

The tier one supplier confirms it has applied for bankruptcy to continue operations while it looks to secure additional funding or buyout.

The power of data, AI and digital transformation in the supply chain

Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Digital Strategies North America 2025 brought together senior leaders from OEMs, suppliers and tech innovators to explore AI, data, automation and the future of connected supply chains. Now that the conference has finished, find out what these experts said about North America’s digital transformation in automotive logistics.

Volvo Cars announces 3,000 redundancies as part of new lean plan

As part of its recently launched cost and cash action plan, the OEM announces it will reduce its global office-based workforce by 15%, mostly based in Sweden.

VW Group Logistics launches Venice port terminal to optimise exports, reduce emissions and improve resilience across vehicle logistics

Volkswagen Group Logistics will expand its port network for finished vehicles of the Volkswagen Group with a terminal at Venice port in Italy, which will reduce lead times for many plants, increase rail transport, and shorten shipping times with Asia.

James Todd Kloeb, former head of material planning and logistics for the Americas at Ford, joins Lucid Motors as global vice president of MP&L

James Todd Kloeb announced the news on social media, with it following a three-decade long stint at Ford. His role is expected to encompass global supply chain planning.

Toyota is considering moving production of the GR Corolla from Japan to the UK

While the news is not yet official, sources say that Toyota will add an additional production line to its Burnaston plant to try and meet demand for the sports model. If the move goes ahead, production is expected to begin mid-2026.

Nissan looking at ways to secure UK vehicle production including through Chinese joint venture

Nissan is looking at ways to secure production at its Sunderland plant amidst global cuts and that could include joint production with a Chinese EV partner.

In the latest management change from Stellantis, current COO Antonio Filosa has been promoted to CEO

The resignation of previous CEO Carlos Tavares kickstarted a wave of changes in Stellantis’ boardroom. The appointment of a new CEO could point to a return to stability, as Antonio Filosa brings decades of experience from across several Stellantis brands to the role.

DSV finalises €14.3bn acquisition of DB Schenker, doubling size and strengthening global logistics network

DSV acquires DB Schenker, adding 160,000 staff and boosting revenue to €41.6bn amid rising demand for global logistics solutions.

Audi announces production of its second-generation Q7 SUV has begun at the DRB-Hicom manufacturing plant in Malaysia

In a move to strengthen regional supply chain resilience, Audi has begun local production of its Q7 SUV at Malaysia’s DRB-Hicom facility, the brand’s first fully localised assembly project in South-East Asia. The current output for the Pekan plant is at three vehicles per day, but with the expectation of this rising to 5,000 units per annum.

VW Group one of a number of carmakers revising exports of vehicles from Mexico to US

Carmakers, including VW Group, are suspending the export of vehicles from Mexico into the US and revising production plans in the face of US tariffs brought in last week by the Trump administration. The German carmaker is also now holding all vehicles delivered after April 3 at US ports of entry.

Toyota plans to produce next-generation lithium batteries in Japan on hold

Toyota is revising its plans for battery production in Kyushu, Japan in the light of electric vehicle demand and rising material prices.

Renault embeds circular economy principles in packaging to cut emissions and logistics costs across its global supply chain

Renault is actively embedding circular economy principles into its industrial packaging strategy, aiming to reduce waste, optimise logistics and extend the lifespan of packaging assets across its global operations.

Mazda invests $148m in Thailand to expand EV exports across ASEAN and Japan

Mazda plans to strengthen Auto Alliance Thailand, its joint venture manufacturing base with Ford in Thailand, with an investment of 5 billion Thai baht ($148m), aiming to develop its facilities and become a regional manufacturing hub.

Hödlmayr using Mercedes-Benz eActros truck to shuttle finished vehicles from Magna plant in Graz

Hödlmayr International is now using an Mercedes-Benz eAtros 300 truck to shuttle finished vehicles between Magna Steyr’s plant and its nearby vehicle compound in Graz, Austria.

GM’s strategy to tackle EV logistics challenges: Digitalisation, nearshoring, and improving supplier relations

Strengthening supplier relationships, nearshoring strategies and digitalisation are enabling GM to enhance supply chain resilience across North America. From securing critical EV components to optimising cross-border logistics, the carmaker is fostering innovation and operational efficiency amid growing challenges.

Red Sofa interview | Paulina Chmielarz on how JLR drives digital transformation across supply chain operations

Paulina Chmielarz, digital innovation director for Industrial Operations at JLR, shares key milestones and innovations driving the carmaker’s ambitious transformation across supply chain, manufacturing, and procurement.

Transforming automotive logistics: Key insights from ALSC DS Europe 2024 day 1

Catch the key moments from Day 1 in Munich! From diversity and talent forums to cutting-edge AI and robotics, we explored how innovation is transforming the automotive supply chain.

Mercedes-Benz’s International Consolidation Center in Germany is being built on sustainable foundations

Mercedes-Benz’s International Consolidation Center will open in the second quarter of 2025 with sustainability at the core of its construction and logistics planning.

JLR leads logistics innovation with closed-loop seat foam recycling, advancing circular economy principles through the automotive supply chain

JLR is transforming automotive logistics with closed-loop seat foam recycling. Through partnerships and innovation, it is advancing a circular economy, cutting emissions, and securing sustainable supply chains for luxury vehicles.

GM’s “act as one team” philosophy is redefining supplier partnerships and strengthening internal culture

Heather Latham is uniting General Motors’ (GM) production and customer care operations to create a more integrated, customer-focused supply chain, reshaping its approach to both manufacturing and aftersales service.

BMW focuses on a secondary first process in material sourcing to make its vehicles sustainable says Roberto Rossetti

BMW’s vice-president of engineering Roberto Rossetti explains the carmaker’s innovative and sustainable approach to recycling production materials to solve the problem of scarce resources, volatile commodity prices and geopolitical disruption to the supply chain

Stellantis, GKN Automotive partner with logistics providers to mitigate disruption

At Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Global, logistics leaders from Stellantis and GKN Automotive shared they are partnering with providers and suppliers to de-risk the supply chain.

Mercedes Figueroa on how Stellantis is using AI to enable flexible logistics

Our Chief Content Offiser spoke with Mercedes Figueroa, Head of Transportation Operations for Stellantis North America about how the company is building flexibility, resilience, and efficiency into its logistics operations through cutting-edge technology and strategic collaboration with partners.

BMW’s Hendrik Lang on achieving sustainable automotive supply chains

Hendrik Lang, BMW’s senior vice-president of supply chain strategy and sustainability, attended London Climate Action Week in June. He talks BMW’s successes with carbon contracts, collaboration and convincing suppliers of sustainability’s benefits. Report by Ilkhan Ozsevim

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%.

ALSC Europe 2024 Day two wrap-up

Join us as ALSC Europe 2024 comes to a close to take a look at all the inspiring content of the day. From discussions on supply chain management and transportation solutions to advancements in technology and sustainability initiatives, this event has covered it all.

ALSC Europe 2024 Day one wrap-up

Join us as we close the first day of ALSC Europe 2024 and take a look at all the inspiring content of the day - as well as what’s in store for us tomorrow. From discussions on supply chain management and transportation solutions to advancements in technology and sustainability initiatives, this event will cover it all.

ALSC Europe 2024 Cocktail Reception wrap-up

Join us inside the ALSC Europe 2024 Cocktail Reception as we get revved up for the hottest topics in automotive logistics. From discussions on supply chain management and transportation solutions to advancements in technology and sustainability initiatives, this event will cover it all.

Gestamp redefines supply chain management for industry 4.0

Under the guidance of Diego Mallada, chief information officer for digitalisation, Gestamp is emerging as a leader in integrating digital networks and AI across its supply chain. Gestamp, an expert in metal automotive components and body-in-white, is revolutionising automotive supply chain management through advanced industry 4.0 strategies, emphasising federated networks and superior data quality.

Watch: How Gestamp is connecting the automotive supply chain through global federated networks and data standardisation

Gestamp is undergoing a significant digital transformation. As Diego Mallada explains to Christoper Ludwig, it is using a federated network and commitment to data excellence to redefine connectivity while driving collaboration and efficiency across global supply chains. Watch this video to learn more vision, strategy and technology behind Gestamp’s leap into the future of automotive logistics.

Sustainable priorities at Europe’s vehicle ports

Vehicle-handling ports on the European continent spent last year dealing with the fallout from the Covid pandemic and the impact of the semiconductor shortage, but that did not stop a number of them pursuing ambitious sustainability initiatives related to infrastructure. Marcus Williams reports

LG Chem and Henkel work to control lithium battery fires

Chemical companies are doing their bit to help minimise the risk of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, with recent announcements for Korea’s LG Chem and Henkel in Germany.

BMW Brilliance extends Dadong plant and integrates logistics

BMW’s joint venture in China – BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) – has completed the extension of its Dadong plant in Shenyang, taking its footprint to 91 hectares. The facility now includes press, body and paint shops alongside a single-roof, integrated logistics and assembly building with two independent production lines.

GM signs agreement to source cobalt from Glencore

GM has signed a multi-year sourcing agreement with Glencore for the supply of cobalt from its mining operation in Australia.

CATL powers ahead with a regional, sustainable supply chain strategy

With a new carbon-neutral gigafactory in China, and a plant set to start production this year in Germany, the Chinese battery cell producer is scaling its production and logistics to create secure and sustainable battery supply.

Mazda begins direct imports to UK from Japan

Mazda has made its first direct delivery of Japanese exports to the UK through the port of Bristol.

Toyota makes major shift to rail for vehicle moves in Europe

Toyota has started exporting vehicles made at its Burnaston plant in the UK to Europe on rail via the Channel Tunnel. It is also importing vehicles produced at the Valenciennes plant in France to the UK along the same route.

Auto1 Group opens German used-car facility supported by Inform

Car trading platform Auto1 Group has opened a vehicle-distribution centre in Hemau, Germany that is being supported by a yard management system (YMS) provided by logistics software specialist Inform.

Toyota installs DeGould vehicle-inspection system at Mississippi plant

DeGould has installed one of its automated digital inspection systems at Toyota’s assembly plant in the US state of Mississippi. The Auto-compact system is checking all Corolla vehicles leaving the plant for damage, equal to 170,000 vehicles a year.

BMW opens US VDC at Sparrows Point with Tradepoint Atlantic

BMW has opened a vehicle distribution centre (VDC) in the US port of Baltimore with logistics property developer Tradepoint Atlantic.

Faurecia and Hella combine forces in the aftermarket

Following Faurecia’s €5.3 billion ($6 billion) takeover of Hella at the end of January, the merged tier one parts suppliers have announced they will operate under the name Forvia and will start providing combined aftersales products and services, beginning with exhaust systems.

Stellantis halts production at Sevel because of engine shortage

Stellantis had to suspend production for a day at its Sevel val di Sangro plant in Italy last week following a shortage of engines supplied by one of its plants in France.

Toyota cuts March production plans because of chip shortage

Toyota has been forced to cut global vehicle production by 100,000 in March because of the spread of Covid and its impact on the production of semiconductors.

Mercedes-Benz opens sustainable battery logistics centre in Germany

Mercedes-Benz has opened a battery logistics facility near its plant in Bremen, Germany, that it will run with its logistics provider DB Cargo.

VW starts ID.5 production at Zwickau with smart logistics

Volkswagen has started series production of the ID.5 electric vehicle (EV) at its Zwickau plant in Germany, the sixth EV to be made at the plant after the ID.3, ID.4, Audi Q4 e-tron, Q4 Sportback e-tron and Cupra Born. The ID.5 also comes in a GTX version.

Watch: Moving better through the border, together

The US-Mexico border has never faced so many challenges, but there are door-to-door solutions that can reduce lead times and cost, reveals Agustin Sustaita, MD of Transportes Logisticos Especializados (TLE), a strategic partner of D-Troy Logistics, in an exclusive interview ahead of the Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Global conference in Detroit.

Italvolt to build southern Europe’s largest gigafactory

The Italian startup takes over the site of a former Olivette factory in the Piedmont region, where it plans to build a battery factory and expand the regional supply chain to help meet rising demand and production for electric vehicles.

XPO spinoff GXO could see big gains in warehouse automation

GXO Logistics has debuted on the New York Stock Exchange, with around 5% of the contract logistics market in North America and Europe. It has its eyes set on warehouse automation growth, with automotive as a potential growth area.

Vehicle electrification shakes up export and import flows

The electric vehicle revolution has reached some countries sooner than others, both in terms of customer uptake and manufacturing. As a result, outbound import and export flows are changing.

Watch: North America automotive market resilient but faces long recovery

The North American market has recovered faster than some expected, but Eaton analyst Brandon Mason predicts uncertain times ahead for the supply chain, with restrained sales in the coming years and ongoing localisation of vehicle production in the region. Watch this in-depth presentation from Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Live.

Tesla’s new factory: Berlin gets the gig

Volvo on track from China to Belgium with ARS Altmann and ICL

Smarter about spot loads

Logistics technology company Loadsmart promises to automate full truckload shipments to the benefit of both shippers and carriers

In Profile: Evelyn Chiang, Tesla

Evelyn Chiang’s first taste of logistics was when she was 13, virtually penniless, and supporting her family. Today she is the vice president of supply chain and IT at EV-maker Tesla Motors.